Why I *can't* read your script

[cleolinda]

Okay, since I think I was waxing a bit verbose about this on a site meant for 140-character messages:

What happened was, A History of Violence screenwriter Josh Olson informed the internets that He Will Not Read Your Fucking Script.

Cole Abaius thought this made him a bit of an asshole, although more for the tone than the sentiment.

John Scalzi

Comments

[dolorous_ett]

I had never thought about this. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. It's a scary thing for anyone who dabbles in either fanfic or professional writing to have to think about...

[cleolinda]

Well, and as an enterprising TV screenwriter, it hadn't occurred to me, either. I don't blame people for not realizing the problem, really. I just need them to be understanding when I tell them why I can't read it. And for them to ask (so I can tell them) before they just send it on and completely screw me over.

[padawansguide]

This is it in a nutshell. It's not really the aspiring writer's fault per-se, as they really may have no idea of any of these issues. Especially if they are not being rude like some of the people in these various stories are. But once the issues are explained to them, they should accept the explanation, because they do make sense - especially in light of the danger to a writer's career, which is beyond scary, really, especially in this day of email. But I don't think there should be unnecessary rudeness on either side of this, ideally. (I know that doesn't always happen for one reason or the other.)

[kvschwartz]

I didn't know you were trying to break into television writing. Are you planning to move either to NYC or L.A.?

[annlarimer]

This is also why (unless they ask for it, which has happened -- after the project was over) you don't inflict your fanfic on TPTB. You can tell yourself, "Oh, he's just an actor, it's not like he has anything to do with the stories." But actors often become writers, directors, or producers on their series.

And it's why, if an author tells you she doesn't want fanfic, you have to respect that. You can try to keep it underground if you want, and most of the time that's good enough, but you still risk a C&D and a smackdown, especially if you post on the web or do a fanzine

[cleolinda]

Oh God.

I just read LKH's take on the Olson thing, and I think she does peg one key element of it--that it's the ultimate shortcut to fame and fortune, pushing your work on someone established so you can get "discovered" in an instant without paying any dues. And you know what, the more I think about that, the more it pisses me off. I got "discovered" myself, I guess, but you know, I was sitting here on my journal minding my own business. Which is maybe a lesson in zen for people, I don't know.

[annlarimer]

I've known people who plan to become superstar comic-book artists. Without actually learning to draw anything other than characters in pin-up poses. Or submitting their artwork anywhere. Or leaving the house. Apparently Stan Lee is going to show up in front in a big limo and throw wads of cash out onto the lawn.

I mean, even suckmaster Rob Liefeld had to be able to meet a deadline. And, y'know, actually show up.

[cleolinda]

God, sounds like all those people who want to do anime voices.

LKH mentions people getting really angry when she turns them down, and now that I think of it, I bet that has a lot to do with people's Instant Superstar fantasies--the only thing standing in their way is This Selfish Bitch Who Won't Read Their Work RIGHT NOW. Clearly, if she would give in and read it, they would have an agent and a publishing contract by the end of the day, but NOOOOOOOO.

[raberbagirl]

Stories like this scare me. :(
*in response to more than one issue* Oh, why do a few jerks have to ruin it for everyone else?!

[chicating]

I thought he came off unkind, but at the same time, being a writer doesn't necessarily mean being thrilled to instruct the noobs.
But more than any writing experience I've had, the original essay sort of reminds me of how I feel when parents want me to instruct their kids about physical disabilities.
In the abstract, I agree that it's important they learn good things, but I still really hate it when they pounce in the mall like "Ha! There's one." and put all the pressure to be polite upon me, lest little Johnny carry Captain Hook issues for the rest of his life.

[cleolinda]

Yeah--you're a person, not an object lesson or a teaching aid. It's not your job to be someone else's example.

[chicating]

I'm mostly nice about it when kids ask me things.
But I've noticed a new thing recently: Parents who are dying to have the Conversation independent of their kids' interest(is this that helicopter thing?)
But that's why, in a way, I understand Mr. Olsen's bind. Because, on top of everything, I'm female, single, and a feminist over thirty...it would not be hard to turn that into some referendum on my thwarted maternal instincts or...

[puppetmaker40]

Funny I wrote about the same thing today.

And I too have horror story upon horror story about this sort of thing.

I find it sad that we can't just talk out a story anymore for fear of someone suing us.

[cleolinda]

Well, as with anything like this, a lot of times it's the volume that gets to me. One person putting me in an awkward position is... well, just that: awkward. Ten people doing it, you get a bit testy.

As for the suing--from my X-Files experience (again, when I was a teenager and didn't know any better), I can see how people genuinely might think they had been ripped off. I don't blame an overly litigious society (although we have that as well) so much as situations that are unfortunate for everyone all around, and it's up to the established writer to prevent them from happening. And if the unpublished writer can be made aware of it, it can save her some sincere heartache as well.