I'm sure everyone here, or at least a good portion of us, knows about the "read and get read" rule, but I'd like to take it a step further.

What makes you read a certain author's work continually?  Is it simply because they read your stuff, or does it go deeper than that, to the point where you just know that you're in for something good just by opening up one of their scripts?

On the other side of the coin, other than the not participating thing, what makes you avoid a writer?  Do they continually post rushed work?  Never offer anything worthwhile to read?  Do you just not like them?

Just kinda testing the waters here, since I have a few writers whose work I read without really expecting anything in return, and I thought this might make for interesting conversation as well as give people pointers on how to get read.

Reasons why I read someone:  I've read their work before and like their work.

Reasons why I don't:  I've read their work before and hate their work;
                                I don't like particular genres;
                                The writer gets argumentative;
                                The writer spends more time posting in non-script-related threads
                                than they do in script-related threads;


Phil

I read depending on the mood I'm in. If I feel like a horror, I'll go to the Horror section and click on scripts that have an appealing name. From there, I read the synopsis - if it sounds good, then I'll give it a shot.

If the synopsis doesn't catch my eye, but it's a writer that I know off - then I'll atleast read the first 10 pages to see if it's something I'd enjoy regardless.

You wouldn't believe how many scripts I close after 2 pages, let alone 10.

I read lots of stuff.  For me, it goes like this:

First, I read authors that comment on my stuff.  I make no bones about that.

Second, I read authors I know and like.  It just so happens they read my work, too.  Works out great that way.  Sound like a clique?  Maybe.  But it ain't a tough clique to crack, either.  Give some feedback -- show some pride in your work -- poof -- you're in.

Third, a new author with a good logline who has been commenting on scripts -- anybody's scripts -- not just mine -- will often get a look.

And a poorly formatted script with lousy spelling?  I shut those right back down.  I've got no purpose for somebody who won't even run a spell-check.

I just read what strikes my fancy really. I've commmented on stuff that the author didn't comment on mine back, but I don't take it personal. That's why I like reading stuff that sounds interesting to me first and foremost, so that the read won't just be a waste of time. I usually don't venture out of the horror and drama genres. I've read a few shorts so that I could get a taste of how good someone writes and keep an eye out for if/when/or already have full length stuff. I'll take a look at the resumes of the people who comment on my stuff and see if I want to read theirs, which I'll usually take a look at it anyways. I also check out a few of the more established writers here and search for if they have stuff that interests me and put them on my list of future reads.

I won't read stuff by anybody who I feel doesn't take theirs or anybody else's work seriously. This includes unoriginal stories, bad formats, constant grammar/spelling mistakes, etc. Or if I hardly ever see them posting on here, I figure that they're not really concerned with my review or would never see it anyways.

When it comes to new writers, their log lines have to really grab me.  Unfortunately, many loglines are so terribly written, I can only imagine that reading the script would be a bitch.

Hey, I can write bitch!

It wasn't censored.  Can anyone else write the word bitch but me?

I ask the moderators do not reveal my secret to using the word bitch.




Phil

bitch



Edit -- Nope, doesn't work for me.


PS - to stay on track. I forgot to mention I will also read people's work who critique mine - but I never end up posting my work, so that doesn't really count.

Quoted from MacDuff bitch Edit -- Nope, doesn't work for me.

It didn't?  Well, ain't that a bitch.

Quoted from MacDuff PS - to stay on track. I forgot to mention I will also read people's work who critique mine - but I never end up posting my work, so that doesn't really count.

I do prefer to read those who read my work, but I don't like the idea of all these review exchange threads that pop up.  When I first showed up here, I read someone's script and they read mine.  Review exchange threads seem too much like contracts to me.  We should want to read other people's work, not feel obligated to do so.


Phil

Well since I started this, I may as well throw my two cents in as well.

I read quite a bit of stuff on here , actually.  It's when I get into leaving a review that I start to look at the different variables.  Is the writer around?  Do they welcome feedback?, etc. etc.

Then, I have a handful of writers who I try to look at their stuff as soon as I can, either because they've read my work, I've read theirs, and it's basically gone on like an unwritten review exchange, or simply because I'm just looking for something good to read that I can hopefully offer a fresh perspective on.

Also, I don't know if I avoid certain genres, but I definitely read some more than others.  I also can't think of any writer whose work I avoid for the simple fact that they wrote it.


EDIT:  Phil, I won't reveal the secret.

I'm not above reading anybodies work. I love reading work of others. Any and all, actually... Now, I might walk away from it thinking "MAN THAT REALLY BLOWS GOAT NUTS" but I'm a sucker for a good laugh and an even bigger sucker for padding my own ego. I make no bones about it. I'll still, however, read another script from the same person, even if it's terrible.

