In a post on the Script Lab blog, Britton Perelman says there are 10 questions you should ask yourself during the rewriting stage. “Writing is rewriting and rewriting is writing and so on and so forth until the end of time,” she writes. “But if you have a solid plan for rewriting your screenplay, the process will be smooth and manageable.” Once you’ve answered the following questions, you might even get to say you’re done!
- Does the Story Make Sense? “After taking time away from your script, try to read through with fresh eyes,” Perelman advises. “Will the overall story make sense to someone who hasn’t written it? Are there any big jumps in the plot?”
- Does Every Scene Move the Story Forward? “Look at each scene in your script with a magnifying glass,” she writes. “If a scene doesn’t convey information, tap into the emotional arc, or elicit some kind of change for the plot, it needs to go.”
- Is Your Inciting Incident Working? If your MC can go back to the normal world after the inciting incident without repercussions, that’s a sign it’s not working.
- Is the Main Character’s Goal Clear?
- Is the Primary Conflict as Strong as Possible?
Read the rest of her questions at the link below.