Tips For Getting Through the Screenwriting Process
Image by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels
Whether you’re writing a feature-length film or a TV show pilot, the screenwriting process can be daunting. Every writer at some point in time has struggled with the writing process. To avoid getting overwhelmed, here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Outline your story structure
After establishing the concept for your screenplay, the first thing you should do is create an outline. The outline should consist of a list of scene headings and a short description of what happens in each scene. If you begin writing without determining how your story points will all connect, your screenplay might fall apart halfway through. Being a screenwriter requires you to set up a problem and then create a solution. By establishing how you’re going to resolve your conflict in the beginning of your process, you are saving yourself from future chaos. Of course, you may make some changes once you start writing your scenes. Your outline is not meant to constrict you. It is there to lay down a path for you and prevent you from getting lost.
2. Embrace making mistakes
Before you even begin writing, accept the fact that pieces of your screenplay are simply going to be bad. Nobody is born with the innate ability to write a perfect first draft. When we watch a film or a show, we’re seeing a smooth, final product that started as a clunky first draft. We don’t get to see the countless hours of work and stress that went into it. If you are constantly trying to be a perfect writer, you will struggle to get anything down on the page. It is much easier to edit a page of mistakes than it is to edit a page of nothing. Reading through your first draft might feel similar to revisiting your embarrassing middle school journal entries, and that is okay! You have to learn from your own mistakes in order to grow. With each draft you work through, the more confidence and momentum you will gain.
3. Get to know your characters
Your characters are vital to your story. If you don’t care about your characters, you can’t expect your audience to either. One way to deepen your knowledge of who your characters are at their core is to interview them. Ask them questions about their desires and their views on the world they inhabit. Write down anything you think they would say. Don’t worry about grammar or run-on sentences. You may not end up using any of it in your final screenplay, but it will give you a better understanding of how your character operates in the world you’ve created for them. It will reveal their flaws and fears, ultimately making them more human. The more human they feel, the more you will connect to them.
4. Take breaks when needed
Screenwriting is mentally draining work, so it’s important to find a balance in your workload. When we get mad at the people we care about, we usually give ourselves space to let our thoughts simmer down— the same goes for creative projects. When you find yourself feeling frustrated or stuck, take a step back. Clear your head. Find an activity that allows your mind to relax. It can be something like going for a walk, taking a warm shower, or doing some chores around the house. When you come back to your screenplay, you’ll see it from a whole new perspective. That one line of dialogue you were torturing yourself over before? It won’t seem so monumental anymore. Your creativity needs to be nurtured rather than forced.
5. Repetition is key
Any time spent writing is of value. Our writing skills are a muscle that need to be warmed up and trained. The more you write, the more comfortable you will become. Even if a screenplay remains stagnant for years, it does not mean writing it was a waste of time. Dedicating only fifteen minutes of your day to writing can be beneficial. There will be disheartening moments, and practicing something you hope to be great at one day might feel like an uphill battle, but these moments are only temporary. Remember to be kind to yourself, and to have fun! We put ourselves through this tough process because we love it.
