I guess you could call this a town meeting.

There have been some things going on lately and I’d like to talk about it with some of the adults if possible. Kevan mentioned it somewhat in another thread and I’d like to make a place for Kevan, myself, and other adults to discuss our feelings.

I’ll admit that part of the reason I haven’t been coming around as often is due to the direction this site is taking. I’m very busy at work. The summer is coming and the station I work for is gearing up for more remotes, I’m in the middle of producing a new program, meeting after meeting, blah, blah, blah.

But I have always tried to make time for this site. Why? Because I love to write. I’m addicted to it. In a way, it’s my source of life. If I found out I couldn’t write anymore, I would rather just jump off a cliff than live another day. And this, Simply Scripts, has proven to be one of my favorite internet sites for writers. And pound for pound one of the best sites with a discussion board I’ve ever seen.

But lately, I feel the place has begun to turn into a sort of “Kid’s Blog” site. We seem inundated with posts from kids who think that every little thought that randomly pops into their heads is worthy of garnering attention.

I understand completely and appreciate that this site offers a chance to socialize aside from writing. We all need a break. I love to come here. I love to write. I love to post. I love to read. I love to comment. I love to socialize with other writers. I love to learn.

Lately, however, my love of this site has diminished somewhat. I can’t quite put my finger on it altogether. Some of the problems here were going on prior so I’m not completely certain what’s different.

Is it me or does it seem that there are more posts that have absolutely nothing to do with serious writing than there are posts that do pertain to writing? Or was it always this way and I’m just depressed?

I’m very concerned about this. If this site becomes reputed as a kid’s site where people play all the time and goof off, then it will lose all credibility. Bear in mind, it doesn’t have to be a kid’s site, it just has to be reputed to be.

How can we adults get social interaction for ourselves? I like to play with the kids too you know. But my writing comes first. Honestly, that kind of commitment can only be expected of the most serious of the young writers, of which there are in fact a few.

But what of the vastly growing population of young people who are coming here and turning this site into a “Teen Diary” site for kids to post whatever pops into their heads?

The WIP thread is already a joke for the most part. It’s overwhelmed with ridiculous posts where we’re given a brief vague synopsis and asked to provide a title, core plot elements, and practically asked to write it alongside them every step of the way.

The boards are already saturated with first drafts, riddled with spelling, grammar, and serious format issues from writers who insist on posting their work as soon as they have anything at all to post. They haven’t the patience to hold off until their work is more viable. And this will hurt them in the long run.

The boards are already filled with “drop off” scripts from non-participants.

In other words - we’ve got enough problems. I would hate to see this site go the way of so many teen blog sites and become a teen hangout for writers who have no discipline or focus. This site has so much to offer writers. It’s such a valuable resource.

Until Kevan’s post, I didn’t know if anyone felt the way I did. I too have been weighing the possibility of going somewhere else. But where? Any which way you look at it, this is still pound for pound the best writers' website on the internet in my opinion.

I do have to say (and I feel terrible for even saying it…even thinking it), but if there was somewhere that offered everything this site offered but was for adults only, I would go. I would still participate here and use SS as an additional resource. But as the kid’s took over, I would come less and less. I hate the thought. I’m just expressing my feelings. And I hope no one takes offense to them.

Is there anybody out there who feels like we’re being overrun or am I just in a strange place lately?

Oh...hear, hear!

I've found my enjoyment somewhat diminished as well -- and would quote every point Brea has made -- if that wouldn't look stupid --

-- and that's the point -- the people who don't care about looking stupid.

You know who you aren't -- but the trouble is, the people I am talking about have no idea I am talking about them.  Sigh.

It's a credibility issue, really -- for the site itself.  Regular members know this site can be a valuable resource, with plenty of good scripts to offer.

But to the casual drop-in -- maybe somebody seriously looking for a producible script -- this place is starting to look like Pee-Wee's Playhouse.  

I know Don has his reasons for not enforcing some quality control in the scripts he accepts -- or minimal, at any rate -- and they are good, valid reasons, actually -- but the site is growing -- and the times they are a'changing.

Maybe it's time to give a little thought to expecting a little more from those who would consider themselves "members" of this forum.

I've been here for a while now, although my post count would not indicate it and I wouldn't really say things have gone downhill, though there are a lot of pointless threads. I don't mind a few funny, sarcastic posts inside a thread, as long as the thread gets back on topic. If I leave a funny post, then I also make sure I leave something useful in the thread also.

I takes time to write something and polish it off, so we shouldn't have something new from a writer in months. Although, shorts are not included in this assessment. This leads to the drop in serious scripts posted that have the potential to be shopped around. In between these scripts, there are a lot of scripts submitted by people who are not members or post once and disappear. So it's hard to find and read the scripts that are seriously written with the intent of being re-writing upon receiving proper critiques. I will respond to scripts, no matter how well (or poor) the script is written, only if I know the writer will listen to our advice and actually re-write the script and not jump on another idea next week.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying one writer is better than the other, I'm just trying to weed out the writers who need our help, listen to our help and actually re-write the damn thing rather than the writers that post once and disappear.

For me, age is not a concern. There are a few younger writers here that I believe have potential, so I'm going to give them my tupence and hopefully help them out along the way. There are a few young writers who probably just write for fun. I'm still going to give them my tupence and help them - but only if they listen and want to re-write the work.

As for the banter and chit-chat, that doesn't bother me either. This is a community and there are threads I stay away from. This has been like this for the 2 plus years I've been here. Though, I would tend to agree that there are a few younger members and a few more pointless threads than there were before, but most do make a contribution to the boards. Yeah, every so often there are tit-tats, but that's normal in any community. So it doesn't bother me.

