The words of a stranger on the internet might not mean much, eldave, but I support your goal. Stay motivated!

On topic: I think a good point to keep in mind is that as unpleasant as it is when a writer doesn't respond to feedback, having the opportunity not to is probably important for SimplyScripts as a site to keep its level of activity and continue pulling in producers and filmmakers checking out the site.

But... I think the fact that trading feedback on the boards is even a thing should be brought out somewhere and be a whole lot easier to find.

Quoted from DS The words of a stranger on the internet might not mean much, eldave, but I support your goal. Stay motivated! On topic: I think a good point to keep in mind is that as unpleasant as it is when a writer doesn't respond to feedback, having the opportunity not to is probably important for SimplyScripts as a site to keep its level of activity and continue pulling in producers and filmmakers checking out the site. But... I think the fact that trading feedback on the boards is even a thing should be brought out somewhere and be a whole lot easier to find.

First - Thanks much DS.

In terms of the topic at hand - I believe that I have come around on the topic - i.e., it's pretty much in my control so if I want to have an interactive experience - then read stuff from active members - if I just want to read/learn - read anything. The discussion in the thread helped - I'm there.

Hey guys,
     I haven't been around in a while, still not up to a long chat, but, wanted to touch base.

Neck has been awful.  I mean grade 9/10 pain awful.  I haven't done any writing and now, that bloody contest deadline is Aug 1.  

I wanted to make a few comments here:

1.  I chose to be vocal, but, I also chose to be "submissive" in that I wasn't gonna be cocky.  I wanted to learn and get better.  So, if by master and sub, yeah, people who have been writing for years or sold stuff I should respect.  

Don't confuse respect with no guts.  For ex, Libby thought I should let my main protag live at the end of my feature.  I said I can't do that and explained why, and then she made a post asking how "normal" that was.  Neither of us ever crossed that line.  I have learned so much from her and so many of you.  I wouldn't be half the writer I am today w/o your help.  So, I respect all of you a great deal, and if 3 people point out the same issue, I'd be foolish not to at least look at it.  

However, it is my choice to act on it or not.  And that is the difference between respect and blindly sucking up.  Each person has to make the final choice on what makes their story better.  However, if 3 people have the same idea and you take an honest look (or even 1 person for all that matters), if their advice makes it better, then it is up to you to be humble enough to accept that advice.

But, being respectful isn't the same as sucking up.  Perhaps some think b/c i say how much this place has helped me that i'm sucking up, but, I don't feel that way.  I'm still learning.  I am the sort of person that complains when something isn't done right, but, I also compliment when it is done right.  So, if I am helped, then I make a point to let others know this person did a great job.  As a manager for 2 stores, that's how I'm wired (when I could work).  

I give some advice, but, I do find myself allowing more experienced people to carry the critique or to take the lead.  They have more knowledge.  

That said, anyone can have an idea that can make your story better, or take it to a new level.  Even if some of you don't think much of people like Jeff or Dustin, that'd be foolish in my book.  Everyone can offer something.  Why burn any bridges for no reason?  Why fight?  Save the battles for the important wars you MUST win.

Those who know me know I have 9 herniated discs and a crushed spinal cord.  I don't bother getting into drama unless I MUST.  Unless I have a personal stake in the outcome.  Many of the fights I see on here are of the "petty" variety.  

Simply put, we aren't here to fight or act like kids on a street corner.  We are the best free site on the internet.  I've only been here a few months and I already know that.  It is up to each of us to do all we can do to keep it that way.  Period.  No excuses!!

I didn't know about this site when I joined.  I know about the other site (Janet's) and thought that was it.  I wasn't gonna join this part until I realized that I could get feedback.  

I still consider myself a newbie here.  And you know what, if there are cliques of people like Pia and Libby and some others who have KNOWN each other for years, well, I'd be cliquish too.  I don't see cliques. I see people who have known each other for years that are like extra family members or co-workers.  

The reason I don't consider it a clique is b/c I didn't have to do much to be accepted here.  Just be honest.  And contribute.  Trust me when I say a clique is very hard to get people to treat you fairly.  And it takes a while for people to get to know and trust you.  Each person is different.  It is up to each new person on here to put that time in.  

