A Fork In The Road

[Vaare]

I'm still working on the first draft of my first original short screenplay. Just like the title says, I've come to a crossroads in my writing, so to speak. I have a bad habit of never making an outline of my story before I start writing (I honestly can't stand doing it the least bit). I usually just let it flow and usually I can get to the end. This time, however, I've reached a point where the story can go in many different directions, and all of them work well enough. So how do I decide which to go with? Should I just draw straws and get the hell on with it?

I'm not even sure if this is a question anyone can answer, but there are some wonderful minds here and I thought I'd give it a shot. Thanks in advance.

~Vaare Valentino

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[caissiela]

Well...just like you...I HATE writing outlines before I begin writing.  Also, like you...I actually come across this problem often.  What kind of film are you writing?  One thing you could do is tell a close friend (and I stress close) a summary of the story up until the point you are stuck at, and ask them what they think would happen next.  If they come up with one or some of your available options...I would probably go in the opposite direction.  (if you are attempting to keep your audience on it's toes) 

Another option...write them all and see how you feel after you're done.  I know it sounds like a lot of work, but you might end up changing it no matter what you choose.  Not to mention if it's an important point of your script.  If you get an agent/manager/producer interested but they don't like the ending (or your fork in the road) you can just tell them that you have alternatives already written.

Hope that helps.  Good luck and have fun!!

[Vaare]

Thanks caissiela, that is good advice. I did ask a close friend of mine who's working with me on it how he thought it should end. It was an option I had already considered, but I don't like it much. I'll just go ahead and write all of the endings and see which comes out the best. Wish me luck!

~Vaare Valentino

[JJshroom]

I'm still working on the first draft of my first original short screenplay. Just like the title says, I've come to a crossroads in my writing, so to speak. I have a bad habit of never making an outline of my story before I start writing (I honestly can't stand doing it the least bit). I usually just let it flow and usually I can get to the end. This time, however, I've reached a point where the story can go in many different directions, and all of them work well enough. So how do I decide which to go with? Should I just draw straws and get the hell on with it?

I'm not even sure if this is a question anyone can answer, but there are some wonderful minds here and I thought I'd give it a shot. Thanks in advance.

~Vaare Valentino

Man, I have this stuff always happen to me too!!  What did ya end up doin?  That thing about having someone look at it works pretty good but sometimes they like a few endings too!! 

I usually keep all the endings on seperate pages and just label em alternated endings or drafts!! Ha!