I was watching an episode of OFAH last night, the one called 'Go West Young Man.' And what struck me when the Aussie's car went into the back of Boycie's Jag was how much easier this plot was if you wrote it backwards.
Car crashes into Boycie's car. How did Del get Boycie's car? How did the Aussie get the car? Why were they in the Jag in the first place? The scenes were already in place if you wrote it backwards.
Yep. And you end up with less continuity errors too!
Dan
Jimmy carr, in a book called the naked jape, which he co-wrote says that the best way to write most jokes is with the punchline first.
Perhaps there is something in it.
Yep it's very old advice that goes right back to the dawn of time itself, even before The Office, write the punchline first and work back from that!
Of course, it's always good to break the rules!
If you study One Foot in the Grave, Jonathan Creek or Love Soup I'm sure you'll find that David Renwick works that way. There are always so many threads that come together in the end that seemed irrelevent.
I did something similar myself once. I started in the middle and worked out how that scene came about and then what the consequences of that scene were. It worked quite well if I remember correctly.
I'm starting my plot backwards.
All matter in the entire universe and all parallel and alternate universes gets destroyed.
That should give me enough scope! 
Only one human escapes in a special pod (and it's me.. oh, and Girls Aloud!)
Quote: Frankie Rage @ November 21, 2007, 11:28 PMI'm starting my plot backwards.
All matter in the entire universe and all parallel and alternate universes gets destroyed.
That should give me enough scope!
Only one human escapes in a special pod (and it's me.. oh, and Girls Aloud!)
I hope you take out their vocal chords first.
Quote: David Chapman @ November 22, 2007, 12:07 AMI hope you take out their vocal chords first.
You won't be there to care!
But thanks (good tip)
I'm packing an overnight bag now! 