I usually design the general framework before writing a script, but when I start writing the script, it goes beyond my control of the course and begins to follow a more natural course. Do you think this a problem?
No. So long as your characters and story progress naturally, that's kind of what you want. Many people (myself included) have a beginning and and ending and characters that start one way and end up another at the end. It's the journey to get from point A to point Z that people take in different ways.
I've heard a lot of conflicting pieces of advice surrounding the creation of an outline before writing a script. I've never written an outline myself, and write where the story leads. I think either works, or some sort of hybrid like what you're doing. There are no rules- be creative!
Results are the only thing that matters. If the finished script is great, you don't have a problem. If the finished script is not great, and the reason why is that you deviated from the plan - that is a problem, so don't do that anymore. It's all about the results.
I would go back after you've written the flow-y version and see if you're satisfied with the structure you created. Think of building a house. If you threw away the blueprint halfway through but kept building, would the blueprint of the final house be satisfactory?
Outlines or maps serve the story, not the other way around. For me, I always have a plan, I always know my ending, I always experiment and “sketch,” and there is always room for discovery. “Natural” writing is how I flesh it all out. An outline isn’t confining, it’s freeing. It’s all part of the same process. ;)
It's not a bad thing. Me personally, I will have the direction for the story before writing, but throughout the writing process, there are detours and changes. The story really does write itself. It all comes together as I get the words out. It's fun for me. I love when it just flows and pieces together as I write. A script I'm revising now, I had to change some direction because like Kay said, the scene I wanted just wasn't fitting and it was because I was trying to force it in due to what I initially had in my mind, while the story took a change as I wrote.
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No. So long as your characters and story progress naturally, that's kind of what you want. Many people (myself included) have a beginning and and ending and characters that start one way and end up another at the end. It's the journey to get from point A to point Z that people take in different ways.
There are no big differences between what I wrote and designed, but the story drew a different course.
I've heard a lot of conflicting pieces of advice surrounding the creation of an outline before writing a script. I've never written an outline myself, and write where the story leads. I think either works, or some sort of hybrid like what you're doing. There are no rules- be creative!
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Even Eisenhower said battle plans are necessary though you’ll always deviate from them.
It’s only a problem if you can’t finish a script. Endless changes.
Results are the only thing that matters. If the finished script is great, you don't have a problem. If the finished script is not great, and the reason why is that you deviated from the plan - that is a problem, so don't do that anymore. It's all about the results.
2 people like this
I would go back after you've written the flow-y version and see if you're satisfied with the structure you created. Think of building a house. If you threw away the blueprint halfway through but kept building, would the blueprint of the final house be satisfactory?
That's why i always write a kick ass treatment so when i'm writing i know where i go
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Not a problem, outlines are flexible and organic.
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Outlines or maps serve the story, not the other way around. For me, I always have a plan, I always know my ending, I always experiment and “sketch,” and there is always room for discovery. “Natural” writing is how I flesh it all out. An outline isn’t confining, it’s freeing. It’s all part of the same process. ;)
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My plan was a dramatic story but İt became a little cute and soft. I'm not far from my plan, but the characters have moved on their own.
It's not a bad thing. Me personally, I will have the direction for the story before writing, but throughout the writing process, there are detours and changes. The story really does write itself. It all comes together as I get the words out. It's fun for me. I love when it just flows and pieces together as I write. A script I'm revising now, I had to change some direction because like Kay said, the scene I wanted just wasn't fitting and it was because I was trying to force it in due to what I initially had in my mind, while the story took a change as I wrote.
That happens to me all the time.... The characters just have a mind of their own.... lol.
I think that is your process.