Screenwriting : How do you keep your flow? by Jamaal Richards

You get in the "zone" and everything is second nature. When writing the first draft just go for it. It's the vomit pass. Get everything out on paper (the computer screen). Don't worry about the wrong formatting at this point, or run on sentences, or description that runs long, or stilted dialogue. Just get it all out. Then get on with the revisions. Writing is really rewriting. So have at it!

I believe that it is better to write freely and not judge or critique yourself while you get ideas down on the page. You can edit later.

I am the opposite. I never do a "vomit draft." As a practical matter, a freelancer/contractor/hired hand has to get to a deliverable first draft on - and preferably before - deadline. And that can't be "vomit." Nobody wants to see your brain innards. You have to produce disciplined work almost as second nature.

But even for specs, I try to make my first draft as close as I can get it to something I wouldn't be embarrassed to show. I re-read, proof, and edit to start my writing day, then create new scenes after. It saves a lot of rewrites, at least for me. The 'writing is rewriting' thing is overrated, IMO.

And, no, I don't outline, unless it's for an assignment and I'm getting paid to. I hate doing them. Treatments, too. I'm good at them because I have to be, but if I had my way, I would never do another one.

Sheila D. Boyd thanks. I also try to get a really coherent first draft but I can see how all opinions apply here.

How's it going, Jamaal Richards? I outline all of my feature and TV scripts. If I don't outline, I write myself into a corner. I rewrite my scripts A LOT as I go, so the first draft is really like a fifth draft.

I outline, do a treatment, and then a first draft. I wait at least a week and do a second draft, concentrating on wordsmithing and formatting. Later passes usually concentrate on a single character or thing (like subtext). Writing from a treatment usually keeps me from getting too far off-track while still allowing for surprises.

Maurice Vaughan Bob Johnson thanks for adding your tips. I can't wait to be able to get over that daunting feeling I sometimes get before committing my creations onto the computer screen. I really appreciate and love all the comments and suggestions from everyone.

Jamaal Richards Hi Jamaal, please don’t apologise. It’s great to hear from you. Everyone here is at different stages, so we don’t mind answering questions that we may have seen before. This community does what “RB” says to ‘pay it forward’.

I love your question.

Sometimes I find that technology gets in the way, yes, all the formatting for me just stops the flow. For years now I’ve maintained the flow with a pen and notebook. I find this helps me freeflow and not worry about scene headings, parentheticals or shots on Final Draft. I only go to FD when I’m ready to write a scene.

(Our house is full of black notebooks, so much so my wife is now beginning to complain!)

I take them with me everywhere I go. I could be on a train ride and suddenly see something, or have one of those bullet points of inspiration. I find this easier than using tech for initial ideas, be they dialogue between characters, ideas for an action sequence, or a world-building idea.

Anyway, keep writing and thanks for contributing.

Someone said you must write in a way that it scares you a little bit. My 2 cents is you must also write so that you it embarrasses you... a little. I've read somewhere else good taste never goes out of style.

Bob Johnson Thank for your reassurance. I really appreciate it. You're right about technology getting in the way. You can't beat good old fashioned pen to paper lol. I must admit, I have enjoyed the transition to computer over the last few years but it feels different when you're creating something new. Either way, it's always worth it in the end. Thanks again.

Amman Mohammed I totally get that. An iconic masterpiece in the mind rarely becomes a masterpiece on the screen, but nevertheless we still love the journey lol. Thanks

I am new too. Using this for an inmate writer while being a disabled bedridden writer and artist myself. i think if i just deny myself better i may get somewhere that i want.

You're welcome, Jamaal Richards.

When I'm working, I usually work 3 hours in the afternoon and 90 minutes late at night. I rarely right for longer than that anymore. Staying healthy, sleeping, and eating right contribute to a better flow because my energy is better. However, if I sit down to write the words they always come. Sometimes less prolific, but I can always produce. I write in my upstairs office with my desk facing the window and music on. When making an adaptation, particularly a treatment written by another writer, I stick to their core story and bring my creative gifts to that process. For my spec scripts, I create an outline but generally wind up using 50 percent of it and the other ideas come during the writing process.

