Off and on for the past few months, I’ve been working on two screenplays, possibly for television or even the movie screen. This, I must admit, is a formidable task. My daughter Joi, who has written and produced a comedy for the stage, advised me to start with a summary, then find the conflict and plot of the protagonist, which wasn’t hard at all. And for a backup, I have The Screenwriter’s Bible by David Trottier.

But the revelation came when I started out with one of the most difficult types—the whodunit. Right now, I’m stuck on revealing the culprit’s identity. So, I decided to look up Shonda Rhimes, who wrote “The Residence,” where the culprit’s reveal is like a Shell game to the fifth power. You think you know whodunit until another scenario is introduced. This double narrative has got me seeing double! What am I doing?

Ms. Rhimes’ advice:

1. Dissect your favorite plot. Dissecting your favorite movie plot goes beyond simply summarizing the events of the film. It involves a critical analysis of how the plot, as the sequence of events, is constructed and how it works in conjunction with the broader story, themes, characters, and other filmmaking techniques to create a compelling and meaningful experience for the audience. 
2. If your dialogue sounds familiar, write something different.  Means that when your written conversations feel unoriginal, uninspired, or like something you’ve encountered in countless other stories, you should actively strive to make them fresh and unique.
3. Try putting a different twist on a familiar concept. A new spin on an old cliche.
4. Eavesdrop. Authentic dialogue should sound the way people talk.
5. Characters are the heart of the story. Be specific, make them three-dimensional—make them human.
6. What people see on television changes what they think about themselves.

If you’re in the place I am, consider these things, don’t be in a rush, take your time to dissect this advice and see if you can find yourself a way out of this maze of misunderstanding. Maybe I need to go back and read my own article. Perhaps you can find a “Clue” that will get you out of this quagmire to the next phase of your screenplay, so you won’t keep asking yourself…”What am I doing?”

Thank you for your continued readership and support. Until next week…Blessings and Peace!

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