30 Screenwriting Lessons by Scott Myers

1. There is no right way to write

2. Screenplay are stories, not formulas

3. Learn the craft

4. Watch movies. Read scripts. Write pages.

5. A spec script will not sell unless it has a strong story concept

6. Write what they’re buying or sell them your dream

7. There are no screenwriting rules

8. Immerse yourself in cinema

9. When something happens… something ELSE happens

10. Facing the odds

11. Know your genre

12. Stacking projects

13. Living and writing in L.A.

14. Similar but different

15. Break your story in prep

16. Feet on the ground… head in the clouds

17. Get the damn thing done!

18. Beginning. Middle. End.

19. Don’t think… feel

20. Imagematic writing

21. If you write a great script…

22. Movies don’t owe anybody a living

23. Story as psychological journey

24. 1, 2, 7, 14

25. Set-up and payoff

26. Test your story concept

27. Minimum words, maximum impact

28. The spirit of the spec

29. The only way out is through

30. Go into the story and find the animals

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