Thanks Scott.

I'm super tempted to go for one of the class spots. However, the civilized part of me thinks I won't take up Scott on his promise and be at least one less person he has to worry about. Perhaps I'll split the difference and just ask for lecture notes.

I'm considering what Nicholasofpain wrote too, that I might relieve Scott by just asking for notes or following a webinar. 1500+ people are a LOT of people. Also, I think the idea that The Quest/GOYOQ taking the shape of a guild-like structure sounds very interesting. My biggest challenge is not so much the theory as it is the practice.

Scott, THANK YOU. "The Quest" has shown me (and likely others) just how much training we all need. Instead of treating screenwriting as the "gotta sell my screenplay, like, yesterday" business we rookies think it is, your posts through GITS demand that we respect the craft of storytelling while understanding the business driving it. Bravo! I'm along for the ride. God bless.

Heather, that may be the best single description of what I try to do on this blog and through Screenwriting Master Class I've yet seen. I keep saying, "It's not just about writing a screenplay, it's about learning to think like a screenwriter," but your take really drives home that point. I can't begin to count the number of writers I hear from who have tried this or that screenwriting system or formula, only to be frustrated at not getting at the heart of the craft. That's because so much of what gets promulgated and promoted speaks to the surface of the craft. That makes sense. As consumers, we all want to buy stuff that makes things easy. But screenwriting is NOT easy! And let's say you do use one of these million dollar spec script paradigms or products, stumble onto a great story idea, write it and sell it. Great, right? But then what happens next? When you go up for an open writing assignment. And now you are faced with a 10-week deadline to deliver a draft. This is now your life: Writing projects for hire, delivering on deadline, and nailing stories. Will that million dollar spec script paradigm prepare you for that? If you're lucky, perhaps. But since its focus is on the screenplay and provides little if nothing in the way of understanding how to think like a professional screenwriter, not much in the way of principles and practices that you need to succeed project after project, year after year to build a career, you're likely to end up outside the business as quickly as you lucked into it. It's just like you say: "Demand that we respect the craft of storytelling while understanding the business driving it." Yes, yes, and yes. In multiple ways, it's really dumb of me to do "Go Into The Story: The Quest." I'll be working intensely with multiple writers for half a year -- for free. Through the "Go On Your Own Quest" initiative, I'll be giving away many of my trade secrets. I could and by all rights should be hammering home the fact people can pay to do The Quest as a one-on-one workshop with me, tailored to their specific needs. Instead I'm giving away 1-week Core and Craft classes to everyone who entered "The Quest." I mean what the hell am I doing, right? But you know what? It just feels right to me. I want to see better movies! I want to read better stories! I enjoy seeing writers succeed! When I get an email from a first-time screenwriter who just sold a spec. Or a screenwriter whose first movie just got greenlit, and they thank me for this blog, how it provided them information and inspiration, that gives me a sense of profound joy. It's like I see this big need in the online community for somebody to be articulating your point, Heather: "Demand that we respect the craft of storytelling while understanding the business driving it." So I am going to continue to be different. I am going to continue to tell the truth. That screenwriting is an insanely competitive profession, the odds are hugely against you, the market is ever-changing and requires you to be on top of your game at all times. You can not just read a book, write a script and succeed, you have to immerse yourself in the world of cinema. Think concepts, read scripts, watch movies, write pages. There is no right way to write. You can learn the craft, but you have to believe in and find the magic. You have to learn the business of screenwriting. You have to push yourself harder than you think you can go. You have find your unique voice and the ability to write the structure and soul of screenplays. And so on... As far as I'm concerned, we're all in this together. This is a community. I'm committed to it if you [by that I mean all GITS readers] are. Rant over. Onward and upward! And thanks again, Heather, for that observation. Made my day.

I appreciate Heather's comment very much, and of course, Scott's commitment. I feel like developing my screenwriting craft is like forming a relationship with a horse. A horse will give you feedback if you're doing what you need to be, and the sense of camaraderie the rider feels in return, rewarding. Deliberately participating in the Craft is Necessary to keep participating in it. There's no other way. For me, I will probably also opt for lecture notes, so that Scott will have one less face in the raft. But that said, welcome the experience.

Hi Scott, I'm wondering- is there any possibility of setting up a feed or email list specifically for this (DYOQ)? I love your blog, but I'm unable to read it on a daily basis... and when I do check it's a little hard to find quest-only content wedged between all the other great posts. Thanks again for doing all of this. You're providing a desperately needed fire under my...

Amen!