Okay, so I'm attempting to write for the screen but find it very difficult with dialogue, realistic actions etc. I guess it's because I have a very vague idea of what the characters are like.

So, to help me please explain the process you go through as you write. For example, do you have a rough idea for a story and then create detailed characters so you know how they will act in the story, or do you have a complete story in you mind and then make characters to fit into that story, etc?

I would bet that most writers "creative process" as different as the people themselves are. But I don't think you are asking about creative process, it sounds like you are asking about how to think of a story. In Syd Field's book "The Screenwriter's Woorkbook" he asks a question along the lines of - if you (the writer) doesn't know, then who does? He's talking about the story and characters. In that book chapter 1 is called "Where the write begins" it is 9 pages long. You'll probably want to get several books on the subject. There are many different ways to write a story, you mentioned 2. Did you try those two methods yet? I'd bet that there are as many people that use the one idea as use the other... It is work figuring out your own method.

Personally I don't start writing a screenplay until I've got a bunch of outlines, synopses, summaries, character biographies, plot descriptions and a bunch of other things already worked out.

I've heard that there are some people that just sit down and write. I've never met them but I don't doubt they are out there.

I would say that your own process is as personal as your toothbrush, maybe more.

-Aaron

The most important is to have a good story. But a good story is not a good story without the right characters. It's very helpful and important that you know your characters like your best friend. You know what is going on in his or her mind and actions are realistic. I normallly start with a rough picture of my characters and they come alive along my writing but that took a lot of experience before that worked. Like Slick said the creative process is different for everyone (Slick is always right). But this is how I work.

Sometimes, I'll have a very vague idea (something that just pops into my head driving to work) and I'll just sit down and write a scene or two for motivation.

Normally, I'll start with a rough outline for the story. Then create a couple bios for the main characters. Then - refine the outline. Then - I'll do all my research while refining the outline and bios. I try to really get to know my characters. For me, this takes anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of months.

Then I start writing from the beginning to the end. Sometimes, I'll write the end first which seems to help me with Act 2, which is the hardest act to write - for me anyway. But even if I don't write the complete ending, I always know exactly how it's going to end.

To me, it is very important to know your ending. Maybe the most important thing. The next most important thing I focus on is page 1. Page 1 should grab the reader. Make them not just want to turn the page, but make them HAVE to turn the page.

Once I get the first act and maybe the ending written, that's when I start the tedious task of act 2. It's tough to come up with new and original ways to put your protagonist in jeopardy. Whether it's drama, comedy, action or horror - You have to keep the main character motivated to keep going. No matter what kind of shit you throw at him.

Mind you, this is all very general to my own personal writing process. I've been writing screenplays for 15 years and I still haven't got any sort of set pattern. I do have a bulletin board filled with index cards of the main script I'm working on. But I also have directories on my computer full of outlines, character bios and research notes.

And as Slick said, every writer is different. There is no right or wrong way to write a screenplay. Well that seems like a bad choice of words, but I think you know what I mean. I'm not real sure of your experience level, but I would suggest the following as a starting point:

1. Read - "Screenplay" by Syd Field (It's an older book, I read it in 1989, but the info is invaluable)
- "Story" by Robert McKee (Another book that every would-be screenwriter should read)

2. Write - An outline
- Character bios
- Scenes on index cards

3. Know your subject!!!! Research, research, RESEARCH.

4. Write the script - Beginning to end
5. Rewrite
6. Rewrite
7. Rewrite
8. Rewrite
9. Repeat as needed
10. Proofread before you let anybody other than a significant other read it. You have to watch for typos that your spell checker won't pick up. Like "The" when you mean "They" or "Than" when you mean "Then." Also the 2's don't accidentally write "to" when you mean "too." Lastly, my personal favorite pet peeve - the dreaded "There," "They're" and "Their." Know them!

Well that's about all the advice I have. Good luck with it.

Troy

Lots of great advice already dispensed, so I'll just add my personal tendancy:

I'd say about 2/3 of my typical script-writng is done in sequential order. I tend to get the idea for the ending of my scripts about half way through. I'll write the last scene, then work my second act towards that payoff, mostly in sequential order, but not necessarily. That's a typical script-writing method for me, but is by no means a standard.

One last thing I'd add is that 95% of the work happens before you start writing scenes and dialogue. Get your story right, get it down on paper in a prose form before you go anywhere near writing dialogue. You should be able to run large chunks of your movie through in your head before you get it down on paper.

Beany,

If you see this, I submit you need to develop your characters before you do anything else. Until then, you will be stuck hard like a ship betwixt a couple of rocks. When Mutt and Jeff, or whatever your charaters are named, start talking to you in your sleep, then, you will be moving forward. Have at 'em, Junior.

Research is key.

recently i published an article about my approach to develop an idea into a script, the two parts of the article can be found here:

From idea to script - Part I
From idea to script - Part II

hope this helps...

