Screenwriting 101: Wenonah Wilms

“For me, it’s character first. I have a person in my head and I just go through the basics like, ‘What are their flaws. What are their goals? Where do they live? Male or female? How old are they?’ I start with a person and then start throwing problems at them. It’s always that way. I’m a character writer for sure. I’ll usually open a new file on my phone in the notes. I don’t ever start on my computer. Once in a while, I do it on paper but I just start throwing down ideas for either a scene or a character, story questions, a lot of questions what if, what if, what if. Then I let it sit in my head and I watch the movie in my head over and over. I’ll add to it, take stuff out. Then I’ll just sit down and write. I don’t outline. I open up my final draft and I write.”

— Wenonah Wilms

From Go Into The Story interview, February 2019

For 100s of other Screenwriting 101 posts, go here.