Shannon K. Valenzuela: Author and screenwriter in Dallas, Texas.

You are so right. I take criticism well and use it to improve my work. Thanks for sharing.

Extremely helpful.

Very helpful article, Shannon! You kind of addressed this in the "3 categories of notes" section but I still have a question: what do you do if you have notes that conflict with previous feedback? I'm currently rewriting per notes from a producer that I connected with through Stage 32. We not only hit it off, he gave me thoughtful perspectives that have improved several scenes. I am, however, puzzled by one note: his suggestion to HALVE a transformation sequence in Act 3 that has been alluded to for the entire script. The audience finally gets the missing pieces of the mystery that began on Page 1, and the graphic detail serves to end the main storyline but also prompts another (the setup for a sequel.) I've had two other industry pros read the material (a producer and a manager) and both found the transformation and aftermath sequences vital "reveals." Is it okay to say, "I considered your request for this change but here's my take on why it should stay "as is?" Thanks in advance for any insights you might have!

If you liked my post last week and want more on feedback and rewriting, I just posted a new video on my YouTube channel! https://youtu.be/0jx9xtQUYEA

Love this advice, thanks!

This is a great Article, Shannon. Thanks.

This inspired me.

Thank you, S.K.

I particularly like what you said about not being able to control what others say but we can control our response. It’s about not allowing criticism to trigger negative beliefs about our self as a person. I’ve found this a work in progress for me but also a way to grow

Thank you - very helpful, and encouraging! I recently had asked a friend/colleague to be the first to give me feedback on a spec screenplay I drafted. Their notes made me feel they weren't as jazzed about the piece as I was. This felt like a let down. As a result I set the work aside for awhile. This helped, because when I returned to the piece I was more objective, found greater value in their observations, and used them to improve the work. I also learned some things about my blind spots through this process.

Hi, Shannon. I hope you’re having a great year. Terrific advice and insight! It can be easy to get defensive when getting feedback. Thinking to myself “it’s just to help me” is how I keep from getting defensive. I think that before feedback, during feedback, and afterward (when I read/think about the feedback again) to make sure I don't get defensive.

Very helpful advice, S.K. Tip #2 can be so effective. I'm working on a couple of historical stories so your blog is currently helpful. Thanks for posting this for us. Good luck with all your projects.

Great blog! I loved that tip about info dumping! I find that is something I had to make sure to avoid when I was writing some lyrics several months ago. I wanted to stay true to the facts when I was researching, but had to try to re-word some lines in order to make the lyrics sound more original. I would also sometimes wonder if I needed to add more lyrics to the song I've been working on and at a certain point, I have to tell myself, I wrote six verses and a chorus. I've written enough.

cool blog post, plan to keep this for future reference.

Brilliant and useful. Thanks for sharing.

Hi, S.K. Excellent blog! I started to go down the research rabbit hole last night and I stopped myself. "Ask The Right Questions" helped me avoid going down the rabbit hole.

Thank you, S.K.

So thrilled! I just released my latest space opera adventure novella (THE GATE) on Friday! You can find all my books on my online shop at areionmedia.com.