There is no "definite" order that is right or wrong. First try and establish your characters and let the words fall into place. I have in fact I’ve found that I can write the ending last and then the middle comes easier.

Angela Wells
Author of "Someone To Restore Me"

Anystar Publishing
Empowering Women in Business and Writing
http://www.anystarpublishing.com

I agree with Slick... it makes no sense to even think about writing a screenplay without laying your story out. Research is quintessential as well as the depth of your characters. Rule of thumb... know the ending of the story before you being typing... that way you know what you're writing towards. Good luck.

Check out books under the "screenwriting" subject at your local libraries and see how others have done. They will give you some ideas on how you would do it yourself. Then when you are ready to write and publish your work, check out the following book, which may be a good help to you.

Self Publish Perfect Paperbooks & eBooks With LyX On Windows & Sell

Them Worldwide On Lulu Easy & FREE!

Did you write that book, jobd?

You've linked to it in three different threads. It's pretty obnoxious.

Books are always helpful is you are a beginner, Amazoin.com has a big selection of books about screenwriting.

First the odd numbered pages, then I go back and fill in the even numbered pages.

1) I come up with character or concept (depends on the script).
2) I figure out the basic story.
3) I keep coming up with ideas, bits of dialogue, character mmoments, etc. Sometimes for years.
4) When I have enough stuff to write a script, I write an outline based on all of the ideas I've collected over the years. I outline scene by scene... then I reoutline and reoutline until my story is the best it can ever be.
5) Then I write the script. Though, sometimes I write a 15 page treatment to find any holes in my outline I may have missed.
6) When I write the script, I focus on character and scenes and dialogue and visual storytelling. I know my story works, so my creative energy goes into everything else.
7) Finish. Put the script aside. Write another script. Then go back to the first script and do a read through an rewrite.
8) Repeate until script is good enough that people who hate you love your script.

- Bill

Finish the storyline first before you begin to write the actual script. Make the story 100% complete.

I don't agree with a script taking years to write. Complete the story, and then write the script. Follow basic structure and you should be fine.

You'll probably write a few before you get good at it. I also suggest you read as many scripts as possible, and not just good scripts; read the terrible ones too.

usually when I am thinking of a cool movie idea I think of the intriguing characters to go along with the movie
Its not hard for me to develop unique characters in a short amount of time

1. I think of a movie idea, characters, pivotal scenes, beginning middle end.

2. I do detailed character bios.

3. I lay out I piece of paper with scene by scene and I write key moments or conversations that take place and I string together those moments.

4. I go further and use 1-2 pieces of paper per scene and i break it down even further.

5. By the time your done you have a full understanding of your characters and how they would react to the situations and you have a detailed road map of exactly what path your characters are going to go down. I start writing and I dont stop and go back untill I have a first draft.

6. re-write

7. re-write

8. re-write..........

Beany,
If you got the bucks, get Final Draft 7 bundled with the Syd Field Screenwriting Workshop DVD (Ebay or Amazon). Or, just read Syd's book called Screenplay. Really dissects
the entire process of screenwriting in easy-to-understand words and examples.
If you have the time, take a screenwriting course at your local community college. It helps.
The screenwriting software is a must. Hollywood won't even look at your play if it isn't formatted right. Good luck friend.

When i TRY o write, i try to make a really detailed profile on the characters first. and i have never written anything frmo the start to the finish... i have a bad attention span, so i write a different bit when i looooose interest xXx
It is important that you know you characters well, so you can understand how they would react in certain circumstances, and how the relate to the other characters... i dont reccomend buying books, because i think it is better to create your own style. i tend to start with a situation and then i think up the characters who would work in it... that then leads me to other haracters and so on, and soooo on!

but i am only 17, so i am not experenced even oin LIFE, let alone the fantastic art of writing :D:D:D

hoope things go okay for ya!

I used to write a scene by scene outline of the script before I wrote a single scene but I found that I often shot my wad so to speak in that, by the time I went into all that detail, I'd lost interest in the story and rarely even starting writing the script.

So then I started doing all the scene work in my head (not writing it down) until I now basically what happens throughout the script. And THEN I'll start writing.

But I write in sequences in that I'll write the scene headings for the next sequence that I'm going to do which not only lets me figure out how many pages the sequence will last (I've been writing for a long time so I know my scripts will always come in on the right page count) but it also allows me to come up with new ideas instead of locking myself into a detailed outline.

But before I begin any of these, I usually get an idea, write it out as a logline until I refine it to the point that I know it's going to get some attention (I'll often run it by those I've dealt with in the business before) and, if they like the sound of it and I'm excited about it, I'll start thinking of which actors could play which roles. That doesn't mean that I think they'll end up playing the characters. Just that I find it easier to write a script when I can picture an actor or actress in the role.

Then I give the characters names and then do more thinking in my head and then begin writing actual scenes.

All this takes two months and the last two scripts I sold were first drafts so no rewriting was necessary until I had to do revisions based on the directors' notes for budgetary reasons.