Unfortunately it's not as simple as that. There once was a time when people could just send scripts to networks and have them turned into shows, but today it's all agents and contracts and layers of red tape.

"CBS does not accept or consider creative ideas, suggestions or materials other than those CBS has specifically requested," it says on the CBS website. "This is to avoid the possibility of future misunderstandings when projects developed by CBS's staff might seem to others to be similar to their own creative ideas, suggestions or materials."

The Writers Guild of America, the union representing would-be writers such as yourself, says since the direct route is closed, there's "no 'one way'" to get your script into the hands of someone with the ability to get it made.

On its website at WGA.org, the guild provides a list of agencies that represent writers, saying that's one way to get started. However it's not the only way, and the WGA's official guide to would-be writers (also available on its site) says that "it is better to assume that you will have to get your first job on your own." That means sending your script to everyone you can think of -- producers, show-runners, and so on.

The WGA's guide includes advice from big-name writers who've been where you are and succeeded, such as this piece from "Homeland" writer Barbara Hall: "Be fearless. And don't think of the audience as 'the other.' You are the audience. Impress and entertain yourself."

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