Jonathan Peace

For a few months now I wanted to write a post about the rules I apply to my own screenwriting. At present there is 1 rule about the actual writing process and 14 rules that are applied to each script. In this post I'm going to look at the writing process rule and the first four script rules. Now this is in no way supposed to be taken as though I'm 'teaching' and I'd feel lousy if that's how you see this. I just want to share the way I go about writing scripts. I've learnt so much from so many others over this first year and want to give some back. A lot of you reading will look at some of these 'rules' and think "Well, that's bloody obvious!" and they are -- but only if you know. The 'teaching' term is conscious competence, ie knowing that you know, whereas a lot of us spend a great deal of time in the state known as conscious incompetence (knowing that we don't know). In writing this post, I will be making sure I understand my own rules and hopefully getting a few of you into that first state.

On to the rules. Feel free to leave a comment and maybe add a rule of your own.

Writing Schedule Rule

As you can see above I have a writing schedule already planned for 2011. I find that by treating my screenwriting as the job I want it to be I get more done. I also stay focused and don't go wandering off down some other avenue when I should be writing. And when it comes to the actual writing I follow a variation of Joe Eszterhas's formula from his book The Devils Guide To Hollywood: the screenwriter as God! Stick to this formula and you'll have your script written, rewritten and ready for sale within 72 days.

• Write a rough draft in 30 days. That's 4 pages a day and a 120 page script by the end of it.
• Spend 2 weeks editing and rewriting it. This is Rewrite #1 (although you may rewrite it several times during those 2 weeks).
• Now put it away for 2 weeks. Don't look at it. Try not to think about it. Instead write the logline/Query letter/synopsis and beat sheet for the next script.
• Now go back to the script and edit/rewrite it again over another 2 week period. Again, depending on how fast you work or how many hours you put in this might mean several rewrites but at the end of 2 weeks it's done.
• Now register the script with the WGA, and send it to VPF and InkTip and start the selling process.

Now to some that process might seem very intense, very fast paced and it is, deliberately so. I find giving myself too much time to think usually ends in me finding anything else to do other than write. At least it was that way till I discovered this system and it works. At least for me. It might not for you. Remember this isn't me telling you what to do; I'm simply sharing my writing process with you. If you write better in long bouts, maybe getting only a page down a day (but finished, edited and final) that's great. What matters is getting the writing done.

Rule #1: No Wimpy Verbs

Keep it exciting, not lazy. Don't have a character walk into a room: they stagger, slump, crawl, limp, glide. Choose verbs that convey character but don't get caught up and start writing prose. Just make it exciting to read.

Rule #2: Economy Is The Creative Challenge

Otherwise known as the Triple C rule, in it's simplistic term don't use 5 words when one will do. This isn't a novel, it's a screenplay so get to the point. For example don't write: Kelly opens the door and steps inside the room. Write: Kelly falls inside. Be Clear; be Concise and be Consistent. This all forms part of what makes your writing unique. Your voice. Your style. 

Rule #3: Describe The Feel and Emotion Of A Scene

Not to be confused with a character's inner emotions which should be shown through action and sub-textural dialogue, the feel of a scene should fit in with the story and add another layer to the experience. Fast paced action or sedentary character driven. Humorous or sad. Using rules #1 & #2 let the reader feel what's happening but the old adage always applies "Show don't Tell!"

Rule #4: The Four Line Rule

No block of action should be longer than four lines. Ever. Remember, a script should be more white than black and if you are using Rule #2 correctly this should already be apparent. Also action needn't follow strict grammatical rules either nor need they be full sentences. One of my old bad habits was creating vast run-on sentences that had no end. Learning this rule killed that bad writing habit immediately.  From my script "Deadline": 

Helena wears a bathrobe, her hair lost within a towel. She drinks wine.

Actually one line. But originally it ran on and on, describing her shower, her pouring the wine, tasting it, drying herself. Boring shit. Now, straight to the point and it lost about 6 lines. More white... less black.

*****

Coming soon: Rules #5 (5 Words or Less) - #9 (Be Brutal When Editing)

JP