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All right up and coming writers, I’ve got an advice thread for you. (And a warning for my more established fellows). Do not ever, under any circumstances, team up with a writing partner without first setting clear expectations IN WRITING.
This goes QUADRUPLE if the partner has more power than you - a rep, a credit, a WGA card. Before you write a word have a discussion about your commitment to each other. YES, EVEN IF THEY ARE YOUR FRIEND. In fact, ESPECIALLY if they are your friend.
How do you want the process to work? Will you always share credit? Ideally, what will your relationship evolve into if and when you sell the thing? Then put it IN WRITING. Sign it. Email it to each other with replies that you are in agreement. You don’t need a lawyer for this.
If your partner isn’t willing to do this, RUN AWAY. I know when you’re starting out every glimmer of an opportunity feels like you gotta grab on tight and never let go but this desperation makes us vulnerable to abuse.
I am hyper aware of my privilege. Being born with a foot in the door gave me the confidence to say No to opportunities that didn’t feel on the level when I was just starting out. I know it is really really really hard to say No when all you want in the whole world is a Yes.
But our most valuable resources are our time and creativity. We have to protect them. Do not give them away, for free, without a clear, agreed upon understanding of the boundaries and expectations around the relationship.
I have lost count of how many young writers have come to me with horror stories about teaming up with a more experienced writer, only to be totally cut out of the process when it came time to shop the thing.
Just this morning I got emailed a fucking doozie and the only thing stopping me from publicly blowing up this writers spot is I only have one side of the story and I can imagine a scenario where they are only sort of an asshole and not a COMPLETE AND TOTAL ASSHOLE.
But please know, if you are one of these more experienced writer vampires, feeding off the jokes and ideas of someone young and hungry, and I find out about it? I will think you are a fucking monster and commit myself to salting your earth where ever I go.
And just to put a fine point on it, today's asshole was no one you've heard of. But there are people you have heard of who do this shit too. Someone's level of success is no indication of their intention to treat you fairly.
LOL, actually I just found them on twitter and they've got over 100k followers. So maybe you have heard of them. I hope they see this thread.
