How many of you write out your scripts in the actual order of your outline or how it progresses in your mind?  I'm just curious because I'm stuck on one scene near the beginning of my script for the 1+6WC and just can't get past it, meanwhile, I know exactly how I want the last 20 pages or so to end, plus there are two or three other scenes that I know exactly what I want. I'm thinking, ok, write those scenes now while they're fresh in your head and then come back to the scene you're stuck on, but it just seems weird to me--writing backwards in effect.  Anyone else write this way, even if it's just occasionally?

Gary

I've never done it as extreme as skipping from the first act to the last act, as I would feel constrained by having the end of the script completely mapped out and written. Sure, I always know roughly how I am going to end the script, but things always pop up during the second act, which modify this.

What I will occasionally do is skip forward a scene or two if I'm stuck on a particular scene, and then revisit it.

I feel that if I write a relatively decent scene and then revisit something which sucks/ I can't nail, it allows me to remind myself that I don't suck completely lol.

If you're stuck, I'd go ahead and write the scenes you've already got figured out.

Personally, I write chronologically. Occasionally, I'll write scenes out of order and find their proper place later on but this is a rare occurrence. Often, I have certain scenes figured out while others not so much and I do get stuck at times. But I prefer to barrel through rather than skip ahead. When I finally get to the scene that's I've been aching to get onto the page, it's a treat because I've had to work (at times, I'd say slog) through whatever came before it. I think forfeiting control to a predetermined writing process has this effect in multiple ways. It's much more satisfying than sticking to what's comfortable.

Strangely, when the script is in my head, I tend to picture it as a cohesive element independent of time. So, when I'm thinking about a certain scene, it's almost like focusing on a fixed point on a map or a painting. I'd guess the reason for this would be that I come up with the ending very early on in development, which makes everything else fall together a little easier.

You might consider, if you are stuck on a scene, writing around it.  Maybe just write a quick description of the scene and move on to the next.  You can always go back to it later when you find yourself stuck on another scene :)

Once I do my outline -- I write from FADE IN to FADE OUT.  If I get stuck on a scene, I'll insert a note, this scene sucks, fix later, then press on.  Just finish draft zero -- remember, you have to go back and do re-writes anyway.

Here's the thing and there is no way around it --make sure you get to Fade Out. To not choke up along the way, or get trapped rewriting page 22, or a particular scene for the rest of your life.  So many writer's do this and don't finsh a thing.  You can rewrite what is written, not what is unwritten.


It works for me.

Ghost

I'm in relative agreement with James. If you know the scenes that are way ahead of you, go ahead and do them. Just make sure that the set-up in between can get you where you need to go. I'm actually doing that on one of mine right now. Written eight sequences and I know all the little bits in between but not 100% so I wrote what I was certain of.

Point is, Gary, do what works best for you.

Thanks everyone for your thought!  All good comments!  Hopefully I can re-focus on this. I just got so stuck on this one scene it was driving me insane, while i had a completely clear picture of how I wanted the ending to look like.  Just seemed a little counterintuitive to e writing it that way. But given there's a deadline a-comin', I need to be putting anything I can down on the page (as crappy as it may be).

If all else fails, I would try to write a completely different scene and tweak the story accordingly so it fits rather than trying to force the scene you have to work and have it stick out like a sore thumb. Of course, this is extremely uncomfortable (believe me, I've been there) and should be a last resort but sometimes, there's just no other choice. I've been developing a new script for several months now and I've had to go back to the drawing board several times because I'd put too many limitations on myself and the story just wasn't working at all. Prior to this, I threw out an entire treatment (seriously, full fledged) because I hit a brick wall that essentially unmade the script. I even deleted the file so I couldn't go back to it if I wanted to.

I say this because I don't think screenwriters should resign to "put anything down on the page as crappy as it may be." I see this far too much and it seriously bums me out. You might have to prepare for a share of pain and self loathing but I think if you come up with something that works wholeheartedly as opposed to something that sort of works but not really, it'll be more than worth it.

I never outline.  I just write (in chronological order)...and I do fine -- except in the case of Ricky Boost.  I wasn't fine there. haha  ;D

I always outline, except when I don't. It depends. Sometimes you need more structure and a carefully thought-out plot, and other times it's better to be spontaneous. Regardless, I pretty much always write in order.

For some reason I've never really "skipped scenes"-- if something isn't working, I work on it until it does. Drive me crazy, but I hate skipping scenes. Not that I don't recommend it. That's just me.

I write from start to finish, but there are times when I go back and insert something that just came to me, or turns out to be better than what I originally had thought of.

IMO, skipping way ahead is not a good idea.  Just get yourself to a place where you can hash it out in your head and get it down on the page.

It depends on the software I'm using.

I use final draft, so I can't see myself skipping ahead on that since it can't isolate scenes. I know that other software allows you to write each scene without being able to see what comes before or after. That would encourage me to write out of oder a little more since I hate seeing text underneath what I'm typing when I'm not revising.

