CJ T at 2012-03-06 13:24:08:

First, thanks to the writers for taking the time to talk. It's much appreciated. The group raised a lot of great points, especially how to judge the relative merits of story ideas, the importance of finding the emotional touchstones in the film and acknowledging that a writer has to make tough decisions like knowing when to quit a project. To the last point, at my embryonic stage of development, some of the toughest decisions for me--and I'm sure they continue to be tough even after you've sold a script--is acknowledging when your favorite scenes aren't working and they need to be rewritten and/or removed entirely for the good of the whole story. It may have taken a lot of time and effort to come up with them in the first place, but sometimes you know you can--and should--do better--with some more time and effort. Easy to say, tough to do. Anyway, thanks to everyone for their insights. Can't wait to read the next installment of your discussion.

Traci Peterson at 2012-03-06 13:40:50:

Loving Screenwriter Roundtable Part 2. Excellent insights about writer's emotion for the story and providing/evoking emotion for the audience. "It's the emotion, stupid!" ;)

Gabe at 2012-03-06 16:41:12:

Great series, thank you to all the writers for their insights. I know this is a highly competitive business, but I can see there is plenty of solidarity at the same time. I am curious about the feedback loops. How many people do the writers send their first drafts out to? How quickly do they get notes back?

Marc Teichmann at 2012-03-06 17:11:06:

Not sure if you're still answering questions Scott F., but I have one for you. You stated: "You have to be honest with yourself, you have to maintain that objectivity." I really struggle with this when reading my own drafts. I can't read it the same way I read other people's work. Any tips for how to detach yourself so you can really look at it objectively?

Filip Benko at 2012-03-06 17:48:14:

All I have to say to you Scott is WOW! I left for a two days writing spree and come back to see what I have missed here. (over 1½ pages of new blog entries) Thank you! This is a fantastic series! Please continue this in the future. Sooo much knowledge and wisdom handed over to us wannabes - priceless. (Damn, I love the Internet) And to the pro's who took time out of their busy schedules to do this roundtable series. You guys are the best! This is writing GOLD for us who are "new" Thank you!

Scott Frazier at 2012-03-06 20:07:06:

@ Marc: For me it's all about time. After I finish a first draft, I put it away for at least a couple weeks, if not a couple months. I don't read it, I don't think about, I move on to a completely different project. I write pages for other scripts, I do everything I can to just not think about it. Then when I go back and re-read the script, the objectivity is there. I'm also very hard on myself when rewriting. I'm my own worst critic. I question every scene, every line, every word within the script.

Scott Frazier at 2012-03-06 20:13:02:

@ Gabe: It depends for me. Sometimes I'll sit on my first draft for a few weeks and do a rewrite. Other times, I'll send it right away to a couple other writers and my managers if I'm super excited about the project. One thing I have realized is that as writers we have to eventually get to a point where we trust our own instincts, and our ability to write. Critique is helpful, and has its place, but being able to critique our own work without outside input and making it the best version possible is a crucial tool in our arsenal.

Writing – How Do You Make Money? | at 2012-03-07 11:02:05:

[...] or Pens. Source: www.isnare.com Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=57535&ca=AdviceWriting - How Do You Make Money?By Wanda CortezHow do you make money from writing? You have to decid...readers more of the same genre. So, choose EITHER 1 OR 2 1. Do you want to be totally free to [...]