Screenwriting : Rejection by Christopher Binder

I've been submitting queries for my novels for years and rejection always stings, but not as long now, especially after some publishing experience. I always submit to at least three other publishers the day I receive a rejection. Do something to counter that bite! Best of luck!

I'll probably be playing Gears of War 4 tonight and pretending all the aliens are critics. Useful feedback though that I'll be revisiting a long whiles from now. Once these other stories get out of my head and written down and professional feedback is given on all the first drafts, then I'll revisit for future drafts.

Yeah...I know the feeling, but if there is a kernel of insight to be gained from the critique that improves your writing, even in some small way, ya gotta chalk it up to "experience".

It was helpful, but I detected a hint of douche in the reviewer when they detected a story in the script "written with some passion by the writer".

I know the feeling. Nice idea to play Gears of War with this new mindsetting... I should try it too... :-).

THE HELL WITH REJECTION, MAKE THAT FILM! I'm a filmmaker/director/editor and once and a blue moon I might write a screenplay (I really prefer you write it and I direct or shoot it). Unless you're a literary genius, you bet the no's will hurt and be often. I've learned to not let anyone see my work until I get to at least the 50th rewrite. I find getting away from it for a time period, long enough to get it out of you head and then come back fresh helps. While my screenplay sits, I'm usually working on a short of a different genre or working on someones film. Often I'll get inspiration this way and I'll see things in that script I didn't see before. And after the 60th or 70th rewrite then I'll do a table read with some college actors. I listen to how it flows and take notes, also always ask for their suggestions, you'd be surprised at what they can bring to your script. And after all that and there is nothing left that you can possibly do, that's when your baby is ready for either production or sale. Also know these things about getting your script out there, you have to know who you're writing it for and who to take it to. If your thing is sci-fi ( luv sci-fi), then research producers, production companies, publishers that support your specific type of writing. But if you really want your work published, raise the funding, shoot that bad boy and hit the festivals. You really up the odds of selling your screenplay when the hard work is already done. The hell with rejection, make that film! :)

Great, great comment Rick. Very inspiring. Thankyou.

I hear you John, if you do it the way I've done it, you are almost guaranteed a deal. Now despite what I just said there are a few exceptions that you have no control over. Things like what's trending now, if zombies are all the rage, and you don't have that, its not gonna work. If paranormal is in, that's the script that sells. The market drives the subject. I diversify my writing (when I feel like writing), I write many genres and prep them for future consumption. Meaning I go through the above steps and then wait until there is a market for the script. This way I hardly ever get a no. Also I know from working inside, that people talk and they talk about writers, good and bad. If you get to many no's, everyone will know about it and your submitted work might not ever get read, because your work has a no rep. It also works the reverse if your getting a yes. This is why it's so important to develop a writing and deploy strategy. Because I'm a filmmaker, I can produce anyone of my scripts but it's smart to wait until the trend is there to support it or a market for it. Yes rejection is a norm for writers, but you can minimize them by keeping your ears to the ground and your eyes on the trends. Troll the internet to find where and what are the biggest markets and what's driving it, what subjects in the news is grabbing headlines, what is on peoples minds? These are the things that make great films, films that reflect what's happening in the human consciousness now. Examples include Saturday Night Fever, a film reflecting the disco craze, Blare Witch Project, a film that explores the paranormal craze of the times; any end time film takes advantage of peoples fears of dying by Gods hand. This is why these films made it, the writers and producers knew that these are the money makers. I hate to say it, but production companies look at you like a pimp looks at his stable. They aren't interested in you as much as how much money can you make for them. That's right consider yourself pimped, if your script can't put out, then what good is it to them. That's why you get the no's.

Nice!

Get more feedback, at the very least you'll develop a thicker skin.

True.

Christopher... Getting feedback can sometimes be ROUGH! However, I like to (think) that if I can be open minded to the criticism within my notes, I can pump my brakes and take the (needed) time to realize how important it was for me to receive them. What the fuc' am I saying?! Sometimes, not all the time, but sometimes, the "douche" that gives me notes can sometimes point me in the direction for notes with the stellar reader and story pro. Maybe this experience can introduce a new 'go-to' that will champion your career? Just my thoughts, man.

We are all raging masochists. "Thank you for your heartbreaking critique sir, may I have another"

Guess I'm like Captain Kirk in that I don't like to lose, but unfortunately I can't reprogram the system so that it's possible to win. All I can do is put my best foot forward.

But you can be like Capt. Kirk, and reprogram 'YOUR' system so that it's possible to win! It's just gonna take a lot of work, my friend.

Denny Crane!

I think it's human nature to feel the bite of a rejection even after you've heard it so many times. And that's okay to feel like a human once in a while.

Wipe the blood off, stand up, keep swinging.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=D_Vg4uyYwEk

@Shawn Speake that happens naturally every time you begin a new feature, which I will be doing in a couple weeks.

Andrew Bruce, that is the most amazing short that I have ever seen. It's sooo true. Sooo much true. It happens all the time! Thankyou for sharing it, I will save it on my mobile so to have it always ready when I need it! :-)