I am a programmer living in the San Diego area. I've taken quite a few classes at UCLA extension and have been working on a couple of screenplays that I never seem to finish. Great ideas but difficult to execute. I would like to find someone to work with on some of my projects but don't really know how to find a writing partner. Do you have any suggestions?That's a really good question. I've worked with two writing partners in the past and it was just 'fate' that crossed our respective paths. But to be proactive about it -- good question.
My first thought would be for you to be as active as possible on various screenwriting message boards. I think DoneDealPro.com has active boards. Wordplayer.com, too. Triggerstreet.
Then, too, track who posts what on blogs like mine (there are a bunch of screenwriting blogs, many of them linked from my blog). Keep track of posters and pay particular attention to those whose 'voices' you like. Then if you find someone you think might be an interesting possibility, email them to start a discussion where you can eventually inquire if they're interested in writing together.
The other thing is perhaps you've got something going on in how you approach the writing that stymies you. For example, before you start writing, do you know the ending of your story? If not, it's easy to crash-and-burn during the writing of Act Two. I find that a lot with students and people who correspond with me. If you know the four big plot points - the opening, end of Act One, end of Act Two, and the ending - it can really help hold a story's structure together and give you targets to keep pressing toward.
Does your story have a clear Protagonist transformation arc? Can you track how the P starts in emotion state, typically what I call Disunity, goes through a process of change, what I call Deconstruction through Reconstruction, then ends up in a different state, what I call Unity? Again if you have that clearly in mind before you write, it should provide you a clear sense of where you're going.
But per the main point of your question, let's hear what GITS readers have to say. Any suggestions how to find a good writing partner?
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As Tony Shaloub said in Barton Fink, "throw a rock in here, you'll hit one. And do me a favor... THROW IT HARD!"
All kidding aside, a writing partnership, one that's satisfying and productive, is harder to foster than most marriages. I've worked with three collaborators in the past and all brought great things to the table. What did I bring to the table? Animosity, derision, sarcasm, and bile.
Get the idea who was the problem in my collaborative ventures?
I think the most important thing you should ask yourself is WHY you feel you require a collaborator. Figuring out 'why' should help facilitate 'who,' ya' know? I discovered I was a far too opinionated, ornery cuss to really bring about a successful partnership so I steer clear of them, even though there are numerous times when I'd love that 'second opinion.' I simply feel too strongly about my work to 'share the love.'
GREAT advice Scott. You're a good friend.
I'd LOVE to get a writting partner -- but ONLY if that's a girl. 'Cuz if the writtin's not so not, maybe something else can be...
(hehehe heee...)
For all those out there who can't joke arround, fie on you! But in all honesty, that is one my aspirations; find a writing partner who's also a girlfriend. Maybe someday.
- E.C. Henry from Bonney Lake, WA
Scott,
Great advice for those who have a hard time getting to the finish line: know the ending. Arthur Miller often would not start unless he knew where he was finishing: “I think the end is the play, and that is what you are looking for. Until you’ve got that end, it is not a play.”
Of course it will not work for everyone (or every project) -- but a nice trick to push through act two.
I'd say definitely try a writer's group. Since you'll reiew each other's scripts it could help you in both ways - finding a partner and "learning" to finish.
Some of the collaborators I see on Triggerstreet suffer from similar styles. IMHO, a writing partner should be almost your opposite. It might be more difficult at first, but you'll bring different strengths to the project.
I offered to share writing credit on a recently completed script with a prospective writing partner and was turned down. There's more than a good chance that the script may be optioned soon.
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