Thread by @LalaTellsAStory

How to take notes on your play:
- Is the note mean-spirited, offensive or patronizing? DISCARD
- Do you respect the note-giver? Did you ask them for notes? CONSIDER
- Is the note really a gesture of power over you? DISCARD
- Does the note make you say “ooohhh” out loud? CONSIDER

- Does the note-giver want to help *your* vision or make it into theirs? If the latter DISCARD.
- Does the note come with a veiled threat to take the note “or we won’t continue with this play”? DISCARD AND MOVE ON AND F THOSE GUYS.
- Does your gut like the note? CONSIDER

- Does the note make sense in the context of the entire play? CONSIDER
- Does the note change who the play is about? Does that inspire you? CONSIDER
- Does the note feel like an insult? DISCARD
- Does the note come with a solution that is not yours? DISCARD.

- Does the note change what you are trying to do with your play? DISCARD
- Does the note violate your moral voice as a writer? DISCARD
- Does the note mean cutting something you love about the play? CONSIDER (cutting beloved things reveal the roadblock in a story.)

The truth is that most notes I take I have discussed once and then forgetten about. As I rewrite, if the notes occur to me again I know they’ve made a lasting impact on my thoughts about the play. Those are the good notes, the valuable notes, the ones I actually listen to.

So many people will want to tell you how to write your play, how to make it better, what it’s about, but it should be about, who it’s for, who it should be for, etc. But it’s *your* play first and should be *your* play last. Don’t give your story away unless you want to loose it.