Richard Lawson wrote:

      One major question: why is it called "script
format" when it's more of a bastard format derived
from true script format and prose?

Because there's no other thing to call it.

I think the only *true* script format I've seen is Chris Davies'
Together Again series of stories.

The thing is, many early (and I mean *early* - circa 1993)
fanfics were written in this "dialogue mode with a bit so
explanatory text disguised as stage direction".  I really can't
explain why, except that maybe one person saw it written that way
and decided to do it themselves, and so on.

I always had a theory that it was to give it more of an anime feel
(since another general tendency of the first generation of fanfics also
tended to be more like episodic extensions of the anime, without lots of
the moodier genres that arose later...)

There was no other easy way to delineate this kind of writing
from prose writing except to call it "script format".

And I still maintain that there are very, very few fanfics
written in "script format" that can't be improved upon by
converting them to prose.  I used to say there were *no* fics
that couldn't be improved such until I saw a fanfic by Sebastian
Weinberg (A Sam&Max parody starring Ukyou and Kodachi) that I had
to admit would be worsened by converting it to prose.  It was
only that way because it was very heavy on dialogue, humor, and
light physical action.

As a 99% prose writer who has dabbled in script format (Muppet Show
Tribute to Anime) I'd have to agree that *most* can be improved. (One
specific example I can think of is fcasper's Wishing Under the Same
Star, which was originally posted to the ML in script format; he later
changed it to prose format, and it had an almost immediate rise in
popularity.)  There are, I think, good reasons to write in script format
- I did so with the Muppets because I wanted to keep the campy aspects
of the TV show, painful "script" and all.  Sebastian Weinberg's "Ukyou &
Kodachi" seemed to have much the same approach.  And "Waiting for
Minako" works for me both because of the near-total lack of action, and
as a parody of the play "Waiting for Godot."

Unfortunately, sometimes I find that script format fics that don't use
the format for what it's worth turn me off excessively because they
feel... lazy.  Usually it's because there is no particular reason that I
can see that it is in script format; the story is not very "dialogue
oriented," the "stage directions" are just descriptive shortcuts, and it
ends up feeling like the skeleton of a story.  Besides which, I've found
that the "snappiness" of dialogue that can be a strength of script
format can be just as well portrayed in prose format. (See, for example,
the very end of Waters Under Earth, chapter 30.  All dialogue, but in
prose format.)

I still maintain, however, that "script format" is inherently
inferior.  I'd urge all new fanfic writers to write in prose
format.  I'd also try to urge old fanfic writers except I'd know
such urgings would be in vain.  ^_^

Not sure that I'd agree with the "inherently inferior" part.  AS IT IS
USUALLY SEEN IN FANFICTION, yes, I'd agree that the _results_ tend to be
less satisfactory.  But script format can be very rewarding when it is
written AS A SCRIPT, not as a shortcut.  The problem that shows up in
fanfiction is that, as the original poster said, "script format" usually
has little to do with the format of actual play- or moviescripts, and
thus tends to fall short.

Bridget

P.S. Richard - we haven't forgotten you! Really!
-- 
       "Why are they wearing bras?"
          -Rachel Wilde, age 4,
while watching the Dirty *ahem* Lovely Angels...
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