Quoted from Pale Yellow New to the board and writing, I will concur, I just got some really good criticism. At first when I read it, I was like...I need to throw my writing right into the trash. But then I thought.....found this site, wrote my first owc in literally two hours in Panera Bread, didn't edit or even reread it, entered it into this OWC thing, and umm got a lil bit ripped to shreds. BUT then I thought to myself after reading some of the very intelligent remarks, this is GOOD not bad. I mean I love movies and I've always loved to write creatively. So, I'm not giving up yet. And want to say THANKS to those who do critique our work in here. It's really the only way to learn and now I think I will read some professional scripts and work on my skills.

this is the ONLY way to not only get better at what you do but to enjoy it, learn and pay it forward. exceptional attitude. although I don't know how in the heck you can concentrate at Panera Bread! all I think about is the stuff I can't have when I go, lol! BABZ

I think you can be brutally honest and polite at the same time. Even so, regardless of what you write, you will offend someone -- that's been my experience, and I've only commented on a few scripts. That said, if you don't like what someone says, shake it off and move on.

I'm only going to review scripts that I feel are written well. I'm not very good, or probably just too lazy to overly write in niceties. This gets me into trouble quite often with people reading a tone into my posts that I didn't put there. My responses are blunt, unbuttered.

I really don't see why I should waste my time even on a writer that needs spellcheck in the first place let alone a writer failing to use one. That being said, I wouldn't like to think I was being too blunt to a kid.

If a script is written poorly then it can be even more detrimental to the writer to lie to them and encourage them wasting their time. Why not do a Simon Cowell and simply tell people the truth? However, i have to admit that I don't have the guts for that myself. I'd rather just skip over the bad scripts... and so far, i've picked up three and haven't found one worth reviewing. I actually find that reassuring. Imagine if everybody could write well, it would be impossible to make it anywhere.

Dustin, if you choose to not comment on the "bad" scripts, you'll find you won't be commenting very much at all.  Most are pretty bad and few know how to write or spell, believe it or not.

Brutal honesty is appreciated, at least by this Kid.

Hey Dustin

My assumption is that like most new people, you are looking to share reads. You're in a great place for it. Monitor the portal, learn which members are active, then take a look at their work and leave some honest thoughts. Most people here are pretty cool and appreciate honest feedback and will reciprocate.

I will also add that asking someone to read a short is no big deal, but reading and leaving constructive notes on a feature is a big sacrifice in time and energy. If you stay active here, you will develop relationships with people that you can do that with, though it does take a little investment in time to get there.

Best of luck! I think you'll be happy you got to know the community.

Kevin

There's nothing wrong with being blunt, Dustin. No one's asking you to be nice, we're just asking for your honesty. If people end up kicking up a big fuss because they don't like what you said, it's their problem. Life is competitive and so is screenwriting. They may as well get hammered on a friendly discussion board as opposed to getting hammered by an exec.

I think it's okay to be on a fence with this or that critique of your work. Who wasn't.

So, if I see someone didn't take it well, I try to understand. Twice I had "Maybe you didn't like it because you're international" - a bit harsher than that but I don't remember the exact words.
So what...)) We ended up being friends.

All I'm saying is - sometimes it's okay not to take criticism well. If it doesn't turn into a habit.

I've said before that any criticism is game so long as it's focused and backed up. I still stick by this. In fact, I think there's a place for a substantial thrashing in review form. There's a lot of complacency floating around in writing circles, which is sometimes even encouraged by people who should no better. Sometimes, it just needs to be shaken out of a writer so they can move on and get better.

As for writers, I think it's important to remember that at the end of the day, the script is yours and the choice is always yours to totally disregard any criticism that you might come across. It can be tough to figure out what needs to be disregarded. After all, you could be totally delusional. But the fact remains you're not obligated to defend your work or concede to anyone who comments on it.

That said, it's important to stay humble and open to criticism and constantly reevaluate yourself and your writing. That's really the only way to grow.

