Flame Wars

I’ve said it before – writers are a strange breed. While we all share a common activity, that’s about where the similarities end.

There are all forms of politics and social agendas represented. There are egos to be pandered. There are delicate temperaments to be nursed.

The last week has been a time for all of these aspects to come to head and explode!

I mentioned some time ago that a group of like-minded playwrights and I were getting together to form a new business promoting new-writing. Over the last week several very heated exchanges have taken place. The majority of which would resolve themselves; as once you got past the language, you realised that the parties involved are just extremely passionate about making their element work.

But as it the way with playwrights (and I know that I am more than guilty of this) the option of compromise or changing position was not an option (after all, when you’re writing, you have to have control and never swerve to ensure the script gets finished).

But as I said, these debates would have been resolved in time.

But one argument broke out, that ended up with allegations being made. But worse than this, they then asked others to find evidence to back up these allegations.

I don’t mind admitting that if this had carried on for more than the couple of hours that they did – the entire project would have fallen over.

This caused two major painful hits. People did disappear off and look for the evidence – but it did not prove the accusers allegations, but moreover pointed out that they were either misinformed – or worse – lying. It’s not pleasant to have a community supposedly pulling toward a common goal have allegations of dishonesty that then transpire to be formed by the dishonest.

That may sound strong – but the alleger, did promise an apology if they were proven wrong. Needless to say, no such apology came.

The second pain was loosing another valued member in the fall out. I will admit that the language that was used was very close to the bone – tempers were blown and reputations were at stake (some of those reputations are the basis of their livelihood) so there was no water to pour on the flames.

One of the members saw all of this and elected to leave for good. This hurt. It more than hurt – it felt as though one of the good guys had been forced out because one individual wanted to discredit one of the major players.

All in all, it hasn’t been a good week. But, the result is that I am even more committed to make this project work.

Flame wars serve no purpose than to make people angry. But get this playwright angry – and he gets more determined!