Revise the heading: Rectify Writing Faults: Improve Your Narrative's Quality
In the world of screenwriting, it's not just about getting a script done, but about getting it done well to make it truly shine in an industry where screenplays are plentiful. To achieve this, paying attention to "red flags" in a script, or parts that feel off, and flagging them for improvement is crucial for both the writer and the recipient of feedback.
A writer should strive for three different stages of completeness for their script - a satisfying draft, a contest draft, and a producer's draft, each requiring progressively more refinement. The satisfying draft is where you've finished the story to your taste and love how it is told. The contest draft is one where you do a lot of editing to make sure it reads well for someone outside of you. And for a producer's draft - the script isn't finished until everything (structure, plot, character, situations, etc.) is the absolute best it can be.
Hal Croasmun of ScreenwritingU finds that some writers lack a proper process to elevate their work. Croasmun states that about 5% of screenplays out there are written at a professional level. Thinking of clichés as placeholders can help writers improve their scripts by addressing areas that need correction instead of ignoring or hoping they won't be noticed.
Croasmun's process for writers includes writing, knowing the script needs improvement, but hoping nobody will notice, sending it out to producers, and regretting sending it out after it is turned down. To avoid this, it's essential to listen to your intuition about what feels authentic in your script while being open to critical feedback and revision, as rewriting is key to refining story and character arcs.
To improve your screenwriting by addressing "red flags" such as ignoring inner wisdom, resistance to rewrites, and clichés, focus on cultivating self-awareness, embracing rewrites as part of the process, and actively avoiding overused tropes. Steven Pressfield, the author on the concept of resistance, states that the professional knows when they have fallen short of their own standards and is willing to "murder their darlings" to stay true to their expectations of excellence.
Tools like Sudowrite can aid this process by providing creative prompts, automated dialogue suggestions, and script analysis that help you spot pacing or structural issues early, keeping you from falling into common pitfalls. Regularly seeking peer feedback focused on your genre and target audience before finalizing drafts can uncover hidden flaws and cliché moments.
Developing disciplined writing habits and writing stories you genuinely care about can increase your motivation to rewrite and polish your script thoroughly. In the words of Croasmun, "An easy way to think about this is to have three different stages of completeness for your script - A satisfying draft, a contest draft, and a producer's draft." By following this approach, writers can significantly improve the quality of their work and increase their chances of success in the competitive world of screenwriting.
The writer in the session found a new way to address her concerns about her story by writing down her real-world objections and considering how they could happen differently in a fictional setting. This method, combined with the strategies mentioned above, can help writers create fresh, believable narratives that stand out in the sea of screenplays.
- In the world of screenwriting, it's not just about finishing a script, but making it exceptional to stand out among numerous screenplays.
- Hal Croasmun of ScreenwritingU emphasizes that only about 5% of screenplays are written at a professional level, highlighting the need for a proper process to elevate one's work.
- To achieve a high-quality script, writers should aim for three different stages of completeness - a satisfying draft, a contest draft, and a producer's draft, each requiring progressive refinement.
- thinking of clichés as placeholders and addressing areas that need correction instead of ignoring them is crucial in the screenwriting process.
- Rewriting is key to refining story and character arcs, and embracing it as part of the process is essential for success in screenwriting.
- Developing disciplined writing habits, writing stories that are genuinely meaningful to you, and seeking peer feedback can significantly improve the quality of your screenplay.
- Tools like Sudowrite can aid in addressing "red flags" by providing creative prompts, automated dialogue suggestions, and script analysis to spot pacing or structural issues early.
- By following a strategic approach, including self-awareness, repeated rewrites, and avoiding clichés, writers can create fresh, believable narratives that shine in the competitive world of screenwriting, increasing their chances of career development and success in the industry.
