I’ve debated for some time about posting this question, but with things being a little quieter these last few days, I figured, “Why not?” (I won't note my approach right now so as not to "lead the witness" one way or the other.)
This is something that comes to mind multiple times a year when I’m read scripts, hear/read loglines, read synopsis & treatments, etc. There is always a sense of wanting to try to help, of course -- it’s their dream, thus one tries to be encouraging.
At the same time, it’s difficult to watch someone sort of slog away with it all, and continue to focus on ideas and completed scripts that will surely go nowhere; or maybe even worse yet, they just don’t have the skill set to be a writer and should probably focus much more on other things in life as a career. But maybe worst of all, they seem to throw away money via various services time & time again. I helped a writer a few years ago who just kept spending money on their script time & time again with the hopes of getting rated high enough to get some attention. I see others do a similar thing as that person. The writer eventually realized, on their own, that they needed to stop doing that and reassess the situation. This was only after they had been spent thousands (before me) on getting writing help and paying for services, contests, etc.
So, the kind of philosophical question of the day is, how honest do you feel one should be on advising a writer about their next step after reading their work? Possibly after a few exchanges, even. OR do you ultimately feel your fellow writers are big boys & girls and can spend all the money they desire or can, as they see fit, because it’s not your business?
I have my own style & approach I’ve used for years, but I thought it might be interesting to hear others’ take on whether they give more straightforward, frank advice (not ugly or mean by any means) about the situation. Or that you find “ignorance is bliss,” so why say anything?
And please don’t simply think of this just for yourself, though please share as you like; but as much as anything, objectively about what you say to others and how strongly you feel about your personal approach to feedback & advice. Do you take a different approach for you than you do for others? (Not hypocritically, so to speak.) OR do you try to treat other writers as you would like to be treated regardless of what their chances might be?
This is something that comes to mind multiple times a year when I’m read scripts, hear/read loglines, read synopsis & treatments, etc. There is always a sense of wanting to try to help, of course -- it’s their dream, thus one tries to be encouraging.
At the same time, it’s difficult to watch someone sort of slog away with it all, and continue to focus on ideas and completed scripts that will surely go nowhere; or maybe even worse yet, they just don’t have the skill set to be a writer and should probably focus much more on other things in life as a career. But maybe worst of all, they seem to throw away money via various services time & time again. I helped a writer a few years ago who just kept spending money on their script time & time again with the hopes of getting rated high enough to get some attention. I see others do a similar thing as that person. The writer eventually realized, on their own, that they needed to stop doing that and reassess the situation. This was only after they had been spent thousands (before me) on getting writing help and paying for services, contests, etc.
So, the kind of philosophical question of the day is, how honest do you feel one should be on advising a writer about their next step after reading their work? Possibly after a few exchanges, even. OR do you ultimately feel your fellow writers are big boys & girls and can spend all the money they desire or can, as they see fit, because it’s not your business?
I have my own style & approach I’ve used for years, but I thought it might be interesting to hear others’ take on whether they give more straightforward, frank advice (not ugly or mean by any means) about the situation. Or that you find “ignorance is bliss,” so why say anything?
And please don’t simply think of this just for yourself, though please share as you like; but as much as anything, objectively about what you say to others and how strongly you feel about your personal approach to feedback & advice. Do you take a different approach for you than you do for others? (Not hypocritically, so to speak.) OR do you try to treat other writers as you would like to be treated regardless of what their chances might be?
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