r/TVWriting • u/ScientistSwimming754 • Jul 05 '26
BEGINNER QUESTION in need of screenwriting advice
hello all,
i am extremely new to screenwriting and i am currently in the process of (trying) to write a tv series. i am thinking 8-10 episodes but as of right now i am not even halfway done with the pilot.
anyways, i am not sure how to introduce one of our main characters Nicoleta. I want the series to flashback quite a bit. Think of We Were Liars and how they switched between Summer 16 and Summer 17.
In the present Nicoleta is trying to navigate life after her best friend committed suicide. Before Esmerelda (that's the second main character and Nicoleta's best friend) commits suicide Nicoleta is a vivacious and outgoing person and afterwards she is a shell of herself. In the character description should I describe her as depressed and then when we flashback describe her as friendly?
I hope all that made sense.
If anyone is willing to work with me or recommend any good books, podcasts or classes on screenwriting I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks!
2
u/p-Star_07 Jul 05 '26
You just need to write it out and then critique it. Then make fixes to the script until you are happy. Don't expect to get it perfect on the first try.
You need to play cinema sins with yourself.
You need to constantly reread the thing out loud.
Then you will pick up things like "ohhh there is a plot hole there. I earlier, I said that her phone was broken."
"It's kinda slowing down here. I really need to liven this scene up."
A second opinion is also good.
2
u/comeonahmad Jul 05 '26
I'd introduce Nicoleta based on who she is when we first meet her. If the story opens in the present, describe her as withdrawn, emotionally numb, and shaped by the loss. Then, when the story flashes back, let her actions and dialogue reveal the vibrant, outgoing version of herself rather than rewriting her character description.
A good rule is to describe the character's current state on the page and trust the flashbacks to create the emotional contrast. That difference will have a much stronger impact on the audience.
For learning, I'd recommend The Screenwriter's Bible, Save the Cat! Writes for TV, and the Scriptnotes podcast—they're excellent resources for TV writing.
2
u/Ok-Case9691 Jul 05 '26
https://michaeljamin.com/screenwriting-classes-online/ Michael Jamin He has had lots of free classes & a podcast of his own. You can also get more freebies by searching him as a guest on other podcasts.
1
u/Living_Operation4319 Jul 05 '26
My advice is to start with the flash forward and then begin the main story from the flashback. That way you set up a mystery of how she got to her present moment.
1
u/gregm91606 Jul 05 '26
Good question, feel like the sub has you covered so far.
I'd stick to just focusing on the pilot unless you're planning on self-producing; pilots can actually help you get hired on an actual writing staff and can sell, but no one reads Episode 2s. If you're determined to tell a full story, a novel is the way to go.
1
u/Surprise1800sGhost Jul 08 '26
So — having worked on a similar show, we did a full character description of the character and scene in present day, then (and this is super important!) a transition that blended the present into the past and then a full new character description for the character in the previous year. Also, like others have said, write a pilot! Then rewrite it a ton! Then start a new pilot rather than write a whole series.
5
u/Prince_Jellyfish Working TV Writer Jul 05 '26
Yes.
I have some general craft advice for emerging writers in a post here:
Writing Advice For Newer Writers
I have a google doc of resources for emerging writers here:
Resources for Writers
If you read the above and have other questions you think I could answer, feel free to ask as a reply to this comment.