Screenwriting : What's your process? by J.L. Johnson

I start with a single scene or idea which I write. This is normally an ending. I then expand out from that. I'll then go back and add in the other character's perspective. I just keep adding until all aspects are told. Then I start my edits/rewrites. I don't have a ritual, just silence so I can think.

Well, I have OCD. More specifically I have what is called "Mal-Adaptive Daydreaming" which is a form of OCD and anxiety disorder. To put it simply, I have intrusive, obsessive daydreams/fantasy's and they are VERY distracting from every day life. While I've always had a strong interest in film, screenwriting in and of itself is more like therapy for me. A way to get the ideas out of my head so I can stop obsessing over them. So for me the process is like this: Idea pops in my head, I spend the next two, possibly three weeks obsessively playing the "movie" out in my head while pacing the floor and getting nothing important done, and then it ends when I finally complete the thought and sit down to write the script. FYI, I don't recommend doing it that way.

I generally tell people not to worry about process. If you get caught up in semantics you'll likely lose interest in writing. Just focus on writing. Do whatever you can to get the idea out of your head and onto paper/screen. No two writers have the exact same process so it's really kind of pointless to try and emulate one. My "process" isn't really a process so much as it is a necessity of life. It makes writing harder, but by the time I reach the end of the script I feel much better about the story and myself.

Try everything! Seriously. Everyone has their own process and the best one is the one that works for you. I know great writers who only outline in their heads and others who make 25 page outlines. Some that have characters with one big trait and others who take personality tests for every major character. Some people use scene cards and others just get it out on the page.

Personally, I love to outline in depth before the first draft, but between drafts/rewrites I do very little outlining and work off a general set of notes. In terms of the day-to-day, I like to set up a Pandora station with movie scores in a similar genre and then only have screenwriting software on screen.

Good luck finding what works best for you!

I start with a theme, then my protagonist, where is he/she at the beginning, then I need to know my ending, which sometimes changes when the characters take over. I let all these percolate in my mind for weeks, (sleepless nights, many) then I hit the computer. I hardly ever outlined unless I have to do research, as I did in a psychological thriller. Hope this helps buddy and remember, what ever works for you, keep it. Good luck. Here for you.

It varies for me. One story came after meeting seven individuals at an audition, I was so captivated by their personalities I had an outline in my head for a situation to throw them in by the end of the day. Another came as a title out of the blue. I let the title ferment for six months or so as the concept and the characters grew from there. Some come from songs that inspire me and the lyrics form the basis for my plot, or the tone of the piece affects me emotionally. Others come from newspaper reports or current affairs. There are so many stories and themes out there to choose from with plenty of information available on a particular issue that laying out the foundation for a story is already half done for you. I spend more time researching my topic before I write anything. I then use that research to plot my story journey either in my head or on cards. I also have my 'big book' which is a custom made notebook full of character bios, story arcs, illustrations and doodles that mean something to me which I use regularly to build an idea. The more you do it, and test out different approaches you'll find your process. Hell, I even came up with an outline once from being bitten by a mosquito! There's a lot rummaging around up there. Best of luck. And have fun with it!

I outline. It takes me days to come up with the outline, though. And, as I am writing, I get new ideas. So, when I write my first draft, it's a second draft in some ways, the outline being the first. I also play music when I write. I like to box; I bought myself a heavy bag for Christmas. I sometimes hit the bag and then sit down to write. Getting my energy up like that helps, in my opinion.

The logline comes first, then preparatory research & outlines of ever-increasing detail written on legal pads & the PC. I try to let my unconscious (esp. dreams) do the heavy lifting. After structural issues are worked out, I start on the first draft, staying open to further changes as unforeseen issues arise (as they always do).

I think there is no right process and it is very much is unique to the individual, so I'd just concentrate on the writing and your own process will work itself out.

