When to Dive In

I've got my swimming trunks (Final Draft software), my goggles (story ideas), my floaties (family support) and my flippers (desire). I've read some books on swimming (screenplays and screenwriting) and spoken to some swimming instructors (writers and screenwriting professors), but "I've never swum" (Maggie, "Caddyshack"). I've circled the pool a few times (made story notes) and stepped onto the diving board (typed the title page). I've overdone this metaphor (magnified by the parentheticals). I always try to end with something mildly funny (too late).

As this is my very first draft of my very first screenplay, I'm unsure when I should sit down, type "FADE IN" and make my first pass at the thing. I've brainstormed, come up with a bunch of scene ideas and dabbled in character development; I've got my beginning, ending, plot point I, plot point II - heck, I've even got my Pt. Hosh. I've got a little spreadsheet with a listing of scenes and context - nearly all of Act I, most of Act III and a good chunk of Act II.

I've suddenly become aware of the importance of "seeding." Something that happens late needs a nugget early on otherwise there's no arc (at least, not a good one) - it's just a series of complete sequences. Seeding provides needed distribution of story elements and weaves into the storyline by connecting the dots in a three dimensional molecular compound, not a pull chain from a ceiling fan.

The scene list still has some gaps and a few things I haven't figured out where to put yet, but I think I'm mostly ready to do my scene cards. I want to believe that the pieces I haven't been able to fit in the puzzle yet will be easier to place once I put the other pieces around it. I'm not sure if this is an excuse and I'm trying to jump in too soon or if I've already prepared more than really necessary and should be in the middle of Act I by now.

I'm strongly considering doing an online screenwriting course from Gotham Writer's Workshops to get that professional guidance and feedback that will reveal if I'm on the right track or just deluding myself. If I'm taking this venture seriously, I feel I should invest in the craft a bit more than simply telling myself I can do it. I think that's on the very near horizon for me and will be a good learning experience. The wife already said okay, so it's just a matter of registering.

In the meantime, I'm going to look over and add to my spreadsheet and my handwritten notes over the next day or two and, regardless of its completeness, I'm going to break open those index cards on Thursday and see what's what.