I invite you to read my story, The Conversion. It is a tragic/comic story about a career criminal who meets an elderly woman, down on her luck. Their friendship leads to a life-altering change in the man's outlook, with a wicked twist at the end.
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No...seriously...who reads? It's all movies, television. Politics. Big money. Prince Fielder is posing nude. Who'd-a-thunk-it? Been several posts about screenplays and I've no clue...I admire a good movie, the work that went into it...but there it is more than one individual. We have your woman, Outlander. Where'd that come from! Considering the questions we've discussed...trying to look at it all from another angle. There's so many. There are questions about...what does a story do? What is the intent? Enlighten and baffle? Delight and instruct? Give Barney something to do on Rainy Tuesdays? So much is subjective. Who gets to define talent? Good stories? Bad stories? Is the best seller list the definition of talent? Or does only time define talent?
...Oh BS Walt!!!!....you've been a complete and utter boor on numerous occasions and called out about it, I've have been censured and so have many others-Donald is no pariah...he said some things people didn't like-and was layed out for it....I think Donald was trying to find like-minded people, people with an interest in becoming better at writing. This thread in particular is an offshoot of that endeavor, of his desire to become a better writer/reader...in that this thread looks at that desire to become a better writer...as students of any creative writing course taught by King likely desired...unless they thought it was an easy 3-credits and all they did was take up space. Apparently none of King's students became successful writers, or if they did, that question asked in the first post has not been addressed as such. Donald desired to communicate with others who desired to improve their writing. I think he was asking that, wasn't he...about King's students? I didn't realize King also taught creative writing. I believe Donald believes that one can hone one's skill at writing, just as I have improved my carpentry skills over the years. Lot of people can slap together a cabinet out of four slabs of wood...but only a craftsman can coax a work-of-art from the wood, but that same craftsman at one time left a lot of pecker tracks in the grain...and I think that analogy is what Donald is applying to the craft of writing. I offered the suggestion that Koontz's life and writing is proof of that.
The other posts in this thread related to the desire to write better are testimony to the fact that the desire Donald possesses is real and that it is shared by others. I don't believe the man deserved the harshness of the criticism leveled against him. I've witnessed far worse behavior that was never openly called onto the carpet.
"Your vision . . . don't run in that direction" . . . "though I have tried in the past and been made to feel pretty damn useless, believe me" That's why I aim at having a place for students to go to where they won't be made to feel like that buy [fill in the blank]. I loathe the people who think they are such hot stuff and KNOW they aren't. The only way they have of lashing out is to hurt other people. "Writer's groups" are filled with these types. I don't want to have anything to do with them.
Stephen King wrote an excellent story about hope. It's called "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption." Andy is one of the great characters in literature and film. That's why the film is held in such high esteem. It is truly a great story.
...and with arrogance like that, your class is sure to fill up *snap*, just like that...how pretentious of you to waltz in here and immediately begin to tout your "wisdom" while insulting the vast majority of the members. And to "talk down" to us?...how dare you???...treating Madam Mack and others with poorly concealed scorn, is the mark of a small mind and smaller heart...you haven't been here long enough to render an opinion on any of us, and even if you had-respectful disagreement or opinion is the hallmark of the SKMB...you sir, have worn out your welcome and need to find the exit forthwith....
Donald can self-promote till the cows come home. We just ask that it not overflow into every area of the board he posts in. Keep self-promotion in self-promotion.I don't understand the hostility generated against Donald for using the SKMB's self-promotion opportunities. If self-promotion is frowned on, then why offer that opportunity and then castigate the man for using that opportunity.
Thank you, Walter. Yes, indeed. I have something I made that is free for anyone who wants to to use. I can't say I did it without any self-interest because I did have the self-interest of having fellow students to interact with.I don't understand the hostility generated against Donald for using the SKMB's self-promotion opportunities. If self-promotion is frowned on, then why offer that opportunity and then castigate the man for using that opportunity.
