Here is a list of my own personal writing methods. (in no particular order)
1 - One of my favorite writing methods is to tape record myself narrating the script.
I will then burn my recording to a cd and listen to it. You would be amazed at how well this works in timing and the story flow. Also, you can tell right off the bat if the dialogue is cheesy or too wordy. I love to even add music to get a feel for mood.
2 - I like to create a storyboard. This could be as simple as thumbnail sketches...but it is important for me to visualize the story. Any artwork helps develop the story. You see things that you might have missed...or, something that you could enhance and develop better.
3 - Create and flesh out each characters personality. Make a character sheet. List all the attributes, likes, dislikes, or anything that is relevant to the character. List background bio's and relationships within the story. This really helps as you write the story. It adds interest to that specific character.
4 - Music. Whenever I write, I am always thinking about songs. Intro songs, montage songs, love songs, adventure songs...etc. Even if you will never use that particular song, it creates a mood, or a feeling as to what is happening.
5 - Get some family members to read the script out loud. Split up the parts. Just listen to them and watch how they interact and react. This can be very helpful. If they stumble over words, then simplify them. If they are confused at what they are reading, reevaluate what you wrote.
6 - Just write. Who cares if it sucks. Just put it in paper. Who cares about the spelling, the context, the undeveloped characters, the timing, the dialogue.....who cares. Just Write!
Once you get your groove ahn...it will flow like honey butter. You will let yourself flow, you will get loose, and magic will come out of your fingers.
I'm not kidding.
Too many people get hung up on titles, words, placement, structure.....it all stops them from the magic. It stops the fun.
Analyzing all the details can kill your script, try your patience, and discourage you.
Your script will never get past page 3.
Just Write and let it flow. You will go back and fix it all. I promise that you will have 15 revisions of the script before you have something that is good.
Don't let anything stop you....Just Write.
7 - Juice yourself with creativity. One thing I like to do, is break out the guitar and start playing some songs I have written. This really gets my creative juices flowing. Once I start writing, and I need a break, I go back to drawing, or music, or something else that gives me a creative break from one thing, and gets my juices energized in a different creative outlet...then I go back. This works well for me.
8 - Dont let anyone stop you. This world is full of discouragment. There are those that love to see people fail. Don't let them get to you. If you believe it, and feel it...then do it. No matter what.
9 - Take a break. Get away from your story for a week. Work on another story, then go back. It is amazing to get back to a script with fresh eyes, and a renewed enthusisam after a small break. Burnout can really hamper your creativity.
10 - Have fun. Developing an idea is so much fun. Creating is fun. If you're having fun, it will reflect in your script.
11- Story is KING. Story is KING. (Repeat over and over.)
It doesn't matter how pretty your film is, or how well your book is drawn/ illustrated....
If the story lacks, ...Your project lacks.
Story is always KING.
12 - Get feedback. This is tricky. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes. People base what they see on their own life experiences. Don't take constructive feedback too seriously. Don't let someone kill your idea, because someone else will love it. Take feedback with a grain of salt.
13 - Everyone is a creator. We all create in different ways. Some in the arts, some in the home, some at work, some on the football field, some in a corn field....we are all creators. We all long to create.
We should always inspire and help others....good things always come to those who help others.
When I was writing, "Ivan The Terrible Loveable", I drew out some rough sketches. I also fleshed out the characters. This made a huge difference, because I made the pet owners look like their pets. It added a funny element to the story.
Also, I love the Temptations (music group). In my Ivan intro, he would be feeding his pets to the song, "I Want A Love I Can See". This very song places the story in a retro 60's type era...so it makes me think of Ivan's art style within that era. (colors, look, feel, etc)
All these little things help in the bigger things. It's like making a mini movie in my mind.
to be continued . . . . .
