Excuses not to write: 1 - "Someone will steal my story"

This is a conversation I had in the pub with an aspiring screenwriter,
who had just forked out £200 for a two day training.

Drunk Wannabe Screenwriter: I can't get a break, 'cos my work doesn't
fit the stereotype.

Me: (Intrigued) Really? What are you writing?

Drunk Wannabe Screenwriter: Action stuff. None of this
character-driven nonsense they bang on about.

(At this point I have a clue that this wannabe may have some problems
dealing with reality. After all, The Incredible Hulk opens this week,
chasing Iron Man. I also notice that in 5 minutes of chatting she
hasn't actually told me a thing about her script, just why she can't
sell it. Not a thing. Not where or when or who - it's just "action
stuff" - SF, Gangsters, Porn - I have no idea! But I persist.).

Me: Well, my experience was that loads of people said no to my
ideas("too dark/ too expensive/ boring/ old fashioned/ not my thing/ not
filmable/crap") before one person said "ok, I like that".. But you only
need one. You just have to keep going until that one says "yes. Let's
see if we can make this film."

Drunk Wannabe Screenwriter: So, how do you meet people who'll say yes?

Me: You go to places where film-makers meet. Film festivals, markets.
I went to Cannes four years ago, chatted to people, had a drink or two -
and one night, someone said yes, let's talk more. Now I am being paid
to develop that script.

Drunk Wannabe Screenwriter: How did you get to Cannes?

Me: On a train.... sorry, I know what you mean. It's not that hard to
get to any festival. I applied for a delegate pass, bought a train
ticket and asked around on message boards for a room to share. That's
all you need to do to get there.

Drunk Wannabe Screenwriter: Can you organise for me to go?

Me: A pass, a train ticket, a room for the night - what's to organise?

Drunk Wannabe Screenwriter: Hey, everybody, she's gonna organise for
us to go to Cannes!

(Bystander: I thought Cannes was over?)

(Me: It is.)

Drunk Wannabe Screenwriter: She's 's gonna organise for us to go to Cannes!

Me: No, I'm not. But I'll tell you how to get there. A pass, a train
ticket, a room for the night.

Drunk Wannabe Screenwriter: Ah, but what do we do then?

Me: You talk to people, about the film(s) you are writing. And you
listen to them talk about the films you want to make. Until you find a
match.

Drunk Wannabe Screenwriter: Oh, I couldn't 't do that!

Me: Why?

Drunk Wannabe Screenwriter: I can't tell *anyone* what my story is -
they'll steal it!

Me: Okay! Good luck with the career.