Drafting is DIFFICULT
As every writer knows, drafting is difficult. As a script reader and script editor I help writers with drafting … and have discovered over the years there are 5 issues just about EVERYONE struggles with. Yes, even pro writers!!
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1) Overdoing symbolism/ theme
Every writer has a ‘message’, because writing is in itself a communication. I’d argue all of us want to SAY something, or PROVE something. It’s an innate part of being a writer. I’d bet real actual money on it.
However, that message (or whatever you want to call it) should never bypass the entertainment value of your screenplay or novel. Audiences do not sign up for messages, they sign up to be entertained. An obvious point perhaps, but one screenwriters and novelists consistently seem to MISS.
Think of your story as having ‘layers’, like an onion. The top layer is entertainment value. People should ENJOY your work, whatever that means. The second layer is the story AS IT APPEARS (ie. the logline version). The third layer, hidden inside? That’s theme layer, where symbolism (and all that other fancy stuff) is. MORE: All About Symbolism In ALIEN (1979).
2) Mistaking plot for concept
When I ask writers what their concept is, I’m asking for the premise, the central idea, the ‘seed of the story’ – that all-important logline version again. Instead, those writers will regale me with the various events of their story, “S/he does this … and then … and then … and then …” Noooooooooooo!
Look, if I’m boring you telling you how you’ve got NOTHING without a great concept, trust me: I’m boring MYSELF. This is a non-negotiable of screenwriting, so it’s really a hella lot easier if you just invest in this shit before you go to draft, okay?? Okay. MORE: 7 Steps To Road Testing Your Concept
3) Thinking character motivation = role function
These two things are inextricably linked but are NOT THE SAME:
Character motivation = WHAT a character wants/needs & WHY.
Role function = WHAT the character does in the story & WHY.
You need to know the difference in order to make sure you’re actually identifying what needs to be done with your characters and your story! MORE: The ONLY Two Things You Need To Know About Characterisation
4) Rehashing stories we already know
Writers frequently tell me they’re doing an ‘updated version of [X Movie]’ or ‘a fresh take on [this genre or idea]‘. Yet when I ask HOW it’s been updated, or WHY it’s a ‘fresh take’, they just describe what I’ve already seen and read.
Let’s get this straight. Writers SIMPLY CANNOT update or do a fresh take on ANYTHING – story, genre, subgenre, myth, character, WHATEVER – without first immersing themselves in what’s gone before.
I mean read the books. Watch the movies. The TV shows. But also talk to writers, filmmakers, novelists what they were trying to achieve in those original stories. Also, talk to the readers and viewers about what they LIKED and DISLIKED about those original stories.
Do. Not. Skimp! Or fail miserably to do what you set out to. You have been warned. MORE: Top 5 Genre Mistakes
5) Not knowing what their HOOK is
Closely related to number 4 on this list, one of the reasons writers fail to get off the starting blocks with their work is because they don’t have a HOOK in their work – that *thing* that acts as a PULL for readers or viewers to *want* to consume your work.
Do not underestimate the power of the HOOK. Every single produced or published writer has created one in their work. Yes, even the ones whose work you hate and/or think is over-hyped.
In my book, Writing And Selling Thriller Screenplays, I break down the hook into two categories:
1) Dramatic Hook
The dramatic hook describes the feeling of ‘what would YOU do [in this situation]?’ This doesn’t have to be ONLY part of the Thriller genre, but works brilliantly in this genre. This is because it gives a VISCERAL pull to reader or viewer by asking them to imagine themselves in the protagonist’s place.
One of the most popular books and movies of the past few years is The Girl On The Train for this very reason – we’ve all been on trains and we’ve all seen *stuff happening* through said train windows. So, what would we all do in Rachel’s place??? THAT’S THE DRAMATIC HOOK.
2) Commercial Hook
The commercial hook is often based on cultural FEAR. As we’ve all seen lately, there’s a huge fear of clowns in our culture, so it’s no accident Stephen King’s IT is so popular.
However, commercial hooks don’t have to be about fear … They’re just as often about a cultural DESIRE. This is why we see so many stories about giant robots, or giant monsters. A huuuuuuuuuge amount of people worldwide literally *love* both of these things … so graphic novels, games or movies about them like PACIFIC RIM are basically inevitable.
The reason knowing your hook is so important? Because then you can answer the question ‘Why this story?’ WITH EASE when producers, agents and publishers ask it … or one of these other pesky writing questions.
BONUS!
Very often writers get very hung up on drafting early in the process. They will tell me they’re ‘depressed’ when I have notes for them. Yet notes are neither good nor bad, but neutral. It isn’t healthy to get hung up on the idea there’s a special ‘destination’ you’re missing … Not least because no story is EVER perfect (even when it’s done).
So remember drafting and redrafting is a PART of the process. Literally no one gets their novel published or their screenplay produced ‘as is’. This means you WILL be asked to redraft certain aspects of your story … Yes, even those bits you consider ‘perfect’.
Good luck!
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