I feel quite close to some of you guys.  I feel that way b/c both sides have put in effort and time, we have exchanged emails or read each others' stuff.  Trust builds with time and there is no substitute for that.  

As for the people on here who don't respond, yep, that's annoying.  But, as I said, I didn't know about it.  I think it is entirely possible that people think the story is on Janet's site, but, it's on here, they can't find it on Janet's site and give up.  I ALMOST did at the very beginning.  

I do think a newbie should have to read or intro themselves before they should be able to have Don load a story of theirs.  That is my opinion and I'm a nobody.  But, if it was done that way, then they could find out the ins and outs and perhaps some of the issues that I see with first time script loads could be avoided with the correct software and some other "common sense" stuff.  I read a script that was entirely in past tense.  

Some people stop reading at a big mistake like that.  I don't b/c that could have been me.  But, some of the errors that are made, if they had to read a script and ask questions first, and post something in the "about me" section could go a long ways to making all stories better.  

I wish I had read some stuff on here before doing so much writing of my scripts.  Don't take this wrong, but, reading one "so so" script is worth far more then reading 10 perfect scripts because you can spot the errors and that is how more people learn then copying something, but, not having any reference material on how or why it's done wrong.  

Case in point as I end this, I had no clue what "on the nose" dialog was when I first joined, just that everyone said I do it.  I was told to read scripts, but, couldn't figure out what they meant.  Then I read another's script on here and noticed their own "on the nose" dialog and how flat it was.  The lightbulb came on.  I learned.

Okay, my head has fallen away from my neck now, so, I'm gonna end this.  Sorry it was so long, but, at least I broke it up

Dan

Quoted from DanC I haven't been around in a while, still not up to a long chat...

I wonder what the size of the post would be if you were up for a long chat. LOL.

Quoted Text Case in point as I end this, I had no clue what "on the nose" dialog was when I first joined, just that everyone said I do it.

This gave me a chuckle Damn - the first time someone commented that my dialogue was on the nose I thought - cool - I nailed it.

Quoted from DustinBowcot I wonder what the size of the post would be if you were up for a long chat. LOL.

You should tremble at the thought of a long message from me

Yeah, I can write a lot.  I think the longest message I ever wrote was like 30 pages to this girl that I loved years ago...

Quoted from eldave1 This gave me a chuckle Damn - the first time someone commented that my dialogue was on the nose I thought - cool - I nailed it.

I know, right?  

I mean, that seems like a good thing.  I had the same thought.  Little did I know...

but, it is true, the only way to learn is to talk and read.  And I learned more from that "bad" screenplay and spotted the on the nose dialog and now, I have a better idea on how to try to avoid it.  It is one thing to spot it, it is totally another thing to not do the same thing.

I still don't have a firm understanding of how to avoid it and be more generic.  That's the whole point of learning tho, right?  One step at a time...

Dan

What's on the nose dialogue again? Just being too on point with it? Instead of being subtle?

Quoted from Max Instead of being subtle?

Yes.

Not to be confused with exposition which is talking the plot... or back story.

Very few people are able to say what they mean economically and still get to the point without rambling on or going 'astray' - that correct? I guess you should mimic this in your dialog if you want to be "authentic." Still, we are writing for the screen and Hollywood is fantasy land.

Just sent via private email a few comments about THE REVELATOR in two parts. As I mention, trying to be constructive and helpful.  Lemme know if you'd like something similar for your other works.

Cheers.

RK

Quoted from RKeller Just sent via private email a few comments about THE REVELATOR in two parts. As I mention, trying to be constructive and helpful.  Lemme know if you'd like something similar for your other works. Cheers. RK

Thanks much - got your notes - appreciated. Sent PM back

Any reads on anything is always a cool thing

Strong egos here, zesty comments, I like it! I feel guilty, becoming sorta drifter, but the thing is, I'm fairly lost, so lost, I don't even know how to reply to any particular post,, Anothyer thing, I got into Anthony's blog, went through a few of his shorts some 2 weeks ago, and I haven't posted a damn review since. I must figure the boiard out!

How do you "figure a message board out?"