Skip to content

The Most Important Step

David Gane
David Gane
— 1 min read

The biggest challenge when you begin to write is to get past the notion that things are supposed to look a certain way.

Often, the questions beginning writers ask are: How do I write a slug-line? How do I do a voice-over or a person speaking off-screen? How much description do I give of a place or person? When do I capitalize words, sounds, or names?

Formatting is a skill that can be learned with time. Similarily, it is pointless worrying about how to get an agent or a producer to see your script even before you have one ready to show.

The most important first step is to start writing and start finding the action of your story: Somebody wants something but something is in the way. This is how they try to get around it and either they get it or they don’t. Then what happens?

On Writing
David Gane

David Gane Twitter

Co-writer of the Shepherd and Wolfe young adult mysteries, the internationally award-winning series, and teacher of storytelling and screenwriting.

Comments

Related Posts

Members Public

Responses help your reader

If your audience locks into the emotional journey of your main character, then they’ll know how to respond when your character responds.  If a stranger approaches and the main character seems relaxed, then the audience will be comfortable as well. If they seem threatened, there’ll be tension.  Your

Members Public

A Novel is like a party

“For me, a novel is like a party. Anybody who wants to join in can join in, and those who wish to leave can do so whenever they want.” — Haruki Murakami

Members Public

What's it for?

Seth Godin recently asked two questions in a blog post: "Who's it for? What's it for?" When writing, do you know who it's for? It doesn't have to be an audience with a capital "A." It doesn't have to be for any audience; it can be for just you. But