Venting/Advice?

[dave243]

Hi Guys. Sorry it's been awhile since my last post. Two jobs, university classes and a new puppy keep me pretty busy. Nonetheless I have managed to squeeze writing in, anyway that I can.

I recently started a new Romantic -Comedy that I was feeling very excited about and sent off the second draft to a knowledgeable friend.

The response?
"It's really good, but it reads a lot like 500 Days Of Summer."

I had head about the movie, and it's praise but had never seen it.
Luckily, today I had neither class nor work so I decided to go out rent the movie.

WOW. I can't even finished the full movie because of how frustrated I am (at myself). Exact scenes such the one where Zooey Deschanel decides to re-enact a porn after watching it were written in my script.

Heck even some lines as well.

Now a mixture of thoughts are going through my head.

1) Great. I wasted so much time writing this damn thing and nothing can ever really come of it.
2) Should I even continue on?

As much as I am venting, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Pointless? Not?

Thanks in advance

[mscherer]

Dave243,

Hey, this happens to everyone.

If you like the script, love your characters, I would suggest you rewrite your story so that it is similar, but different than 500 Days Of Summer. Find something about your characters that you can use to hook the reader. Change scenes to make them unique.

The worst thing that can happen -- you end up with a terrific writing sample.

Best of luck as you,

Keep Writing!

[oz]

I've been there, Dave. Mine was The Butterfly Effect. I had just joined Triggerstreet and was either thinking about posting the script or I just had (can't recall now) and started seeing the trailers for this film. About crapped myself.

After seeing the movie I realized there was enough different so I put the script away for future shopping. Now that I mention that, I should get that puppy out and clean it up and get it out there again!

Point is, you'll hear it time and again, there's nothing new under the sun. Every story's been told. Etcetera. Doesn't matter. What matters is your take on the theme, the premise, the characters. Mike's right, find all that's different and make that shine.

Doesn't make it hurt any less..... : )