The Writing Process

[Jamison]

Different writers tend to write in different ways. I know for me, I start with an outline. The amount of detail I put in the outline varies, but I like to make it pretty detailed. When I start on the script, I don't go by much of a schedule or anything. I just write when I feel like writing, which doesn't really help because lately, I've rarely felt like writing. Sometimes, I may knock 20-30 pages out in one sitting. Other times, it takes me days to write maybe 5 pages.

So, what is everyone else's process? Are you the organized writer? Do you have a specific structure or schedule you go by, or do you just kinda go with the flow? How much time do you spend on an outline, versus time spent writing the actual script?

[Carey]

I haven't written much but I do need an outline. It doesn't need to be detailed, just something simple like:

John walks in. He talks to Roger about the nature of war. Roger, tired of John's philosophy rants, pulls out a gun and... BANG. John drops dead. Roger drops the gun and walks away.

Unless I have a specific line in mind, I never write the conversation out in an outline. I write what the conversations is about. And action-wise, I just write only the necessary action.

As for how much time I spend writing an outline, I can knock a poorly written one out in 20 minutes. An actual script takes me MUCH longer.