Whatever, whatever just as long as I got an answer. And your photo is very macabre...there's just something sinister about it...

Quoted from ZiggyplayedGuitar ...your photo is very macabre...there's just something sinister about it...

Thank you.

Quoted from Zack when will the authors names be released? ~Zack~

As Breanne mentioned, August 12th is the target date.  However, when I put the original plan together, I didn't figure on getting so many entries.  I would like everyone (including myself) to have the chance to read all the scripts before I release the names.  Also, I'd like to select the one script to be recorded before I know who wrote what, so that date may get pushed back.

Don

Aw, that's the first thanks I've gotten here...and in life. You're welcome.

Quoted from Don As Breanne mentioned, August 12th is the target date.  However, when I put the original plan together, I didn't figure on getting so many entries.  I would like everyone (including myself) to have the chance to read all the scripts before I release the names.  Also, I'd like to select the one script to be recorded before I know who wrote what, so that date may get pushed back. Don

Thanks for clearing that up Don.

~Zack~

I’ve read them all now. I took some extra time from work to read them so I’ll probably be scarce for a while to catch up on some things.

I was really impressed with the participation and with a lot of the writing. Of course, some needed work and some I felt weren’t given the author’s best effort but most I thought had a lot of inventiveness and I enjoyed reading and participating.

I’ve seen more women kidnapped, tied up (one time hogtied), and gagged in this challenge than I believe I’ve read in a long time -- haha. There’s nothing wrong with it (in stories of course…well,…I guess there might be mutually consensual times too), but my, there are a lot of them in this challenge. Oh, and one guy in one script even got the tied up and gagged treatment. Someone who didn’t know the theme might think tied up and gagged people were the theme for this challenge -- haha.

Anyway, I would like to offer a little advice for newer people concerning responding to criticism. Remember this:

It’s only the reviewer’s opinion. You can take it or not. What you do with it is up to you. But people took time to read your script and - not only that - review it; for your benefit. Yes there are people who are unprofessional and use words like “sucks” in their reviews but most people were only offering their sincere thoughts.

The reviewer can be wrong. Maybe they missed something. Maybe they didn’t. But before you get all fired up over someone not “getting it,” remember that they spent their time working to help you. Maybe they missed something. Maybe they stayed up late and got absent minded. Maybe they got confused. And yes; maybe they really didn’t “get it.” But either way, the writer has to take responsibility for the way people perceive their work.

Before getting angry over a criticism, ask yourself these two questions:

1) Is it true? Because if it is, you have nothing to be angry about. You should be thankful someone told you. And,

2) Will it help me improve as a writer? Anyone who posts their work in a public forum to be read and critiqued by other writers - especially the very same writers they’re in a challenge with - shouldn’t be naïve enough to think they won’t receive any criticism. Like it or not, for better or worse, criticism makes us better writers. And the best way to get even with a critic is to become a better writer.

Good luck to everyone. I wouldn’t want to be in Don’s shoes, trying to figure out who to pick. Personally, I could narrow it down to about six. But I wouldn’t want the job of picking the one to go to iScript.

Thanks Don and good luck everyone.


Breanne

I know what you mean, Breanne. I for one was dissatisfied with my entry. I don't think I delivered as much as I wanted this time around, I knew I could do better. But I still take every single review I get seriously and take them all into account.

Some first-time writers are likely to be dissapointed with their scripts but they should take the criticism they get to heart and use it to improve.

--Julio

I'm not that satisfied with my entry either. i wrote it in one sitting, and it shows.

~Zack~

Well I'll jump on this bandwagon too.  I'm probably the worlds slowest writer so producing anything in a week was amazing for me!

I'm happy I entered instead of giving up but I'm really let down I didn't totally committ. The next one's going to be awesome, now that I understand more.

Quoted from Breanne Mattson Remember this: It’s only the reviewer’s opinion. You can take it or not. What you do with it is up to you. But people took time to read your script and - not only that - review it; for your benefit. Yes there are people who are unprofessional and use words like “sucks” in their reviews but most people were only offering their sincere thoughts. Before getting angry over a criticism, ask yourself these two questions: 1) Is it true? Because if it is, you have nothing to be angry about. You should be thankful someone told you. And, 2) Will it help me improve as a writer? Anyone who posts their work in a public forum to be read and critiqued by other writers - especially the very same writers they’re in a challenge with - shouldn’t be naïve enough to think they won’t receive any criticism. Like it or not, for better or worse, criticism makes us better writers. And the best way to get even with a critic is to become a better writer.

A very good and very important point you made there, Breanne.

These kinds of challenges do a lot for people's momentum.

First, it forces one to write within a time frame, without any excuses; and that's what professionals do all of the time.

Second, it develops skills when one has to work within particular parameters, making it fit the scheme and page count.

Third, it encourages reading other scripts and critiques and we all learn from that.

I've learned specifically more of what a thriller is.

It needs to keep a heightened level of suspense throughout.  It has that edge to it that say, a murder mystery doesn't.  It's the constant: What next?  It can cross genres, be funny; it doesn't necessarily have to have "action" although it can be an action thriller.

Writing is never easy and assimilating "the knack" of it is hard work over the long haul.

I think that forcing oneself to write upside down and inside out is a process.  It's processing.

Congratulations to everyone who put time in on this; even to those who said they did it in a one time shot.  It doesn't matter.  The fact of the matter is that you did it.  Sometimes just getting it done is a great achievement regardless of the quality.

It makes me think of all the time I'd spent playing guitar, (not too well) before I started actually making music.

It's much easier for anyone to do things that are easy.  Things we're good at.  That's why when we constantly try to reach the next level, it's difficult.

The more we appreciate the form, the better it is.  And in screen writing more than any other form, what doesn't show up on the page is just as important as what does.  White space is important.  That's a hard program to get with.

Sandra

Ziggy,

I understand your frustration.  Are you in your twenties?  Or early thirties?  Or are you just feeling those things that people feel when they are new to the game?

Whatever it is, don't feel bad.  Try to gain patience because it's so important in the writing game.

If you look at the stats in the Sci-fi field--and the waits once something is submitted-- you'll think this is a picnic.  

Over a year.  Yes, and more.

I just had something accepted for publication last spring, but it's publication date is this coming December.

And the story of the story from conception to its final edit was a long one.  Real long.

The thing is, you can't pester editors either, or they won't be too happy.  Editors often get a bad rap, but their job is tough, the industry is tough and it's a money game.  It's not about feelings' it's especially not personal.  It's just doing the job.  

It can be a grind like anything else.

People in this group work hard at whatever they do, plus they commit themselves to reading and supplying crits.

We're all so different.  We come from varying backgrounds, have our own particular tastes, but we have something in common: we want to develop in the craft.

So it's in this spirit, we need to roll with the punches and recognize that no one is trying to punch.  If ever there comes a low blow, recognize that even the greats like J.K. Rowling and Steven King get lots of criticism which I personally think is often not warranted.

Keep up good spirits.  Rome wasn't built in a day.  You know...

Blessings,
Sandra

Somebody fill me in. What is the "Challenge" all about?

Ah, I'm 17 and I plan on making my own movies because I call all the shots. Thanks for the support though.