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Outlining

Jul 13

2009

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In Easier Said Than Done, Motivation, Outlining, Writing

Tagsyazarah

Baby steps still move you forward…

Despite the lack of updates, I’m still chugging away on the first draft of Easier Said Than Done. I did take a couple days, however, because of some things I’ve picked up from watching the movies in class, to take a time-out and make a couple changes to my outline.

It’s somewhat of a mental blow to start and then stop, but I think it will make a big difference in the finished project. After I make the changes, however, I’m out of time-outs. If I let myself stop every time I think of something new, I’ll never finish the bad boy. So whenever any additional ideas come up, I’ll just quickly jot ‘em down on a notepad and throw it in my Easier Said Than Done folder to worry about after the first draft is completed.

Because of a little homework, and some things that needed to be done with my shirt business, I’m not left with much time for the screenplay today. Instead of blowing the day off, though, I’m going to set the stove alarm for 45 minutes and let the fingers fly. It’s funny, but I actually seem to do better work when I don’t work for long periods of time, so I’m hoping that happens today!
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I happened to come across this great tribute to Michael Jackson by the incredible singer, Yazarah.

Jun 29

2009

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In Easier Said Than Done, First Drafts, Outlining, Writing

From outline to first draft

Today the writing begins on Easier Said Than Done and I have most of the day to work on it. After knocking out some wifey duties this morning, I just need to fit in my daily sweat, and then will be able to sit down back here at the laptop.

Eight pages is the goal! Shouldn’t be too difficult because I’ve played this intro in my head numerous times.

Jun 26

2009

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In Easier Said Than Done, Outlining

The detailed outline continues today…

The goal of finishing the detailed outline for Easier Said Than Done by the end of the week looks like it’s going to happen. Woopee!

I had been working on this extensive crime story that is going to come along for the ride during the love story, but got to thinking last night that I need to back off with it a little. I want the love story to be at the forefront and to keep the audience intrigued with the couple, NOT with the police situation.

So, I’m going to simplify it a little today, and try to put some more thought into the love story side of it.

Monday I’ll start the first draft, trying to complete at least 8 pages a day. I have the time to be able to do more, but I want to make the goals attainable and not get pissed if I can’t complete more one day.

Jun 23

2009

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In Easier Said Than Done, Outlining, Writing

Wait! Don’t squirt!

I got some time in on the detailed outline for Easier Said Than Done yesterday, making my way through up until the Break Into Two plot point on the beat sheet.

This is the moment, around 20-25 minutes into the story, where our main character makes a conscious decision to do something about their situation.

I’m happy with what I’ve put together so far, but I know it’s going to get more difficult. Now the story’s going to require that I intertwine the criminal events that surround the main character as they deal with their bigger situation. Considering I probably couldn’t tell the difference between a real gun and a super soaker, this is going to take a bit of research.

Jun 22

2009

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In Easier Said Than Done, Outlining, Writing

How much detail is too much?

So after spending the last two days with my wife and away from writing, today I’m starting in on step 2: my detailed outline for my love story, Easier Said Than Done.

On the detailed outline, I take my “beat sheet,” or major plot points, and essentially turn them into scenes. I’m hoping to finish this by the end of the week, which may sound a bit crazy but I’ve been brainstorming it in my head for a while.

It’s difficult to know how detailed to get on an outline before I start writing. I’ve done it both ways; I outlined the crap out of Rosebush and in turn felt trapped and didn’t allow myself to fully explore the story. And on My Brother Mick, I didn’t plan it out as much and ended up with a story that went all over the place and didn’t work without basically starting from scratch.

So this time, I’m shooting for the middle ground. I want to have some idea of where I’m going, but specific things (how something happens, where’d the gun come from, etc…), I want to leave to when my fingers are given the freedom to take off.

I’m close to posting up my beat sheet and then taking you with me on my detailed outlining process, but let me thing about it more… :)

Jun 18

2009

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In Competitions, Editing, First Drafts, Goals, Motivation, Outlining, Writing

Project “finish screenplay #3″

I’ve discussed the difficulty I’ve had of balancing my career goals. The shirt biz, the screenwriting… both are really big projects I have going on right now. My wife said something to me the other day that really hit me…

Pick one thing and then be great at it.

To build a successful apparel shop and also develop as a screenwriter at the same time is a little daunting. Can it even be done (while maintaining my marriage and my sanity)?

I think it can. Most screenwriters who have made it in the business got there while they were still working a full-time job. I’m going to structure my work day so that I can set aside time to develop my writing and run my shirt business on the side.

But what my wife said to me made me realize that I need to have one primary career goal. One needs to be prioritized over the other. Lately I’ve been spending most of the time on the shirt biz, primarily because I’m list driven and I feel productive when I can check off items I’ve completed. Finish your screenplay is obviously more general and can’t be done in one afternoon.

It motivated me to analyze my daily routine, regroup, and put my writing first. So, I’ve made my to-do list for my next screenplay, which will be my third feature length. The first action item of project “finish screenplay #3″ starts today.

Step 1: general outline

Step 2: in-depth outline

Step 3: first draft

Step 4: analysis

Step 5: rewrite

Step 6: submit that bad boy to contests

Step one, the general outline, is the overall idea for the story – choosing my main characters, how it starts, the main plot points, and the ending. I’m giving myself til the end of the day tomorrow to finish it. The shirt stuff is secondary to getting the general outline done.