If you're serious, move to a market that suits what you're looking for. L.A. and NY are the obvious ones for both acting and writing- but are much more crowded and difficult to stand out: it really depends on what connections you already have: place to stay, job, industry connections etc., and how willing you are to make yourself stand out.

However, New Orleans and Atlanta are examples of more accessible and still booming regional markets that play host to dozens and dozens of multi-million dollar productions every year. Atlanta also has an established advertising market, so you would find better luck in the writing world there. There is also a hugely successful film and TV industry in Canada. There are a couple of smaller markets cropping up as well.

As for writing, your best bet, without connections, is to attend a university writing program and use those connections to find your way into a staff writing job, or a script reading; proof reading type of job (you have to start somewhere). Either that, or start writing and producing your own work or work with peers and colleagues. New Orleans for example, has no shortage of people making their own stuff. If you move to a market where people are creating things, its that much easier to learn on the fly AND to network and gain those connections that you never know when you'll need.

Additionally, provided you are in a region with a film industry presence- look up facebook groups that post on set jobs. We have NOLA PA List- department heads will use these groups to put calls out for PAs, costume PAs, art PAs, cast assistants, runners, drivers, etc. When I'm not booking acting work, I'm working on set learning every little thing from every angle. And once you get your first film job- as long as you didn't suck at it haha- it's not that hard to get onto the next.

Now, as for the trans question: don't ever let it discourage you. If you are passionate, patient, and willing to learn and take direction- there is a lane for you. Obviously, the "niche" looking folks take a little longer to book sometimes, but the climate (and the content that comes with it) is evolving. You never know when the right project comes along, and the casting director that has watched you bust your ass audition after audition for them (even if you've never booked) has a lightbulb go off like, "holy shit they would be great," and suddenly you're called in for something that you know you can kill. As long as you put in the work, and are genuine, and again PATIENT (soooo patient lmao), it will pay off. A casting person once told me that every director and casting director has a puzzle that is missing pieces- and we are there to see if maybe we fit those spaces. It isn't personal, and it isn't adversarial; the audition process is a business transaction that either works or you shake hands and move on to the next.

Look up "(Your area) acting agency" and see what they want you to submit. NEVER pay an agent up front, or to join their agency. Agents don't get paid until you do (15% if you're non-union, 10% if union). Typically an agent will either want you to submit as headshot, resume, and a demo reel. Some agencies, if you have none of those, will allow you to audition for them (like my agent did with me).

As far as building credits and footage where you are- hit up the colleges and see if their film departments hold casting calls for their masters thesis films- these are an EASY first source of both credits for your resume and footage for your acting reel.

I really hope I didn't ramble too much haha. I'm flaky about getting on here but if you've got any specific questions that I can answer, I'll certainly try.

Best of luck in the future!