I normally write in scene order, but I have in the past occasionally written an important scene ahead of time. It keeps you orientated toward that scene. And I've seen interviews where pro writers sometimes do that. I would say if you're stuck, why not? Go ahead and do it.

I like to write Act 3 first. I get through it as fast as I could. Put in dialogue I like, set pieces, etc. I make notes of payoffs I'd like. If i get stuck, I write one to two sentences on what I'd like in that scene and just go back to it. I got the idea of writing Act 3 first from one of August's podcasts and he makes compelling arguments on why it helps to start at the end.

Then I'd go page 1 and follow my outline. If I get stuck, I type "PLACEHOLDER" in bold and caps and keep moving. FADE OUT. Then go back and start the real writing...

I usually outline which helps get my creative juices flowing.

It usually changes once I start writing the script.

And then comes the rewrites when it changes some more.

But as Ghostwriter said, the important thing is to finish it completely by any means necessary.

Gabe

I'm in the same boat as you Gary :D

I try to keep writing and not let it hold me back. Hopefully something will come to me and I'll go back and fill it in... hopefully

Mark

John August says he likes to write the first 10 pages and the last 10 pages first - or something like that.

Personally, I like to write my script in order. I outline extensively and in a lot of detail just so these kinds of situations don't happen. If I'm stuck, it's almost always in the outline stage and not in the actual script-writing.

Quoted from Dreamscale IMO, skipping way ahead is not a good idea.

I don't know, Jeff. It worked pretty well for Christmas Story...

Quoted from Mr. Blonde I don't know, Jeff. It worked pretty well for Christmas Story...

Yes...yes it did.  If that works for you, go for it.  But, you know, your CS is a very different and unique script.  It wraps itself and is all interconnected.  You could write any of the first intermittent scenes, because there's really no "order" to worry about.

True, but it was written backwards. I say as long as you know your story, you could skip around, scene to scene, and never be lost. Of course, it has a better chance at coherence if it's written front to back.

Coherence seems to be over rated, as most of Hollywood's movies are far from coherent.

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Well, I don't know about it. If anything, they're too straight forward. But, you know what? I'm sure someone on this site (maybe) has that script that's going to completely revolutionalize Hollywood and obliterate 100 years of by-the-numbers dreck. Thing is, they're sell it for low six-figures and have a script doctor brought in to "Hollywood-ize" it and we'll have to wait another 100 years.

I can dream, can't I?

Quoted from Gary in Houston How many of you write out your scripts in the actual order of your outline or how it progresses in your mind?  I'm just curious because I'm stuck on one scene near the beginning of my script for the 1+6WC and just can't get past it, meanwhile, I know exactly how I want the last 20 pages or so to end, plus there are two or three other scenes that I know exactly what I want. I'm thinking, ok, write those scenes now while they're fresh in your head and then come back to the scene you're stuck on, but it just seems weird to me--writing backwards in effect.  Anyone else write this way, even if it's just occasionally? Gary

Oh, my dear new friend, Gary...

You are speaking to the gal that everyone here knows, spills out garbage very willingly, only to get to the gold. Even if it's only Fool's Gold.

This has got to be what writing's all about for some people. Not everyone, but some.

I write backwards and sideways and upside down and with a little luck, I will eventually come to an outline. I'm not worried about doing that once I HAVE IT...

But GETTING IT, that's another thing. I think we know when we get it.

Currently, I'm writing everything that wants to spill on the page for Enter Your Problem. I'm writing on blue school-lined paper, I'm typing in Final Draft and in Word, I'm up at night and scribbling what I forget the next day in "some book" that I can't find. Oh, here it is!  ;D

This must be the challenge in getting the story that wants out, OUT.

Keep going back to characters and their motivations. Keep going back to questions. Keep asking them. Even if it doesn't work out, you aren't out anything. You will have learned a great deal even if it doesn't show up on the page.

Sandra

Ideas become treatments.
Treatments become outlines.
Outlines become index cards.
Index cards become "place holder" scenes in a vomit draft.
Then keep rewriting until all the place holders are replaced. ;D

I got a little stuck with the one I'm working on now.
I wrote a couple scenes out of sequence. Then floundered some.
But a producer colleague suggested I try the idea as a TV pilot.
And boy, has that freed me up and helped me explore the characters.
In turn, that'll help me go back to the feature and refine that narrative.

Whatever will keep me writing, that's the "system" I'll follow.

E.D.

I've never done an outline... jotting notes down as idea's come to me is as close as I come to an outline.... but the question at hand; I usually write organically. I get an idea of where I want the plot points to be and how the story will end, in my head, then I just write and let the story guide me on what ever path it wants to take me in order to get to the end(sometimes that leads to a different ending)... because of this, I can't jump ahead... I always think action - reaction... one foot in front of the other. However once I've written scenes down, I usually get ideas on how to better improve the scenes prior.

Good luck with it, keep hacking away.
Best,
-Kev