People without motivation cannot do it. This statement applies to any industry or career, but it’s especially true when you dream and aspire to be a film storyteller (aka screenwriter). Staying motivated is key. This will drive you through the inevitable difficult times on your screenwriting journey. It will keep you focused and help you stay the course.
I have been a professional screenwriter for 18 years. I started with Lionsgate, worked on a miniseries with a cast, and later worked on an independent film. But I also struggled with what I call dark years When the prospects are bleak.
Thankfully, over the past few years I have signed 10 web writing contracts, 8 of which have been feature films produced and distributed, 2 more in development, and more contracts to come . I’m also negotiating potential deals for larger Hollywood productions.
Needless to say, I’ve been busy (and blessed). I just wanted to take the time to share some perspective on how to keep screenwriters motivated—and not just when dark years Seemingly endless rejections and little-to-no prospects, not just when you’re worried that writer’s block is slowing you down (writer’s block is bullshit, by the way), but when things are going well, and even when you “Already breaking through and writing under a professional contract.
5 Ways Screenwriters Stay Motivated From a Professional Screenwriter’s Perspective
1. Make sure you want to be a professional screenwriter
This may seem obvious, but this is the first pro tip I usually give people. “Is this really what you want to do?”
You can’t do screenwriting halfway. You either want to do it and will do whatever it takes, no matter how long it takes to make that dream a reality, or you’re just looking for a lottery ticket by selling spec scripts (which isn’t going to happen) and think it’s an easy one. (no).
You need to make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons. Why is this a motivational tip? When you understand how difficult it is to get the industry to read a script, many people quickly lose motivation and try to rewrite, rewrite, rewrite and sell the first script. If making a lot of money fast is your motivation, your motivation will quickly disappear.
If, on the other hand, you are motivated to learn, get better, grasp the industry’s guidelines and expectations for its screenwriters, and work hard to achieve Profession In screenwriting (as opposed to winning the lottery, which doesn’t happen), you have more motivation to move forward.
Read more: The biggest obstacle to your screenwriting career may be…you
“Previous Life” (2023)
2. Expectation, waiting and rejection
Trust me, I’m not trying to hype here. But this is what you need to hear. If I had heard these words from the beginning, I could have avoided years of frustration and despair.
So, here’s what you need to expect – and be prepared for:
- You won’t sell your first script. “But the writer who wrote “Juno”…” spent years as a copywriter, stripper and blogger, the latter of which led to her writing a memoir that caught the attention of industry insiders. The point is, don’t use exceptions to measure your expectations.
- You may not sell your second, third, fourth, etc.. You need to stop thinking of your scripts as manuscripts for sale and start thinking of them as samples of the real bread and butter of professional screenwriters—writing assignments. It’s not common in a screenwriter’s career to sell a script. This is true even for the top one percent.
The thrill of seeing these movies in your head come to life on the page will keep you motivated. Any success you have with them should be considered the icing on the cake.
That’s the real motivation – the magic of taking the seed of an idea, developing it into a cinematic story, and seeing it through to the end. let That Be your motivator because things end badly in business. Most screenwriters struggle for ten years before their first paid gig. For me, it’s been eight years since I signed with Lionsgate.
Waiting and denial are motivation killers. If you focus too much on high expectations—rather than possible realities—you won’t last long.
This is key to helping you stay motivated – use this time to learn and develop as a screenwriter while working on multiple scripts. Learn from your mistakes and win from them.
Read more: The Secret Cost of Screenwriting: Rejection, Uncertainty, and Anxiety
“Napoleon Dynamite” (2004)
3. Set an industry image deadline for yourself
Most novice screenwriters take a year or more to write a script. Why does it take so long? Part of the reason is a lack of motivation.
When you write a specification, there is no ticking clock. There are no deadlines to push you to get the job done. Instead, you find yourself waiting for inspiration, which is a crock pot. If you want to become a professional screenwriter, you need to learn how create Inspiration (that’s another article for the future). You need to create inspiration based on requirements.
Sorry, but taking a year, two years, or more to complete a script is ridiculous.
“But I have a full-time job…I have kids…I’m in college…”
if you real If you want to be a screenwriter (see #1 above), you’ll find the time to stay motivated. You don’t need to write eight hours a day. That’s a myth. For those talking about the top one percent doing this, it’s a privilege in hindsight. It’s a way for them to romanticize their writing.
The same may be true for them after success. But before they succeeded, they struggled for ten years, just like you are now. They must learn how to find time to write amid full-time jobs, school, and/or family responsibilities.
You need to set deadlines for yourselfnot just random deadlines. Strict ones. Deadlines that reflect industry contract norms can keep you motivated.
