Screenwriting : Screenplay editing advice. by Julie Say

Hi Julie, congrats on getting through the first draft phase. If you're on a tight budget sending your script to have it read and checked through for mistakes by a professional script reader may be expensive, but can be worth it not only for grammatical errors but also for elevating the story, but I'd save that for later drafts as a first draft is never close to a finished product. I'd suggest reading through it thoroughly yourself and edit as you go, then send it to a friend. I'm in a fortunate position where I have a friend who's also a writer so we swap material and give each other feedback. If you don't know anyone like this any contact who can remain impartial and give you honest feedback will do. While they're reading it you can forget about it for a little while then return to it with fresh eyes and read through it again, chances are you'll spot more mistakes then than on the first read-through. Anything you're uncertain about in terms of grammar or punctuation, often just Googling can give guidance as to how sentences should be formatted, and there's plenty of screenwriting sites that can provide guidelines for script formatting etc. Alternatively, there are plenty of fine people on here who'd be willing to read through your work and provide feedback. Hope that helps :)

Grammarly is free. Every writer should invest in a dictionary and thesaurus anyway though.

Celtx, WriterDuet and FinalDraft, all have spell checkers. They aren't perfect but if you use screenwriting software they will catch a lot of your errors. But nothing beats a hard copy and putting in some work to read and check your script yourself. Not everyone can afford a script reader or pro feedback, but a few hours with a big dictionary at your local library is always affordable. Good luck.

Thank you all for your tips, I do use Grammarly as I go, and am writing and formatting on Amazon Storywriter. I find trying to check my own work for grammatical errors probably the hardest part of the whole process, Unfortunately, I don't belong to any writing groups (Perhaps I should) I would say I am a very shy person, and I find it hard to ask for help. Most of my friends and family don't even know that I spend all my spare time writing. Thanks for your offer Dan, I will message you for that contact.

Hi Julie, I've sent you a connection request. I provide a script proofreading and editing service and I'd be more than happy to talk to you about your script. Send me a pm and we can discuss this.

I just cut and paste in grammerly which can be a little painstaking and when I have a decent enough draft I have a few writers friends I swap with and I'll use some feedback sites too. Everyone seems to miss and catch stuff..

Hi and thanks to A. S. Templeton, I'm not so good with apps but will have a look at SmartEdit .

Hi Rob, which feedback sites have you used? I don't have any writer friends, hope to make some here.

screenplaygurus.com gives fantastic notes. As do some here.

Check on "Fiveerr.com" - plenty of people will do it for a reasonable price.

I write with writersduet.com It's FREE and does everything I need it to do. As for notes, don't be shy! Getting your friends and family to read and give you feedback is free, and feeds your soul too. I recently got some great advice from Allen Roughton (Stage32's Writer's Room moderator) saying I should create my own local writer's group where we would commit to giving each other free reads and feed-back. I think it's advice you and I would both do well to take! After you've written a few screenplays, and read a LOT of screenplays, then I'd say it's time to invest in pro reads, and St32 has great script services. I wouldn't bother going anywhere else for paid services. IF you want a free script-swap website, try zoetrope.com .

SimplyScripts is a great peer review site and completely free. It works on a quid pro quo basis -- the more active you are in reviewing other people's work, the more reviews you tend to get. It's also where I've posted every script I've ever written and had several options, so it's definitely a site that's being looked at by some producers (albeit indie and micro budget producers). But it's certainly worth a look for those people wanting to get feedback on their work.

With all due respect, stay away from peer review sites. The mentioned website has caused great consternation for some writers in the guise of being helpful.

Congrats on your very first draft. It is a lot, but you're getting there.I would say complete the draft, then when the rewrite begins you will see and edit what will work or not. Now when you begin to rewrite remember the script is not edged in stone. There will be some editing to make your script work out and that's okay. Also, allow the characters to write it for you. Some low cost ways in shaping your script are. College Thesaurus in Dictionary form for the use of your words. Writerduet is a low cost screenwriting software that allows for structure as well as correcting spelling. One great book I use is called, Making a Good Script Great, by Linda Seager. In this book she breaks down the way the script needs to be and beyond during the rewriting process. Keep Writing.

Hello, Julie. I've been a writer for many years, and I work in Final Draft. The best thing I did was to have family and close friends read my script and point out any errors, or comments. You don't really need to pay someone who does this for a living. Those who know you and can really appreciate your hard work in the writing and creating, are the best and sincere in their comments and support. And is priceless... : ) P.S. I would be happy to help you, at no expense to you. Karen www.angelfire.com/film2/kinsman

Sorry to hear about your redundancy (I've been there too) but at least this should free up some time to allow you to focus on your writing. By all means get in touch if you'd like to talk privately about your writing. I'm also a full-time script consultant with over 20 years industry experience. More on me at: www.philmscribe.com

Appreciate your courage to take the life transforming step towards wholeness and success Julie. You are an artist writing your first story, do not bother about grammars errors at all. Just focus on the story which is your form of expression. More than you choosing writing as your path, writing ha chosen you so trust your instincts and just write what you are hearing from your inner voice. Look for finding your direction in writing, perfection will come as a gift in the process of it. Most of us writers get into technical mode of everything and loose sight of the purpose behind choosing art as our path to creating magic. Finish your 10th draft and by then you will self master it by yourself, if you wish then you can seek for professional suggestions from fellow writers from Stage 32 platform or people from your close circle. A film script must present the authentic story that needs to be heard because that's the metaphor which will derive your journey to art, everything else is the byproduct that falls into place during the process of manifestation. My best wishes and prayers for your divine journey of writing. Love & Light.

Thank you all for your comments and sound advice. I guess I need someone to help me understand what level I am at. I am keen to enter competitions but I don't know if my work is ready yet. I would be very grateful to you Karen if you would have a read. Is it a good idea to post my screenplay on my profile/home page here to get feedback?

Julie the oldest and longest running one I use is Zoetrope. It's kind of slow thee days but most feedback sites are. Good feedback when you can get it but you have to give feedback on four scripts before you can submit one of yours. Talentville is similar though you can get like one feedback free before you have to give feedback to get. CoverflyX has some good readers giving feedback and it's free but eventually you'd have to give feedback to get more. I've found good luck asking to swap scripts on Redditt screenwriting and I've ha some luck and met some good people here doing the same thing.

Answering emails with an answer is a good start.

Congratulations on completing your screenplay, Julie! One method of catching errors is to read the script backwards one sentence at a time. It prevents you from becoming caught up in the story, enabling you to focus only on the wordsmithing. Of course with a first draft of a first feature screenplay, you may want to examine the biggest elements before you do any wordsmithing (structure, character beats, description, dialogue).

Well done, a great feeling it is when the first draft is finished. Always have to start somewhere and you'll fly it from here. Fair play to you.