Screenwriting : I am writing (8) scripts at the same time, Is this a good approach or a bad approach? by Steven Harris Anzelowitz

If you have the time and enjoy finishing scripts.. but personally I focus more on ideas and outlines for the future just in case things change back to a story-centric model. Dialogue is not in vogue because characters are not in vogue. I suppose if your name is Quentin Tarantino you can sneak in a memorable line about "dinguses". I don't recall Cpt America saying anything notable recently though.

I dig the drive. Ten by the end of the year is a HUGE goal. Since you're still new to screenwriting, I would focus on getting those two that you have as stellar as possible. It took me three years to FINALLY get a pitch for my first, and that's after a string of passes from contests and fellowships. I've been screenwriting going on three years now, and it's like you said: Happy Writers is where it's at.

Since you say you are a newbie it is a terrible idea. Most new screenwriters improve with each screenplay so you would be much better off writing one at a time. Otherwise you could end up with eight screenplays that aren't up to industry standards. Plus how would you market that many at once? Come up with a business plan to break in that has a better chance of working that includes marketing them as you go.

@Dan Guardino Agree, there would be the possibility that that same flaws appear in each one or that the ten screenplays have too much in common. Not a screenwriter, just a spark, but I would think the same advice that applies to short film making would apply here. Learn from your mistakes so you don't repeat them.

The process of writing is so personal. I don't quite understand how any writer can tell another writer that their method is terrible. But then, my method is so personal I could never ask others if my method is good or bad. My method is MY method. As I learn and grow as a person and a writer my method changes. Since you did ask, Steven, I'll say that whatever method works for you is the good approach. You may change that approach, but as long as you are writing and it's working then I think it's a great idea.

I am kind of working on two at once, as my boyfriend and I are partnering for the first time for a feature, while also working on my first tv pilot. I don't know that I'd try to juggle that many, especially, as Dan said, you're new to this. i have six full length screenplays under my belt and still feel new enough to the game that I would not be comfortable working on more than a couple projects at once.

Have you had feedback, professional or otherwise, on the finished two? Personally 8 seems a lot to juggle, but as D said... it's your process.

I agree with D Marcus that the writing process is personal and tackling 8 scripts at once may work for you. For me, I feel like I need to focus on one at a time, especially when I'm on a first draft. Once I'm rewriting, I'll start to outline a new project. But, I can't imagine being able to give a script the diligence it needs while 7 others are simultaneously vying for my attention.

Anthony- Yes I have both here on Stage 32 and from a script doctor in UK. The general comments were favorable and most of them did compare my writing style to a Woody, Mel, Neil kind of format. That said, I always want to improve or I am not being true to our craft. I am grateful to all of my fellow "HAPPY WRITERS" who have taken time out on a Sunday to respond. Every comment I get helps me. Thank you.

As CJ said, it depends on your personal goals and intent. Generally speaking, I advise people not to be a jack of all trades, master of none, but again, it depends on your goals.

From what I recall of Steven's other posts in the Lounge, he wants to get one of his NY-based projects financed. If that's the case, I would advise him to build his craft in that genre, so that his particular project is as strong, convincing, and as market-viable as it can be. If his goal were to "find his genre forte" or "find his voice," then I would advise him to experiment in different genres to find his voice. On the other hand, if someone's goal is to become a studio writer-for-hire, then I'd tell them to become an expert in 1-3 related genres. Establish your brand and genre expertise. If a studio wants a rewrite on TRANSFORMERS 8, they're going to look to a list of appropriate tent-pole action/adventure writers with a family-friendly tone. They're not going to look at a list of the best horror writers. If someone's goal is to become a studio writer-for-hire, then his best shot it to become a go-to guy in 1-3 related genres, so the studio knows you to be their problem-solver in your genre. "We need a rewrite on an R-rated action movie. Give me a list of the R-rated action movie writers."

Wow...that's a lot of scripts to try to make brilliant at one time. I'm having a hard enough time trying to write one brilliant script at a time. Good luck, bro!

All I can say is that approach never works for me. Finish things. Focus works for me.

Cholent Boy- Brilliant is not me. Funny and I can do the funny.

Okay Peter. I'll take something out of my scraps of paper in my drawer and add one. I do what Woody does every time he comes up with an idea for a movie he scribbles it down three or four lines usually. I do the same thing. At 63 years old and having lived in New York all my life I have endless ideas for movies. endless. Thanks yeah 9 scripts I can do 9. It's a lucky number in Chinese maybe you are on to something.

Regina- Thank you. My goal is simple write as many screenplays as I can before I die. I am a little under the gun. I am 63 years old and I only started doing this two years ago. So I kind of have to be a jack of all trades. But I know from the time I have spent as a member of Stage 32. It all starts with the re-write. So as many as I do write nothing is going to market unless I am happy with it. Thanks.

