So why is this blog called, "It's not them, it's you?"

Because no matter how brilliant YOU think your script is, if three people read your script--ANY three people; don't try discounting someone because they're not a professional reader--and no one says it's amazing, then you've written a script that's not ready for the marketplace.

Sure, if you want to get statistical, there's a chance you do have a bad sample of readers, and can go look for more feedback, but down that road lies madness, because now you're shopping for lottery tickets instead of making your script better or writing a new one. So let's stick with the three rule. O for three? It's not them, it's you. Rewrite it, or write something new.

But what if you're a genius, like the Coen Brothers (gah, the Coen Brothers and their rule breaking that all beginners use to correlate THEIR rule breaking with genius), and your non-traditional storytelling needs to be seen to be properly appreciated? Great, go get a camera and stop bothering people to read your stuff. Go shoot it, and find out thousands of dollars later that it's not them, it's now-broke you.

Why are you writing a Coen Brothers script anyway? Why are you trying to break into the business by breaking the rules ("What are these rules you're talking about?"--that's another post)? Doesn't it make more sense to write something that shows a grasp of the rules, so that you can be trusted to turn in marketable scripts and have a career? Or do you just want to write one script that makes you a millionaire? You're the kind of person who buys lottery tickets twenty at a time, aren't you? Your mom keeps all your participation trophies on the fireplace mantle, doesn't she?

The rest of you, let's stick with the three rule. Stop putting all your hard work into defending something that isn't going to break you in. Go rewrite it, or go write something new. If you keep doing that, one day you're going to write something that everyone seems to like. No one argues over whether or not it's good (of course, they'll argue that it will have to change, because Hollywood, but that's a different argument). It will be easy, and you'll finally be able to see how much more productive it is to write things that people are drawn to, rather than the not-so-veiled manifestos that help you deal with the world conspiracy that holds you back, you special, special snowflake.

My first manager was a good manager. I gave him things he couldn't sell. I blamed him. I have a great manager now. I give him things, and half the time he says he doesn't see the marketplace for it. I put that one away and go write something new. Sorry, first manager. It wasn't you, it was me.