My God, I do exactly the same things most of the people who have responded so far do! I am usually struck by a visual scene or dialogue exchange that I write down, then wrap a story around it the way @Craig explained. But, both before and after writing that scene, I spend an inordinate amount of time pacing, talking to myself, and basically just letting the idea "ferment." Eventually, a story asserts itself and I sit down and write it out, then spend an undue amount of time rewriting it.

My actual process for writing is first drinking too much coffee, then checking e-mail, then looking through news, chatting here (I had to quit FB - talk about a time-suck!), removing distracting items from my desk, pacing, checking my e-mail again, checking the news again, watching TV, finding a movie to watch, ordering books related to my subject(s), then I check my e-mail, pace about...

I don't know if I have a specific process. The original idea sparks an ending, then I think about some characters and some stuff in the middle. Then I think about the opening - hot & fast, slow & dramatic, rhythmic, comedic, slap-stick...whatever. I write and outline as I go (I got the ending, so I know where I got to get to). I write in short time blocks - a couple of hours - then I take a break to fool around in this forum, then I get back to writing. When I'm done for the day, I append a few notes as to where I'm going tomorrow. Right now, it's foolin' around time.

I start with a general idea about the plot, the core characters who will be involved, the location, etc. Then, I make a list of ideas for events that help tell the story, usually in chronological order. After that, I begin writing scenes, referring back to my ideas list at times. Once I've reached about halfway through the story, I read what I've written and refer to my list of ideas. Writing the scenes typically involves changes from the ideas on my list, but it's usually for the better as refinements occur to me. I return to writing scenes, checking my pace so that I can bring it in at a proper length. After I've written an entire script, I set it aside for a week, then come back to it for a start-to-finish read for "overview." I ask myself, is this interesting, does it "flow," does it make sense? After that read, I come back for one more start-to-finish read to weed out as many typos as I can find. Works for me.

I just took an amazing webinar here on Stage 32 called, “Outlining Your Script to Find Your Story” taught by Steve Desmond. It was just what I needed to put in the front-end work so when I start writing, I can focus on being creative. I would definitely recommend it to help your writing process!

First I lie down and shut my eyes then meditate deep into the script I want to write. The next thing I do is just to start with the first title headings. I don’t outline my work bcoz I’ve tried it before it doesn’t work for me. What I do is that I start my writing after several minutes or hours of my meditating n anywhere I’m stuck, I’ve to take another meditation again . At this process is like watching the movie through my imagination. Everything flowing so smoothly without stress.

My secret was location. Now, maybe subject matter or genre.

I just jot down ideas as soon as they pop in my head. I keep notebooks in a “go bag,” a notepad and pencil in the car, a notepad on my phone, etc. I assemble things later. Just write it down quick and dirty. Edit later

I have no creative say... sigh... the stories pop into my head fully formed. Then I write the outline down in a one pager, then write the script, as if from memory. That one pager is really all the outlining I do.

J. L. You have to make writing a habit. Everyday - even when you don't feel like it. Actor and writer Lauren Graham ("The Gilmore Girls" and "Parenthood" and author of two books) recommends "The Kitchen Timer Method". Set a kitchen timer for one hour. Use that time to either (1) write in your writing journal (thoughts on writing, thoughts on future projects, thoughts on TV series and movies that you've seen, etc.) (2) to work on a writing project. No distractions. No electronics of any kind (TV, tablets, phones). Do this EVER DAY! The point is to make writing (something, anything) a habit.

Also, keep a notebook on you to record new ideas as they occur to you. I started carrying a notebook & pen to my small town gym as so many hilarious things were happening all the time and I didn't want to forget them.

Finally, you need to know when you're the most creative. Are you a morning writer? An afternoon writer? An evening writer? I'm a morning writer but I've also been known to work in the afternoons or evenings, especially if I've had a new idea for a project.

Good Writing!

Wow this is an old post lol... I would say I'm still personally learning about my own process, but I think I like the idea of outlining/mapping out a story before delving into the actual script pages. But I have also written first drafts straight from my mind so really the process is mysterious and is never locked in a certain way for anyone... at the end of the day the universe gives writers stories, and nobody will ever truly understand that.

I make check lists!