Here we’re starting with a general idea that’s intriguing, rather than a specific idea for a story. There are many possible stories in the material so we’re just exploring possibilities at this point. First we get a general sense of which story elements are active in the idea, getting grounded and connecting the dots. We spin a few possible stories, but they’re tentative and entirely flexible, and those lead us to some intriguing research. Good research will often meet you halfway, bringing us a rich array of options.

We’re not rushing into solidifying a story, but digging deep into the idea’s potential. It’s all wide open and we’re just getting started with this story. I call it Story Alchemy because we’re fusing raw elements together to create a dynamic premise, and I use the terms Method and Madness because we’re working methodically, but we’re also playing with electrifying possibilities, refusing to fall into cliché ruts and bland options.

Jeff Kitchen has trained writers in the craft of the dramatist for over thirty years, from playwriting on Broadway to screenwriting and TV writing in Hollywood, with former students nominated for multiple Emmys and Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. Author of Writing a Great Movie and The Hero’s Dilemma, Jeff is a top-rated writing teacher and consultant, and runs a two-year apprentice program for screenwriters, TV writers, playwrights, and novelists at https://Script.Kitchen.