The Screenwriter's Idiot Test!

Professional screenwriting has established standards for a reason - they help your work get noticed and taken seriously. And they make you look like a pro screenwriter. Let’s see if you are a pro or not. Answer each of the following 12 questions honestly with a Yes or a No:  

1. I write Film or TV scripts without ever having read a script.  

2. I have not read any books on how to write a script.  

3. I have never taken a class on scriptwriting.  

4. I do not study nor follow script formatting standards.  

5. I do not spend at least months working hard to develop my concept and characters.  

6. I don't do any research to help develop my stories.  

7. I have not spent hundreds if not thousands of hours learning my craft and improving my scripts.  

8. I do not outline before I write.  

9. I do not do a spell check of my draft before I submit it, nor check its punctuation or formatting.  

10. When I send a pitch letter to a manager or producer, I use a tag line not a logline or my logline has no hook.  

11. I send a script to producers or industry professionals without them having requested it.  

12. I have never had a professional script consultant/assessor/story expert vet my script before submitting it. (Cheap script analysis services or contests do NOT count.)

If you answered YES to even just a few of the above statements, you are approaching your screenwriting career in ways that make it near impossible for industry professionals to engage with you or your work. And you are making it harder for other writers. These standards exist because pros prefer to work with those who understand the craft. Who act like pros.

Even with a brilliant story idea, your script needs to demonstrate professionalism from line 1. Industry gatekeepers—producers, broadcasters, funders, actors—often make quick judgments based on first impressions.

My test isn't meant to discourage but to illuminate your path forward. If you dream of creating unforgettable characters and exciting adventures, creating a product that showcases your talent and professional attitude is essential.

Developing compelling stories that open doors requires dedication to learning and applying knowledge. Discover what that knowledge entails and commit to mastering it. Creating good stories and becoming a professional writer demands persistence and hard work, but the rewards are worth it.

I wish you good thinking and success in your creative journey. The world truly needs more skilled and professional storytellers. ….

Read this post The 7 Signs of a Pro Screenwriter.

If you need solutions for your story development or script problems, reply ANSWERS.

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