Screenwriting : Use it or not? by Roberto Dragonne

I don't use suddenly. I just write the action.

Example:

The woman opens the door. A flashlight shines in her face.

Or

The woman opens the door -- a flashlight shines in her face.

It is definitely advisory. The immediacy of an action could be shown, but words like "then" are pointless when the nature of a script is for events to take place one after another. Try to think of alternatives.

I personally dont use it but have used "out of nowhere" in some action scenes.

There is no such 'RULE' - but just don't use it (that'll make your life easier). Everything you see on screen happens in present tense: write it in present tense.

And the general "rule" you'll hear (esp. in novel-writing) is adjectives (-ly words) are bad, bad, bad! "Bad adjectives, bad!" :)

screenwriting "rules" depend on your track record. I am 99.9% sure that William Goldman used "suddenly", "then", "later", CUT TO, bolded words, underline scene headings.

:D I read your post, then went back to reading a John August screenplay (Nines). First thing I read was:

Gary is lying in the sun, eyes shut. Suddenly, a golf ball

hits him on the head.

An -ing verb AND a 'suddenly'.

@John Ellis - apologies for the pedantry, but adjectives are words that modify/describe the state of nouns (eg. the enormous tree, the sweet dessert).

The '-ly' words are usually adverbs - words that modify a verb - loudly, sweetly, angrily, etc. Of course, there are some '-ly' words that are adjectives, eg. the lovely flower.

Am I the only one who finds an obsession with whether you should use an adjective or not in a script to be... bizarre?

Adjectives or adverbs - all words have their place. Sometimes an adjective + noun is the right way to go. Sometimes, without a stronger noun being available, it is the only way to go. Same with adverbs - even Stephen King who famously stated that "the road to hell is paved with adverbs" uses hundreds of them in every novel he writes. Because sometimes they are the best word.

Stressing over a word choice because it's an adjective or an adverb is silly. The thing that matters is whether it is the best way to convey what you want to convey.

A decidedly sweet dessert.

Yes, @Shadow. Absolutely.

However, I'm down with @Dan re: temporal qualifiers. Sentence structure begins to suddenly change when one starts to use them.

I suppose it is like using the word "now." My broadcasting instructor made it very clear that if it wasn't now, when the hell is it? So the same could be said for the term suddenly. Now I need to go back and edit a few things. Oops.

Shadow; I agree with you. I note that the screenwriter's polliwog puddle is loaded with an awful lot of bizarre little obsessions that go a long way toward inhibiting success.

Instead of, "she moved suddenly". I usually describe the action. "The move is sudden and decisive as if knowing she is out of options." In this way, the story moves forward and gives the actor a clear understanding of how the scene should be played.

Never avoid a word. Only fools tell you stupidity like that. Just make sure you know how to write and use the words you are using.

Dan Guardino I know, I know, but I found it funny all the same.

As I write mostly horror/thriller I'm quite fond of it...nobody jumps behind no ones back "slowly"...

Dan G, do you really tell people under no circumstances use the word “xxxxx” (whatever that word is)?

So there are words in the english language that cannot appear in this form of story telling?

I believe all words have equal standing when used correctly. They are tools. In the hands of the untrained, a hammer and chisel with create rubble. In the hands of a sculptor it is art.

Roberto, since joining Stage 32, I've tried to cut out using "-ly" words such as "suddenly." In "suddenly's" place, I've resolved to use phrases such as "all at once," "just like that," "in a snap," etc.

Glad you're here on Stage 32...wishing you all the VERY BEST!

They're German... don't mention the war.

Dan G, very true. No two english words have the same meaning, my apologies. But I still stand by my statement. That even avoid a word with context of its use is …. whatever word is less offensive… bad advice.

English is very functional language. Every word is a tool. To dismiss a word is like find all the hammers and saying “avoid using these”,