Month: January 2022

Let’s face it, writers aren’t the best when it comes to self-care. We stretch ourselves thin competing with ourselves and people we have never even met, trying to write the perfect scene while our eyeballs sear like steak. We may think we’re doing our due diligence. As the saying goes, writing is suffering… but that’s bullsh*t.

Notes, notes, notes. It’s the most dreaded part of the process, but it can also be the most rewarding if you approach it correctly. Art is meant to be critiqued whether you’re an artist, writer, or musician. People are gonna have opinions on your sh*t. It may hurt to see someone rip your baby to shreds with notes, but as screenwriters, no script gets anywhere without critiques and revisions. So, let’s not be like Erykah and be so sensitive about our sh*t LOL. If you struggle with receiving notes, here are some tips on taking notes/critiques in stride.

A writer can only go so far with understanding the basics of the craft like formatting and structure. What sets you apart from the pack is your voice. Your voice is the sum of a variety of choices you make as a writer. The way you write your action lines, the types of stories you choose, the characters you create and their world views, and the way you write your dialogue add up to your unique voice. We may not think twice about those pieces but that attention to detail is what will give your baby something to say. So if your baby is a bit mute at the moment (LOL) here are some exercises to get it to speak its first words.

If you want screenwriting to be your hobby, that’s absolutely fine. But for the majority, we want this to be our full-time career. When people think of our names, we want the term professional screenwriter attached to them. But the only way we’ll get there is if we treat our grind like a job NOW. That’s right. Right now. Professional screenwriters are constantly creating their own scripts on spec to stay sharp, relevant in the industry, and to hopefully complete their dream of getting their project produced = being paid for their creativity = being a professional. And the only way you’re gonna grab that next open seat at the table against the pros is to constantly and consistently write. So, if you’re wondering how you can employ yourself as a screenwriter now so you can actually get employed later, here are three tips to level up your grind.