Genre?

[Silk]

I think if we tried to split into groups based on medium we would be WAY skewed towards fiction, and guessing from the comments we've had so far from this bunch, probably mostly towards long fiction. I have a hard time envisioning making that work, and I'd still rather we stay away from subgroups if at all possible.

Fiction writers can give perfectly adequate critiques of screenplays, I think; we all have narrative and dialogue in common. You might want to take our critiques on the other aspects of screenwriting with a grain of salt.

[AvalonDreamer]

As I said, we can approach writing academically between genres. Alpha Readers tell us if they like or dislike the story, and if the genre you're reading happens to be one you like, then you're an alpha reader, and a peer reviewer; if not, then don't bash it for being from a genre you hate, just look at it's merits as a piece of writing and try to be fair.

I.e. I have a massive dislike of Anne McCaffery, for stylistic reasons. I can admit that from an academic PoV, it's sound and good writing, even though I don't like the theme of the story itself.

[Chaos]

Please allow me to stir this pot (slightly): I write screenplays. I have written prose, but what I'm working on and plan to submit is, well, screenplays. This is not su much a division of genre, but more in format.

I only bring this up because not everyone is used to reading scripts, plays, etc.

So I suppose the question is: would it be worth split in the readers' list by format? Those who are willing to read scripts or novels? Or simply prefer short stories?

Just curious what other think.

I've been in school plays before, and I've read plays, too. I don't think they are too difficult to follow, so you should submit the screenplay/script just like any other piece of writing here. Writing is writing, and basic elements of fiction like character, plot, and setting are just as prevalent in screenplays. We can give you feedback on that sort of stuff, easy.

However, if you format something wrong in the screenplay style (for example, not italicizing an action somewhere), it's less likely that any of us, not having written scripts, would catch such a mistake. After reading your bio, though, I don't think you would need to worry about that, since you have plenty of experience in the area.

[firstRainbowRose]

Honestly, I don't see a problem with the screenplay.  I was actually told by (Dave Farland I think it was.  Whoever wrote the mice books) said that one of the best ways to pratice is to write a screen play because you're forced to focus on the plot and getting it done.  I still haven't taken him up on that suggestion, but I think that's mostly because I'm really depressed about losing One Messed-Up Faerie Tale.

[Karl]

A slight clarification: though my resume may sound impressive, poverty has rendered my film career null and void.  I don't think shooting wedding videos  or the occasional industrial film doesn't exactly make me all that 'experienced.'

But self-deprecation as side, I am more than confident in my screenplay formating. I learned much from my first script in which I over-formated and included descriptions for just about every camera movement. Eek!

[spejoku]

I honestly don't know what genres I write, but I like making magic systems and having non-human characters, so fantasy and sci-fi are my favorites.

[The Jade Knight]

Oh, I am devious…

[AvalonDreamer]

...How?

[firstRainbowRose]

You can't just say something like that and leave us hanging!

[Chaos]

Using my powers of deductive reasoning, I was able to deduce that he voted for every genre on there.

[Silk]

You can't just say something like that and leave us hanging!

Oh, but he can!

He just did, after all.

Haha. I had just figured that the devious-ness was in posting that and not telling us to what he was referring.

[Karl]

Huh. Waddaya know? A plot twist! Didn't see that coming...

[Hayley]

But you can only vote for 5....

[firstRainbowRose]

Ah, but if you're a fancy admin I'm sure you could hack the system long enough to do something insanely devious like that.