How Do You Start Writing A Script

Starting to write is the hardest part! Most people start writing by trying to create a sentence or even a whole paragraph. This isn’t necessarily bad, but it can be tricky when you don’t know what your script is yet.

Writing a screenplay is like baking a cake: if you don’t understand how recipes work, then you’re going to have trouble creating a delicious dessert.

Recipes are built upon basic components that everyone has (flour, sugar, butter) and systematic steps (bake, cool). So why not use those as templates and building blocks for writing?

There are several good reasons to learn how to write scripts using this recipe approach. First, it will give you an easy way to organize your thoughts into scenes and sequences. Second, you will be able to take time more seriously because you will feel more prepared. And third, once you get the hang of it, you’ll enjoy it!

This article will go through some simple steps to help you begin writing screenplays using a recipe structure.

Brainstorm possible starting points

When it comes to writing, there are many ways to get started. Some people start with a topic and then work backward from there, creating a story as they go along.

Others get inspiration for their script and then write down all of the events leading up to that scene before developing the rest of the storyline.

And some writers simply begin by asking themselves what they want to say or hear.

The first rule is, to be honest! Starting your writing career will probably cost you a few rounds of whiskey, but believe me when I tell you that it’s worth it in the long run.

Your subconscious mind doesn’t care about money, so don’t try to trick it into thinking about that! Write what you truly want to read- and maybe even watch an episode or two of Your Kieren Writer to see what everyone else has written.

Narrow down your topic to 1-2 main points

Now that you have your topic and bullet point, it’s time to start writing! The first thing to do is make sure your pen is always at hand and ready to take notes. When you are in front of a computer or smartphone, this isn’t a big deal, but if you're doing it manually then this can be tricky.

Once you've got a nice smooth line for your handwriting, you'll want to get into the habit of taking short pauses between ideas to reorganize what you've written and to try and organize what you need to do next.

This will help you keep track of everything more easily so don't hesitate to break up the process into smaller steps!

After all, writing a script is a pretty fluid activity, you just write and connect things as they come together. So don't worry too much about being too meticulous until you feel like you're not producing anything new.

Start building your outline

Now that you have your main characters, setting, and storyline, it’s time to start organizing all of these pieces into order. This is called an outline.

Start by creating an empty document or note-worthy file to organize your ideas. Then, begin making lists to connect each element of your script.

These lists will be used later in the writing stages to create scenes and break down the narrative structure.

As you make progress, review your work using the story format we mentioned earlier.

Outline your script

Now that you have an idea for a script, it’s time to outline its structure. This is creating the framework of the story. Your first step should be to create an outline with chapter titles and bullets.

Your outline doesn’t need to be very detailed at this stage. Just make sure each bullet point fits into a separate sentence and you’ve got a basic element of storytelling covered!

From here, you can start writing more detail-focused sections in order to fill out the story gaps in the plot. Once these are completed, reorder or reorganize the chapters to fit the flow of the story you want to tell.

You don’t need to worry about consistency yet - just write what comes naturally to you! When everything flows easily, chop off some material to incorporate later.

Write your first draft

Now that you have done some writing, it is time to start writing yourself into writer’s mode! While there are many ways to get into scriptwriting, one of the most effective methods is to simply write yourself a new script.

Start by taking any old topic or idea and re-work it into a short story. Then take this short story and expand upon it. Keep editing and developing these stories until you feel they are perfect.

Once you have written enough scripts, you can begin to connect them together into a narrative.

Edit your draft

After you have an idea for a script, it is time to start writing! But before you write even one word of dialogue or action, you must edit your script.

This means taking out unnecessary words or phrases that don’t contribute to the story you want to tell. If there’s a scene with two characters talking, make sure their conversation adds to the narrative.

The best way to do this is by leaving some silence between speakers. A good rule of thumb is to have at least three beats (a minute of silence) per page in a screenplay.

On the other hand, if there’s too much silence, add more content or turn up the volume. Your audience will just get distracted looking for something to say!

And while it may sound cliché, starting with a short, simple sentence is the best way to begin writing a new piece. Once you have a hook, you can build off it.

Review the script

Now that you have your premise, it’s time to review the script! You can do this by simply reading the screenplay out loud. If you are able to read well, then you can do this yourself, but if you don’t, there are some great resources online and in person for people who can help you get into the voice of the character.

Reading a script aloud will not only give you insight as to how the writer constructed the story, but it may also inspire new ideas or ways to develop your own writing.

Publish the script

Starting from the first draft, you can now publish your screenplay! While some may suggest that you start writing without any structure or form, we believe starting with a story is the best way to get into scripting quickly.

A good story is universal - it resonates with anyone who reads it, even if they are not connected to the characters in the narrative. Plus, stories are easy to tell, so there’s no need to overwork this step!

Once you have written your script, find an appropriate place to host it. There are many free website hosting solutions out there (WordPress, Blogger, etc.), but also look into paid ones (Squarespace, Netlify) to ensure your screenwriter name is protected and quality-controlled.

Now, let us talk about how to take the next steps towards publishing your work.