Elroy Willis    663089 Wed, 26 Oct 05 03:01 PM Is asking for a writing partner more trouble than it's worth? Legally, when it comes to quibbling over percentages of who contributed how much to a story or project and what they get paid or reap in royalties, is it worth it or not? Is someone who wants to do it all on their own considered stubborn, or greedy, or maybe even lazy? Elroy Willis www.elroysemporium.com Elroy Willis Relationships

	Anonymous    663098 Wed, 26 Oct 05 03:55 PM I've found something to be true in writing screenplays and songwriting. If you're gonna ask someone to work with you then make it 50/50. If you start quarreling about percentages then there will be bad feelings, and you're laying claim to ownership of a part of the writing instead of making it a whole that you both did. And if you're gonna write with someone pick someone you can write with and use their ideas as well as your own, otherwise why do it at all? Just my $.02 from finding out the hard way. Anonymous

	Paulo Joe Jingy    663099 Wed, 26 Oct 05 03:59 PM "Is asking for a writing partner more trouble than it's worth?" Depends on who responds. And if he or she is trouble. "Legally, when it comes to quibbling over percentages of who contributed how much to a story or project and what they get paid or reap in royalties, is it worth it or not?" I've never done it, but it would seem like a fairly simple proposition to write up a document that says "Each of us does half the work and each of us gets half the credit and half the rewards, if any." (Or whatever you agree to.) Or have a lawyer do the same thing. "Is someone who wants to do it all on their own considered stubborn, or greedy, or maybe even lazy?" Didn't see that one coming. Lazy? I guess someone who wants to do it all on their own, but doesn't do anything could be considered lazy. But you probably wouldn't want a lazy partner anyway. If I buy a lawn mower and go door-to-door charging people to mow their lawn, and don't get a partner, does that necessarily make me greedy or stubborn? I wouldn't think so. Some people might even call that ambitious. Paulo Joe Jingy Sometimes some things just ain't right. Paulo Joe Jingy Relationships

	Sammyo    663106 Wed, 26 Oct 05 04:15 PM "Is asking for a writing partner more trouble than it's worth?" Probably. It seemed to work well for Elliott&Rossio but don't imagine from dual screen credits that there are many successful pairings. Do you both have a similar level of dedication, talent, determination? Do your skills and weaknesses complement? Is one of you psychotic? Are you both able to match a time commitment that works for the other? Is there a chance that one is an avaricious greedy self-serving conniving ***? Do you like each others writing? Just a few questions. Heck, go for it, advertise on craigslist. Sammyo Relationships

	MC    663107 Wed, 26 Oct 05 04:20 PM "I've found something to be true in writing screenplays and songwriting. If you're gonna ask someone to work with you ... as well as your own, otherwise why do it at all? Just my $.02 from finding out the hard way." Agree with the above. Writing with a partner can be a nightmare usually because you haven't taken the time and trouble to work out a watertight, 50-50 fair agreement. No matter how well you get along with someone this is absolutely crucial. I have worked with a partner on a couple of projects and we took three months going back and forth on the agreement with the help of the guild and other writers who had drawn up agreements before we committed one creative word to the project. By the way, you also have to include language as to who owns what in the event one of you drops out. But writing with a partner can be a dream too but you have to be prepared to expose all the weaknesses and doubts and warts to another person. And they have to be prepared to do it too. So *creative* trust is absolutely crucial too. If only those who dream about Hollywood knew how difficult it all is. Greta Garbo MC Languages, Relationships

	Skip Press    663118 Wed, 26 Oct 05 05:20 PM "Is asking for a writing partner more trouble than it's worth? Legally, when it comes to quibbling over percentages of ... not? Is someone who wants to do it all on their own considered stubborn, or greedy, or maybe even lazy?" Keep notes. Make a contract. Don't think stuff won't ever come up, it does. Every feature script I've ever sold was co-written. The main trouble I've run into is working with someone less experienced who puts more value in their idea being used than using ideas that are best for the project. The deliberate union of so great and various a people in such a place, is without all partiality or prejudice, if not the greatest exertion of human understanding, the greatest single effort of national deliberation that the world has ever seen. John Adams Skip Press Relationships

	Asbestos Jeff    663119 Wed, 26 Oct 05 05:51 PM All contributors share an equal stake in the work, absent an agreement to the contrary. In the US, each of the writers would be able to deal in the work, but none of them could grant any exclusive deals without the others absent a written agreement to the contrary, WHY DI YOU WANT A WRITING PARTNER? Asbestos Jeff Relationships

	Distortion <^>    663139 Wed, 26 Oct 05 09:19 PM When I was a teenager and in my early twenties, I liked to write on my partners poems, quotes, limericks. Quite fun, actually I recommend it (though Sabrina's mom was less than thrilled by the writing on her daughter's cheeks my spelling was bad even then). Distortion Spelling, Relationships, Writing, Poetry