I learned that I wrote 3 television episodes instead of one drama, and skipped the background/beginning story (which I had fleshed out...) for no good reason. I moved the climax scenes to the end of Act 3 and need to take out the plot developments that are episodic, and started writing the backstory as Act 1. With some guidance from Dan O'Bannon. On the good side, the characters are fully fleshed out, and my dialogue writing improved tremendously - thanks for your course!

Your ability to see the issues in your current draft are a plus. Writing a script is a process. Write, rewrite, write, rewrite. Best of luck with your next draft.

Hello Mr. Scott (Guru Ji), the first webpage I open when start on Internet is GITS. Thats how much I love GITS. I have been following GITS for a long time, but I feel bad that I could not start my own QUEST, along with GOYOQ week 1. Only a few days back I've started prepping my own script for a short film,(but I doubt that the plot also works for a feature length film). I've started going through the GOYOQ posts, when ever I feel stuck. Thank you so much GuruJi, for such a great blog...as whatever I learnt and inspired about screenwriting, its only from GITS!...

Not finished yet but I have learned on a reread that the introduction of a key location is at best a tenuous link. I thought during prep I had resolved this with certain characters and scenes but it just reads too writer's convenience to me. Like why did my character, in that frame of mind, decide to still go there?? I need to resolve this or move the location. Plus I want to amp the drama between key scenes.

Having good feedback helped with making the diagnosis. I think we'll always hit a limit on what we can diagnose on our own. Two+ minds will find more than one.

A lot of people didn't get to start GOYOQ from week one. I hope that won't deter you, and that you'll consider giving it a shot in the new year! How is the short film going? I hope you'll keep us posted. Best of luck with it.

I learned that there was room for more murder and mayhem in my black comedy than I originally envisioned. Several people who were originally slated to survive got the axe by the time I was finished (at the hands of characters, not me the writer), and I managed to double the body count. I also deleted (or didn't write) a handful of planned scenes because they didn't advance the story enough to justify their presence. One great thing about writing marathons and working on a deadline: it becomes very easy to justify killing weak scenes rather than taking the time to write them! I don't know that this script has or needs subplots per se, although all of the supporting characters have their own storylines. In rewrites I'll definitely be doing a pass from the POV of each of those characters and making sure their story lines are paced well and develop with integrity.