Stop! How to Know When Your Script is Finished

Knowing when your screenplay is actually done is harder than it sounds. I heard a writer say once, “A writer never finishes a script, they just surrender it.” Many screenwriters become obsessed with writing and re-writing and editing one script, thinking if it’s ‘perfect’ that script will skyrocket their screenwriting careers (I know a guy who’s been working on a script about dysfunctional families for 12 years!).

I’m all for making your work the best it can possibly be, but it takes more than one great script to become a working writer - eventually you need to press ‘save’ for the final time, get it out into the world, and move onto your next idea. But, how do you know when enough is enough?

Here are 6 steps to help you figure out when your script is done:

Step 1: Trust your gut.

I know the phrase ‘trust your gut’ can sound a little woo woo, but creativity is an intuitive endeavor and when you have a finely crafted, dynamic script on your hands - you usually know in your gut that it’s great (don’t underestimate intuition when judging whether it’s done or not). But if you just can’t relate to the idea of ‘trusting your intuition’, there are also usually physical signs your script is done: like a ‘slowing down’ of the creative process. When you hit a point where the main creative problems feel solved, ideas to improve your story are coming to you less and less, and your script feels so finely crafted that you’re just searching for typos you can most likely trust your script is (or almost is) done.

Step 2: Don’t look at it. Don’t think about it.

When you are 99.9% sure your script is done, put it away for two weeks. Not a day, not one week - two weeks. Don’t talk about it with friends, don’t give it to anyone for notes, try to do your best to not even think about it. Celebrate that you finished a draft (a draft that might even be your final one) and turn your attention to new ideas, or even take a mini writer-break. This “two week test” will help you detach yourself from the story. That way, when you finally pick it up again and reread it, you can be as objective as humanly possible and determine if it’s REALLY finished.

Step 3: PDF it. 

After your two week break, try reading your script in ‘hard copy’. Make a PDF, or literally print the script off and read it from beginning to end without any editing, rewriting or even spellchecking. Doing this can be irritating (especially if you notice tiny typos) but it will let you experience your story like a reader. It takes your focus off the little tweaks and makes you take in the big picture: Is the pacing off? Do you care about your characters? Does it pack an emotional punch? A reader will forgive a small spelling mistake, but they won’t forgive an inconsistent or un-engaging story. If you don’t feel like your script takes you on an exciting ride, you know it isn’t ready yet.

Step 4: Write the ‘Polish’ Draft.

Once you’ve got a solid story that you’re sure will grab a reader’s attention, it’s time to write your polish draft. Look at each line of dialogue, each scene description, especially look at each scene and ask yourself, ‘Does this NEED to be here?’ If you’re a perfectionist this is your time to shine. Be a bit obsessive and cut everything and anything unnecessary (for the record this isn’t about “killing your darlings” by now you should have already done that). Look for typos. Can you cut that three line scene description down to one dynamite line? Think of a polish draft like a chef putting the finishing touches on a gourmet meal - trim the fat and make sure it looks as stunning as possible before it goes out to the customer.

Step 5: Ask the ONE person you trust.

Too many writers rely on an endless list of peers and friends (even their relatives) to tell them when their script is finished. You will never determine when your script is done by committee. Going down this rabbit hole is what often leads writers to do endless rewrites (unfortunately, this is also how writing groups can do damage to a great script). Yes, feedback can help, but be choosey about where that feedback is coming from. Find one person you trust, who respects and understands your ‘writer voice’ and get their feedback.

Step 6: It’s Done!

The final step in really knowing if your script is done is simply deciding that it is. Don’t let yourself down by leaving the script unfinished, but don’t let your perfectionism trap you in endless rewrites. When you’ve done all you can do to make it great, stop, press save, pat yourself on the back, and tell yourself “it’s done!”

How do you know when your script is finished? Let me know @CaroleKirsch!