How to write a screenplay -- Is there a formula? There's a quote I've heard around Hollywood many times -- "Every writer is just one script away from a career." Translated, it means that with the right screenplay, you're in business.

So, today's question is how to write a screenplay that sells. For some people, that "one script" is their first. For others, it is their 20th. It all depends on how fast you gain an understanding of the skills and concepts that make a highly marketable screenplay.

To learn how to write a screenplay that sells, let's discuss what you need to succeed in this business:

A. A solid plan that can produce success.
B. The resources to make that plan happen.
C. The willingness to do what it takes to make the plan happen.

Before you think that I just said "If you have a plan and resources,
you can succeed," look back and you'll see more in those three
lines.

First, it is a SOLID plan that CAN PRODUCE SUCCESS. That
means that it considers the marketplace and what they will buy
and it gives you a step-by-step process to produce that quality of
screenplay and get it to the buyers.

Second, you need the RESOURCES to MAKE THAT PLAN
happen. This means time, effort, and money when necessary.
But money is the least of the three, by far. Most importantly,
you need to acquire the skills to write at the quality level that
Hollywood requires.

Third, you need the willingness to make that plan happen. I am
often inspired by screenwriters who continue to take whatever
effort is required. When I watch a writer enter my classes at a low
level and five months later, send me a screenplay that is written at
a professional level, I'm inspired. When I see a writer who has a
great script promote it to everyone who could possibly buy it, I'm
inspired. When I hear back from a writer who started only two
years ago and yesterday, she had her script optioned, I'm inspired.

Before I present the first part of a plan that could work for you,
there is one more thing that you must know.

IMPORTANT: To create a truly marketable script, you plan and
design it from the very first step in the process. Marketability
doesn't just appear after you've written your screenplay. You have to know how to write a screenplay from a marketablity perspective in the idea phase.

You'd be amazed how many times a writer has asked me how to
make their script marketable...after they've written it. Their story
may be wonderful, but from a "marketability perspective," it has
major problems at the concept level, the outline level, the
structural level, and in many other places.

Instead of that, what if you build marketability into your script
from the very first decision?

Here's a 12 step plan that we use in the PRO SERIES that produces
writing and projects at a professional level:

THE PLAN

1. Start with a marketable concept.

In the first weekend of any movie release, two things sell the movie
to an audience -- the concept and bankable actors.

Here's the good news, you have 100% control over one of those
extremely important factors -- the concept. Isn't that amazing? As
a writer, you actually have more control of whether a movie does
well at that box office than most Studio execs.

A marketable concept is one that is unique in a significant way
and appealing to a wide audience.

Make sure your concept is as marketable as possible. This is the
place where the screenwriter has the greatest power. Don't waste
your chance to "Wow!" them with your concept.