Now, if you look at the Writers Guild of America contract guide, you’ll see that contracts signed by such guilds stipulate that the first draft is approximately three months. For beginners, this is a great place to start. to myself three months Complete a script. before that, maybe one month in advance Make the necessary preparations (the outline is your friend, trust me).
But if you really want to train yourself to meet real-world deadlines, get to the point where you can a month– and an extra two weeks for every rewrite.
These are the expiration dates for all 10 of my lifetime contracts. It’s easier than you think.
- Think less about writing days and writing time. Instead, focus on writing course. Sit down and write 10 pages. Whether it takes an hour or multiple hours, it doesn’t matter. Stop after 10 pages.
- Ten 10-page writing sessions can get you to writing 100 pages. The sweet spot for script page length is 90-115 pages.
- Before starting your latest output, reread every 10-page output you do, rewriting as you go.
Writing a script in a month means you can write on average just 10 times in a month and come up with a solid first draft (especially if you rewrite as you go), which means if you write on a different day With each writing session, it only takes 10 days throughout the month to complete a script. That’s good motivation if you ask me.
The one month period is this The most common deadlines for non-union writers (I’m not union). Most working writers are not union members overall (note that there are many guild members who are out of work).
Setting industry-mirroring deadlines like these will not only motivate you, but it will also help train you to work under real-world deadlines and conditions.
Read more: 10-Day Screenplay Solution: Learn How to Write Fast
4. Stop writing when you feel miserable and want to write more
Here’s another pro tip I use to boost my motivation. Of course, it’s easy to get a sudden push of motivation in the midst of inspiration. Sometimes you’re just in the zone and want to keep going. Other times, you get desperate and just keep typing, even though you know what you’re typing isn’t the best.
My biggest advice is to give yourself the desire to write more. When you can’t wait to write down a scene, stop your progress because you’ve got it in your head and you know you can put it down on paper.
As I suggested above, try aiming for a page count rather than focusing on writing for X number of hours. If you accept the 10-page goals I use in career assignment contracts, stop on page 10, regardless of your motivation.
Why? This is what motivates you to find time for your next writing session! Instead of going into the writing phase blind, overwhelmed, ill-prepared, or exhausted, you’ll be excited to continue. it is this The best way to make writing not only more fun and enjoyable, but exciting!
5. Wait until the last minute to write
I know. It sounds crazy and irresponsible – and it’s probably only for the maverick few among us. But here’s my pro tip for riding and dying, and it goes hand in hand with #4 above.
I like to wait. I like to wait until the last second to start my latest draft. If I have a one-month contract, sometimes I can wait two weeks before starting – and then I’m good to go. The adrenaline and excitement of waiting fueled me and I just wanted to write. This excitement can also produce excellent inspiration. This is not procrastination – not at all. It’s all about keeping that stallion at bay until he’s ready to burst out with all his might, speed and drive.
But here’s the thing – just because I’m not typing doesn’t mean I’m not writing. Visualization is a key part of the process. Visualization yes Writing, like typing dialogue and scene descriptions.
While I forced myself to wait a little longer than most people would imagine, I saw and imagined the scene in my mind as I walked, ran, lifted weights, and daydreamed. I’m also watching movies and shows that might have some similar elements to what I’m going to write about, whether it’s genre, character type, tone, atmosphere, time period, etc.
This process fueled the visuals, story points, plot twists, characterization, story structure, and pacing that I already had in my head and on the outline page—to the point where I felt like if I didn’t start writing.
Do you know when it’s time to start writing, but still hold yourself back? You will know.
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Here are five pro tips I use every day in my professional screenwriting career to keep me motivated. Once the contract is signed, things move quickly. You need to train yourself to be prepared. Once you know you want to be a screenwriter, you can start the learning process.
First, you set realistic goals and expectations and know what to expect. Then you start writing to mirror industry deadlines, getting yourself used to having to write quickly and on demand. Then, you’ll learn industry tips that will help you do it better and faster, because that’s what it takes to keep a job as a screenwriter.
Read more: 5 reasons why you should write short stories
Ken Miyamoto has worked in the film industry for nearly two decades, most notably as a studio liaison and then as a script reader and story analyst for Sony Pictures.
As a production writer, he participated in numerous studio meetings with companies such as Sony, DreamWorks, Universal Pictures, Disney, Warner Bros., and numerous production and management companies. He previously signed a development deal with Lionsgate and has had several writing assignments, including producing the miniseries Blackout, starring Anne Heche, Sean Patrick Flanery, Billy Zane, James Brolin, Hayley Duff, Brian Bloom, Eric Larsa and Bruce Bucklina star in the thriller “Hunter’s Creed” and many Lifetime thrillers. Follow Ken on Twitter @ken电影 and Instagram @KenMovies76
