Just recently, after going off on a tangent of writing short stories and attempting novels, I'm come back to what got me started as a writer - writing screenplays.

However just recently I find myself flooded with ideas, it seems that every film I watch or book I read sets me off with a new idea, an idea that I'll love fferent idea for a few days - write about twenty/forty pages - but then I'll end up with another idea as soon as I watch something which has a remote hint of a story to it. And I don't mean I'll watch Nightmare on Elm Street and want to write my own version, but I'll watch a series of things and come up with something I'd like to do, eg:

- A strange cult

- Cynical, sarcastic lead.

- Various ideas of minor characters/villains - e.g. a blind swordsman, a circus
freak with a beautiful singing voice (these aren't real examples)

And so on so forth, but I was just wondering how people manage to turn their vague ideas into stories and keep focused long enough to finish something? Because in reality I know I could knock up a 120 page draft in a few days if necessary, but I'm just ending up with half or quarted finished pieces here, there and everywhere!

Hey, Goose

I think your situation is not unusual. Once you've written a few features, you'll probably find things actually get tougher. A feature has to be very tightly focused, which is pretty hard to do.

One thing that might help you is to study structure, and try to follow that. Save The Cat by Snyder has become a standard. Look into Syd Fields. I also like Story by McKee.

The main thing is getting the story set up right. You have a lot to accomplish in a short a amount of space in the early pages. I say this not as a veteran who has succeeded in these things, but as someone on the learning path as well.

If you have a good premise, and get things set up right with the intro, and allign your characters with strong goals and with conflict, you'll be in good shape for the rest. Try to make sure there always visible stakes for the audience. And never give the reader an excuse to stop reading! Best of luck.

Quoted Text Because in reality I know I could knock up a 120 page draft in a few days if necessary

That's impressive Goose.

I'm in the same boat as you; I have too many ideas and struggle to get it all together which does become frustrating at times. I find I start writing something but then another idea comes around and I want to work on that instead.

I personally think I will get into a more stable rhythm after I had written my first feature but who knows?

All the best with it.

Steve

I usually limit myself to working on a maximum of two projects at a time, though I also have several parttially-written scripts hiding in my laptop.  If ideas pop in your head while you're working on something, you just have to ignore it or, maybe jot down some quick notes and put them away for another day.


Phil

Yeah, I've written several features and some short stories if anyone's interested in taking a look at them. I went off of writing for a few years and I think if I'd kept with it I'd be a high standard, so now I'm just sort of picking up the pieces. Yeah 120 pages in a few days isn't as difficult as it sounds depending on your time.

Once you have a first draft out of the way you can go on to rewrite and rewrite. I think the key is not to become sidetracked - for instance if you think of a brilliant subplot but it would mean rewriting to fit it in - just make a note and leave it to include in the second draft, that way you can motor forward with your script and include any scenes necessary to progress that subplot without having to worry about going back and actually introducing the thing before you've knocked up that first draft.

Same with characters - if you're twenty pages through and decide you need an extra important chracter just write them from where you are, and add in an introduction or any relevant scenes after you've finished the basic draft..

Ok, Goose and Steve...I'm in the same boat y'all are in :) I've got three currently that I'm working on. I think what Phil said...limiting yourself to 2 is a good idea. I do think it's good to have more than one goin though at times. I find, sometimes, if I put one down and work on the other for a week, then I'll all the sudden come up with new or better ideas for the previous one...if that makes any sense. Now I have a notebook dedicated to each of the three I'm working on....they stay by whichever computer I'm using and if I have an idea...I grab that notebook and jot it down.

I'm working on developing better work habits and finding some kind of organization skills.

:)

Quoted from the goose Yeah 120 pages in a few days isn't as difficult as it sounds depending on your time.

Goose, sorry, but I'm going to completely disagree with you here.

If you're talking about literally just typing 120 pages of some rough idea/story in a few days, then, sure, it's more than possible, but to actually conceive and write from scratch, anywhere near 120 pages of a solid screenplay, is more than difficult, it's almost impossible.

Just the conception alone should take at least a solid week, more likely 2+, and that's if you're dedicating 8+ hours each and every day.  The writing stage is most likely the easiest, depending on what kind of writer you are, and what grasp you have of the mechanics and technical side of screenwriting.  And then from there, the editing/correcting/adding/deleting/changing/etc, should easily take another week or so.

