Michael Freno
67c3881dcf
- Created waitlist_signups and waitlist_events tables - Supports email, name, source tracking, and status management - Enables VIP supporter list for Product Hunt launch - Migration 0002_chemical_shocker.sql generated - Fixed brand color in product-hunt-assets-brief.md (#518ac8)
6.1 KiB
Reddit Post Draft - r/SideProject + r/Screenwriting
Primary Post (r/SideProject)
Title: Show HN: We built a modern screenwriting app to take on WriterDuet
Flair: Show HN
Body:
Hey r/SideProject! 👋
We just launched Scripter - a screenwriting platform built to compete with WriterDuet, but with a modern tech stack and AI features.
The Problem
WriterDuet has 2M+ users but it's built on Firebase + React from 2015. Their desktop app is Electron-based (500MB+ RAM), mobile apps feel bolted-on, and there are no AI features. Plus it's $13.99/mo for premium.
Our Solution
We built Scripter from scratch with:
- Tauri + SolidJS - 50MB RAM, instant startup, native desktop apps
- AI writing assistant - Scene continuation, character analysis, format fixing
- Real-time collaboration - Multi-user editing + built-in video chat
- Free tier - Unlimited projects (vs WriterDuet's 3-project limit)
- Better pricing - Pro at $7.99/mo (20% less than WriterDuet)
Tech Stack
- Frontend: SolidJS (faster than React, smaller bundle)
- Desktop: Tauri (Rust-based, not Electron)
- Backend: Turso DB (SQLite at edge), tRPC, Drizzle ORM
- Real-time: WebSocket + CRDT for conflict-free editing
- Auth: Clerk
- Storage: S3-compatible for assets
Why We Did This
Screenwriting software hasn't evolved in 10 years. Final Draft charges $199 one-time for desktop-only. WriterDuet went freemium but is showing its age. We saw an opportunity to build something modern, fast, and affordable.
Traction
We're launching today (Month 10, Week 1 of our build). Already have:
- 500 beta testers
- 3,000 waitlist signups
- Working web + desktop apps (macOS, Windows, Linux)
Ask for Feedback
We'd love feedback from this community, especially:
- Screenwriters: What features do you need that WriterDuet doesn't have?
- Developers: Thoughts on our tech stack? Any gotchas we should know?
- Everyone: What would make you switch from your current tool?
Try It Free
No credit card required. Unlimited projects on free tier.
AMA
I'm the CMO. Our Founding Engineer is also here to answer technical questions. Ask us anything!
Edit 1: Wow, this blew up! Thanks for all the questions. We're reading every comment.
Edit 2: Top question: "Can I import from WriterDuet?" - We support Fountain + Final Draft XML import now. Direct WriterDuet import is on the roadmap. DM us if you need help migrating.
Edit 3: Another common question: "Offline mode?" - Desktop apps work fully offline. Cloud sync happens when you're back online.
Crosspost (r/Screenwriting)
Title: We built a screenwriting app that's 10x faster than WriterDuet (and free to start)
Flair: Resource
Same body, but emphasize:
- Industry-standard formatting
- Export to PDF + Final Draft XML
- Tagger for production (props, costumes, locations)
- Collaboration features for writers' rooms
Engagement Strategy
Pre-Post (1 week before)
- Create Reddit account (if needed, age it up)
- Build karma by commenting in target subreddits
- Read subreddit rules (no self-promo without participation)
Launch Day (10:00 PT)
- Post to r/SideProject
- Crosspost to r/Screenwriting (check rules first)
- Respond to every comment in first 2 hours
- Upvote thoughtful questions
- Share honest answers about limitations
Comment Response Templates
"Looks cool, but why not just use WriterDuet?" "Totally fair question. We built Scripter because WriterDuet's tech is 10 years old. Their desktop app uses 10x more RAM, has no AI features, and costs 20% more. We're not saying we're perfect, but we're trying to push the industry forward. Give us a shot - free tier has unlimited projects."
"How's the mobile experience?" "Our web app is a PWA, works great on mobile browsers. Native iOS/Android apps are in development. What features would you need in a mobile app?"
"Is this another AI hype project?" "Fair skepticism. Our AI isn't a chatbot - it's built into the writing flow. Hit a button and it suggests your next scene beat. Or analyzes your character's arc. Or fixes formatting errors. It's like having a writing partner, not replacing you. Try it free and judge for yourself."
"What about Final Draft compatibility?" "We export to Final Draft XML and PDF. Import works with Fountain + Final Draft XML. Direct .fdx import is on the roadmap. Most producers accept PDFs anyway."
"How do you make money with unlimited free projects?" "Free tier has all core writing features. Pro ($7.99/mo) adds video chat, revision tracking, and production tools. Premium ($10.99/mo) adds AI features and auto-translate. Conversion math: if 3% of free users upgrade, we're sustainable. Virality from free tier drives growth."
"Tech question: How's real-time sync work without Firebase?" "Great question! We use WebSocket connections + CRDT (Conflict-free Replicated Data Types) for conflict resolution. Turso DB stores state at the edge. It's more work than Firebase but gives us control and better performance. Our Founding Engineer can dive deeper if you're curious."
Success Metrics
| Metric | Target |
|---|---|
| Upvotes | 500+ |
| Comments | 100+ |
| Awards | 3+ |
| Referral signups | 200+ |
| Beta tester interest | 50+ |
Risks
| Risk | Mitigation |
|---|---|
| Downvotes (self-promo) | Engage genuinely, answer questions, delete if ratio < 0.5 |
| "Another AI startup" hate | Be transparent about AI limitations, focus on real features |
| Tech skepticism | Have engineer ready to answer deep questions |
| Comparison to established tools | Acknowledge their strengths, highlight our differentiators |
Posting Instructions
Timing: 10:00 PT launch day (peak Reddit traffic) Account: Use aged account with karma in target subs Engagement: Respond to every comment in first 4 hours Follow-up: Edit post with top questions/answers Crosspost: Wait 2 hours, then crosspost to r/Screenwriting