Everyone I know who outlines tells me they wind up using maybe half of it in the script. When I outline on an assignment, I try to stick to it, but there are routinely major deviations (which call for another story meeting with the producer). And outlines and treatments take a lot of time and effort. I'd just rather use that energy on the actual writing.

One way to defeat that 'intimidation' of facing the blank paper/screen is to not sit down to write when you have just an idea. Wait until you have a story.

@Phillip "Post Prolifique" Hardy. I can only write when the rest of my world is sound asleep. It's magical really. If however, I'm blessed with paid work.... I'm done for lol. Forget about sleep. Ever!

@Sheila D. Boyd Agreed

Every writer I spoke with has a diferent method. I started writing on page, because I can write a whole story without an outline. But I realise the the rewrite was so hard, that I decided to outline and write a treatment before start. For me, helps me fix many things before write 120 pages. But I outline by writing the whole story in 4 tp 5 pages, abd rewrite until I am confident it is worth investing time. I dont use cards. Never worked for me. I need the page. Also, when I finally write, I steal time each day. Even 20 mins, but I write each day until it is done.

Hi Jamaal,

I always start with an outline and I work on that until it's what I want (I guess it's like a storyboard as it's quite detailed and broken into acts). I use the beat board on Final Draft for that (it replaced my large corkboard and index cards). Once it's done, I go into the actual 1st draft using a split screen (my outline on the right, script on the left). I have formatting down pat, so that doesn't get in the way anymore (it did in the early days, but keep at it and it will become second nature).

I think for me, the hardest part is in the outline - forming the story and working out the beats.... but I don't like surprises when I write, and a strong outline has the story edited and in place before I write FADE IN.

My first attempt at writing a screenplay did not include an outline - and it made the work all the more difficult with plot holes and rambling scenes. Some may work that way and have success with it, but it's not for me. Anyway, hope this helps! Cheers

@Jerry Robbins thanks, One thing I've learnt is that you have to have a good level of discipline in this industry. A good outline and treatment does help. I struggle a bit with Final Draft because I'm still so new to it. I use it but not to its full potential. My first feature got stuck at 73 pages. It's based off a short story so all the elements were already in place but when it stopped at 73 pages I became instantly intimidated by it. I know it needs more but I don't want to include unnecessary fluff. Anyway I put it away 6 months ago and drowned my sorrows in several shorts (not shots). I'll dig it up soon because it has so much potential. I'll explore the beat board again.

@Claudio Torres I definitely need to employ a similar strategy. I usually record an audio outline of my story and then listen back later to see if it's worth pursuing. Anyhow I have a long way to go and as I always say, it's an enjoyable journey.

Hey Jamaal,

Discipline is key. The final Draft beat board did not come easy to me - I had to watch a lot of videos to figure out the best way to use it, but once you get it down, it's great.

Putting the script away for a while is VERY good. You will see it quite differently when you read it again. One thing you can do is look at your scenes and see if you can beef them up a bit; even just a few lines per scene (not fluff stuff, keep it moving along and further the story) will increase your page count.

Think of what Walt Disney faced with SNOW WHITE or CINDERELLA. Those original fairy tales are just a few paragraphs long at best; yet he filled them out to feature-length movies by building on what was there. That's what you need to do with your 73 page story culled from a short story - and after you see it with fresh eyes I bet the possibilities will jump out at you.

Don't ever be intimidated by your script. You're the boss. Make it work for you. Find places to expand the story.

Your 73 page script is actually a 100 page script waiting to be chiseled out!

Beautifully said! Thank you Jerry. I'm definitely going to explore the beat board more and I've already gone back to the script after your encouraging messages. Here we go :)

Good luck and keep us posted!

Certainly will.

I don't. I only write screenplays or work on them if I have a reason..