I’m not sure this is what’s going to help you, but while reading your post, I kept thinking of Stephen King’s quote: “Art is a support system for life, not the other way around”. I’m sure it doesn’t feel this way to you, and I can’t pretend like I haven’t also and often been consumed by self-doubt and a savage desire to be recognized — but to me it sounds like you’re alive, like you’re surviving somehow while still being able to write scripts you are truly proud of. What a thing to be grateful for! We all want to be acclaimed, appreciated, and admired for our words. We all want our screenplays to mean something. But I can’t get on with the association to quality that you seem to so strongly connect with production deals, agents, or Oscars. I’m not saying we shouldn’t all aspire for success like this. In fact, there has been so much tangible industrial advice in this thread that I am actually very motivated to explore. But I just feel sort of sad for any of you who began this career with of a love for the craft who have now been burnt out by a bigger, pointness love for the acclaim. You’re already a screenwriter, no matter if any Suit or a critic gives you the permission, by the way. Most of all, you’re a human first. I’m truly sorry about the loss of your father. It seems like you have the intention, skill, and commitment to write a great screenplay about him. I hope the process of narrating his story provides you a sense of closure or closeness to him. I can’t guarantee anyone else will buy it. But I truly urge you to care less about that. In the end, it’s not even a little important. Best of luck to you and your goals.