Screenplay

Your subject will find you, given the opportunity. It’s very simple. Trust yourself. Just start looking for an action and a character.

When you can express your idea succinctly in terms of action and character—my story is about this person, in this place, doing his/her “thing”—you’re beginning the preparation of your screenplay.

The next step is expanding your subject. Fleshing out the action and focusing on the character broadens the story line and accentuates the details.

subject is really looking for you. You’ll find it someplace, at some time, probably when you’re least expecting it. It will be yours to follow through on or not, as you choose

The writer must always exercise choice and responsibility in determining the dramatic execution of the story. Choice and responsibility—these words will be a familiar refrain throughout this book. Every creative decision must be made by choice, not necessity. If your character walks out of a bank, that’s one story. If he runs out of a bank, that’s another story.