Reading is what I like to do. I like to read. I can read rather quickly at that... I'll read 4 to 5 scripts a day sometimes.

Me reading other people's work and me thinking my stuff is better, are two different things all together.  

Quoted from Shelton EDIT:  Phil, I won't reveal the secret.

I'll stop for now.  I don't want to cheese off Don...

Maybe, next week, I'll start using the f-word.


Phil

Quoted from tomson You weren't planning on using the word bitch towards anyone were you?

You figured out my secret!  Shit!


Phil

In choosing which scripts to read, I don't really pay much attention to who the writer is.  I generally scan through the genres and if something catches my eye, I'll give it a read, regardless of who wrote it, how popular or unpopular he or she is and regardless of whether their previous scripts were gold or turds.

I tend to read the shorts because I don't have time to read feature length scripts and give them a thorough review.

If I see something that looks interesting I'll read it.

I'll also read something if I notice it isn't getting reviewed because I believe everyone who writes and submits a script deserves at least one review. However, if it’s riddled with spelling mistakes and bad formatting then I'll turn it off.

I also like to read the work of regulars and I'll always read a script if someone asks me to.

I read scripts that look interesting, no matter who write them. If I read a script that is so bad, I just stop reading and probably won't leave a review.

I used to hate reading other people's scripts.  Yeah I was grimy like that.  I didn't have the patience and it seemed every single one I chose to read was terrible.

So I moved on to reading actual produced screenplays.  Resident Evil (Paul W.S. Anderson and George Romero), Kids, Donnie Darko, Holes, V for Vendetta, The Sixth Sense, The Village, Alfie, Unbreakable, Labor of Love, Munich, etc.

This really helped my patience for reading and my overall style of writing.  You can really learn a lot from reading other people's screenplays.  After a while, I started to enjoy reading others' work.  I don't think I have anyone blacklisted on here and will never read their work, but there are some people on here that I am not going to jump and read their script with elation.  But that is a very small number.  I think it's like 2.

I also like helping people.  It sounds corny, but I like helping that writer that everyone else is saying "you suck" and "FORMAT, FORMAT, FORMAT!" to and isn't giving them a chance.  When you give some people a few pointers to follow, it's amazing at how far their writing can go.

As far as genres go, I am very bias towards Action, Horror, and Thrillers.  I will read scripts in those genres without even requesting a read for my own script.  I just love the genres.  I also love video game adaptations.  A guilty pleasure.  I don't think there is enough people on here that will give them a chance, but I love them.  If it has an interesting logline to it, I will definately read it.  The others I will read of course, but most likely you will have to ask me personally.  

So all in all, if you ask me to read your script, I will most likely read it and give you an informative review, time permitting (which almost always is never a problem).  It's great to see people's different writing styles and who they take their inspiration from.

Like for instance, I think a great deal of writers on here have read Tarrentino scripts and used them as their guide.  Just a neat tidbit to throw out there.

Anyway, that's why I read.  I just have a love for screenwriting and just films in general.  Hands down.  I can't get enough of it.      

Hey, I just discovered this thread and decided to add stuff to it.

I'll probably never, ever willingly read something from a no-show on the board ever again.  Otherwise, I'll read any genre.  There are authors on here which I've read a great deal from and have since put up new stuff and are probably wondering why this stupid jerk with Mockingboy as his new screenname isn't reading their stuff.  I know, I've gotten so far behind, my apologies.  I still haven't finished Simply the Godfather and Perplexity Grove yet, damn it.

Firts of all, I do not discriminate anyone, and i'm all day tanhkfull to see my scripts been reading by diferents people.

I ldo ove to read the good guys, the bad guys and difficult guys too. I love to participate to this Discussion Board and reading (when I have time, of course) many nuts (I'm included, ok?), serious ones and egos measuring the size of the Everest ones too.

Like the Italians say: sometime I’m feel to be in Una Opera Buffa!

Phil, I turned off the auto-censoring on my preferences a long time ago. I get every word people write which made Balt's posts rather colorful. I have no idea what's censored anymore.

First, I do repay a read for a read. Right now, I know I owe Breanne one, and Umbrage is on my list, but I haven't been able to do it yet. That's the only one I can think of right now.

I get a PM periodically from someone asking me to read their stuff, and I do that since they ask. I figure if a newbie works up the guts to PM me and ask, they're probably interested in feedback. I equate typos and poor format to being new at the game, and while I comment on that, I usually have far more to say about the story, characters, and all those wonderful dramatic elements.

Beyond this, I do admit to migrating to certain authors when I am looking for something, but lately, I've been swamped with writing so I can't read much. This was a bummer since last week was a lockdown.

