I’ve seen the insides of universities, both as a student and as an investigative journalist. I’m sure there are exceptions, but from where I stand, universities are intellectually backwards places full of corruption.

If you put your mind to it, you can fit an average university course into a maximum of two weeks of intensive study. And you’ll walk out knowing more than someone who studied the same at the university — he studied these things to pass a test, you studied to know more about the subject. These are two completely different goals.

I could rant on and on about this and I have, in the past, but to sum things up: it’s very unlikely that I’ll ever set my foot into any university ever again, except to pick up women. (Universities are surprisingly good for that sort of stuff.)

I haven’t been in any screenwriting groups in person, though Triggerstreet has served as one for me. I *have*, however, been a part of some AMAZING writing workshops and writer’s groups for other genres, and when you get a good one – there’s nothing more valuable.

A good group will offer you critiques of your work from people with an interest in and knowledge of your craft, the sense of having a community of peers (writing can be such a lonely occupation), and connections.

The best experience I had was a SciFi & Horror writer’s workshop in Eugene, OR. A woman I did a little babysitting work for told me about it. Every other week, in the back room of a casual restaurant. There were about 12-15 regulars, but as many 20 might show up any given night. Specific people were assigned to bring in work each week, so there were 2-3 short stories to read and critique at the next meeting. The mix was ideal – about 50% of the regulars were working writers (several of them supporting themselves with writing alone – including the editor of F&SF magazine) and the rest were students and amateurs. In addition to critiques, we shared marketing ideas, tips for inspiration…and it was also a social network with people I enjoyed being around. SF and Horror writers? A buncha geeks! We played baseball in the summer, and for once in my life I was *not* the least athletic person there! We hung out and drank beers brewed by the members. And mostly, we learned about writing from each other.

The critiques were a mix of the practical “can you sell it” of the pros with the intellectual analysis of the students – I read some fantastic work, and I learned a LOT, in particular about plot and story structure, that is proving valuable to me in screenwriting.

I definitely recommend getting involved in a group if possible. Just talk to everyone, tell everyone you meet that you’re a writer – and you might get lucky enough to be introduced to a group like the one I found in Oregon.

You’re still the ONLY Estonian screenwriter I’ve ever heard of… LOL.

Tom,

Still drinkin’? LOL.

Unk

Well, I’m as non-Estonian as can be while still being ethnically Estonian and living here. I reject the local culture and substitute my own. I wouldn’t be on your website if I didn’t.

So I dunno if I qualify as an Estonian, really. Probably not.

Utah’s somewhere in the mountains. It was only found cause of some Mormon pioneers. Without them, I don’t think anyone/anything would ever exist here. Lol

For some reason the snow knows where we are. Lol

Way too many snow storms.

But where’s Utah?

Dude… Just kidding. I go the Salt Flats at least once a year. Almost got killed at the rest stop there.

Ouch.

Unk

Especially when I’m not good at writing in the first place. Struggle on where to put the DAMN commas, apstrophes, and etc… Lol

Needless to say, I’m slowly learning.

Give me sometime and I’ll have it down to the point where it’s not gibberish. Then I will acutally have something to say that is worth reading about.

Until then, keep up the great work. I’m learning more here than anywhere else.

Thank for all that you do here.

I assume it helps improve the writing?

Unk