Screenwriting : Managing Multiple Stories/Ideas by Dave Briski

1. Write out a skeletal diagram of your stories beats... Figure out if you have an actual story. You could have a cool idea or vignette but... do you have a STORY. 2. If you do, or believe you do, then start writing... BOTH. 3. When you get stuck on one... go to the OTHER... maybe something clicks and inspires you to go back to your previous piece. Note: I just finished 4 scripts in the last 2 months... and I used this method...granted I have a professional editor on my side... but it can be done.

I do what you do. As long as I keep those brainstorms in one place, I'm usually ok.

It is what you do, writing the ideas down to focus. Each will develop in time. I dont know how you work. I multitask a lot of the time.

I agree with Roxanne, put them on the back-burner then you can come back to them once (really if ever), you've finished on the scripts completed.

I do the same thing, I write down my ideas and try to stay focused on what I am currently working on.

Question for you Dave: Have you ever followed up on an idea(s) that's popped in your head while working on another and developed it?

I try to live by the motto "finish what you start" - it's good discipline and helps me avoid the distraction temptation. Of course, there are exceptions to every self-imposed "rule" - that's where an honest assessment of one's true intention and motives for wanting to shift gears is required. If it's just a whim, I avoid it, if I have a strong rationale, I consider it. Lastly, there are times when two projects are both getting traction (as in some outside interest) at the same time, that's a whole different situation, and one I'm actually in at the moment. So I try to divide my time between them as best as possible, and will eventually put one on the backburner if one starts to boil. Hope that helps.

I only write other peoples ideas so I don't have that problem but I can only focused on the screenplay I am working on and even have a hard time with doing that sometimes. This screenwriting business is not easy.

I typically only write what I'm hired to these days, but many times I'll be working on finishing up one project and development is starting on one or two others. I take lots of notes and have a huge white board up in my office where I reserve sections for these other projects. That way, when I get ideas or notes from the producers, I can quickly scribble them down and have them in front of my eyes so can I mull over them during down time. When things become more demanding for my time, I literally divide up my day by project. 6am - Noon goes to the #1 project. Lunch break, then tackle project #2 from 1-3, and then project #3 from 3:30 - 6pm. Giving myself breaks between the projects helps to "cleanse the palette", so to speak.

Dave, I have the same issue. I'm currently writing five different screenplays, none related. I have to go with what I'm thinking of at the time. If I write because I HAVE to, then it doesn't work out so well. I like working on different scripts, it keeps my brain from being fried out on one script. You can only do so many rewrites before you end up hating your own script.

I thought I wrote on this as part of my creative series last year but this is the closest I could find here: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Todays-Wish-and-Creative-Ti... I did however write a blog on stacking projects a while back: https://1st10pages.com/2012/07/09/stacking-the-odds-or-one-hit-wonder-wh... Hope it helps.

I do pretty much the same thing. But I've gone so far as to write partial treatments on the other ideas. Keep a place to keep those ideas together.

@Laurie, Loved your links. Thanks for sharing.

I use Celtx cards, it's a free app. You can have as many card decks as you like. I outline entire stories using cards. Then it instantly pushes into Celtx script. If you don't use Celtx script I'd still use card. It lives on my phone and iPad. It Syncs back so version control is simple.

Dave write an outline out. Get a program like Save the Cat to give you the story beats to stay on track. Outline Outline Outline. It will keep you focused on the end prize. Write those other crazy ideas on piece of paper and if they don't move the script forward toss the damn things.

Each one of your responses has been immensely helpful. Thank you so much for the amazing suggestions!

@Laurie Ashborne, I especially liked your article where you mentioned that it's a good idea to have other projects in your pocket in case a producer asks, "What else have you got?" Maybe one of the other weird stories from my notepad document could fit what they are looking for.

@Eisha - Yes, I've begun outlining and developing two of the ideas that popped in my head.

To summarize the suggestions, I should.

1. Finish what I start, don't get too distracted by the ideas that are not related to my current project

2. Document the ideas in some sort or organized format/partial treatment using an organizational app, so that I can come back to them later.

3. Prioritize the projects by urgency

4. Write (and rewrite) the stories!

Thank you all for the responses. Please let me know if you can think of anything else.