Even architects go through a development process, beginning with an idea that takes form through a combination of 'story' (verbal expression) and sketches (first drafts) that are often far from the final product. Rigorous construction plans come later - linked to engineering and budget requirements (shooting scripts). An outline should be just that, an outline.

John, reminds me of that line from William Goldman: "Screenplays are structure." One big thing is HOW you get there. I'm a huge proponent of character-based screenwriting, starting with the characters and seeing where they take the story, trying to put flesh on bone for the old adage "Character equals plot."

Fleshing out a plot on the basis of character traits and interactions alone, obviously requires a certain mastery of what constitutes a adequate character profile for a specific genre. Perhaps this is a good subject for your next GITS series...

John, there is a certain 'scablability' when it comes to character presentation, not necessarily character development. Even in a horror or action genre piece, where character presentations might not be as complex or nuanced as a drama, a writer may have to do the same amount and degree of character development in order to fully understand a character. Does sound like an interesting subject for at least a post...

I look forward to it Scott!

I find outlining to be immensely difficult. While I can give you the gist of an idea, I often find those special moments or scenes when I just have a character lead me to it. There is so much I learn from my characters as I write them in the world that I would never have found before writing. Then again, it's a lonely place out there in Act 2 when you haven't thoroughly thought out everything and you are stuck with where to go next. For this reason I never start writing untl I have: a) The Ending b) What the end means in regards to the theme. If I don't have either of those I end up with 20-40 pages and I've got more than a few 20-40 page scripts on my hard drive.