Donald can self-promote till the cows come home. We just ask that it not overflow into every area of the board he posts in. Keep self-promotion in self-promotion.
Live, love, learn. I'm happy I met a couple of people to share the journey with me. Given my circumstances, (blues riff in the background), I am too depressed at the thought of going it alone. Having nice people like you as traveling companions makes for a nice adventure.Guys...I am a surprised at the interactions here. I have joined Donald's group because I'd like to learn how to write, step by step. Usually we are so accepting of those who put a lot of time and effort into nurturing aspiring writers. Really am puzzled and I have seen one of my favorite Aussies leave because of a misunderstanding. Please everyone, View attachment 5744
Donald can self-promote till the cows come home. We just ask that it not overflow into every area of the board he posts in. Keep self-promotion in self-promotion.
50's kid: yes, I would like to read an example of your query, thanks.
By the way, the paid-review thing I did was The Black List and one other service, mostly for entertainment like I said, but they were fairly cheap and, from what I have read by actual screenwriters, useful and a good bet (I'm sure you are familiar with The Black List site and its paid listing service, it's pretty legit from what I have heard, although I no longer list my scripts there as I received no notice from agents and producers). I think, in terms of screenwriting, some monetary investment is needed, not unlike self-publishing a book. I do, however, know what you mean. And for what it's worth, I have used Virtual Pitch Fest to buy pitches to producers/etc.: only one positive reply from a producer, who ended up never responding after many months. I am in the process, though, of ceasing investing in my screenwriting and going the self-publishing route.
I agree that some of the criticism might have been a little harsh, but there is more than a hint of literary snobbery in some of his posts. It's also rather disingenuous to criticise fellow writers for trying to get their work published, or for having ambition beyond educating themselves.
I have no idea if Donald is a published author, but there does seem to be a bitterness about his posts.
What you may not have realised (because you couldn't see) was that Dana Jean had been corresponding with the OP via the Conversations about this matter, but the new threads kept popping up... and so it was addressed elsewhere.Well then wouldn't it be wise to tell the individual that from the git-go? And then not criticize the man...in a self-promotion thread...for self-promoting! I knew a man in Florida, the orphan Ramon Diaz, we'd sit in his garage converted to an apartment, table against the wall where the overhead door once moved, no windows, light on, cigarette smoke rising up through the shade, and Ray would tell me, Walter, you know why I say everything twice? He'd start to grin, pick up his cigarette and start to put it to his lips, smiling now, cause no one listens the first time! What we need is a designated welcomer in the self-promotion thread. I nominate you, Dana Jean, as your avatar would tell all they'd been heard and appreciated and perhaps they'd feel no need to say everything twice.
I have had the moderator put the squelch on a post of mine, and it was politely explained to me that it belonged in the self-promotion area. It is like a filing system. Everything has a place, to avoid confusion and chaos.The moderator who was on duty last night pitched a post I made because I placed the link to the group on it. I wasn't planning on coming back here. But I discovered that Becki (Vulture) is someone who signed on, as did Walther. So there is a reason to come here and talk to people.
My group is an anti-WRITER'S GROUP. The same types fill those groups and chase the real students away. The ready-to-get-published-insufferable-geniuses are people I want to avoid. They are the killers of hope. They are to me what the Sisters were to Andy. Yet, thankfully, sometimes with a lot of resolve, "hope springs eternal."
Don't take it personally. I obviously wasn't referring to you. I was referring to an attitude. Indeed, I'd be surprised if you hadn't encountered it yourself. But I suppose my resent indignation stems from trying to get a group of students together and discovering that only a few unfortunate folks like Walter and me need to study.I have had the moderator put the squelch on a post of mine, and it was politely explained to me that it belonged in the self-promotion area. It is like a filing system. Everything has a place, to avoid confusion and chaos.
And, darn. I have put a whole lot of effort into making sure my stuff is ready to be published, and I honestly think it is ready, but I hardly think that makes me an insufferable genius. I am not insufferable...