Screenwriting Tips for Fellow Beginners (Part 1)
- Paige B.
- Feb 26
- 4 min read
So you have this idea that’s been ruminating in your mind for days, weeks, years even, and you want to turn those vivid ideas into a screenplay… how the hell do you make that happen? There is not one correct answer, in fact there are multitudes of techniques, styles, tips and tricks to help you breakdown those ideas and put them into Final Draft or Google Docs— or whatever else. However there is one recommendation for writers that seems to always work which is: put in on the fucking page. Cin Cin let’s begin!
I have wanted to work in film and television industry long enough that I willing agreed to be in debt in exchange for a degree, (in Media Studies Production and Global Film Studies) and half of what I learned about screenwriting came from peers on the internet and books at the library. Today we are breaking down the most useful tips I’ve learned about screenwriting so that you can finally start that story you obsess over 24/7— and stop telling people you’re an aspiring writer. You already are a writer!
Structure/ Formating
Before you jump into writing a script you should understand to a certain extent the specific structure and formatting of a screenplay. With that you should also understand to a certain extent the specific structure and formatting of a screenplay is not finite. You can break the rules, people do it all the time and make produce great movies because of it! The best way to learn structure and formatting is to read other screenplays, this also helps you gain a sense of rhythm, voice, style of language, etc.
Here are my favorite resources for reading screenplays:
The Public Library (they have so many classical plays and sometimes modern tv scripts like Fleabag)
Now that you know how to attack the physicality of a screenplay we can talk structure- forget about it!
OUTLINE YOUR STORY
I recently made a Tik Tok explaining some tips for fellow beginner screenwriters like myself where I touched on these points, all which were heavily inspired by/ given to me by
on Tik Tok. Here are those bullet points for you:
…But hey while you’re here you can follow me on Tik Tok too!
Ditch the structure—just spill it all onto the page. Trim the fat later.
Answer these questions about your story: Who, What, Where, When, Why?
If Act II feels daunting, cut it in half—but remember, structure can wait.
Ask yourself what are the 5 biggest plot points?
Outline it, break it down, know what you wanna write and make Final Draft your battlefield. Don’t give up.
Believe in your story, believe in YOU
Why would you waste energy to write an entire screenplay for a story you’re not passionate about? Believe in what you’re creating and believe in your capability to make it happen. Time is on your side I promise, give yourself time to try and fail so you can learn from those mistakes to improve. Whoever said it’s not cool to care is a loser; be ambitious, be passionate, be driven to success through hard work and consistency. As my mother says, nothing worth having comes easy. If you wanna be a screenwriter you have to write, so put it on the fucking page!
Carve out a daily writing slot—no scrolling, no distractions. If you won’t write, enjoy a deep stare into your own reflection on your computer screen.
Have a pen and paper with you at all times. Inspiration can strike at anytime, there’s something far more commanding about putting those bursts of energy on paper than in your notes app.
Take yourself on a date to a cafe, library, park, hell even a cocktail lounge- and write!
Consistency is key.
Start a Writer’s Group
If you have a screenplay you’re working on and you are shy about sharing that’s totally normal, but you have to remember writing isn’t precious (thanks Tepper again for that one)! Find a group of friends, peers, strangers even who will give you honest and constructive feedback about your story. Don’t hire yes men to inflate your ego, writing is just rewriting so get comfortable with notes and edits.
In college I took a creative writing and poetry course to which we’d have to critique each other’s work in front of the author as if they weren’t present. The author was not allowed to interject or clarify any of the classmates critiques or notes- not to embarrass them, but because in reality the author or writer isn’t always going to be there fro audiences to have a Q&A after a screening, by doing this you can learn what about your story works and what fat needs to get cut out. Ego is the enemy, and also a great book.
I’ve always wanted to start a writer’s group and if anyone reading this is interested, let me know and we can connect!
Advice doesn’t count, only desire
The real truth of the matter is that advice doesn’t really matter if you’re not willing to act on it. Peter Lawrence, a decorated stage manager from Broadway, once said “Advice doesn’t count. Only desire”. If you want anything in life, especially in this industry you have to work for it, but more than that you have to crave it. You’re so lucky to have this passion for writing and creating, be proud of that!
Master the craft—take an acting class or two, dive into production, experiment with editing video or sound. The more you know, the sharper your storytelling. Watch more movies together. Make more movies together.
Till next time stay flirty, stay thirsty, but most of all keep writing. Close this tab and get to work!
See you soon,
Paige B.
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