I think this is a fantastic idea, Scott, and not crazy at all. Sometimes, we get very close to our characters and really do feel a sense of them being real. I've recently been reading The Writer's Tale: The Final Chapter by Russell T. Davies and Benjamin Cook. In a way, what Russell does in his letters to Ben are just like your script diary. He talks about the life of his characters, and his evolving ideas. He also debriefs on the chaos of life and production as well as the highs and lows of writing. Writing a script diary like this is a valuable tool for reflective thinking. It also gives us a chance to get out the junk without feeling like we have to put all that junk into the script. I imagine the amazing journey it would be to read back through those diary entries to see your own growth and development as a writer. Have you ever considered sharing parts of your script diary? I imagine it could be a fascinating tool for other screenwriters because it documents your process. Having that kind of inside look in to the way it unfolds for the writer has always drawn me into the writer's world which is why I love coming across blogs where writers write as if they're keeping a journal of their thoughts as they write. It is also why I am loving Russell's book. It is a window into the world of a real working writer.

Rebecca, without the context of the script, I'm not sure a script diary would have much meaning to anyone other than the writer. If I get the chance, I will open up some of my script diaries to see if there is anything that could stand alone in a post.

Just want to say how neat this HIWAS series is. The diary strikes me as particularly good in that it can be a helpful way to ward off the anxiety of "what comes next?" that, without fail, is sure to appear at the start of each new writing session. Thanks.

Three more posts to go! Yes, KJ, it's surprising how many people click through on the links to this series. I'm seriously thinking about expanding it into an ebook. I have lots and lots of tips and ideas re each of the 10 steps / parts of the process.

[...] also have been using a technique called the script diary that I learned about on Scott Myers’ blog.  It’s real simple but is very effective at [...]

You create an e-book, you have one sale here!

I am really enjoying these posts and honestly its something iv searched for, for a long time it seems. So for that i thank you. As a young writer i am always asking myself the question "am i doing it right?" in the sense of the "process". I like structure, i cant just sit down and write freely as i feel i haven't explored an idea thoroughly enough and the results have anyways reflected this. But these posts are ideal for my penchant towards structure. I love how research and development and spending time with your characters can allow something to blossom as opposed to sitting down and hoping something emerges fully formed from the ether. My only question so far is in relation to new ideas that might reveal themselves well after the research and development stages. If i happen upon a new idea or plot point after i have formed the story, what should i do? Would you go back and try and insert it into the script? Do you rethink your structure? Or do you just let them pass by? I know for me personally that my mind is always churning away on the idea of the script and tends to throw out new ideas after i have brainstormed ect. Is there a time when enough is enough and you simply should just write, or should the new revelations and ideas be somehow weaved into the already fleshed out concept? Thank you for these great posts!!