Reader to Reader

Without getting into the running battle over ageism in the screenwriting business (which there absolutely is), I must respond to someone who describes himself as a 40-year-old aspiring screenwriter (Letters, April 2). According to Phil Yuhas, he has been aspiring for “a few years” now, but with no apparent success. Maybe he should consider that he’s never realized his dream of becoming a working screenwriter because, at the age of 40, he’s just too old to get an agent to sell his work, or to have an “industry professional” take it seriously enough to buy it.

On the other hand, maybe he hasn’t sold anything because he hasn’t been able to write “compelling stories with strong commercial potential,” or “an outstanding product” to merit their consideration.

Or maybe . . . he just doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

SHEL WILLENS

Los Angeles