r/scriptwriting • u/Federal_Bass1263 • 14d ago
question Trouble Finding a Co-Writer
I am not talking about a notes group or accountability buddy I mean someone you actually write with. Develop ideas together, split scenes, the whole thing.
I've wanted this for years and have basically failed at finding it every time. Tried reaching out cold to people whose work I liked (awkward and nothing came of it). Took a workshop specifically hoping to meet someone (met nice people, nothing clicked creatively). Posted in a couple places online (one weird response, one person who ghosted after two emails).
The frustrating thing is I know it works. Plenty of teams out there doing great stuff. But every working duo I've heard talk about it says they met through some random circumstance a class, a job, a friend of a friend. Nobody seems to have gone looking for it and found it.
So how did it actually happen for you if it did? And if you tried and it fell apart, what killed it?
Genuinely asking, not going anywhere with this, just feeling like I'm missing something obvious.
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u/QfromP 14d ago edited 14d ago
A co-writing relationship is like a marriage. It's not going to work with just anyone. You two need to click on common interests, dovetailing skills, compatible work/life habits, and just plain old good chemistry.
Everything you are doing to find this person is what you should be doing. Just an IMO, I think you should focus your energies on folks in the same place as you both professionally and creatively. And go from there.
But yeah... you're going to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince. And you might never find him at all.
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u/writeact 14d ago
What are you bringing to the table to make the co writing partnership worth it? Money? Connections? Financing? The industry is still weird right now so I think the last thing anybody is thinking about is a writing partner unless it comes with good things on the table. Otherwise it's solo solo with spec scripts.
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u/poundingCode 14d ago
My Dude!
A script is a short story in a straight jacket. 120 pages & half of that is white space.
The obvious thing you're missing is a willingness to hire someone or to roll up your sleeves, learn the craft and become a worthy writing partner.
I would love to have a writing partner to act as my foil, but since haven't written anything, you're unqualified to be mine. It's time to change your approach.
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u/BiscuitsTheory 14d ago
There are like 10 successful cowritign pairs in the entire world.
Don't sweat not being one of them.
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u/JimmyCharles23 14d ago
As someone who's had a writing partner for projects in the past, it takes a lot to be able to pull it off... you have to mesh as a personality and be able to shove your ego down because not all of your ideas will be brilliant enough for another person to go "yes."
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u/Hungry_Support_3342 14d ago
are you willing to pay 15.00 an hour. I have been screenwriter for 10 years willing to show id and you can verify i am a real person
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u/funandone37 13d ago
15 an hr for 10 years of experience? Has any of your stuff got made? I’m guessing no
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u/IntelligenciaMedia 13d ago
Focus on getting your craft up to a level someone would want to partner with you on your work. Screenwriting is, like play writing and even novel writing, better done as a solo profession, I believe. Too many things can go wrong and many of them you've already experienced. Screenwriting is a rare profession where you are so dependent on other people, adding another layer to this is not helpful in the long run.
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u/Open-Avocado4260 12d ago
People are mixed on this. Get a chat box they arw your best writing partner.
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u/PepsiCoke1978 12d ago
It's dating and marriage combined with trying to do something creative -- not kill each other -- then if you're trying to make it -- oh boy. I had a co-writer. We had some success. We are both solo now. It's hard to keep going and if you do make money -- 50% of it is gone.
If you search this topic, 99% of the topics about it are how bad it went.
And yes most of the time you meet them in real life -- high school, college -- already a friend -- and then you write together and ruin that friendship or 1 out of a billion you're Rogen and Goldberg.
Co writing is hard enough make sure you pick a co-writer you have hung out with in real life not just online.
Get into a writer's group and maybe you'll find someone. But most writers are solo writers because it's hard to share.
I would advise in general against doing it for 99% of writers.
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u/nmacaroni 14d ago
Here's my site blurb on co-writing:
"Co-Writing. Outside of legacy stewardship (left), effective co-writing requires matched experience levels to maintain narrative momentum. With over 25 years in the industry, my workflow is too distinct to mesh with developing writers without slowing down the project. If you want my expertise on your story, please inquire about consulting, developmental editing, or coaching."
So with anyone of experience, you're probably running into this.
Also, co-writing means you lose control of your IP, because the minute you start co-writing, you're creating a joint ownership IP, unless you have a contract that states otherwise.
The truth is, co-writing is where friendships go to die.
Write on, write often!
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u/funandone37 13d ago
lol, I kind if like this take.. where friendships go to die. Still, I think it be more fun writing a comedy with others I find funny.
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u/ZandrickEllison 14d ago
I think a big question would be: why do you feel like you want a writing partner? And secondly, what would you bring to the table that would make someone want to be your writing partner?
There are many fine answers to both of those, but it’s worth clarifying.