Neil Gaiman gives advice to aspiring writers... https://youtu.be/aFiXZCzzHF4

Steven - but it has to be FUNNY funny, and not mediocre, or worse: not funny because it was rushed into completion, or because its potential was unrealized since it was competing for the writer's best creative outputs with seven other scripts all going on at the same time. That's really, really, really hard. And the writers whom you admire the most are FUNNY BRILLIANT, and not "meh....kinda funny...what else is on?" I only say this to you as a concern for the quality of what you may try to attempt - not to mention your own health - if each script contains at least eight characters like your first script that I have previously read. If so, and you are going to attempt to create at least 64 high-quality memorable characters who are brilliantly crafted and presented by the author, I just can't see that being possible. And I say that with no disrespect to you the person. I just can't see how a writer can juggle all those balls at once, and write and re-write consistently brilliant stuff at the same time - and especially one who is jumping into genres that he has not previously worked in, let alone already mastered. Again...no disrespect intended. I think you're overreaching in your goals, and that you should re-think the idea, and especially when you take into consideration how long it took you to write just your first script.

By asking the question it seems that you, yourself have concerns. Why DON'T you focus on one thing to completion? You'd get it out there 8 times faster.

Will you finish all 8 scripts? Or abandon most of them? Results are all that count. Nobody cares if you write screenplays with a quill pen clenched in your butt cheeks if you finish the screenplay and it's great.

William- I will finish all 9 screenplays and that is my goal(I added one more after a suggestion from Peter Corey)

Saying you will and doing it are two different things. Results are all that count.

You do realize Peter's suggestion was 'tongue in cheek'?

Pierre- Yes I do. But I had the inventory on scrap paper besides It is just one more. And who knows that one could be the one. You never know.

Cholent Boy- I think it is important to overreach at times. To push the envelope as it were. When you do, only one of two things can happen. You succeed or you fail. When a President over reaches and says I commit this Nation to landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to Earth that is overreaching. When that proposal was made JFK He didn't know anything of how it could be done. I feel the same way about my writing. I thirst for a challenge of what has not been done yet. We are all on a journey of discovery with our writing. We never know if the destination will be BRILLIANT. But in my case I love the adventure of trying to make it happen. Of course it is the RESULTS that matter. And I do agree. But everyone has a different way of getting there. This is my way. I am very, very grateful to every comment my fellow "HAPPY WRITERS" have made thus far. Every link provided. I will continue this journey in earnest for it is one that I truly enjoy. And there is safety in numbers. Just by sheer numbers. The more you have of anything the better your chances. Yep, I am going to continue and get as many screenplays written as possible. That is my goal. That is my job. So let it be written. So let it be done. Yeah I know that last quote I grabbed from YUL BRENNER but it seemed appropriate to make my point.

Okay, no probs.

If your ballerina fires an RPG during Swan Lake, your 007 dons a tutu to sky-dive, whilst your terrorist bakes muffins, and your granny blows up London - 8 Screenplays at a time is an issue. Otherwise - fine.

Thank god my(8) are basically Comedies not Action-Adventure Tent pole scripts with elaborate special effects as you just described. Phew!!

Hi Steve - I can't ever imagine how you could feel the unique tone, intensity and through line of a story when you're constantly mashing up 8 of them! Actually I'd say it would be easier to be distinct if they WERE different genres because a sic-fi would force you to think differently than a romantic comedy...but maybe two at a time at most. Have you outlined all of these scripts to know what your payoff is going to be at the end of each one? The theme? Is very easy to get written into a corner without good advance planning. Isn't it worth writing a little less and enjoying the rich screenwriting tools and strategies you can use for making one story and characters exceptional?

Sina-- As a matter of fact the (8) are not all comedies (2) are sci-fi, (1) is animation and (1) is action-adventure. I outlined all of them first. And they all have endings. When I am finished with ALL (8) I plan to do a rewrite one at a time. And at age 63 being the last member of my 3rd generation show business family to start screenwriting. I do not have the luxury of doing one script at a time. I walk around the streets of New York with a Memo pad. The 5 or 6 ideas I come up with every day for movies I stick in a draw. These were the best (8) that i felt were worthy of elaboration.

Patricia- Thank you for sharing your genesis into writing. It seems we both started when we were seniors. I am planning on having my first script covered by Joey here @ S32 when funds become available. The rest I will keep writing on a round robin basis till each of the first drafts are done. Then one at a time I will re-write each. I do have a plan it may not be the best plan but I am comfortable doing it this way.

I like it and write the same way. It's a way to rarely get writers block and you may come up with an idea that might not fit best for the script you thought, but better for another

L.A.--Thank you for that breath of fresh air. Some times a little common sense clarity can go a long way.

Steven, it's my understanding that if you try to make more than five of anything in New York City, you need permits and the permit process is pretty expensive, very political and, from application to approval, takes well over a year. During the approval process, you can't make anything or it will be confiscated and you will be arrested. And I don't think you'll like the Mystery Meat at Rikers. Just sayin'.