Lastly, I tend to read scripts gaining some notoriety. I can think of several scripts that I read and reviewed just because something was going on that was leading that thread in a poor direction and it needed a review to get back on track.

Quoted from George Willson First, I do repay a read for a read. Right now, I know I owe Breanne one, and Umbrage is on my list, but I haven't been able to do it yet. That's the only one I can think of right now.

Hey George,

I appreciate it. But please don’t feel like you owe me. I generally try to pay pack reads but I’ve been very fortunate in two things: I’ve received a lot of reads and the overwhelming majority of readers have been writers who took the craft serious and reading their work was pleasurable in itself.

If you don’t read it, it’s okay with me. If you do, I would certainly love to hear your thoughts. If you do, however, there is a revised version already submitted that has any errors and smaller plot criticisms repaired. I haven’t addressed any of the larger plot problems yet so any criticism is welcome. But please don’t feel obligated. I can’t bear the thought. I always imagine someone toiling through my work as though it’s a chore.

I read plenty of shorts. If they're ten pages or less, I read them almost immediately. If they sound good and I have the time, I will read any other short that I can.

Come the full-length scripts, I tend to read them if the author has read and reviewed mine. I'm quite a slow reader so it takes me some time to get through a large script. That's why it worries me that because I don't read many full-length scripts, none of mine will be read and my scripts might become ignored in time.

Seeing as it's now the summer holidays over here and I have some time, I will try to read more full-lengths. I've already got a few in mind that sound good so I will get to them as soon as possible.

Quoted from tomson i'm your biggest fan! You don't even know I exist.

You know I love ya, Pia. If you've got something, I'm on it. I'm terrible at keeping up with this stuff.

And Breanne, it's no chore at all. I just have to make that time go further, you know...

I'm not a fan of the read for a read thing. The reader who finishes first could just be writing a good review in hopes that they get one as well... This has kind of been proven as far as I am concerned with numerous threads and exchanges my eye was on.

I am not picky when it comes to reading, over the weekend I read something without even knowing what it was about. That was refreshing to see how it unfolded.

Maybe we need more exercises like that. Just read something without reading the synopsis first. You don't know the genre or anything but the title.

Wesley, that's the nature of Triggerstreet. You click on get assignment anda random script drops into your box. You get the title, genre, and synopsis, but no reviews until after you review.

I'll read anything that sounds interesting via logline, genre, and title. If I'm in a pinch, I'll jump to a script gaining a lot of attention. But I don't usually discern by author.

Unless the formatting is just horrid, I'll usually finish any script I start and give a review. It's worth noting when a script sucks just as when it's good.

I read a lot of shorts,

a lot of times I actually forget to comment a few, which I'm sorry for that.   (sorry Helio, but you got too much drafts around!!!!! and you know already I appreciate them all!)

I don't ask for feedback actually, or retribution, if people wanna read mine, let them, that's all!

I got a few favorites, that's true, but I try to read the most possibly, and I give priority to the ones that have very small comments or zero, instead of the ones have more than 30 comments to be honest.

bitch please.

I figured out how Phil does it and now I'm all happy.

I read scripts of Authors that I like.  And I try new ones during script exchanges, and if I like their scripts, I'll read more.  I do tend to stay in comedy though.

I know I'm in for something good when I read scripts by Bruce3456 and Higgonaitor. I don't really like the Adventure genre, so I don't think I've ever read a script in that section.

Quoted from Lon In choosing which scripts to read, I don't really pay much attention to who the writer is.  I generally scan through the genres and if something catches my eye, I'll give it a read, regardless of who wrote it, how popular or unpopular he or she is and regardless of whether their previous scripts were gold or turds.

i'm pretty much the same. i dont care who the writer is... if the logline catches my interest i'll give it a read - however if i feel the writer is inactive and wont appreciate my feedback... i simply wont give any.

as far as spelling and formatting - if there's a lot of mistakes... i give those people 2 pages...and if i'm not totally grabbed by the story... i'm gone. amatures and young writers deserve a chance.

who else is holding their breath for the squeal to "The Cabin"?

that said there are a couple of writers on here whose work i follow with close watch

Quoted from DOM I know I'm in for something good when I read scripts by Bruce3456 and Higgonaitor. I don't really like the Adventure genre, so I don't think I've ever read a script in that section.

The Lunchroom can be seen as an adventure. What is an adventure but a journey from one point to another?

Every script is an adventure in some sense. I put my SS Script in that genre because it is an untapped genre that like every other genre can be used for almost any screenplay.

I read scripts based almost entirely on who their authors are. If I see something written by Bert, Mike, Breanne, or another one of the regulars who's style I particularly enjoy, I'll read it because I know, even if it's sub par compared to what they usually write, it won't be a waste of my time. I also know that they'll respond to criticism and take comments into consideration. That is important to me as well.

