Page 40

Okay, it feels like a slight cheat, cos before I was halfway down page 36 and now I'm just at the top of page 40- but it seemed like a good place to stop. After a slow start, where I was wondering if I'd manage my four pages today, it all unfolded pretty easily. I have general beats for each subplot but haven't figured out where they're each going to fall in the script, so when I reach a new scene I usually have to stop and figure out which scene would be next. I'm trying to take some advice I heard years ago from an editor on a Vincent Ward movie (the one with the snow and the pilot) - Don't cut to what you'd logically see next, cut to what you want to see next. I wasn't a writer (or editor) at the time, but I've never forgotten that advice.

Page 36

Phew! That was lots of work! But am very pleased with final result. Have nailed first turning point. That scene took a lot of work to get right. After first draft of scene realised protag was already at turning point at beginning of scene but needed to be there at end of scene instead. Also realised which character needed to be passive, which needed to be more active (am being slightly cryptic so as not to 'taint' my pool of potential readers and feedbackers out there with too much knowledge!)

Think I deserve an icecream now!

Page 32

Yay! Cos I didn't think I was going to manage four pages today. Rewrote a bit of what I did last time, too. It's all ticking along quite nicely. Though the scene I wrote today is going to be too long, I think. I wrote a funny rant moment that I then realised doesn't fit where I put it. It might fit in later in this scene. Or at another point. Might have to kill it as a darling, possibly.

It's all very interesting just biting the bullet and writing a draft without everything worked out. A lot of new realisations happening with this process. Still working on forgiving it/myself for not being perfect, though. But enjoying the process.

Day off today

Cos I feel like I need it.

Page 28

Phew! Rough start this morning, it all was a bit sucky, persevered anyway, told myself it's allowed to suck in first draft, and now I'm actually quite pleased with today's session. Made some decisions and came up with ideas I wouldn't have if had stayed in outline. Seem to be doing four pages a day, that's always been my limit in the past in terms of regular writing. Will be semi-officially trying for four pages a day from now on (but reserve the right not to make it if I end up doing lots of plotting/character work instead in a session). I was tempted today in places to paraphrase instead of writing actual dialogue, to say 'he tells her about x', but resisted as I realised that's the weasel's way out! So to speak. Gotta get it all down in a proper draft that's allowed to suck!

Am thinking for the next script I write will seriously curtail the amount of time outlining (as this has a history of sucking up time unproductively for me). Maybe two weeks? Four? Hmmm.

Page 24

Chugging along. Have just had some good ideas for next time - looking forward to getting back to it!

Have to keep reminding myself it's just a first draft so it's okay if there are major flaws at this stage.

This is supposed to be a black comedy, but it's a bit thriller-ish at the moment and not terribly funny - I think that's okay as I am laying down the plot now and don't know my characters well yet. Surprising how well the plot's falling into place actually. Interestingly, I have no idea what's going to happen in the third act (though I do know where it'll end up). Kept having ideas for the second act and none for the third, finally decided to just get on with it and see what happens. So we'll see...

page 20

Did a lot of plot notes and four pages of script, so not bad.

Am also thinking about reading a screenplay a month - cos I just don't read them. But I think one a month is not too scary. It'd be good for the writing.

Update: Have read the first half of Frank Darabont's (rejected) Indiana Jones IV script. Definitely better than the movie (not that that's saying much!). Really overwritten in that it's very directed on the page - shot for shot, virtually. Makes for a good read though.