This topic seems to come up every 6 or so months, dies down, then comes up again. It doesn't really bother me to be honest, I get so much out of this site.

If anything - I would make it a bit harder for people to submit scripts. For example, only registered members of the discussion board can submit scripts. I think Wesley had a good idea a while back, but I forget right now.


I've just re-read my post and it rambles on. Hopefully I've got to the point I was trying to make. If not, I apologise.

PS - I also don't think this should be an 'adult' only posting and topic as for me, I don't consider anyone's age when I read scripts, chat with people, reply to topics or offer critiques.

Stewart

Quoted from Breanne The WIP thread is already a joke for the most part. It’s overwhelmed with ridiculous posts where we’re given a brief vague synopsis and asked to provide a title, core plot elements, and practically asked to write it alongside them every step of the way.

Are you talking about how the person's idea soon turns into a thread about jokes, aliens, or some random thing that doesn't have to do with the person who started the thread's work in progress?

I feel the same way as you and Bert do, but I try and ignore it, though I have to read it every day.

But I still love Simply Scripts and I am not going to have this kind of stuff get in my way of my screen writing. Besides my stress levels are already high enough...

Sean

I agree with both of you, Breanne and Bert and there's been some talking going on between members privately about this. Maybe something needs to be done.

It's not just the age either I think. Not even Chris/Rapture posts as much anymore and he's 14! He's young but he's not stupid so it's not necessarily the age. I'm with Breanne, I can't quite put my finger on it, but it's not the same as it used to be.

Quoted Text The WIP thread is already a joke for the most part. It’s overwhelmed with ridiculous posts where we’re given a brief vague synopsis and asked to provide a title, core plot elements, and practically asked to write it alongside them every step of the way.

What can I say? Nobody cares and if I do anything as the moderator, I get more crap for it.

In addition, I have been here since early 2003 and it has always been like this, maybe worse at times but a consistent flow. Certain members from the past and present like to cause problems.

Even if Don raises the age limit, it will not fix the problem.

All you can do is avoid the general discussions and stick to the writing threads, if you see something in those that is wrong tell Don about it. Going off in a rant as people have done recently about certain topics just forces Don to act and you're at risk of being banned.

I don't like seeing people get banned because most of them have been people I enjoyed having around that contributed as writers (VKonstant, Balt, Casey, Curse, SonofElrond and so on) I warned those guys before it happened not to do it, I even tried getting some of them back. (Some have since come back but without Balt and Vic, these boards lost two great writers who also give helpful reviews)

Quoted Text Even if Don raises the age limit, it will not fix the problem.

Of course because then kids at the age of nine will be able to get a login name and will say that they are, what, 17?

Sean

Quoted from Old Time Wesley Even if Don raises the age limit, it will not fix the problem

I hope Don never does that...That'd mean I'd have to go...

I don't really want to get involved but I do have something to say --

-- I have had lots of experiences myself, but there are many people who just don't learn.

I actually do agree with raising the age limit. Maybe by a year or two. If that means I go, then I'll just wait.

Curse. =]

This is a message board. Everyone has a choice which discussions you contribute to. Better to just let pointless threads die out rather than egg their posters on. I see where you're coming from, Breanne, and to some extent, I agree with you but don't think it's any good to post these kinds of threads either since they don't really change anything. In fact, most of them end up getting locked. Like I said, better to just ignore the pointless threads because they really don't prevent anyone from benefiting from the site.

CURSE Yeah, but you haven't basically grown up with this board for the past year almost. This has been one of the most amazing sites I've ever been to and I really wouldn't want to see it go or have to leave until I get older.

I've met so many great writers on here that have looked over the way I was at first (ha ha. I was a dork) and gave me a second chance and have really helped me grow as a writer.

Quoted from Rapture This has been one of the most amazing sites I've ever been to and I really wouldn't want to see it go or have to leave until I get older.

Yeah without SS I'd probably end up in an insane asylum. Well, I'm probably going to end up in there soon, but I would need to have something to do while in a straight jacket and locked in a padded room...I could use my nose to type...

Sean

Nobody supported my wild ideas of getting rid of useless members who don't want to contribute as well as their screenplays and getting rid of all the social boards but now look what we have.

I shall go to work now because this topic and Kevan's prove me right... again.

But you should really look at what you're saying because you are actually blaming Don, it's his board and he could control people if he wanted but I think like most people he knows the boards would die without the social aspect.

I fear the result of this and the other post, I've had the same thoughts for awhile but I'm sticking with the site that basically created/molded me as a writer.

I think a good idea may be if it's possible I have no idea:

I often use the portal button, and try to stick purely to the writing threads...  

However the portal button encompasses all additions, I wish there was a way to make it customizable so that I would only see updates to Boards related to screenwriting questions, screenplay reviews and review requests, and the like.  That way I'd never even know there were other posts out there...

Any ideas?

Obviously ignoring them would work like was previously mentioned but, this may be a solution for those hoping for an "adult site" they could basically create their own, pertaining only to those boards that get this "adult" attention.

Just my thoughts.

Quoted from Jaykur22 the portal button encompasses all additions, I wish there was a way to make it customizable so that I would only see updates to Boards related to screenwriting questions, screenplay reviews and review requests, and the like.  That way I'd never even know there were other posts out there...

You may actually have found the problem. Often serious threads about scripts gets pushed down the list real fast due to chatter threads and then they get lost and that's a shame.