I read quite a bit, but lately a lot of my reading and reviewing have been via e-mail.

Main thing for me is that the author actually visits these boards. I've read too many scripts where the author didn't even bother saying thanks.

I have been around here for a year now, so I do have my favorites. People that I will read anything they write.

Phil- I love his style of writing and I go back and reread certain things in his scripts when I have a question regarding format. Trust me, you may find a typo or two in his scripts, but you ain't gonna fault him on format. I was also recently blown away by Dreams in Dust and Marble. Awesome!

Bert- Another perfectionist who's scripts can be used to learn how to master the art of format. I also like his humor. I would describe his writing as crisp! I'll read anything of his.

Breanne-In a class of her own. A no holds barred, from the gut kind of stories.

George-Maybe the best storyteller at SS. I love reading his stuff, he writes faster than I can read however.......

Martin-Another talented writer who can write a script where no lines are wasted or fillers. His scripts can be serious or funny, but always sharp.

Mike-Lighthearted, easy going, feel good comedy.

Helio- For the fun of trying to decipher his stories. There's usually some underlying meaning to his writing. It can be lost in the translation sometimes, but I enjoy trying to find it.

Guy-He's only 20 and his writing is getting better and better. I've read three features by him and I'm honestly looking forward to his heist script.

Wesley-Well, crazy is all I can say. I mean that in a good way. Where does he come up with this stuff? I know it's not intended for me, but I love it!

Mr. Z-Another writer getting better and better. I'd read any of his stuff as well.

If you were not mentioned on this little list of mine, don't take that as if I don't like your writing (it's just that I'm getting longwinded here). A few that comes to mind:

Greg
James McClung
Abe from LA
Cyndi Keller
Gravy/Jaime
(I'll add more as they come to mind, right now I'm tired)

I do read scripts by new members as well, I'm just mentioning my favorites.


PS. If I have read 2 or more scripts by one author and they don't bother reading any of mine, I won't read any more of theirs.

Hey Pia, thanks a lot for your kind words, kid. Waw, after that I'm feeling like an old and dusty Sphinx!

Quoted from tomson Phil- I love his style of writing and I go back and reread certain things in his scripts when I have a question regarding format. Trust me, you may find a typo or two in his scripts, but you ain't gonna fault him on format. I was also recently blown away by Dreams in Dust and Marble. Awesome!

Thank you!


Phil

These days, I don't really exist around here.

Used to be I'd read anything as long as it sounded promising or the writer showed a genuine dedication.  Now, I don't post scripts, I barely give reads, and I don't get 'em.  Works perfectly.  

I'll be back in the thick of it some time though.  Just you wait.

Oh by the way, three surefire ways to make sure that I never read a post of yours again: A) Start an argument when it doesn't need to be started and/or continue a finished one; B) Declare your work, your writing, or your other skills to be flatly superior to everyone/anyone; C) Say that SimplyScripts is clearly for untalented writers.

Or if you just generally act like a bitch.

As far as authors are concerned, I'll try anything that's either done by someone who has known quality so I'm likely to enjoy it, or at least not have my brain melted into mush, or someone who is known as being pretty bad, so I can delve into some theraputic criticism (constructive, of course).

As far as the script themselves, I have one golden rule -

If a script starts with a weary hand coming out of a bed and turning off a beeping alarm clock, I'm closing that pdf down. Immediately. Then burning it.

I stick to shorts just for the fact that time doesn't allow me to read as many full length scripts as I would like to.  

If the logline sounds good I'll almost always take a look at it.  

I also like the new people, just to see what they have to offer.

I have my favorites of course (who doesn't) and they usually get first look if they post something.

I wish I had more shorts that I could post myself but with work and family it's tough (damn you life!)

Recently I've made it my goal to at least attempt to read a full length script here and there and I have a whole list of things I want to read lol

Quoted from Vaughn If a script starts with a weary hand coming out of a bed and turning off a beeping alarm clock, I'm closing that pdf down. Immediately. Then burning it.

Or with a bunch of teenagers going into the forest...


Phil

I'm getting the feeling that my script about a bunch of weary teenagers who awaken and then travel into the woods won't get to many reads...

Quoted from dogglebe Or with a bunch of teenagers going into the forest...

I guess my Hansel and Gretel Zombie script isn't going to get read then.

"If a script starts with a weary hand coming out of a bed and turning off a beeping alarm clock, I'm closing that pdf down. Immediately. Then burning it."

Well, Vaughn if appear something like this do you accept?

INT. BEDROOM - LATE NIGHT

It is very dark. The radio clock rings! A hand enters to click it off and...

ZAPT!

A machete CUTS it scattering BLOOD around!

How about this, my friend?

Anything that twists with convention is great my friend