Sunday 23 October 2011: Screenwriting for Film, and Writing in General

I am bored, even though I should be writing for film. So I decided to describe my writing process.

Basically, I write by thinking of a plot first, This contrasts Aaron's writing style, because he just writes. The main problem, therefore, with Aaron's writing style, is he sometimes gets completely stumped and doesn't know where to go from a particular point. The other problem is other people can't help him, because they don't know where he wants it to go either.

It doesn't take a genius to realize that this wastes time. For example, he has now got - as at the time of writing - eight weeks to finish a script that he is half-way through. This isn't a problem except for the constant annoyance that is "end of year exams".

So, after writing a plot, I start on the script, following my plot. My scripts don't change course from  the original plot. It makes writing so much easier because at any given point, you know full well what the hell is going on.

But it's easier to write without knowing where the text is going, isn't it? I'm doing it right now. I have no idea where this is going. So I disprove my own point, don't I?

Yes and no. It's easier to say "I'm lazy, so I won't write a plot" than it is to say "I'll go with the flow, because I know roughly where I'm going." This is obviously also going to result in better writing, because while you aren't sure exactly what you want to say, you have a fair idea.

Back on topic; then after finishing a script, check it so that it definitely makes sense. If you leave your viewers stumped, you lose favour. Easy as that.

So, in conclusion, it is unwise to write for screen without a clear idea of where you're going, and maybe even plan blog posts, if you aren't comfortable with free writing. If you are, you probably don't need to plan your blog posts, just get a general idea. Because no-one like a blogger who loses his train of thought half way through a editorial.

Where was I again?

Until next time.