Welcome to the boards. The best way to learn the craft is posting your work here and getting feedback-- just be sure to review some other scripts if you want reads in return.

As for outlining, it just depends on the writer. For me, I do best with very loose outlines (except when I don't), but a writer friend of mine can't use an outline to save her life. So, it just depends on what works for you...there's no "right" way to do it. If it works, do it that way.

I wouldn't worry too much about reading screenwriting books. Same for screenwriting classes. I'm not saying you shouldn't, but you can read about formatting online and the feedback around here is better than any book I've read.

Quoted Text It's just that I see the whole story in my head...beginning, middle and end. How do I know I should trust what's there?

Basically, go with your gut. But be honest. If you like the story, chances are it's a good story. There's no real way of knowing how good it is as a whole until it's on paper. Go for it.

Looking forward to reading some of your work.

Will

Quoted from CrusaderVoice It's just that I see the whole story in my head...beginning, middle and end. How do I know I should trust what's there?

Use the force Luke

Mark

Glad to see another member on the SS crew.

If inspiration hits you, just dive in and forget the outline for a moment, you can always come back to it.

I would suggest reading some screenplays from people on the board and provide some feedback.  Then write a few shorts of your own and post them.  Get down in the trenches and get some experience in screen writing.

Also, keeping a small notepad and pencil handy whenever your about is also a good trick.  You never know when inspiration will hit and it's also good to write down some actual dialogue.

Best of luck.

Quoted from CrusaderVoice It's just that I see the whole story in my head...beginning, middle and end. How do I know I should trust what's there?

Trust it, and go with the flow.  Then - when you're done - evaluate it honestly and make changes where warranted.    

There's a hackneyed phrase among writers: "Writing is rewriting."  The more you write, the more you learn it's true.  But if you don't go with your gut in the passionate phase...why bother to put the story down at all?  Writing without "heart" isn't worth the effort.

Cheers!

If it works, trust it, but you'll only know it works when you finish it.

Some things to remember:
Conflict is number one. Two characters getting along gets you nowhere. This could be as simple as a character not being able to find his keys because the dog thought it was a toy. Or another character not being able to open his office door because its locked from the inside.

Subtext is your best friend. Two characters can get along on the surface, but only if they're scheming underneath. Subtext leads to a greater understanding of both characters. Best when used in dialogue.

Enter your scenes late and leave early. There's no point in having characters getting somewhere, unless it develops character or conflict. Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada I'd introduced from her feet up and its brilliant. The scene will usually work better if you start after the general pleasantries, especially if the audience is caught up.

Never tell the audience something twice. They will be bored. The audience should always be learning information.

Always have the audience asking questions. Use the answers to get then asking more questions.

If you get stuck, as "What if" questions. The more extreme, the better. Even the crazy ones might get one or two good ones to pop up.

Art the end though, if you're not having fun, chances are the reader won't either.