Fictional Skies

Calvin's approach to writing is a general beginner or non-writer view on writing: Waiting for inspiration before doing any work . It's not completely wrong. You do need inspiration in order to come up with a great idea to write and to fill it with fresh and exciting ideas, characters and scenes. But you don't need it to get started; and definitely not to continue. It's said that "the professional doesn't wait for inspiration and writes no matter the weather." If they didn't not much work would get done - and what's the use in that. Inspiration is a fantastic feeling to behold and it transforms your mood and writing session, not to mention, your writing project. It can even transform your life. However, it's not meant to occur everyday and hold your hand until your story is complete. In other words, you don't need it to get your story done. Writing is a trade - a craft that occasionally rises to the level of art. There are bas...

“ Most aspiring screenwriters simply don’t spend enough time choosing their concept. It’s by far the most common mistake I see in spec scripts. The writer has lost the race right from the gate. Months — sometimes years — are lost trying to elevate a film idea that by its nature probably had no hope of ever becoming a movie .”  - Terry Rossio [Shrek, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Mask of Zorro]

" The pursuit of perfection often impedes improvement . " - George F. Will There is a danger with beginner writers who may feel that their first draft has to be perfect. I know because it's how I used to think. However, a first draft is not meant to be brilliant. There's no way to get a first draft right other than to get it wrong. Or some of it, at least. It's why it's called an  exploratory draft. It's where you follow your curiosity and explore ways of doing things to see how it plays out. It needs time to be left alone. It's meant to be torn apart later on. The majority of it doesn't have to make the second draft. This stage is less about quality and more on getting something down. It doesn't have to be great but it has to be something. You need to go through what doesn't work in order to find what does. The first draft is an essential part of that discovery. Rewrite Later  You only get one chance to make a good fi...

The Script Lab has a helpful piece on the first ten pages of a screenplay for those wanting to hit those five crucial elements. Andrew Stanton offers an insightful talk for Ted on what he knows about storytelling  for those interested in story and the man himself. Gideon's Screenwriting Tips  has a useful piece on the common mistakes of novice screenwriters for newcomers looking to develop. Michael Ferris at Script Mag  passionately outlines his four secrets to screenwriting success for those wanting to break through the noise and maximise opportunities. Go Into The Story has an excellent piece and list on clichéd dialogue for those wanting to avoid it and know when it's necessary. Screenwriter's Digest

It's never wise to write a script solely for a competition. The only thing on your mind being: The Reward & Winning Write a script because you enjoy the process; are interested in the exploration of story, character and form; saying something about the human condition; forming an emotional and entertaining journey; and developing as a writer and person. Not because you want to pimp it out to a competition and get something back. Script competitions are great for a previously completed script that may be ready or just needs a rewrite/polish. They are ideal for an experienced writer who has a body of spec work and is looking for some recognition and a way forward. They are also good for beginner writers entering once or twice to test the waters, or for fun as a screenwriting hobby. If you get a kick out of the process and thrill of writing a script for a competition: enjoy the challenge and creating to a deadline. Keep on doing what you're doing. But keep i...

" Nobody tells people who are beginners, and I really wish somebody had told this to me.... is that all of us who do creative work, we get into it and we get into it because we have good taste. But there's a gap. That for the first couple years that you're making stuff, what you're making isn't so good. It's not that great. It's trying to be good, it has ambition to be good, but it's not quite that good. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, your taste is still killer  and your taste is good enough that you can tell that what you're making is kind of a disappointment to you. A lot of people never get passed that phase and a lot of people at that point they quit. And the thing I would just like to say to you with all my heart is that most everybody I know who does interesting creative work, they went through a phase of years where they had really good taste, and they could tell what they were making wasn't as good as the...

During the process of writing a script, new things are learnt, new layers and ways of doing things are found. Upon completion, each draft, revision, and finished script brings you closer to identifying and employing the various elements that a script comprises of and to creating a well executed story, plot and characters. But just as important for new writers is the friction created between ourselves and the outside forces, and importantly what is learnt in the ensuing conflict, before and after embarking on a script.  With the first draft of an overdue and long  TV Drama Spec  complete ( the follow up script is well under way ) and the process and writing experience faded somewhat from my memory. Fortunately I had pre-assembled a list of the main self-development points that I encountered and rediscovered along my journey in the beginning stages of this project. 1) Putting Things Off For sometime early into 2010 I he...