Screenwriting : Co-writing a screenplay!!! by Jerry Doubles

I have not been on that road. But I don't see why it can't be done and done well. Sure, there will be challenges but I'm not sure that those challenges would be much different than writing with someone local. That road I've traveled and I didn't like it. But I would say co-writing long distance is very possible.

I haven't HAD to do it. But when i was propositioned to do it, I told the person all needed was a breakdown of the characters, their personality outlines, if they are funny or not, and I could write based on that If it was episodic, I would request the pilot from the writer, so I can know the tone and the voices of the characters and I would go from there

I've co-written scripts with writers in America and Australia. With Skype and email, there's no real problems with working together... if I was to highlight one problem, it's the struggle to agree on a joint vision. If you can get beyond that, co-writing a script can be very rewarding. As for whether or not you can trust this person, you're pretty much taking a leap of faith.

Thanks guys!! All of your contributions have been really helpful... D.marcus, from your tone you don't advice me to try that even when it is absolutely possible to co-write with someone far away from me. How was your experience like, could you share pleease?? That will help me. Yasmin, I have sent you a request to connect, I hope to try that co-writing out. Thanks. Sarah, sincerely, sometimes that's the doubt "trust"...I have sent you a request. We can work something out right? Thanks!

I've tried two writing partnerships. One went well. The other went no place. A couple of things you might think about. That is, 'non-tech' issues. Clarify ownership of the resulting work clearly and precisely before you begin. And, as best you can, make sure up front that you are creatively compatible. Not only do you agree on the overall story but also you agree on tone and character. Of course before you start writing, you can't tell much of what you'll discover along the way but do what you can before you start. Good luck.

There is an interesting book called THE ODYSSEY FILE written by Peter Hyams and Arthur C. Clark that is mostly a compilation of modem correspondence between the two when they were developing _2010: The Year We Make Contact_. They used Kaypro computers (remember those) and modems set to always be on because Clark would not leave Sri Lanka, where he lives, and the two had to get togeter to develop the script. Techonology is much better now. You can Skype everything except the lunch. :)