Self-promotion? Well, who else are you going to talk about? I like to hear about the processes people go through to get stories done and how they got their ideas. Thanks for the input, everyone.

well I'm pre-thinking tension right now. I developed the character's and their storylines first. then I do this I've never heard anyone else do this I write down the scenes and get a general idea of the scenes of course I'll take them out before I submit the script but I think writing the scenes helps. then I write a sypnosis. Then I usually start colliding ideas and have about a day of argument in my head. Then I pick a way I want the story to go and do the catalyst, big event, pinch, etc... Then I write the treatment. I'm about at that point and tomorrow I'm going to start writing. lol. I do alot. I do have about 2 unfinished projects but I'm dedicated to finishing this one!

Writing out the scenes is writing a treatment for the most part. A treatment can work well if you're a little stumped because you can see a short paragraph of the scene and rearrange as needed before actually writing.

Good old recipe cards...great for organizing scenes...though I don't use them.

I write as I think something, it's usually on my computer, on my laptop, in my notebook...whatever is handy. It's usually incoherent to the outside world, if someone stuumbled over my notes, they'd be concerned about me.

That's as much as I do as per my previous post.

pre writing isn't necesscary go with what works best for you

I'm working on a story right now. I've just been writing all ideas I have for it down, and I've been writing summaries of scenes down too. I have maybe the first 5 or 6 scenes and a couple that I'll put in later and I have the basic idea of where the story will go, I just don't know exactly how I'm going to execute it. I'm debating whether I should start writing the first draft or not. I guess, there's no real harm in writing it because first drafts are hardly that great and many things will be changed anyway. I'm actually really excited about this story, although, I have another story to go with it (perhaps I will make it a sequel, a trilogy, or maybe even a prequel/prequel trilogy) and I've been focusing on the backgrounds of the story that's taking place so I can have a basis to rely on. It doesn't really change where the story goes, but I like to imagine what happened before my story just for fun. If you don't like to prewrite that much, than don't. If you prefer to just write the first draft and just work out the kinks later, do it, I'm sure no one will be able to tell the difference. Not everyone works the same way, remember that.

For me I do two things: create a soundtrack for the screenplay, which I use as my guide to keep me in the mindset I want. From there I right an outline. Basically I just write point form, an entire script can take me half an hour to write out a five to ten page outline, start to finish. That's it for the outline. I use it as a base point, any changes I make I make as I write the actual screenplay, so there's elements of format and elements of winging it.

Hi. My name is Shelby and I'm a writeaholic (Group: Hi Shelby)  Wow! It does feel better! Anyways to the point: I have a very active mind and when I start writing a script (I will be 4 or 5 pgs. or about 2 days worth of work into it) I A. Get discouraged and think "This is total crud." and delete it. Or B. My biggest problem: I get another what I will think is a better idea and scrap that project and start anew. I also have problems with keepin it good and long. (about 30 pages was how long one script I wrote and couldnt edit it to get more.) CAN ANYONE PLEASE HELP ME IM A DESPRATE DESPRATE BOY!

P.S.: Should I start drinking so I can forget some ideas . Just kidding.

Hi Shelby.
My problem leans more towars, A, although (forutnately or unforunately) I only write a page or so before I decide it's crap (note that I mainly write actual literature, not screenplays.  I'm on this forum because I'm trying to branch out).
I actually think your problem is much less severe.  Having too many ideas is never a disadvantage.  Rather than scrap the original idea, maybe you could mesh your ideas together to crate an even richer plot, turning it from a work-stopper to something helpful.
Regarding the second problem, chances are everyone has that.  The only thing that can change that is experience, although reading over it from the mindset of "is this realistic?  Will viewers understand this?  Is it too succinct?" helps alot.

Force yourself to write it, that's what works or put it away and come back to it. I probably have 20 half complete scripts (Give or take) and each has its own appeal and in my mind would be good if I put the effort into finishing them.

Never scrap anything, you'll end up regretting it later on.

I don´t think it´s bad to delete some of your stuff once you notice it isn´t working.

Sometimes, the "cool idea" you had, suddenly isn´t cool anymore. It can happen. It´s very difficult to evaluate your own work, because you lack of objectivity. Sometimes it takes a while to notice that the cool idea you had, isn´t that cool really.

I think that even talented writers can have crappy ideas now and then, and learning to recognize them and act accordingly, is part of any writer´s discipline.

I think it´s wise to dump one idea to move to a better one, as long as you´re not moving from one idea to another, forever. If you find this is the case, well, then force yourself to stick to one, and flesh it out.

Do not bother yourself to keep your scipts "good and long", just keep them good. Write exactly what you need to show your idea, no more, no less. Don´t try to force your scripts to make them longer. Maybe you´ll have to write some shorts before being able to write a lenght feature.

What usually happens to me is I get to page 40 and get bored with it... I can't stay hooked onto the scripts that I write, but the ideas are very good. The sad thing is I barely get to put out any work because of my job and I spend time with my wife and then when I go to write it is total "WRITERS BLOCK"...

Jobs do tend to get in the way, I had a night shift in a factory these past weeks and have barely written anything. It gives you writers block to be someone elses drone for 8 hours and come home tired and not in the mood plus when you have a family that adds up to less free time.

Do you pre plot or do you just get a general idea of what your script is about and just go, making it all up as you go? I have been just going and with the exception of Assassin ep. 1 I havent been able to finish a script. I am doing an adaption of Bag of Bones and thats going better than anything else I've done so far so i'm wondering, what do you suggest?

I think most people usually put together an outline prior to starting their script, however, I'm one to usually begin with just an idea, start writing and fill things in as I go.  

As I said in a previous post in another thread, if I'm working on a script and stop for the night/morning, before I write anything new the next day, I'll go back and read everything I've already done just to make sure I'm happy with it, and to immerse myself back into the story.

Considering that you're happy with the way your adaptation of "Bag of Bones" is going, I would say that you're better suited to write when you have a well thought out piece to work from.

Go with an outline.


Mike