All,

I've temporarily suspended the private messaging on the site.  I've opened up the delete function so anyone who wishes, can delete themselves from the discussion board.  

While I am always open to constructive criticism and suggestions on the site, in the past 24 hours I've received an inordinate amount of private messages which begin along the lines of "Fuck You" and end with "Delete my account".   Please note, I have no problems with folks who disagree or are critical with how I run a free and what is suppose to be fun activity.  You do not need to tell me what a cock sucker I am.

For those of you who wish to boycott the One Week Challenge, by all means do, however there is absolutely no reason to send vociferously abusive messages to me consisting of primarily four letter words.  

For those of you who support the OWC and the spirit in which it was intended, thank you.  

Don

I want to throw in that I picked the genre and theme this time around, not Don.

If anyone wants to pm complaints and abuse, don't send it to Don.  Send it to Shelton.


Phil

Geez!!!!!

I said I was sorry!

I wish you wouldn't use the boycot word...

I did not pm people with foul language!

I only talked to one person, but it had a different tone. The words babe and darlin were used.  ;)

And there were bikini pictures attached.

No one was in the bikini, but there were bikini pictures....


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe I want to throw in that I picked the genre and theme this time around, not Don. If anyone wants to pm complaints and abuse, don't send it to Don.  Send it to Shelton. Phil

My site, my challenge (gosh that does sound arrogant, doesn't it.)    

Quoted from tomson Geez!!!!! I said I was sorry! I wish you wouldn't use the boycot word... I did not pm people with foul language! I only talked to one person, but it had a different tone. The words babe and darlin were used.  ;)

Pia, this isn't about you or your behavior.

I had no idea that some people's lives revolved around the OWC.  Wow.  

Quoted from Don My site, my challenge (gosh that does sound arrogant, doesn't it.)

But people should still send nasty messages to Mike Shelton, right?  Or Alan?  That'd be cool, too.

Everyone should keep in mind that this is intended as a fun game.  And participation is voluntary.


Phil

Yes, please send them to me.  It'll make it a lot easier for me to decide who not to associate with.

I find the fact that people are getting upset over the theme and subject completely ridiculous.  If you don't like it, or aren't up to the challenge, don't participate.  It's that simple.

Quoted from Don Pia, this isn't about you or your behavior.

Behavior?   I try to spread love is all...  :P

And to think I posted "The SS people are nice" on the IMDB writing board...

I'm shocked. Really, really shocked. I thought most of use were mature adults. I guess I was wrong.

I think most of us appreciate what you do here Don.  

I wonder - if it were horror, would you be getting the same type of messages from irate comedy writers?  I'm not sure but I bet they'd be alot funnier.

It's the person's choice to write whatever they want. they are not obligated to participate in the contest. they can still write their horror scripts. I'm participating and im still writing a horror script.

Gabe

Those people's behavior is pretty disgusting.

Quoted from ABennettWriter And to think I posted "The SS people are nice" on the IMDB writing board... I'm shocked. Really, really shocked. I thought most of use were mature adults. I guess I was wrong.

I'm guessing that the vast majority of people who have sent these messages aren't "regulars" so to speak, and are most likely pissed off because the genre announced is one that they can't write in, thus diminishing their chance at iScript glory.

They have a point. I mean where does Don, whether or not he picked the genre, get off making people in a completely voluntary contest work outside their comfort zone. If he's not careful, some people might actually grow as a writer.

This is screenwriting and unless I'm mistaken, screenwriters are never asked to pen anything other than exactly what they want.

Some nerve.

Wow.  I'm embaressed by this.  Whoever sent those messages should know that their boycotting the OWC if fine with us, maybe you could even continue and boycot the boards, because we certainly don't want you here.  

People shouldn't swear so much.  It's just dumb and juvenile.

Even in scripts, I get so sick of foul language.  It has little effect anymore.  We were talking about cliches awhile back, but foul language is worse than cliche in my books.

I don't mind the swearing in scripts for good effect when it's called for and I understand that sometimes you've gotta use it, but if we use it sparingly it will be much more powerful.

Well Don, you just can't please everyone all of the time and like others have said, "Oh well."

It was a big surprise to me.  I was expecting something scary, but that's what makes it a challenge.  One doesn't know.

Hopefully the angry souls will get over it.  I think that some people maybe they have a lot of stress and they use online boards as some kind of venting machine.

We live in strange times and I guess all times are strange.

To all you guys who are upset: everyone is struggling; some of us more than others.

I'll submit this for your consideration and meditation: Bob Dylan's, "Times They Are a Changing'"

"...come writers and critics who prophesize with your pen... and keep your eyes wide the chance won't come again and _don't speak too soon_ for the wheel's still in spin... and there's no tellin' who that it's naming... for the loser now might be lettered to win; for the times they are a changing."

From Bob Dylan's "Times They Are a Changin'"

God bless us everyone... and if you're an athiest: blessings to you too.

Sandra

Wow. I c't believe someone said that to you Don.It kinda gives me a sick feeling in my stomache. I hope who ever said such things are banned for ever.

~Zack~

Well, I think that was extremely rude, sending messages to Don. It's free--if you don't like it, get the fuck out.

I don't think any of the regulars here could send those messages. There are  a lot of newbies here. Some are nice and smart, some are nice idiots, and some are just idiots.

Hey SSers. Don't pick on Don.  If you have something you want to discuss take it to the forum.  That's one of the reasons it is here.   After all, isn't a lively discussion much more satisfying than one-sided cowardly verbal abuse?

This is pretty crazy. What I don't get, is this: I assume the people who sent the PMs are newbies and not regulars, but why would newbies be so testy about the OWC? Why would it matter to them?

I don't think this is about foul language, frankly I think it's completely beside the point. People could've written "I hope you die, you stupid jerk" and it would've been just as douchebaggish.

It's about understanding that the OWC is a privilege, like your membership to this site, and you can choose to participate or not.

Sorry to hear that people stoop so low as to send offending messages.
I don't think they should have the choice of deleting their names from this site, I believe they should be removed instantly and barred.

I for one have the highest regards for this whole set up, Don has done a tremendous job of it

Quoted from Mr.Ripley It's the person's choice to write whatever they want. they are not obligated to participate in the contest. they can still write their horror scripts. I'm participating and im still writing a horror script. Gabe

I couldn't agree more.  Balls to em, if they don't like the challenge...don't do it.  And as for wanting their accounts deleted cos they don't like the OWC, fine let em go, I'm sure they won't be missed.

SS doesn't need these kind of people, Don does a fantastic job here.

The nerve of these people...!

Don's the man, it's really that simple. He offers a FREE service for us aspiring writers and this is how some of them thank him? Idiots!

Um . . . This situation is really confusing me. Why are people asking Don to delete their account? Why do we have an account? It didn't cost us any money to participate on this website. If you don't like it here than why don't you just never ever click on this web site again? Why would you want to waste Don's time asking to delete an account? it's not like he spams you or anything.

And is all this haboo really over TOWC? Is it really that big a deal? Why is it such a big deal? I've been here for over a year and totally ignore the one week challage. I like to write what I want to write in my own time.

When are we getting our private message system back? I've got a backlog of F**** You scumbag messages to everyone who I have read their script but they have never returned the favour. (that's just a joke)