Not sure if you're familiar with the 2007 sequel/remake, The Hills Have Eyes II, or not, but I'll tell you an interesting little nugget of info.  In 2006, Alexandre Aja reinvented the franchise with his surprisingly well done remake/re-imaging, "The Hills Have Eyes, based on Wes Craven's 1977 flick of the same name.  Aja did very well for himself with his writing and direction.

So, based on its success, a sequel was greenlit, but Aja was out, and in stepped old Wes Craven to cash in on his films of 25 years earlier.  He and his son, Jonathan wrote the script in a reported 2 week time period.  Craven actually boasted about the speed in which they wrote and conceived the movie.

Well, again, not sure if you're familiar with this movie, but it was a fucking disaster.  Pure shit, so poorly written, it's downright embarrassing for a brand new writer, let alone an old horror Pro like Mr. Craven.

You can make chili in an hour if you have to, but it's never gonna taste like it does if it simmers all day long.

You can also bottle and serve wine the same year you pick your grapes, but don't count on anyone going on about how fantastic a wine it is.

My advice is to immerse yourself in your story, all in your head before you write a single thing down, other than maybe some names or the like.  Do research on anything you're not  familiar with, in terms of your story and location.  Once you've got it all down in your head, including exact lines, scenes, and situations, go to work and make it the very best you can.

It makes a difference.  It really does.

I've been in the same boat as you, Goose. I've not been actively writing for the last couple of years - life got in the way.

I'm trying to come back to the art and I've had problems focusing on my ideas and seeing them through. I used to be able to focus directly on a single project and see if through to the re-writes. I would then pitch that while moving onto my next idea.

Now, like Phil mentions, I have unfinished work on my computers that I'd love to finish up - but now I get sidetracked too easily when working on an idea. Not like me at all.

I will no longer work on more than 2 ideas at a time, and both ideas cannot be in the same stage (ie, one will be in rewrite stages while another will be in idea/first draft stage, etc).

So basically, choose the idea (or 2) that you are willing to focus on and go from there. If you find you are still having other ideas, write them down and come back to them later. The hardest part about writing (for me and I've also heard from others) is the re-write stages - getting that idea into a polished and sell-able state.

Hope this helps,
Stew

Hey Phil,

out of interest what happened to the burnout in the end? Did it get optioned
properly or what happened?

Tried to find it on the site as it was a good guide of how to write a screenplay, don't
suppose you could send me a copy?

Cheers!

How do I solidify an idea?

I add three tablespoons of cornstarch, of course.

And a spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down?

Oh and Dreamscale

I'd love to know how to make a chilli from scratch, could you arm me with the necessary information?

I could, but you know I'd have to kill you soon after.

Quoted from the goose out of interest what happened to the burnout in the end? Did it get optioned properly or what happened? Tried to find it on the site as it was a good guide of how to write a screenplay, don't suppose you could send me a copy?

The Burnout is currently under its second option.  Things fell through from the first one; it was picked up shortly after that.  Unfortunately, I can't show this script to anyone now.

You may want to look at The Brass Ring  It would be a better model, IMHO.  And there's a chance I'll be taking that script down in the near future.


Phil

It's all about characterization for me, that's what drives my stories.

Hey Goose -

As far as solidifying ideas - I know that a lot of people do the index card thing...but that just doesn't fly for me.

Best thing for my M.O. is to start brainstorming (purposely without structure, to allow my subscious room to breathe) while typing in Microsoft word.  

As stuff starts to flow together, I classify it into the various appropriate sections and keep building.  Lines, character backgrounds..plot ideas...

Great thing about Word is that you can cut and paste and move stuff constantly.  It evolves.  I make sure I've got ALL that nailed down before I ever fire up Final Draft.

Works for me.  Polishing a sixth feature length right now....  :)

For my original feature screenplays  it's...

Brainstorming & taking iPhone notes while power walking in my hood.

Assuming it gels, then I step it up to story beats and possibly treatments.

Assuming it still excites me, then I'll outline/corkboard the stuffing out of it.

If I can't shake the idea through all those steps, I'm thinking others might dig it too.

And if I'm still not bored with the story, then I'll write the screenplay. ;D

E.D.

I've done cards, beat sheets, what have you, and, depending on the story, still use those tools some, but, at a certain point when three-act structure is second nature and all, I just start watching the movie in my head and I keep rewatching it until it's the movie I want to see.  Then, write it.  I have a pretty strong memory, otherise so much would get lost.  if you're newer to the craft, notes, notes, notes.