5 Tips to Help You Write Your Script
Posted on: Apr 08, 2025
Writing a movie script seems easy in theory, that is, until you sit down to do it. Turns out that it’s a lot harder than it looks.
When writing my first script, I was making a lot of mistakes. I overthought everything, got stuck halfway through and second-guessed myself constantly. But that process taught me valuable lessons that made me a better writer.
Key Insights:
1. Start with an outline to avoid getting lost in the story and having to backtrack.
2. Trust your instincts and avoid perfectionism—the first draft is supposed to be messy.
3. Seek feedback from people who understand storytelling, and use it as a tool to strengthen your script, not fear it.
It’s a long process, and if you’re tackling your first screenplay, here are five things to help you along the way:
1. An Outline Helps
In school, I always preferred stream-of-consciousness writing, just starting with a blank page and filling it up as I went. But when I sat down to begin my script, I quickly realized that if I wanted it to be good, I had to plan it out. Without an outline, I kept writing myself into corners. I’d introduce ideas that went nowhere, characters that didn’t serve the story, and scenes that felt great in isolation, but didn’t connect in a meaningful way. I’d get halfway through the script, and realize I had no idea where I was going. Then I’d have to go back and restructure everything, which was exhausting.
Creating a short outline is a great way to compile all your ideas in one place so it is easier to write your story. Make sure you know where the story is going and have an idea of how it might end. It’s okay to change things as you write, but keeping a clear goal in mind makes the writing process much easier.
2. Trust Your Instincts
One of the biggest struggles I faced while writing my first script was overthinking everything. I kept wondering if my dialogue was too cheesy, if my plot was interesting enough or if my characters were compelling. I’d rewrite scenes over and over before I even finished a first draft.
At some point, I realized I had to trust my instincts. If an idea excites me, there’s probably something there worth exploring. If something feels off, there’s a good chance it needs tweaking. But second-guessing every choice in the moment only made the process harder. The first draft doesn’t have to be perfect; get the whole story written, then go back and read it. Doing so, you are able to see what actually works and what doesn’t. Learning to trust my instincts made writing much more enjoyable, and made my script better in the long run.
3. Avoid Perfectionism
One of the biggest mistakes I made was trying to perfect every scene as I wrote it. I wanted each moment to be polished, every line of dialogue to be clever and every plot point to be airtight from the start. That mindset slowed me down. A lot.
What I eventually learned is that first drafts are supposed to be messy. The goal isn’t to write a perfect script—it’s to get your ideas down so you have something to shape and improve. If you are actually trying to develop this script and make it, I guarantee the first draft will look totally different from the final project. This is a creative expression and should be treated as such, so have fun with it and worry about the details later down the line.
4. Write What You Know
Writing about topics and subjects you are familiar with really helps bring authenticity to your stories. Being able to pull from emotions and experiences you are familiar with will make the story you are trying to tell feel more real, and will therefore make it possible to resonate with your audience.
For example, if you’ve never been in a high-speed car chase, you can still write about one—just focus on emotions you understand—like fear, adrenaline and urgency. If you’ve never lived in another country, you can still write about feeling like an outsider. If there is a topic you want to write about, but aren’t sure about, you can always research it and pull from others’ knowledge.
5. Get Feedback
Letting someone read my script for the first time was terrifying. I am my own worst critic, so sharing a story I had spent so much time on was intimidating. Feedback is an important part of the creative process, so I knew I had to find someone whose opinion I trusted to read my new script. They were able to point out questions and mistakes that, when corrected, made my script better, and that kind of feedback was invaluable.
Getting an outside perspective is crucial, because as the writer, you’re too close to the story. Things that make perfect sense to you might not be clear to others. Dialogue that sounds great in your head might feel unnatural when read aloud.
What I learned about feedback:
- Not all feedback is useful—learn to separate constructive criticism from personal preference.
- If multiple people point out the same issue, it’s worth fixing.
- Criticism isn’t an attack—it’s an opportunity to improve.
- Asking the right people (writers, filmmakers or industry professionals) leads to better notes than asking random friends.
Rewriting based on feedback made my script significantly stronger. Now, I actively seek out opinions instead of avoiding them. Writing my first movie script was a challenging, rewarding experience. I spent a whole year on it and learned a lot throughout that process.
If you’re writing your first script, my best advice is to just start. You’ll make mistakes, you’ll doubt yourself and you’ll probably rewrite a lot, but that’s all part of the process. Keep writing, keep learning, and most importantly, keep going. You never know—your little idea may become the next big hit.
Benjamin Hickson is an aspiring producer and production coordinator who has 4+ years experience working on various Film and TV projects. He has a background in Public Relations and served for six years in the military. He also has passion for travel and aims to increase LGBTQ+ representation in the entertainment industry.
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