Screenwriting : Today's Wish and Creative Tip by Laurie Ashbourne

Great comments Laurie!

The idea of writing a scene before I start the script or even have an outline is something I've begun experimenting with only recently, and I love it. I've always kept the "fun scenes" in my head until they were needed, but starting with them seems to open up new possibilities, and sets the tone for the entire script. I heartily second Laurie's suggestion to start with the first image that comes to mind.

I love this tip, Laurie! It's liberating. I can be rigidly process driven - beat sheet, outline, then "FADE IN..." Don't think I've written anything out of chronological order. But how fun and playful to just write a moment that speaks to you! Gonna give it a try.

Glad to liberate, Shari! Let us know how it works for you.

great comment love it

This is certainly a liberating way to start working. For the current feature I am working on, I wrote the first 10 pages in a few hours one night without outlining anything, I just had this sudden stream of inspiration and it really set the tone for the rest of the script as I moved forward.

Brilliant tip and a methodology that transformed my writing process when I implemented it.

I LOVE using this creative tip. I wrote 2 scenes that were so vivid 3 months before I even started on the script. If I can visualize the scene I write it immediately. Sometimes a scene just speaks to you before the rest of the script is even written. Love your tips Laurie!

I love that so many are actually doing this!

Yes, love this approach! It's highly effective. Jump starts your creative process. :)

I know I'm late to the game, but what's also true is that my IPhone is worth more to me than just a 'vehicle' to connect with people. It's FULL of (notes) that I generate while driving, almost every day. I constantly visualize scenes, dialogue, descriptions, relationships, etc. I try to collect my creativity and categorize them via' "tone", like (Dramatic speaking), (Environment for scene), and most importantly, (Goals reached - through Action). The last one is the most important as a writer, and a viewer of a story, IMHO. Sometimes, I'll be working on connecting the dots between my Protagonists' goal, and the inevitable obstacles’ that come easy, and realistically in a story. But what I THINK about while trying to find a fluid roadmap for my Protagonist to achieve his goals, almost never satisfies my approval, nor would it satisfy the audience. So... when I set aside and *forget about a process or a list of logistics in HOW my Protagonist will weave through life and adapt and overcome to reach their goal, something CRAZY happens... It just comes to me when I don't push for it. Just like in my personal life, sometimes things don't happen the way I WANT THEM, and sometimes the result takes MUCH LONGER than I anticipated, and sometimes, the lessons I learn in life have come to me from things that are OUT OF MY CONTROL, and hence here comes the "IDEA" for ACTION, DIALOGE, SCENE DESCRIPTION, and GOALS REACHED THROUGH ACTION. When that happens, I hold down my IPhone button and tell Siri, "Make a note under 'Dramatic Speaking' ... and as long as I backup my phone, I'll never have an excuse for not writing.

Great tips and new insight for me... Thank you, thank you!

Get use of your smartphone Stephen! I;ve used the notes portion many times! Comes in handy on vacation or in transit. I find I get ideas when I don;t push for them as well. I will have my "Oh Shit" epiphany when I relax my mind. I get some great ideas in the shower but hard to get those notes down fast!

Dear Laurie Ashbourne: This is a great piece of advice to share. I have done this before, multiple times, where I have written the turning point in the story and/or the ending before anything else. That's where the idea of the story began, so why not write it? It really does let the story develop from its true source, which I believe, helps the creative process and story flow more naturally - instead of forcing from another focal point. Keep up the great tips as I'm sure anyone can benefit from them, even if just a refresher. Sincerely, John German

@John, That..^ is exactly the type of writing that can create something "new", something, "fresh." Forcing is easy see, and also, (just like in sales) it is the easiest way to drive the customer, (movie audience/reader) away from the sale.

Stephen, kudos on good filing on your iPhone. I abuse the notes app on mine so they sync whatever device I'm on. I also use the old-fashioned post-its. A LOT. I keep them in my car, and always within reach. If it's something I need to address soon, I put the note in my pocket (with my phone) so when I empty it it's there. I did the siri thing last week for a script I was under the gun on and when I got to my desk, I finished every note I had written and totally forgot the siri ones and submitted the draft without them. So I wrote them down to stick in on the rewrite! And yes, David -- we writers must be one clean bunch because the shower does inspire ideas! A waterproof note system is what we need pronto!

I use Post It's and TONS of note pads, Laurie! Too many I think. I will send myself e mails with notes, dialogue, action, story ideas, etc. then cut and paste them into the right docs on the computer. I tend to have a Word doc filled with the random notes on a subject/story that I flush out later.

With regard to the original tip, this works particularly well for brutally killing off characters you want your audience to fall in love with.

David, truth be told, this Tip of the Day series was born from layers and layers of post-its on my wall. They will run out someday, but I took them down to find something and now I have room for a lot more!

This is such a great idea. I used to do this when I was coming up with novel ideas, but never thought to apply it to screenwriting. Thanks for the tip!

Laurie: For some odd reason I see your office or home looking like Jim Carey's did in BRUCE ALMIGHTY when he had to organize his prayer thoughts! Those layers add up to wisdom and great advice.

Ha, Ha, David. It's close with two differences, my post-its aren't all yellow and half of them are actually countless tabs in 2 browsers on each of 3 computers plus stickies on the desktop. I don't know if I can capture it in a picture -- I'll give it a shot in a bit. It's enough to put an OCD'r six feet under.

And here I thought I was the only one with countless tabs open on 3 browsers on all my devices! I'm there with you, Laurie!

Thanks, Laurie. You're an inspiration. The thing I find so funny, though, is that sometimes that cherished first scene I fell in love with never makes it into the script. It's almost like it ends up infusing the whole project, so that in the end I say, You know what, I don't need it. I believe this has been described to writers in the past as: "You must kill your darlings."

Great point, Richard. For me I find it's always the opening that I fall in love with and yet end up changing along the way -- which is one reason writing scenes those 'trailer moment' scenes that come later helps in getting the opening (and closing) on the right track. I save my dead babies and bring them back in other scripts (naturally the names and locations change to protect the innocent baby zombies).

Fantastic thread Laurie... thank you. Great tips and comments. I found an 'ideas' folder in my old filing cabinet a while ago.... ideas I had 15 years ago... my mind went into a tail spin... trailer moment scenes...couldn't decide which idea to tackle first... what a gift.

I hear you, Sylvia. I wish I had time to write all of my ideas -- they take up a whole other board of post-its! Alas, the paying ones keep shoving them aside.

‘ been doing it for years now – it certainly works for me. I jot down scenes whenever and wherever they appear. Some wind up in current projects, some in other projects and some are never seen again. But they are all a part of my writer’s inventory.

Great Advise! Thanks Laurie!