A screenwriter has made some news by using the f word when complaining about people asking him to read their scripts. He makes some good points, but most of them are buried in his anger. I’m not going to link to him. I’ll just summarize: stop asking me to read your script because I hate taking the time to do this and then being trashed for being truthful.

I don’t know if people reading this blog have yet to approach another writer to ask her to read their work in progress. I suspect so, if you’re ready for an agent. You may have gotten a straight “No.” Writers are usually able to give these to complete strangers. With friends, or friends of friends, etc., it is trickier. Some writers I know lie straight up (“My contract forbids me to read unpublished works.”). Some tell the truth: too busy/lost a friend from reading someone else’s work/not a good story editor. [NOTE: Even though I think the writers who lies straight up are wimps, I get the impulse. Because if you give a truthful reason, you are likely in for another round of pleas that go along the lines of "But I won't be like that."]

So, here’s my advice: if you ask someone to read your work, be grateful and show gratitude if she agrees to do so, even if she does the worst job possible (in your opinion). For one thing, the feedback is probably true, and for another, she took valuable time to help you.

But, even better advice is available from Ally Carter. I’ve never seen such refreshingly practical, helpful advice on the topic, and I read a lot of writer’s blogs, know a lot of writers, and have listened to a lot of writers expound on this subject on panels and listserves.

Read it.

Do it.

And good luck!