GETTING OVER THE UNCERTAINTY

I wrote a script two years ago that was revived last week.  To date, I had written 3 versions of the script and the Producer/Director team interested have been happy with all of them.  It’s simply a matter of logistics, funding and scheduling that has delayed things.

A while back, the director posed a slight change to the structure of the story so I got to work on the 4th version of the screenplay.  I also took the opportunity to change a few tiny details here and there.  Mostly dealing with how certain scenes were staged.

As I wrote the 4th draft of the script, I found myself wondering why I hadn’t thought of certain things before.  I started doubting myself.  I was more than happy with the 3rd draft and even though a lot of time has passed, are my opinions really that different?  Have I changed as a writer?

Of course, the answer is yes.  I have changed and evolved as a writer.  The whole point is to get better with every page.  Every sentence even.  I’m sure I’m not alone on this but I became anxious about it.  Each new draft of this particular story I’ve written has been the best draft yet.  This line of thought led me to a very real fear that screenwriters can experience.

WHAT IF THE NEXT DRAFT IS BETTER TOO?

Essentially, I printed out the 7 page script and wrote most of it from scratch.  The story remained the same but I restructured a lot of material and eliminated a few moments that were no longer needed.  I ended up trimming nearly 2 pages out of the screenplay and it definitely reads a lot faster.

The entire time I was asking myself if I was over thinking things.  Was I over simplifying the story?

After a while, I decided to print out the new script as well.  I read them both line by line picking out the best possible moments from each.  This step paid off as I came to a realization.

DON’T FOCUS ON THE ‘NEXT’ DRAFT

Just write the best possible draft you can right now.

Once I combined the two drafts of the screenplay, a couple key moments returned and the story was even better.  I was so focused on trimming that I hadn’t taken a step back to consider what I had lost.  My self conscious fear actually led to improvements in my writing. Neat.

I’m pretty happy I made that decision because the new draft is 100% my favorite thus far.  The Champion Draft as I call it.

BUT WHAT IF THEY WANT ANOTHER DRAFT?

The answer is simple. If another draft is required down the road, I’ll just work hard and create a new Champ.  What I love about rewrites is the incredible amount of problem solving challenges you must face and eventually overcome.

There’s nothing more satisfying than coming up with a BETTER idea.

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