I don't know how many screenplays I've started; but can't ever get to the words 'The End.' HELP!

Writing screenplays is one of the easiest jobs you'll ever do; and one of the HARDEST. It's easy, because you get fired up by this fantastic idea that you know will be killer on the screen, and that enthusiasm makes you just jump right in and start typing.

And screenwriting's hard because you run out of that 'start up' energy often long before you get to those famous words - The End. That 'sticking point' is the exact spot where real writers show their mettle; or true grit. But they don't survive on pure grit alone; real writers have a whole arsenal of tricks up their sleeves. The most important tool they use is PLANNING.

Sounds kind of mundane, doesn't it? Planning - kind of like birth control. Can't we just 'be' in the moment and jump into this thing, honey? WE CAN.... and many do. But I don't any more, after many, many late nights spent staring at the computer screen and a script that I had loved six months before and now loathed because I couldn't seem to tinker away all it's flaws. Screenwriting has taught me patience and the ability to control that 'start up' enthusiasm.

I urge all of my students to create a number of tools while the novelty of their movie idea still has them panting to write. It's then, when you're desperate to get at your computer and really type, that you really should rein in your excitement about writing and answer some really important questions.

Like: Who's your main character? What is it they want? What gets in the way of them acquiring it or achieving their goal? How badly do they want what they seek? Who are the important people in their life and how do those relationships complicate their quest? Take these questions and create a logline, a 5 page treatment and a working title and you're on your way. Throw in the opening and closing scenes for each of the 3 acts and you should be ready for nearly any thing!

Once you've got this material firmly in hand, you're ready to unleash the creative hounds and hit the keyboard running. With planning, and careful conservation of that 'start up' energy you may find yourself at 'The End' before you know it!

I hope this helps. I wish you luck with your screenplay. And let me know when you finish it; I'd love to read your work!

I always mean to sit down and write; but my girlfriend kind of resents the time I spend doodling on the computer.

Relationships are tricky at the best of times... and I definitely don't want to get into a "Dear Abby" advice column here. But it is possible to participate in a meaningful relationship and still write. The key is careful apportioning of your time.

First of all, ARE you doodling on the computer or are you actually sitting and writing? This is an important distinction as much for your girlfriend's peace of mind as your own, as a writer. Everyone has days or nights when stuff just doesn't flow. But at the same time, IF you did thorough planning prior to beginning to write you should know what needs to be done each and every time you sit down to write. AND, you should do it.

What you write on those nights may be crap. Crap happens. At the same time, it is NOT our job to judge as we write. OUR ONLY JOB, in the first draft, IS TO FINISH. Ask your girlfriend (or boyfriend) to embroider that for you as a wall hanging. That IS your only job this time around; to finish this draft.

The other thing you should DO is make a commitment to writing; to WRITING TIME. Screenplays don't write themselves. So book an appointment with yourself - and take it as seriously as if it were the big ticket opportunity you hope your screenwriting may become some day. Take it seriously now, to BE taken seriously later.

And your girlfriend? Well, you might try engaging her in the process. Try READING some of your work to her; get her involved. Be careful though.... she may start canceling dates if she likes what you're writing in order to keep your nose to the grindstone. Involving loved ones in our quest can become a double-edged sword.

I hope this helps. And I do wish you luck with your screenplay. Let me know when you've completed your script. I'd love to read your work!

Recently I participated in a 'COLD READING' night and then my script was critiqued by a panel of judges...

The overall verdict was that I was a smart writer and the script had real promise but no 'heart'. What does that mean?

First of all, congratulations are in order! #1 - You finished a script. #2 - You risked submitting it to a 'cold read.' Wow, that's fabulous. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, a 'cold read' is a gathering where a group of actors meet, are handed a script and within about 30 minutes are acting it out. Often it's just the opening act of a feature length screenplay that's read. And it's one of the scariest and most exhilarating rides on the planet. Hearing your words come out of an actor's mouth is one of the BEST WAYS to gauge the effectiveness of your dialogue and pacing of your writing.

And as you found out, a cold reading can also reveal some of the weaknesses of your script that might have slipped by some of your other critiques. From the comments you received it sounds as if you might have been shanghaied by the LEFT side of your brain while you were writing. As many of you know, who follow this screenwriting blog, I believe any really good story (but especially screenplays) are a balancing act between RIGHT brain creativity and LEFT brain structure.

Really well plotted thrillers and heist movies delight us with the mastery of the turns and twists of their plot (left brain). But if they contain heart-wrenching scenes of loss and betrayal - those deeply rooted emotions come from the right brain. Right brain function is all about universality. Check out Jill Bolte Taylor's fabulous and passionate TED talk http://www.ted.com/index/php/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight.html

which gives a beautiful & passionate explanation of the relationship between the TWO brain hemispheres and the impact on us as individuals.

What's probably missing in your script is that moment (s) where the camera focuses on the hero/heroine and we get to SEE their pain/reaction/ emotional response to whatever is happening to them. We need emotional connection to the main character to actually care enough to plow through the next two hours of their life with them. EARLY on in your script give us an emotional LINK to your heroine/hero and then reinforce the connection periodically throughout the film. Those EMOTIONAL ties will keep us cheering your character through to the bitter or sweet finale of the film.

I hope this helps. And I do wish you luck with your screenplay. Let me know when you've completed the rewrite.... I'd love to read your work!