Lie #6: The more complex my screenplay is, the more interesting it is.

I’ve worked with more than 100 screenwriters one-on-one to fix their screenplays, and I can’t tell you how many times writers have come to me with a script that takes place over multiple timelines, uses all kinds of flashbacks, crams a 50-year timeline into 100 pages, or hinges on some kind of crazy time travel concept.

And the result is always the same; A confusing script where we spend weeks unraveling the mess of the story.

I love Christopher Nolan, Rick and Morty, and the Marvel films as much as the next movie lover, but they contributed to a widespread writing belief that super complex, timey-wimey plots were the only way you could tell an interesting story.

But the truth is the exact opposite.

Truth #6: Throughout history, simple, clear stories have always been the best and most impactful.

If you look closely at some of your favorite films, you’ll realize their stories are much simpler than you think.

But you might turn your nose up at the word “simple” because you may think simple means basic, childish, or obvious.

So rather than “simple”, what I like to say is that a great screenplay is FOCUSED.​

When I say focused, I mean that the script realizes it has a limited amount of pages to tell its story.

It doesn’t try to handle 5 themes, combine 4 genres, or have 3 protagonists. It tries to tell one focused story.

Many writers hide a bad story behind gimmicks and tricks so that the audience doesn’t notice the story is really about nothing.

Don't do this.

If you're confused or frustrated with the script you're writing, start by organizing it into its most straightforward, linear version.

So it can't lie to you... and you can't lie to yourself.

Chances are you'll find a few more plot holes than you expected.

And then you may realize that telling a clear, straightforward story isn't as... 

Simple

as you might think.

Click the button to see the final lie.