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LATE-NIGHT SCREENWRITING PROTIP:
A few days ago I went on a bit about how much I actually enjoy the writing process.
Tonight, I ran smack into a great example of that, and I'm going to share it while extended towards you a challenge.
So here's the setup:
A few days ago I went on a bit about how much I actually enjoy the writing process.
Tonight, I ran smack into a great example of that, and I'm going to share it while extended towards you a challenge.
So here's the setup:
Current WIP is a two-hander featuring Character A and Character B, with a huge dose of third wheel Character C.
About 1/3 of the way through the script, A tells B about a tragedy that befell him.
About 2/3 of the way through the script, C tells B she's committed said tragedy.
About 1/3 of the way through the script, A tells B about a tragedy that befell him.
About 2/3 of the way through the script, C tells B she's committed said tragedy.
Character A has no idea that Character C did what she did, and Character C has no idea that Character A is the end recipient of her actions. Still following?
Only Character B knows both of these things.
Alright here comes the fun part:
Only Character B knows both of these things.
Alright here comes the fun part:
1. When I started this script, I had ABSOLUTELY no idea that Character A even suffered a tragedy. I found it along the way.
2. When I started this script, I had no idea that Character A CAUSED this tragedy. I found it along the way.
Fun discoveries! But here's the REAL fun:
2. When I started this script, I had no idea that Character A CAUSED this tragedy. I found it along the way.
Fun discoveries! But here's the REAL fun:
3. I have no idea, at this point, if Character B is going to tell Character A what he knows. And if he does tell him, I have NO IDEA HOW CHARACTER A WILL REACT, AND MY ENDING DEPENDS ENTIRELY ON THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES.
In other words: I wrote myself the fuck into a corner.
In other words: I wrote myself the fuck into a corner.
And you know what?
I cannot wait to discover how this all turns out.
No, I really don't have any idea. I started with some notes, some broad strokes of characters, some firm details about structure, and I just started writing.
Sometimes you write a story. And sometimes...
I cannot wait to discover how this all turns out.
No, I really don't have any idea. I started with some notes, some broad strokes of characters, some firm details about structure, and I just started writing.
Sometimes you write a story. And sometimes...
...a story forces itself out of you, and you become your own stenographer.
I'm done for the night, but I can't wait to get back into this tomorrow, because I want to find out where these characters take me.
And therein lies the lesson for tonight:
I'm done for the night, but I can't wait to get back into this tomorrow, because I want to find out where these characters take me.
And therein lies the lesson for tonight:
If you prewrite at all, that's great. If you prewrite a ton, that's great. Whatever works for you.
But never be afraid of writing yourself into a corner. Let the story take you where it takes you. Worse comes to worst, you hate it, delete it, and restart from before cornering.
But never be afraid of writing yourself into a corner. Let the story take you where it takes you. Worse comes to worst, you hate it, delete it, and restart from before cornering.
Sometimes we get SO wrapped up in planning and SO wrapped up in structure and beats that we forget to...you know, just fucking PLAY a bit.
And maybe that's why screenwriting so often seems like a task rather than a journey.
Now look, there are pitfalls and drawbacks here.
And maybe that's why screenwriting so often seems like a task rather than a journey.
Now look, there are pitfalls and drawbacks here.
My first drafts tend to be way too long, way too wordy, and way too scattered. To the point of being unfocused sometimes. And that means that, often, the rewriting process of Draft Two takes more time and is more difficult.
And that's not ideal. But you know what? I'll tale it.
And that's not ideal. But you know what? I'll tale it.
Because then I get to have fun taking my scrappy, meandering, bloated first attempt and (hopefully) turn it into something that really sings on the second try. Seeing it sharpen and gel is immensely gratifying.
Anyway: you have to get lost to be found, right? Try it sometime :)
Anyway: you have to get lost to be found, right? Try it sometime :)
