Quoted from PKCardinal Will we be getting an updated writer leaderboard this round?

Nope, it has me on top, I'm happy with that  

Quoted from leitskev I love strategy games. But I can't see the use of applying to a competition where the writers judge each other. So what happens if you come to a script that you know will score well, do you give it 1's just to help your script gain position?

Is this question to be taken generally? If to me, then no. If generally speaking, I don't doubt that it happens. Every writer is looking for a reason to put down another's script... and that's a good thing so long as it is reasonable.

Bad grammar. Poor story structure. Format. Are all valid reasons not to like a script. If a writer commits a 'sin' then the reviewer has the right to punish accordingly.

I think this type of pressure helps everyone to become better writers.

Versus... everyone being nice, looking for reasons to like a script. Nobody really learns anything but get to live in a bullshit bubble of loveliness.

Quoted from DustinBowcot ...Nobody really learns anything but get to live in a bullshit bubble of loveliness.

Ha! bagsy having Dustin as the protag for the next round.

Quoted from DustinBowcot Is this question to be taken generally? If to me, then no. If generally speaking, I don't doubt that it happens. Every writer is looking for a reason to put down another's script... and that's a good thing so long as it is reasonable. Bad grammar. Poor story structure. Format. Are all valid reasons not to like a script. If a writer commits a 'sin' then the reviewer has the right to punish accordingly. I think this type of pressure helps everyone to become better writers. Versus... everyone being nice, looking for reasons to like a script. Nobody really learns anything but get to live in a bullshit bubble of loveliness.

I don't really object to anything you said here. I think some sins are not really sins outside of this weird alternate universe of screenwriting, but sure, if you think something is a sin, pointing it out helps the writer. I agree being too nice doesn't help the writer. And it's also healthy to have some different approaches, some more harsh some more forgiving.

Also, if a reader is ONLY looking for techincal reasons to dislike something they might not even perceive the worthwhile aspects of a story.

Finally, just as talent is not equal when it comes to writing, it's not the same when it comes to understanding stories or writing reviews. I know I miss things when reading. And because I'm aware of my limitations, I try not to react too quickly if I don't like something.

Quoted from leitskev Another sneaky strategy, which I don't recommend, is to comment early on your own and give it glowing praise. This can be very effective because a lot of people read the first couple of comments before they read the script. If a reader starts out his read with a positive expectation they are much more likely to have a positive read.

But hey, the self-commenting on own work was originally proclaimed to "only" hide the own identity to not get recognized by others when commenting on all scripts.

Quoted from Dustin Many writers that had weaknesses in their own criteria would have been easier on the other writers - in the hope that they also get a 5.

Or just help their own script's reception in their own thread. Not even beginning with fixing plotholes and telling what the reader should actually see…

But peeps, it is what it is.

I'll continue the game and participate as long as I can have enough space to state my opinion on these things, even if it might be opposite to the wide consensus.  As Dustin said, I'd surely need a second person who calls such methods in question -- because how argue against this all alone…

I already took the one shot and I'm not that strident to make it more than that.

So, this was it for this time. Hope nobody's world view is shattered by me and looking forward to the upcoming pepper grinder in a trunk challenge :-)

All the best.

Yeah, I'm with Alex.

Obviously, I have alot to say...and alot more I want to say, but I'm beating my head against a brick wall and no matter what I say or how I say it, everyone jumps in to disagree.

If you guys and gals are cool with how this is playing out, then God Bless you all, and keep enjoying it.  I won't bother anyone here again with my ramblings.

Peace out.

Quoted from Dreamscale Peace out.

I think we're up to Peace Out 3: This Time It's For Real.

I hear 'Peace Out 4: This Time It's Really For Real' is already in the pipeline. They're just waiting on the script.

Quoted from PrussianMosby But hey, the self-commenting on own work was originally proclaimed to "only" hide the own identity to not get recognized by others when commenting on all scripts. Or just help their own script's reception in their own thread. Not even beginning with fixing plotholes and telling what the reader should actually see…

I see this sometimes and I think the writer is doing themselves a disservice. It becomes obvious, never sways anyone's position anyway.  It's a poor strategy.

Quoted from Matthew Taylor Nope, it has me on top, I'm happy with that

I'm... less pleased with my position

If you don't comment on your own script it becomes obvious which one is yours. It's a poor strategy in terms of influence, certainly. But it's really hard for a writer to put a negative comment on their own thread. Directly trying to influence a thread is OK too, it's a poor strategy, but I'd place that within bounds. If they're smart enough to sway opinion just by posting in their own thread they deserve to have that opinion swayed, IMO. But we all have our own ideas of what is and isn't acceptable gamesmanship.

Quoted from DustinBowcot If you don't comment on your own script it becomes obvious which one is yours. It's a poor strategy in terms of influence, certainly. But it's really hard for a writer to put a negative comment on their own thread. Directly trying to influence a thread is OK too, it's a poor strategy, but I'd place that within bounds. If they're smart enough to sway opinion just by posting in their own thread they deserve to have that opinion swayed, IMO. But we all have our own ideas of what is and isn't acceptable gamesmanship.

I had been intentionally leaving my own script alone, as well as several others where I read and scored but didn't have strong feelings one way or the other.

Then comes that big reply-to-comments thing after the reveal.

(Haven't commented at all this round yet because of my weird schedule this week, but have been reading during breaks. Hope to comment tonight or tomorrow. No decision yet on whether I might start commenting on my own pre-reveal.)

Quoted from DustinBowcot If you don't comment on your own script it becomes obvious which one is yours. It's a poor strategy in terms of influence, certainly. But it's really hard for a writer to put a negative comment on their own thread. Directly trying to influence a thread is OK too, it's a poor strategy, but I'd place that within bounds. If they're smart enough to sway opinion just by posting in their own thread they deserve to have that opinion swayed, IMO. But we all have our own ideas of what is and isn't acceptable gamesmanship.

I only leave a review on my own script if I also leave a review on every other script, and then I use my own review to echo some of the more constructive notes I already received on it, good and bad. I don't try to influence the readers or defend the script, I try to play a zero sum game.

Quoted from FrankM I'm... less pleased with my position

But, you've got at least one really cool script (from taking a chance on trying something completely different)

That ain't nothin'.

Sometimes you gotta take the win, even if it looks like a loss.

Quoted from DustinBowcot If you don't comment on your own script it becomes obvious which one is yours. It's a poor strategy in terms of influence, certainly. But it's really hard for a writer to put a negative comment on their own thread. Directly trying to influence a thread is OK too, it's a poor strategy, but I'd place that within bounds. If they're smart enough to sway opinion just by posting in their own thread they deserve to have that opinion swayed, IMO. But we all have our own ideas of what is and isn't acceptable gamesmanship.

It is a toughie.

The last OWC I participated in I didn't make a comment on mine at all.  Seemed tedious to do. I generally write something generic - met the challenge, writing solid, blah, blah - i.e., always kind of middle of the road.  All in all, I'm really not sure what the best practice is here.

It really is only a problem for those of us who comment on all scripts. e.g., If one only has commented on half of the scripts - their anonymity is protected. If you comment on all scripts - well, the problem is obvious if one is missing.

I have no problems when corrections are posted. e.g., someone incorrectly says the writer should include character ages. The writer responds back - they did on page 1. That's cool and fair.

What I don't care for is defense (different than correction). Just irks me. However, at the end of the day I don't think it makes a difference overall.