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How to Write Every Day

By Cameron Cubbison · February 25, 2015

At screenwriting's core, there's a love/hate relationship. We thoroughly enjoy reading other scripts; we like to dream up sequences; and we adore watching other films and playing out the screenplay in our heads. But for most, when it comes to sitting down and writing out that beloved action and dialogue, we have a hard time pushing through to the end. Hell, we have a hard time pushing through to the midpoint. So, is there a magic recipe for making each day count? It might be hard to believe, but there are two simple things to do to help cure this blockage. 

1. Think Small at All Times

I cannot stress enough how important it is to take your screenplay page by page. Yes, outlining each Act and Sequence helps greatly, but at the end of the day the first draft gets completed when one page, two pages, three pages get completed. 

Designate a deadline (eg: contest deadlines) and divvy out pages per day accordingly. It will come out much smaller than you would expect. 

2. If You Have a Routine, Great. If Not, DON'T Force One. 

We push routine hard. We always will. But we also understand that many writers hate routines. Not to worry. Simply expand your version of the routine. What does that mean? Instead of trying to plug your script writing into a morning block every day (and we know this is quite the task within itself), look at it from a 24-hour perspective. Find the best time to write (be it 30 minutes or two hours) and do it then. That being said, we ALL have time to make time. Don't forget that piece of the deal either.