| If you’re like most screenwriters, you’ve got a long list of writing resolutions for 2013. But like other New Year's commitments, these resolutions are probably vague and impractical. They’re going to be hard to keep. Before you know it you’ll be settled back into bad writing habits, treating 2013 just like every year that’s come before it. |   |
Rest easy though. That doesn’t have to be your fate. This year can and will be different… If you want it to be.
The ten items on this list will force you to re-evaluate your process and renew your commitment to screenwriting.
They’ll ground you. Challenge you. Help you understand your writing in completely new ways.
Most importantly, they’ll help you become a better writer in 2013.
The ten items on this list will force you to re-evaluate your process and renew your commitment to screenwriting.
They’ll ground you. Challenge you. Help you understand your writing in completely new ways.
Most importantly, they’ll help you become a better writer in 2013.
1) Write What You Want to Write
Stop chasing trends. Don’t write a script just because some ‘producer’ said they might be interested.
Don’t write what’s selling today. Write what’s going to sell tomorrow. Not sure what that is?
Here’s a hint: That’s because you haven’t written it yet.
Don’t write what’s selling today. Write what’s going to sell tomorrow. Not sure what that is?
Here’s a hint: That’s because you haven’t written it yet.
2) Stop Believing in Writer's Block
And start believing in yourself.
You’ve heard it all before and you’ll hear it again. If you feel stuck, work on a different project. Writer’s block is a sign of poor preparation. Bla bla bla.
Bottom line: You suck if you’re a writer that uses writer’s block as an excuse for being unproductive.
You’ve heard it all before and you’ll hear it again. If you feel stuck, work on a different project. Writer’s block is a sign of poor preparation. Bla bla bla.
Bottom line: You suck if you’re a writer that uses writer’s block as an excuse for being unproductive.
3) Finish, Then Scrutinize
If you start to cross the road, but stop and re-evaluate your path every two feet, you’re never going to get across. In fact you’ll probably be obliterated by a bread truck and die a horrible death.
When you start out writing, finish your prep work and then just write. Don’t second-guess every decision you make. If you do, you’ll never make it to ‘fade out.’
Bread is delicious.
When you start out writing, finish your prep work and then just write. Don’t second-guess every decision you make. If you do, you’ll never make it to ‘fade out.’
Bread is delicious.
4) Follow a Schedule
You owe it to your writing and your future career.
Consistent productivity is planned.
Consistent productivity is planned.
5) Set Goals
Here’s a typical set of screenwriting goals:
Now here’s the problem with every single one of those goals: They depend on someone else in order to be successfully realized.
You can’t sell a script without a buyer. You can’t win a contest without a judge. And you can’t get an agent without an agent getting you.
By setting goals that are reliant on other people, you’re taking the pressure off yourself to achieve them, that way if you fail it’s not your fault either.
Instead, set goals that you can take charge of and be accountable for.
It’s up to you to succeed or fail, not other people. Take ownership of that, and you’ll start to take control of your career.
- Get an agent
- Sell a screenplay
- Win a contest
Now here’s the problem with every single one of those goals: They depend on someone else in order to be successfully realized.
You can’t sell a script without a buyer. You can’t win a contest without a judge. And you can’t get an agent without an agent getting you.
By setting goals that are reliant on other people, you’re taking the pressure off yourself to achieve them, that way if you fail it’s not your fault either.
Instead, set goals that you can take charge of and be accountable for.
- Call 10 agents every Wednesday
- Enter 5 contests
- Go to one networking event every month
It’s up to you to succeed or fail, not other people. Take ownership of that, and you’ll start to take control of your career.
6) Prepare More
Writing is pre-writing.
Wire that maxim into your brain, and your work will improve.
Stop jumping into a script as soon as you have an idea. If it’s a good idea, it deserves careful thought. Consider every aspect of the screenplay before you write, and you’ll work more effectively once the actual writing begins.
