Los Angeles Writers Groups

[NatachaVonBraun]

I think this is the right place to post. Apologies if not.

I belong to a writers group that only meets once a month and I'm looking to join another one that meets more often.

I've had some bad experiences in bizarre groups made out of really deluded people who cannot write and cannot take criticism, so I'm looking to find a serious, advanced group that requires pages to get in.

If you have any suggestions, I would be grateful.

Thank you.

[killertv]

Re: Los Angeles Writers Groups

Don't know if they require pages, but I've heard good things about this group:

http://sites.google.com/site/scriptitwritersgroup

[NatachaVonBraun]

Re: Los Angeles Writers Groups

Don't know if they require pages, but I've heard good things about this group:

http://sites.google.com/site/scriptitwritersgroup

Thanks for the suggestion Killer. I will check it out. And maybe I should not submit pages after all.

I just got rejected from an online workshop. I submitted pages from a script that already won a contest and which AH (Screenplay Mechanic) covered. He wrote:

"In truth, there's really very little to critique in these 111 pages because the author has come up with an enjoyable character-driven story and she executes it very well... The writing in these pages is technically sound. Author Carson executes her story with a slick and relatively concise style. Unlike other aspiring screenwriters, she avoids weighing down her scenes and pages with any superfluous narrative description. As a result, the story moves along at a brisk and satisfying pace. This helps sustain our interest from beginning to end.-

So I guess that's code for "you suck- and I do need to stop sucking.

[mariot]

Re: Los Angeles Writers Groups

Did the workshop give you a reason?

[NatachaVonBraun]

Re: Los Angeles Writers Groups

Yes. I guess I effed up and didn't send the first few pages, so I sent pages from the end of 1st act that I thought showed off my skill, voice and writing style. The reader complained that he did not know who, what where he was.

[mariot]

Re: Los Angeles Writers Groups

Maybe you can try again with the first few pages. If it's a good workshop it's worth trying.

[NatachaVonBraun]

Re: Los Angeles Writers Groups

That's not an option at this time.

[killertv]

Re: Los Angeles Writers Groups

what workshop is this? does not sound reputable. you'd think the reader would understand that when the first page isn't numbered page one then it's from the middle of a script...

[NatachaVonBraun]

Re: Los Angeles Writers Groups

what workshop is this? does not sound reputable. you'd think the reader would understand that when the first page isn't numbered page one then it's from the middle of a script...

I can't say, but it is reputable.

My only thought is that the reader didn't really like my writing because otherwise it doesn't make sense. I thought he was judging the writing, not the script itself. Like when you start seeing a movie that has already started, it either pulls you in or it doesn't. You know if it's good or not even if you didn't see it from the beginning and know who's who and what's going on.

I don't know if I make sense. I should have just sent the opening pages but I over-thought it. That's the way cookie crumbles.