Quoted from khamanna All I'm saying is - sometimes it's okay not to take criticism well. If it doesn't turn into a habit.

I don't think there's a writer out there who hasn't been offended by feedback, before. We can all be a bit touchy and it's fine to voice your disagreement with a reviewer. Throwing up a big fuss and saying "it's because you're international" or my personal favourite -- "You're too young to understand" is taking things a bit too far. An opinion is an opinion... There's no use trying to sway them.

Quoted from DustinBowcot I'm only going to review scripts that I feel are written well.

Pity. The benefit of reading scripts that aren't written so well is that you help the guy to improve. This works well when you check scripts out and see who's active. If they are active, feeding back and don't write so well, why would you not give some if they are giving out too? I think you'll find most people feedback to active members who are spending some time and energy on other people's work. That's quid pro quo that works for me and a lot of other people here. Your chosen methods hints at elitism, which I've not really seen around these boards so much.

People that do not write well are not real writers and they never will be writers. No matter how hard they try they are wasting their time. Writing well is just the beginning... after that comes the story, which for me is the most important thing. I won't read a story if the guy doesn't write well, what is the point? It becomes an English lesson rather than a discussion about the story, that's if one can even see the story amidst the errors.

Even the greatest writers need help with their stories, a fresh brain looking in, pointing out things that they themselves have missed. I'm far more inclined to help a writer that has a chance of making it than giving english lessons to writers that don't.

Quoted from DustinBowcot People that do not write well are not real writers and they never will be writers. No matter how hard they try they are wasting their time. Writing well is just the beginning... after that comes the story, which for me is the most important thing. I won't read a story if the guy doesn't write well, what is the point? It becomes an English lesson rather than a discussion about the story, that's if one can even see the story amidst the errors. Even the greatest writers need help with their stories, a fresh brain looking in, pointing out things that they themselves have missed. I'm far more inclined to help a writer that has a chance of making it than giving english lessons to writers that don't.

Actually, if someone needs an English lesson and I think they are a good storyteller then I give them the English lesson.  It's much harder to learn how to tell a story than it is to learn the mechanics of English.  

Quoted from DustinBowcot People that do not write well are not real writers and they never will be writers. No matter how hard they try they are wasting their time.

Welcome to the boards Dustin.

Not wanting to be combative, (after all this is the 'constructive' thread), and obviously you're entitled to your opinion, but it is my opinion that if someone wants something badly enough and is willing to put the work in to learn the craft, this will go a long way towards them being half way decent writers. I've seen people on here improve out of sight, in a short period of time, as I'm sure a lot of us have.

So, from experience, I can't agree with you.

I do believe some people are naturally gifted and have an easier time of it than others who have to work harder at it, but imh, it's coming up with the exemplary story that's the hard part. The actual writing of that story can be learned, so I'm with Michael on that one.

Quoted from DustinBowcot People that do not write well are not real writers

What you in part missing is the fact the screen-writing is an adapted form of writing; so someone could easily be a good writer, but not know the style required of a script.

Writing is certainly something that can be improved upon, as is story & structure, as is format.

Often I find that some people don't click on, while other do - it's difficult to tell if you don't give anyone a chance.

A lot of people here are learning the craft, so maybe you've come to the wrong place. There's lots of site out there for more practised screenwriters.

Most peeps are not good writers.  In fact, most are poor writers, and most just won't ever get it.

But, you know what?  Some will.  And if you can help just 1 single, little person become a better writer, then a decent writer, and finally, a pretty good writer, you've given more than most will or can.

I've seen it first hand, numerous times, right here in SS.  It takes a certain mindset and a real desire to learn and improve, but it can happen and it does happen.  Sometimes, all it takes is some effort from all involved.

Dustin, you're not starting this journey off very well, bro.  Seriously.  I understand the elitist mindset very well, because I've struggled with it most of my life.  If you truly feel you're gifted in your writing talent and knowledge, please share a bit and pay it forward.