So above instead of "Finish, Then Scrutinize" a more apt instruction would probably read "Scrutinize, Then Write, Then Scrutinize Some More."
*Not sure exactly what we mean here? Look for a whole article on this in coming weeks. Pre-writing is the new black.
Wire that maxim into your brain, and your work will improve.
Stop jumping into a script as soon as you have an idea. If it’s a good idea, it deserves careful thought. Consider every aspect of the screenplay before you write, and you’ll work more effectively once the actual writing begins.
So above instead of "Finish, Then Scrutinize" a more apt instruction would probably read "Scrutinize, Then Write, Then Scrutinize Some More."
*Not sure exactly what we mean here? Look for a whole article on this in coming weeks. Pre-writing is the new black.
7) Choose Your Genre
This is always a hot button issue amongst screenwriters. But if you haven’t yet, seriously consider picking a genre and sticking to it.
Establish yourself as an expert in one thing, and you’ll immediately become more attractive to agents, managers and the industry on the whole. You can always branch out later.
In a field as competitive as this one, you need every advantage you can get. Start by specializing and you’ll be one step ahead of the game.
Establish yourself as an expert in one thing, and you’ll immediately become more attractive to agents, managers and the industry on the whole. You can always branch out later.
In a field as competitive as this one, you need every advantage you can get. Start by specializing and you’ll be one step ahead of the game.
8) Learn to Take Criticism
The best writers are the ones that are the most willing to honestly evaluate their work. This means taking an objective approach to your writing and seeking out criticism.
And don’t be a baby and demand ‘constructive criticism.’ Every critique is one more block of wood. It’s up to you to do the constructing. And every criticism has some truth behind it. Accept that and use it to make your writing better.
And don’t be a baby and demand ‘constructive criticism.’ Every critique is one more block of wood. It’s up to you to do the constructing. And every criticism has some truth behind it. Accept that and use it to make your writing better.
9) Don't Bullshit Yourself (or other people)
The movie business is full of bull shitters. It makes sense. In a world that is wrought with half-successes and 'almost-there’s' it can be hard not to get wrapped up in little, insignificant victories.
Everyone is seeking validation, and it’s almost impossible to come by.
But if you get caught up in the minutiae, you’re going to lose focus of your goals. So next time you start to talk about that producer that you met that’s interested in the draft of that thing you wrote once… Stop. Sit down. Write.
You don’t need to impress other people, or convince them that you’re talented or successful. Be confident in your work. That should be your validation. Convince yourself, and the world will follow.
Everyone is seeking validation, and it’s almost impossible to come by.
But if you get caught up in the minutiae, you’re going to lose focus of your goals. So next time you start to talk about that producer that you met that’s interested in the draft of that thing you wrote once… Stop. Sit down. Write.
You don’t need to impress other people, or convince them that you’re talented or successful. Be confident in your work. That should be your validation. Convince yourself, and the world will follow.
10) Save More
Because it really sucks to lose the last twenty minutes of work. Those were some good pages.
Honorable Mentions
Read More Scripts - Reading scripts is the 'eating your vegetables' of screenwriting. Do it. You'll feel better, you'll look better, and you'll poop more regularly.
Don't Be Pre-Occupied - There are too many distractions in the entertainment industry. Don't get too caught up with things like networking or researching agents. Stuff like that is important, but it won't actually improve your writing.
Always put writing first. That actually probably deserves a spot on the list. Oh well.
Don't Be Pre-Occupied - There are too many distractions in the entertainment industry. Don't get too caught up with things like networking or researching agents. Stuff like that is important, but it won't actually improve your writing.
Always put writing first. That actually probably deserves a spot on the list. Oh well.
What Now?
Maybe these resolutions will work for you. Maybe they won’t. Everybody works differently.
Comment below to tell us exactly why this article is dumb and your way is better. Better yet – what are your writing resolutions in 2013? Share below.
Comment below to tell us exactly why this article is dumb and your way is better. Better yet – what are your writing resolutions in 2013? Share below.