Since I began writing screenplays five years ago, I began accumulating writing friends, and in some cases, confidants, living in places around the world. One of the first, was an American expat living in Germany, who I met doing some script review exchanges at the now defunct Trigger Street Labs. This person, has since become one of my best friends, and actually came for an in person visit last year during the Austin Film Festival.
Good old Stage 32 and more recently Facebook, have also been great sources for meeting other writers. Many of them have become friends and writing confidants. I’ve shared ideas and scripts with these people, via email, Skype and IM chats. Some of these friends have also provided me with leads for writing gigs. Additionally, they have provided great moral support for my work. And, I’ve endeavored to do the same for them.
So Uncle Phil’s question for you is, have you acquired a circle of writing friends and confidants?
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YESSSS!!!!! I don't know what I'd do without my circle of writer friends! In the publishing world, I've built a close 6-8 writer friends AND belong to a couple of quality tight-knit groups where we all share tips for marketing, characters, formatting, cover design, etc.
I am so blessed to have met great peoples (like yourself, Uncle Phil) on S32 who are an inspiration, encouragement, and someone I can collaborate with as I learn. When I finally get to a point where I can help, I hope I can give back more than what they have given me.
No one understands a writer better than...well...a writer. We feel each other's pain! Some people just don't get it.
Thanks for being one of those people in my circle, Uncle Phil!!! AND Jeff Langham!!!
Looking forward to meeting and making more friends!
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Yes. I've met some great people over the years. My guy being involved in the literary world has brought renowned novelists, poets and teachers into our home. My biggest mentor has been a screenwriter I met when I attended a seminar he conducted on screenwriting. I asked him some questions afterward and he said he would be willing to read any script I wrote. Took me a year to get up the courage to send it to him. Five years later, we are good friends and visit with him and his wife often.
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Arial:
Thanks!
Jody:
Great story.
Phillip who is Judy? ;-)
Judy/Jody
Sorry.
Lol s'okay, happens a lot.
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Small circle of 3 or 4 people I bounce ideas. They're a high school Teacher, a Documentarian, a Movie Trailer Editor, and a Playwright.
I think every person chasing dream careers, writing or playing pro basketball, needs an Entourage, folks who are your Champions
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Phillip...since you're not answering my emails or returning my phone calls.....I hope you still consider me and Dan MaxXx friends.
We were just trying to surprise you with a barbecue, and didn't know you had raised that cow from birth; regarded it as a family member; and taught it to moo-sing Les Paul's classic "How High the Moon" for this season's America's Got Talent.
And it was Dan's idea, and not mine. I'm a gullible type, and thought we were doing a research road trip for Dan's vampire opera script. Please forgive us.
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Bill "brother from another mother" Costanini:
I never deleted your emails, never got your phone calls, and, never asked you to go easy on The Dan MaxXx investigation. Upon advice from legal counsel, I've been told not to discuss anything related to my farm animal activities. Or my relationships to any cows, chickens, pigs, or goats; and or donkeys, horses and mules.
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(Arial sits back with a box of popcorn and soda to watch the show.)
Phillip: just remember that Texas case law has established the "replacement value" of a beef cow at $3 per pound; a dairy cow at $9 per pound; and no additional compensation for "family value" or emotional duress that may have been caused to the owners. I know Popo (RIP, Popo) was no dairy cow. and I would consider taking Dan MaxXx's offer of six knock-off Dooney & Burke Pebble Grain Zip-Zip Satchels, and two knock-off Louis Vitton Cabas Mezzo Totes to prevent expensive and unnecessary litigation.
And I'm sure Popo (RIP, Popo) would approve, too.
Bill C: Pragmatic as always. We'll be in touch.
OMG you guys are a hoot!
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What a good advice. It will go a long way in making a writer better since he has people of the same goal looking at a thing together.
So Uncle Phil, did you work on anything with Trigger Street Labs? Those were what I think of as "the good ole' days" - I really enjoyed working on some of the Jameson First Shot productions.
I have a small circle of acquaintances that I've developed over the years but at my age, many have passed on. I call them on a Ouija board - I don't need one of those cellulous phones.
Doug: only read scripts and did reviews a trigger Street labs.
O: I'm here to help my brother.
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To answer the OP question, no, I don't have any writer friends or confidantes. I offered to read one excerpt of a script from an S32 member, and he read mine. We provided each other written feedback that was direct and constructive. Other than that, not much in the way of communication with any other writers.
Understand, it is me who does not reach out very well, or often. Other than sporadically posting in the Lounge, and accepting network requests, I guess I'm pretty much a ghost. No boo-hoos or self-pity, just telling it like it is.
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I will add, since I live with my main writer friend, we tend to insulate ourselves for the most part. We have other friends who are writers, but when it comes to people reading our work, getting feedback, etc., we are each other's first and foremost reader always. He reads my shitty first drafts and gives me insight on the rewrites, I do the same for him.
I do have a couple industry friends I will send scripts to, but that's only after he's read my first drafts and I've done some revisions. Honestly, that first draft is usually so raw and terrible, I wouldn't want anyone else reading it!!! :-D
I have nobody.
I am in the same boat as Tamim. I agree with Jody. A friend of mine from college writes too but after optioning two stories, he is uber competitive; and unbearable. I am the only horror writer I know.
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I have two close friends on networking sites; One from Sydney, Australia who I have met and another from Houston, Texas who I have only corresponded with. Both are Authors (not Screenwriters) but good confidants and very positive, supportive people who provide excellent input and feedback.
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Yes, a trusted friend of many years. It's great to have someone to bounce ideas off of and who gives honest feedback and input, as well as encouragement. Key word here: trust.
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I have a few writing friends but I don't confide or even discuss my projects with them.
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Most of my friends are writers. But you can "talk away your story." So I give it to the PAGE instead.