There’s a particular feature script I’ve wanted to write for about three years now. Only, I’ve never found the right way into it. And then, earlier this evening, I cracked it – at any rate, it certainly feels that way. About time too, especially since a small but perfectly formed production company are interested in paying me to write said script.

The solution came as several other writing solutions have come to me over the years: by utilising an element from another story. In this case, a scene that’s a piece of visual storytelling I’m proud of, part of a grim and unfinished thriller. In its original context, it was a flashback that served an important purpose in that story. But it works just as well in its own right, and now seen as an early scene in the other story, witnessed by the protagonist, it helps explain why that protagonist embarks on his particular journey. Perfect.

I’m also confident that I’ve got an ending for it, too, which was something I struggled with before. So now, I have a first and third act, should those be useful labels for this script. Meaning I ‘just’ have that pesky second act to tackle, with its ups and downs, red herrings and blind alleys. Oh, the fun. Fortunately, I have a setting that’s pretty…unusual, and which I can write about with authority. That alone will give the script something to interest the casual reader. Then, it’s just a matter of layering several plot strands, to do with the incident at the start, and something that comes later, and how they affect the protagonist and his plans, and it’ll all come out fine in the wash.

Well, that’s the plan. And one I’m pretty confident about, right now. All I have to do next…is everything. Which in this case means embarking on what I know will be a complex script, a psychological thriller that will appeal to people who like Memento or Insomnia. If only I could find a title as snappy as those…the best one I’ve come up with so far was used by a film a couple of years ago, and I want it to have a good title. Titles are important.

It’s an interesting challenge, living up to your own expectations of a screenplay you’ve been hyping in your own mind and to others for years. Now it’s time to get beyond that hype and write the thing, once some funding has been secured. Curiously, I’m much more matter of fact about another feature script I’m planning to write before I start on this one. That’s just, you know, this funny personal drama I’m doing. The other is, like, The Big One: my psychological thriller I’ve talked about without writing for far too long now.

In practice, the wait has been good for me. I’ve written other scripts in the interim which have taught me a whole bunch of tricks. I’ve learned more about some of the technical stuff I need to know. And moved on from the personal issues that underpin the story for me. So, by the time some money does appear to crack on with the script, I’ll be raring to go. It’s just nice to know that, after all this time not writing it, and thinking about it, I’m now confident that I can do it justice.