2024 Scene-Writing Challenge: Week 4

Write some scenes. Win a free screenwriting prize.

Here are all of Week 4’s prompts for this year’s Scene-Writing Challenge.

Day 15: A swearing parrot
Day 16: A terrible pickup line
Day 17: A pet’s inner monologue commenting on its owner
Day 18: An ASL conversation
Day 19: Father meets his daughter’s first date … another girl

Week 1, 2, and 3 prompts:

Day 1: Write a scene involving a golf cart
Day 2: A scene with a quick fantasy moment
Day 3: Taking a pill
Day 4: Character introduction with no dialogue
Day 5: Character talks to their reflection in a mirror
Day 6: A visual-to-visual transition between two scenes
Day 7: Time passing at a sporting event
Day 8: Listening to a voice mail
Day 9: Haiku-style of screenwriting
Day 10: Tempted, but trying not to smoke a cigarette
Day 11: Write original lyrics for a rock song
Day 12: An awkward Uber drive
Day 13: A transaction between a customer and a coffee shop barista
Day 14: A nightmare

To kick off the New Year, I hereby declare January to be Scene-Writing Month here at Go Into The Story. Every Monday-Friday, I will upload a post with a scene-writing prompt. Each day, write a scene per those guidelines. Upload your scene here in the response section of the original post. That way you can critique others’ pages and receive feedback on your scene as well.

Why scene-writing? If the average scene is 1 1/2 to 2 pages long and a script is 100–120 pages, then a screenwriter writes between 50–80 scenes per screenplay. Thus in a very real way, screenwriting is scene-writing. The better we get at writing scenes, it stands to reason the better we get as a screenwriter.

To provide extra motivation for this series — to get people to WRITE PAGES — I am giving away some of my Core classes to Scene-Writing Challenge participants. That’s right: For free!

Everything you need to know about screenwriting theory in this unique curriculum based on eight principles: Plot, Concept, Character, Style, Dialogue, Scene, Theme, Time.

CORE I: PLOT — A one-week class which begins with the principle Plot = Structure and explores the inner workings of the Screenplay Universe: Plotline and Themeline. Start date: January 15.

CORE II: CONCEPT — A one-week class which begins with the principle Concept = Hook and examines multiple strategies to generate, develop and assess story ideas. Start date: January 29.

CORE III: CHARACTER — A one-week class which begins with the principle Character = Function and delves into archetypes: Protagonist, Nemesis, Attractor, Mentor, and Trickster. Start date: February 12.

CORE IV: STYLE — A one-week class which begins with the principle Style = Voice and surfaces keys to developing a distinctive writer’s personality on the page. Start date: February 26.

CORE V: DIALOGUE — A one-week class which begins with the principle Dialogue = Purpose and probes a variety of ways to write effective, entertaining dialogue. Start date: March 11.

CORE VI: SCENE — A one-week class which begins with the principle Scene = Point and provides six essential questions to ask when crafting and writing any scene. Start date: March 25.

CORE VII: THEME — A one-week class which begins with the principle Theme = Meaning and gives writers a concrete take on theme which can elevate the depth of any story. Start date: April 8.

CORE VIII: TIME — A one-week class which begins with the principle Time = Present and studies Present, Present-Past, Present-Future and time management in writing. Start date: April 22.

Each is a 1-week online class featuring six lectures written by me, lots of screenwriting insider tips, logline workshops, optional writing exercises, 24/7 message board conversations, teleconferences with course participants and myself to discuss anything related to the craft.

NOTE: I provide feedback and am actively involved in our online chats. That includes a 90 minute teleconference for each Core class.

If you’re new to screenwriting, have intermediate experience, or you’ve read it all, but want to explore character-driven screenwriting, here is your chance to learn the foundation of screenplay structure that goes beyond formula.

“Scott provides a concrete set of tools — a clear, concise methodology for the craft and effective ways to use character, emotion, human behavior to build story.” — Tom Benedek (Cocoon).

This is not about secret systems or magic formulas, rather the Core content presents a story-crafting process that starts with characters, works with characters, and ends with characters. That process of engaging you with your story universe through your characters and getting you in touch with these living, breathing individuals informs every step of your creative process, leading you to story structure, themes, conflict, subplots, and all the rest. As I say, Character Driven Screenwriting

A popular option is the Core Package which gives you access to the content in all eight Craft classes which you can go through on your own time and at your own pace, plus automatic enrollment in each 1-week online course — all for nearly 50% the price of each individual class. If you sign up now, you can have immediate access to all of the Core content.

This year, I’m making available a special offer: If you enroll in the Core Package, I will send you an autographed copy of my book: The Protagonist’s Journey … for free!

My book is an introduction to character-driven screenwriting and storytelling. The Core curriculum takes you much deeper into the subject matter and touches on all the key principles you need to know to elevate your screenwriting chops.

“I’m a huge fan of Scott’s classes, and I signed up for his Core Package, which I cannot speak highly enough about. If anyone wants to take a serious look at improving their writing, there is more than enough material to keep you busy for a few… dare I say, lifetimes? He’s the best. No bones about it.”

~ Heather Farlinger

In January, to qualify to take one of my Craft classes for free, write and submit ten [10] Scene-Writing Challenge posts, then provide feedback on ten [10] posts from other writers. The former to get you writing, the latter to work your critical-analytical skills.

A chance to take any of my eight Core classes, interface with me online along with the usual stellar group of writers who take Screenwriting Master Class courses, while using writing exercises and feedback to upgrade your skill at writing and analyzing scenes?

ISN’T THAT AN AWESOME IDEA?!!!

My Core II: Concept class begins Monday, so it’s not too late to jump into the 2024 Scene-Writing Challenge!