GENERAL GUIDELINES:
The Workshop is intended for serious amateur play/screenwriters, however, we are not an editing service. When you submit writing for the group to review, please show us work that you would consider submitting for publication. We would love to help you if you are "stuck" on a scene, or need an opinion...but we're not here to correct spelling and grammar errors.
This is a moderated list, but most topics are no holds barred. Please be aware that flaming is not allowed, or any remarks or criticism meant to ridicule or debase another person. If you are under the age of 18, you must receive your parent's permission to become a member of this group.
Writers are allowed to submit up to four pieces of writing per calendar month, and each piece may be no longer than 2,500 words. Writing is submitted directly to The Drama Workshop and forwarded on to the rest of the group.
Critique is an important part of The Drama Workshop's group dynamic. Writers who submit work for critique are also expected to provide informed critiques of submissions from other writers in the group. Writers new to the art of critique are expected to learn how to give an
honest and constructive assessment of their fellow writers' work. The Drama Workshop will provide all the information you need to learn to give a proper critique. We believe that the ability to critique is a skill essential to a writer's growth!
All writers, of all experience levels are welcome in Drama Workshop. We subscribe to the philosophy that we all learn from one another.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
1.) All work is submitted to the Drama Workshop list at: DramaWorkshop@egroups.com. A copy of your submission will be forwarded backto you, so you can see that it was sent.
2.) Writers may submit up to FOUR submissions per calendar month. Each submission must be NO LONGER than 2,500 words.
3.) When submitting excerpts, please include a brief synopsis with each submission. This helps new members when reading your work-in-progress. With each successive post, please include information on "the story so far" to bring new readers up to speed.
4.) MATURE CONTENT INFORMATION. If your submission contains content intended for a mature audience, please post a warning at the beginning of your submission! Include the nature of the mature content, whether it is violence, sexual content, foul language, etc. Use your best judgement. An example of a content warning would be: MATURE CONTENT:
Violence, Language.
CRITIQUE GUIDELINES:
1.) Members must critique a minimum of TWO submissions per calendar month. Lurkers are not permitted. Send critiques to DramaWorkshop@egroups.com. They will be forwarded on to the list.
2.) Critiques must focus on the writing techniques used, not on the or the writer. FLAMING IS ABSOLUTELY PROHIBITED. Anyone posting harsh, overly critical, abusive or rude comments directed at an individual or group will be subject to permanent banning from the list at the discretion of its moderator.
3.) Please take the time to learn to critique. We do not welcome "atta-boy/girl" critiques. While it's good to give credit where credit is due, "back patting" is not constructive. If you enjoy a play, please take the time to examine it and tell the author WHY you enjoyed it and what you feel the writer accomplished. By the same token, if you dislike a play you must elaborate. Never criticize an author's weaknesses without also pointing out the author's strengths. To learn more about critique, please visit this website: http://www.crayne.com/victory/howcrit.html. We recommend you print this information and keep it as your "critique bible."
4.) THANK YOU LETTERS: When you receive a critique, please send a thank you letter to the sender. BE SURE TO SEND YOUR THANK YOU MESSAGE PRIVATELY and not to the list. eGroups will automatically include the member's email address with the critique unless that member has requested an unlisted email address.
FORMATTING YOUR POSTS:
When sending a submission, please format the subject header of your email like this:
SUB: [Your Submission's Title]
Example: SUB: A Clockwork Orange
When sending a critique, please format the subject header like this:
CRIT: [Play Title]
Example: CRIT: A Clockwork Orange
If you are sending a comment to the group, format your subject header like this:
COM: [Topic]
Example: COM: Dialog
If you are sending a general question relating to writing techniques:
Q: [Topic]
Example: Q: Setting Scenes
For sending an answer in response to a general question:
A: [original topic]
Example: A: Setting Scenes
GENERAL RULES:
1.) Be courteous and treat your fellow writers with the same respect you would like to be treated with.
2.) Remember to send messages that are meant for an individual and not the entire list to that person's PRIVATE email address. All "chat" type messages must be sent privately. Please don't post comments about the fine weather in New Jersey to this list.
3.) This list is not to be used for conducting any sort of business transactions. Offers of publication, critique or editing services (for a fee), or sales of any sort are prohibited. You will occasionally receive marketing messages from Coffeehouse For Writers (this group's affiliate), and these are legitimate. Your support of Coffeehouse helps support this service and keeps it free.
4.) Be careful to follow the submission, critique and comment posting guidelines. They help the group function smoothly, and help members automatically identify and prioritize the information they choose to read.
5.) Don't be overwhelmed. You do not have to read every message and critique every play. To do so would be impossible. Critique the plays which appeal to you most, and join in discussions when you feel strongly about the topic. Don't be afraid to use your DELETE key. You won't offend anyone. Plenty of people will still read the submissions you decide to skip.
6.) Don't be offended if your submission doesn't receive many critiques. Sometimes it happens, and this isn't a reflection on you or your writing. There are seasonal times (summer, the Christmas holiday season, etc.) when the group is naturally slower, and fewer submissions and critiques are turned in. This is normal and expected.
7.) DO ask for the sort of critique you're looking for when you send your submission. If you'd like advice on your ending scene, say so. If you're not certain a scene or dialog exchange works, ask us for our opinion. That way we'll be able to send you the feedback you need
most.
USING eGroups
eGroups allows you to subscribe, unsubscribe and change your mail
settings simply by sending blank email messages to the appropriate
addresses. These addresses are:
And lastly...
There is no more important safety rule than to wear these, safety glasses.
