Noted for future reference: I almost invented a word today on Twitter:
I say “almost,” because while I can’t find any earlier use on Twitter itself, the term shows up twice in Google results.
So close.
BTW, I’m using Twitter more. If you’re interested, you can follow me @johnaugust.
This site is run by screenwriter John August. Mostly, he answers reader-submitted questions about the craft, but occasionally he goes on tangents that run far afield of writing and filmmaking. You'll also find info on past, present and future projects.
On Twitter: @johnaugust
If you have a question about screenwriting or my movies that hasn't been answered, by all means ask. There are a few guidelines to follow.
There are more than 900 articles on the site. You can find category archives at the bottom of every page.
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April 13th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
God, I so don’t need another reason to join Twitter, or another reason to be further embedded in electronics. Thanks, John.
April 13th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
What the fuck is up with the Twitter bullshit? Seriously. Its so fucking annoying. I remember the good old days when someone having a simple blog was a respectable thing, now its a barrage of annoying gimicky updates saying “READ ME! READ ME! I’M FUNNY! I’M CLEVER! READ ME! AREN’T I INTERESTING?! READ ALL ABOUT ME!!”
Fuck OFF with that nonsense.
April 13th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
I’ve become a big fan of Twitter over the last few months. However, if you don’t have an iPhone or a Blackberry, it will be more of a hassle than a pleasure.
John, you’re a welcome addition to the Twitterverse.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:19 am
“What the fuck is up with the Twitter bullshit?”
Yeah, I don’t get it either… :/
April 14th, 2009 at 8:04 am
For someone like August, it just doesn’t make sense. He’s not selling or pimping anything with this blog. I thought he started it to simply help out screenwriters with all his knowledge and experience of the craft and the industry. What the fuck is the point of a Twitter than? I just don’t get it.
April 14th, 2009 at 9:22 am
All the Twitter hate is so funny. Why does the mere existence of an online service trouble you guys so much? If you don’t want to use it, don’t use it. But just because other people do find Twitter enjoyable or useful doesn’t mean that we’re a bunch of narcissistic fools.
I like Twitter. It’s fun. It’s elegantly simple. And it isn’t a hassle. (And I don’t have a Blackberry or iPhone.) I like knowing what my friends are up to, what they’re thinking or reading about. Maybe it’s because I have clever and interesting friends.
April 14th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Those of you who seem to hate Twitter should create an account and give it a try for a couple of weeks. Twitter is great for quickly communicating and networking with both close friends and people you find interesting.
Where blogs are great for longer articles, Twitter is perfect for shorter messages about interesting links or tips you want to share. Also, Twitter makes it very easy to interact with people you couldn’t reach otherwise, like actors, directors, screenwriters or politicians.
I’m really glad to see you tweeting again John!
April 14th, 2009 at 10:50 am
I don’t hate Twitter, I’m just resisting change.
April 14th, 2009 at 11:10 am
You like knowing what your friends are up to and thinking about? Dude, seriously. You need to get a fucking life. Twitter is teetering on the edge of stalker type shit.
April 14th, 2009 at 11:11 am
I use Twitter for things that are too short to justify a post.
I use Facebook for keeping up with people I know in real life, particularly classmates.
April 14th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
An interesting article: To Tweet or not to Tweet? http://www.slate.com/id/2215829/
April 14th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Lord Bale, if you cannot differentiate between using the Internet to facilitate a conversation with people who you know in real life, and stalking, it is more likely that you are the one with social difficulties.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Happy to see you showing up more on the bird. I was just about to message you and ask you consider connecting the blog via http://twitterfeed.com/
April 14th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Caitlin– using Twitter to communicate with real people you actually know– fine. But I guaranfuckingtee a tiny percentage of the Twitterers or whatever the fuck they’re called are actually using it for that purpose. Most for shameless jerk off self-promotion.
“Working on a concept for a new song”
Shit like that. FUCK YOU. Suddenly everyones an artist. Everyone’s “Internet Famous.” Everyone is a fucking salesman trying to shove shit I don’t need or want down my motherfucking throat. Twitter has become the oily dick lube for the bloated rectum of the internet. It is the Kingdom of the Shamless Spam.
Support that shit. Go ahead. Blogs used to be a good thing. Now they are just one link to another to another, in an endless hallway of doors with nothing behind them. Focus on one fucking forum on communication, instead of rambling about absolutely fucking nothing all over the fucking internet.
P.S. None of this applies to John August. Just 92% of the rest of the assfucks delusional enough to think they have talent.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Wow. Someone needs a nap.
April 14th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
I’m not interesting/famous enough to have a Twitter page. No one cares that I just ate a tuna melt.
April 15th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Twitter? Twatter!
April 15th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
John, how do you have time to do any actual work? Twitter literally just sounds like more noise in my head, which I don’t need. At least a blog is a place where a person can work out ideas or hone their writing–if no one reads it, it still has value. Twitter just seems like another fetish object designed to capitalize on vanity and peer pressure to rake in money. McInformation. Doesn’t anyone ever just sit and think any more? If it’s a tool you can really use that does something that no other tool can do, then fine. Just seems like billions more yapping, no one listening. BTW my dog has IBS so I was up wiping his ass half the night, which is a drag because I have two deadlines today… a dentist appointment too, and I have to mail my taxes, AND pick up that perscription… oh and NetFlix sent me the wrong goddamned disc! shit I should lose 20 pounds before my class reunion… and I just can’t get that season finale of Terminator out of my head… what the hell is that? I hope it’s a pillow line and not another wrinkle…
April 15th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
@awfulstink:
April 16th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Hey John,
I wrote this article on language for Converge magazine. Thought you might find it interesting: http://www.convergemag.com/artsandhumanities/Languages-in-2020.html
April 24th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
things I do when I have to think about a problem:
1) kick around a soccer ball 2) bounce a ball against the wall 3) do nothing on the internet (ie, check e-mail, Facebook, Twitter) 4) play with whatever’s on my desk
these are all ways of using body mechanics to force myself to think my way out of a box.
of course, I check e-mail, Facebook, and Twitter in meaningful ways too. I love being able to keep in touch with people who I emotionally invested in long ago, and that’s what these are mainly for.
but if you budget your time semi-wisely already, Twitter’s not going to change your schedule too much.
April 24th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
the twitter bashing here sounds a lot like the allegory of the cave.
i’m all for john using twitter – a mindful 140 characters can tell you a lot about one’s character.
but i know it’s annoying to some people – it’s the new bane for the non-participants who deep down inside actually like participating. Unless they’re the town crier.