ANY SCREENPLAY WRITERS HERE?

[Gary Kessler]

Nor has anybody ever said that taking writing classes would stifle the creativity of new writers, rather the opposite - that it would hone their natural abilities and give them tools they can use for the rest of their lives.

Depending on the writing class--and who is conducting it--yes I think it can stifle creativity. Doesn't mean I wouldn't advise someone to try to find the right class for them.

[Lea Zalas]

Exactly, Gary. I think we've all taken classes that were a waste of our time and money, but that is usually the fault of the teacher, not the subject.

[Simon Says]

@ Liza

I think that I inadvertently pushed your buttons early on and you inadvertently pushed mine and we were off to the races. We both get like dogs with a bone when we're pushed and I'm feeling a bit sorry for that bone right about now.

I also think we both have a habit of sprinkling the insults around when we're in attack mode. I apologize for mine.

Although we've sparred before, I really have nothing against you Liza. I'd like to call a truce.

[leslee]

I think we've all taken classes that were a waste of our time and money

God, yes.

[Simon Says]

@leslee

Yes. that's part of the challenge of communicating with a keyboard. You can't hear the tone or see the body language that conveys the passion and conviction.

[leslee]

That's true. And it's all the more reason to choose our words carefully.

[Simon Says]

I never imagined the word "incomplete" would be problematic.

[Liza B.]

@ Liza

I think that I inadvertently pushed your buttons early on and you inadvertently pushed mine and we were off to the races. We both get like dogs with a bone when we're pushed and I'm feeling a bit sorry for that bone right about now.

I also think we both have a habit of sprinkling the insults around when we're in attack mode. I apologize for mine.

Although we've sparred before, I really have nothing against you Liza. I'd like to call a truce.

That's fine with me, Simon! And thank you for taking the initiative. I also apologize for any insults. Exchanging words with strangers on an internet forum is a very limited way of communicating, that's part of the problem. I'm sure if we knew each other's background and experiences, we'd probably better understand each other's point of view, or at least have more empathy. I do appreciate how hard you work to help other writers, and respect that.

[leslee]

I never imagined the word "incomplete" would be problematic.

There was more to it than that, but I have explained my perspective as much as I intend to.

I guess we'll just have to live without understanding eachother.

[Gary Kessler]

Exactly, Gary. I think we've all taken classes that were a waste of our time and money, but that is usually the fault of the teacher, not the subject.

Actually, I didn't take any classes that didn't fulfill degree requirements, so none were a waste. I learned fairly early, however, that I was one of those whose creativity would be stifled by writing rules or theoretical boxes on "what one always did." (Not grammar or punctuation rules, though--I studied those out the kazoo and hang on the CMS so I'm not encumbered with a lot of uncertainty there.) But classes? No, I wouldn't go to any classes now.