For me - if I had to figure out everything before I write I would never finish a script.  I actually only do an outline after I'm done with a draft (I know it sounds reverse) and the outline as just a  nice tool to help me see holes in the story I've written. If I'm struggling with dialogue I'll  even write - "later on write something funny about XXXX here" and just gt back to it later.

Long winded way of saying - my scripts tend to morph to something rather than start out as something.

Anyway - different strokes.

Just to be clear, when I say I plan "everything" out in my head before I start writing, that doesn't mean I have the entire script plotted.

I believe in coming up with a story and plot organically, and when you do that, you'll find that the story takes a life of its own and new ideas surface, new plot points develop, and everything just comes together organically.

I never sit down to write a single word unless I know where that scene is going and how it develops.  Once things are moving, the characters and events move things where they want to take it...if that makes any sense.

I find it strange when I plot something out only to find the 'inner voice' take me in a different direction once I start writing.

Those damn pesky voices  

Quoted from Reef Dreamer I find it strange when I plot something out only to find the 'inner voice' take me in a different direction once I start writing. Those damn pesky voices

Have you considered medication?

It works. I'm living proof

Today marks the 3 week deadline...

How's everyone doing? Is the end nearing?

Ha! Yeah. Twenty pages in, (late starting) still figuring out continuing plot, and only three weeks to go.

This is hard. Really hard. But I'm still in the race. So far, anyway.

P.S. I'm doing a fair bit of what Dave mentioned too:

Quoted from Dave If I'm struggling with dialogue I'll  even write - "later on write something funny about XXXX here" and just gt back to it later.

Just insert the word 'scary' instead of 'funny'.  

P.S. I am told by my other half (also a writer) that the more I do it the easier it will get. Let's hope so.

I've pretty much done a page one rewrite and am currently sitting at 68.5 pages. The end is in sight... but I am currently working with an inactive protag that I will need to figure out on the next draft.

Couple of days will see this draft done, then I can work on that issue. The story itself is fine... and to be honest I'm in two minds about whether to activate the protag to fit predetermined notions of how a narrative should go.

I'll do my usual thing once I arrive at an execution I'm happy with... write a treatment. For me, treatments are something I do after an organic first draft. How can you treat something you don't have yet? When you treat something, you fix it, so that's how I utilise that tool. My treatments consist of one or two lines about what happens in each scene or sequence that I've already written.

The point of that is that I get to see every scene faster and can quickly determine plot holes or things that need improving. So, if you do have an organic first draft, give the treatment thing a try.

It's time consuming though. I hate writing treatments because they usually take around 2-3 hours to complete and is just mind numbing shit. But the help it provides is worth it.

Glad to hear that progress is being made for the both of you!

I'm currently 75 pages in. Aiming to get the second act finished by next Wednesday, so that I will then have about 10 days to write the final act, and then just under a week to give everything a turbo-ed polish!

I apologise for everyone that gives mine a read... It's unlikely to come below the 130 page mark. The midpoint didn't arrive until p. 64. I think this is because the idea initially started as a TV show. It had been swirling in my head for quite a whilst now. But as a result, there's a load to fit in. But this page count is pretty normal for similar detective/mystery scripts... Prisioners, Seven, Zodiac, etc. all ran way over 2 hours.

But once again, I am sorry for all you readers!

Quoted from LC Ha! Yeah. Twenty pages in, (late starting) still figuring out continuing plot, and only three weeks to go. This is hard. Really hard. But I'm still in the race. So far, anyway. P.S. I'm doing a fair bit of what Dave mentioned too: Just insert the word 'scary' instead of 'funny'.   P.S. I am told by my other half (also a writer) that the more I do it the easier it will get. Let's hope so.

I take my hat off to you, Lib, starting so late! I'm confident that you'll get it finished on time. I'm rooting for ya'!

And I do the exact same thing that you/Dave mentioned above. I even do it with scenes; I'll have the slug, then write a brief two or three line outline of the scene below, then go back and write the damn thing at some later date. That's normally if I can't get an important scene to work. Revisiting it at a later date tends to make the writing process move much easier.

Quoted from DustinBowcot I've pretty much done a page one rewrite and am currently sitting at 68.5 pages. The end is in sight... but I am currently working with an inactive protag that I will need to figure out on the next draft. Couple of days will see this draft done, then I can work on that issue. The story itself is fine... and to be honest I'm in two minds about whether to activate the protag to fit predetermined notions of how a narrative should go. I'll do my usual thing once I arrive at an execution I'm happy with... write a treatment. For me, treatments are something I do after an organic first draft. How can you treat something you don't have yet? When you treat something, you fix it, so that's how I utilise that tool. My treatments consist of one or two lines about what happens in each scene or sequence that I've already written. The point of that is that I get to see every scene faster and can quickly determine plot holes or things that need improving. So, if you do have an organic first draft, give the treatment thing a try. It's time consuming though. I hate writing treatments because they usually take around 2-3 hours to complete and is just mind numbing shit. But the help it provides is worth it.

You are an absolute machine, haha. I've been averaging 25 pages a week, which is the highest output I have ever generated when it comes to scripts, but this is still way below your output! Goddamn you, lol. I definitely agree with everything you have said about being able to attack the plot/ treatment much easier once you have a finished script in front of you.

Good luck, both!

Some good tips there, Tobe, and from Dustin as well. It certainly helps to know how everyone approaches the job. Good to know I'm not the only one who does some strange stuff either.  

DS, how're you coming along?

Good to see you guys are in! Looking forward to see what you guys come up with.

Finished, now fine tuning. Just trying to get the most out of it.

As I will be on crutches for four more weeks I may think about another

All the best to those still writing

Just hit the 80 page mark. Written the end to the second act... Now, I just need to go back and write the 15 pages that directly precede it, and I'll be grand

I hit 90 yesterday. I thought this would be wrapped up at 90... but I've still got the ending to write which will take around 10 pages. I like to use at least 10 pages for the climax.

Then I've got to add stuff to the beginning, activate the protag some more which will come by way of adding a new beginning anyway. There's also a new character intro'd late (page 70+) that I'm going to intro at the start instead and then weave into the story more thoroughly to cement his position.

I'm away next week, so I have just under 2 weeks left to finish this.

Nearing the 100 page mark... Probably a good as time as any to enter into the final act. Seriously cannot see this being anywhere below 130. I guess that's what happens when you try to condense a story that was initially envisioned as a TV series into a feature.

Anyhow, that gives me two weeks to write the final 30ish pages, then (hopefully still have a few days spare to) give this a quick polish up.

How's everyone else doing with their entries?

Not good. Things have got in the way and I'm still only 30 odd pages in. Still hoping to get it done in time. Good luck to everyone still going.