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10 Reasons You Should Join a Screenwriting Network

By Jameson Brown · September 4, 2014

Screenwriters are a strange brew of people. Our brains are always thinking in terms of story, structure and sequences. It’s how we are wired. We are literary mechanics who perform cinematic surgery and plot out beginnings, middles and ends. But, at some point, we need collaboration with others. Hearing other writers, and their constructive critiques, is vital to edging a well-crafted screenplay. In the end, feedback is king. 

 

10. Success

Opening yourself up to others will enable you to be part of a bigger community, while at the same time allow you to capitalize on your own story. 99% of the time success is based on the combination of the self and the whole. 

 

9. Influence

Being part of an online screenwriting (or any writing community for that matter) lets you show off a bit. Do not be the jackass no one likes, but let others see that you understand what you are talking about. This will help you establish yourself as an influencer in the space, while also helping others glean useful strategy and tactics. Just make sure you are as good as you think – typically, the crowd will let you know this one. 

 

8. Exposure

We all want our work to be read. Having access to a network that puts your story, characters and voice out there is essential. The bigger the community, the more exposure your story gets. And we all want our pride and joy screenplay to fall on the desk of a hungry producer or agent, right? 

 

7. Convenience

Bottom line: having an online destination that is clean, simple and functions well is what we all want. Being able to upload your work, make edits and read others’ work is the name of the game. No one has time for something that halfway works. 

 

6. Security

This is BEYOND important for screenwriters. A secure, safe network where work is guarded is vital. Having a secure spot to place your various stories will help you declutter and feel at ease while doing it. 

 

5. Awareness

Raising awareness for yourself, a writing partner, a story, etc. lets others know who you are and you / your story’s origin. Having a community to help push your message can benefit you (and the selling of your screenplay) in the long run. Just be sure to stand out in a creative, inspiring way. 

 

4. Connection

Being able to relate to other screenwriters makes us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Sharing stories, characters, outlines, etc. is what it’s all about. And alongside the formal screenwriting discussions, having an online community to just talk story shop is pretty awesome. 

 

3. Ideation

Having the positive influence of others can help spark the brain in ways it’s never been sparked before. Foster other users’ questions and comments; who knows, you might strike gold with the inkling of an idea inspired by another member of the community (this idea still being organic to you of course). 

 

2. Collaboration

Meshing work with others can be en epic series of events. Sometimes, a certain piece of work is not quite to the finish line when it stands alone. When this happens, a collaboration of content can result in something genuine and genius. 

 

1. Feedback

The most important feature of it all. Feedback is what we can internalize. It’s what we crave to see and hear from others. Feedback comes from both ourselves and our peers (don’t ever forget this). Find HERE how you can get better feedback, faster OR click the “TSL NETWORK” tab up top.