1. Structure and Pacing
In screenwriting, structure is paramount. Most screenplays follow a rigid three-act structure within a strict page count, with each act containing specific plot points and beats. Pacing must be tight, with scenes moving swiftly to keep viewers engaged. Every minute counts, and screenwriters have to make sure that each scene drives the plot forward, often within a 90-120 page script.
Novel writing, however, offers more flexibility in structure. While many novels follow similar three-act frameworks, authors have the freedom to explore subplots, character backstory, and thematic depth at a more gradual pace. This flexibility allows novelists to dive into side stories or linger in the setting and internal monologues, creating a more expansive narrative.
Lesson: Screenwriters can teach novelists the power of tight pacing and structure, while novelists remind screenwriters of the value of depth and exploration.
2. Dialogue and Visual Storytelling
Screenwriters rely heavily on visuals to convey the story. Descriptions must be concise, with dialogue and action working together to create vivid scenes for the viewer. In screenwriting, “show, don’t tell” is taken literally—actions, facial expressions, and settings must reveal the emotional and thematic core of each scene without lengthy exposition.
In novel writing, authors have the luxury of interiority. They can express a character's thoughts, emotions, and backstory directly to the reader without relying solely on dialogue or action. Novelists can delve into complex inner worlds and motivations in ways that screenwriters often can't, as everything must be externalized on screen.
Lesson: Screenwriters teach novelists to lean into visual storytelling, showing characters’ emotions through actions rather than description. Novelists, on the other hand, remind screenwriters of the value of exploring a character’s inner life to deepen emotional impact.
3. Character Development
Screenplays focus on characters’ actions and reactions in real-time, revealing depth through choice and consequence. In film, characters are defined by what they do, with growth typically demonstrated in key scenes that pivot the plot. Supporting characters need to be carefully managed, as limited screen time forces screenwriters to be selective about how many they introduce.
Novels allow for gradual, layered character development over time. Through introspection, backstory, and subplots, novelists can fully flesh out their characters’ motivations and growth. Readers come to understand characters intimately, experiencing their transformations over a longer arc.
Lesson: Screenwriters benefit from novelists’ attention to character depth, while novelists can learn from screenwriters the power of defining character through clear, purposeful actions.
4. Economy of Language
Screenwriters must be economical, as scripts have to fit into a specific format with limited dialogue and action descriptions. Every word counts, and the language must be evocative yet succinct. This efficiency keeps the story moving and allows for seamless interpretation by directors, actors, and production teams.
In novels, writers have the freedom to develop a personal style and voice, and can experiment with lush descriptions, unique wordplay, and thematic explorations. This freedom, however, requires discipline to avoid over-describing or slowing down the pace.
Lesson: Screenwriters excel in brevity and impact, a skill that novelists can adopt to tighten their prose. Novelists, however, can show screenwriters how to use language to create atmosphere and build unique voices that resonate with readers.
5. World-Building
In screenwriting, world-building needs to be efficient. Limited time and budget require screenwriters to rely on essential visual cues, strategic props, and concise dialogue to suggest the setting. The world of the story is built collaboratively, with directors, set designers, and costume artists contributing to bring the script to life.
Novelists are solely responsible for the world-building within their pages. They can take time to establish intricate settings, cultures, and histories, using description and sensory detail to bring their world to life for readers. This depth of world-building allows readers to fully immerse in settings both realistic and fantastical.
Lesson: Screenwriters remind novelists to convey setting with essential details, while novelists show screenwriters the immersive power of a well-developed world.
6. Audience Experience and Interpretation
Movies are visual experiences consumed in a relatively short span of time, with scenes designed for maximum emotional and visual impact. Because the director’s and actors’ interpretations play a big role, screenwriters must create a framework that’s open to collaborative interpretation while maintaining a cohesive narrative.
Novels offer a more personal experience, allowing readers to interpret characters and events through their own perspectives. The words on the page leave more room for personal imagination, often resulting in a highly individualized experience for each reader.
Lesson: Screenwriters can learn from novelists the importance of giving audiences space to interpret and connect with the story, while novelists can consider the power of scenes and pacing designed for immediate impact.
In summary, screenwriting and novel writing offer distinct approaches to storytelling that complement one another. By learning from each other’s strengths—structure, language economy, character exploration, and world-building—storytellers in both fields can enrich their craft, blending the visual urgency of screenwriting with the emotional depth of novel writing to create powerful narratives.
