2. Avoid writing clichés, (over-used lines/ideas you see all the time in movies).

3. Keep a balance between fear and attack. Remember, to be scary, a story doesn't have to have multiple killings. Look at Aliens or Psycho and compare the amount of build-up to an attack compared with the time that the attack lasts.

SPEECH
Give your characters something important to say. There's no need to have them all saying 'Hello' or 'Good morning'. I mean, the occasional 'Hi' is fine but if you watch any film, they'll be kept down to a minority so that the time can be occupied by more important lines.

Avoid the following lines if you're writing a Scream story or a Scream-play as I like to call them.

Sidney/Gale/Dewey/other character: 'It's happening again isn't it?' ---- If it starts to happen again, there's no need to say it. From what these guys have been through, they don't need to confirm it anymore.

Person1: 'What are we gonna do?'
Person2: 'I don't know. I just don't know.' --- At one point, this was the most over-worked set of lines in film history. It's corny and is more likely to make you laugh than make you scared! Similarly, 'I've got a bad feeling about this' is equally as silly.

Especially if you're writing a story based on the Scream events, avoid using 'Screamisms' or lines in the films which were powerful in Scream but not in sequels. They include:

'Who is this?'
'You tell me.'

'What's your favourite scary movie?'

Although these lines may be used in sequels as a hint towards the original Scream, what you must never do is quote lines directly from the films. People will recognise them instantly and your story will lose impact. For example, don't have any of your characters saying 'You still work at the video store/pizza place/movie theatre? I thought they fired your sorry/pathetic/scrawny ass.'

REALISM
In order to keep your story believable, you must make sure you characters act that way. Put yourself in their shoes and say 'What would I do in a situation like that?' Of course, people act differently in movies because they have to. The girl alone in the house investigates the strange noise because otherwise it would be boring. But don't make your characters do stupid things. Remember, people in horror movies nowadays are supposed to be aware of the older horror movies, they 'know the rules' and should act like they do.

The main purpose of a screenplay or short story is to make someone sit down and read it all the way through. That's why your opening has to grab the reader's attention. That's why Scream and Scream 2 were so successful. Also, in order to make people care about the characters, make them real. Don't just think of someone and fill them with lines Randy would say to function as a substitute for him. People will be on to you straight away. If you need to, take inspiration for characters from people you know. They'll all be different and will make your characters much more believable.

KEEP IT SIMPLE
No-one likes an overworked plot. For all its lines and scenes, Scream 2 was basically about a mother's revenge for her son's death. Make sure your plot can be summarised like this. You can add other details later.

AND FINALLY....
Keep it fun and interesting. After you've finished, ask yourself if you'd go and see this movie. If you say 'yes' then you've succeeded!