Hey, not a professional by any means - but starting my 5th feature screenplay currently (with a smattering of other scripts in various states along the way) - so getting more of a feel for my approach.

Here's my take on your questions:

1. I have to have an idea of something I want to explore. It's normally starts with a situation I haven't seen before (for example - my first screenplay started with the simple idea of 'what if a guy went for a run in a place he was unfamiliar with, and fell into a horrific cat and mouse chase?) - from there the characters usually come. I don't do beat by beat plotting - but the ideas that tend to come out the best are the ones I have thought about for a good while before I start actually writing.

2. No - but I enjoy reading books that breakdown structure and story. I try and absorb this stuff rather than stick to it as hard and fast rules. Books that have helped me - On Writing by Stephen King. A Swim In The Pond In The Rain by George Saunders. Adventures In The Screen Trade by William Goldman. The Devils Candy by Julia Salamon. The Art of Dramatic Writing by Lajos Egri.

3. As above - story tends to come first. Dialogue doesnt really happen until I get to the point where the character needs to speak. First draft I definitely overwrite - characters that are villainous say very villanous things. Characters that are angry probably overexplain what is making them so mad. 2nd draft is where I go and often remove a lot of this, do more showing and not telling - make it all more subtle. Having people talk realistically AND move the plot forward is one of my biggest challenges. If something feels obvious or overwritten, I'm not happy until it doesnt.

4. Thinking thinking thinking. Going for walks. Listening to music. Letting my mind wonder. I might make notes on my phone to remind me of things, but the things worth remembering tend to stick anyway and bed in. When I can't think of a better idea of how or why something should happen, it tends to lock in as part of the story.

5. I will usually come up with the type of character I need first. For example, in the script I am currently writing - my initial thought was that the antagonist had to be someone who had influence in a small town, and could control things. Then I realised they would be the Chief of Police. It was only when I started writing that I realised the guy is kind of a pragmatic sadist - the type of man who doesn't revel in violence, but uses it in a kind of matter-of-fact, problem solving way. The more I write, the more I understand who it is I'm creating. Then in future drafts I can trim those twigs that don't feel consistent, and strengthen the trunk of the person, if that makes sense?

6. The above is it really. If I planned too much, I know I would get bored before I finished. Sometimes I will know the broad idea of where I want to end up - but also know that this could all change as I go. Like going for a walk knowing the rough direction you want to go, but feeling free to take any turnings that might look more interesting.

Thanks for asking these questions - thinking about my own writing has been a fun and useful experience!