HBL Creative

It’s resolution season, and while I’m wary of the arbitrary Jan 1st start date on a brand new you… I do love me some goal setting. So if you, like so many writers are looking toward the new year with hope, ambition and maybe even determination let me lend some friendly advice on how and what to plan for the 12 months ahead.

Resolution Basics

Before we get into specific ideas for writers and filmmakers, I want to repeat what all the habit-making experts seem to agree on. If you’re looking to make a change to your life there are a few simple but crucial rules to follow.

• Be Specific- “Write more” is a really good intention, but it’s not a plan.
• Make ’em Measurable- Use numbers. How many scripts, books, pages?
• And Attainable – We love to be ambitious. But if your goal is unattainable, you are guaranteed to get discouraged and give up.
• Also Relevant – It’s obvious but I’ll say it anyway. Please don’t set goals that aren’t relevant to the life you want to lead.
• Add a Timeline – You want deadlines and timelines to keep you accountable.

The idea is to set yourself up for success. So really look at the long term goal, break it into smaller specific tasks, set up a timeline to track it all. Like in writing, when you spend a little time getting organized up front (by outlining or researching, say) you can save yourself a ton of heartbreak later on.

Now on to some ideas

Quantity vs. Quality

There are two basic ways to go with writing resolutions. You either want to write MORE or to write BETTER. They are both noble pursuits and I can’t in good conscience advise one over the other. Truthfully, the two go hand in hand: quite often committing to one of these will inevitably lead you toward the other.

The decision is personal and will be informed by where you already are in your career or writing practice.

WRITE MORE

The single most powerful thing an emerging writer can do to really solidify themselves is committing to a writing schedule. The more writing you do, the more regularly, the more comfortable you become calling yourself a writer. And that’s kind of a big deal. That’s confidence, baby.

Some will say it has to be every day. But see the above rules about attainable goals. You have kids. You have a job. So let’s be real in setting this up. Choose an achievable goal per day: say 1 or 2 pages or 20-30 minutes. Could be just weekdays. Or weekends. It helps if it’s an actual block of time in your calendar. Even better if it’s at the same time every day. We’re looking to build a routine here, the more uniform and repeatable it is the better.

Then show up and start typing. Try not to do any editing. Just write. Once the habit is established you can use the time to go back and polish, but to start you want to be achieving the mini-task of writing x-pages/minutes a day. Celebrate those little wins. Editing has a way of negging the vibe.

There are ton of benefits to this habit if you can pull it off. My favourite is momentum. Because you’re writing on the reg, your head is in the story between sessions. It doesn’t have time to fade way. And now you’re low-key thinking about it while showering and driving or making breakfast.

Make Friends

The second most powerful thing an aspiring writer can do to write more is to make themselves accountable to others. If you’re the kind of writer who needs a little exterior voice cheering you on, nagging you and expecting to read your work joining a writer’s group might be just thing for you this coming year.

Now I know what you’re thinking. People! I HATE People! Writers are notoriously solitary creatures and I don’t generally care for people either. But people can be wonderful motivators. A writer’s group that meets twice a month can be just the kick in the ass you require to finish a scene or a draft.

You can search for an existing group, if you’re old school and want to meet up IRL check your community center or library. You can join a writer’s association or search online communities to find a group that works for you. Or start your own!

WRITE BETTER

If you’re an emerging screenwriter looking to hone your craft there are a few tried and true practices that can push you onward and upward in that pursuit.

Make Friends

YES! I already placed “making friends” under WRITING MORE, but I think it also plays a crucial role for those looking to WRITE BETTER. It’s my blog and I’ll repeat myself if I want to.

When you join a community of writers you gain insight from your peers in the form of feedback on drafts. That’s invaluable. You cannot improve your writing without handing it over to be read.

But here’s the secret bonus: when you join a community of writers you also gain experience in giving notes and analyzing the writing of others. You get to see what THEY are writing and this can provide a nice boost in confidence. Other times it’ll light a fire under your butt. Either way, you’ll be motivated.

Read More Screenplays

Hands down the easiest and most enjoyable way to improve your writing is by reading more screenplays.

Approach this with the rules outlined at the top. Set a realistic weekly goal. Make a list of screenplays you want to read, and source them in advance. Leave a little room to read unexpected works (from your new friends, perhaps?)

You can make your list thematic based on what you’re currently writing or interested in. Science Fiction or Comedy for example. Or keep it broad and general. Here are some resources to get you started:

Writer’s Guild 101 best Screenplays of the 21st Century – so far

IMSDB – Internet Movie Script Database 

Simply Scripts 

Challenge Yourself

Perhaps my favourite way to push my writing forward is to challenge myself to write something I’ve never written before.

It’s easy to get comfortable in a genre, form or style. When you find that writing is becoming a little too easy, it may be time to push yourself outside your comfort zone.

So, make your brain do something new. If you’ve only ever written Drama maybe try your hand at Mystery or Fantasy or Comedy. If you’ve been writing short films for years, it’s a good time to tackle that feature or pilot. Have you ever written with a partner? Or adapted a novel, article or life story? Are your films dialogue driven? Write something that’s almost completely silent.

It’ll be hard, but it’ll also be fun.

Career Push

The new year is a really good time to pull out the calendar and the budget and make a plan for where to invest your time and money.

International Screenwriting Labs, Fellowships, Contests, Grants and Festivals can be game-changers in a writer’s career. But strategy is key.

So take a good look at all the programs, deadlines, costs and eligibility requirements. See which align with the projects you have cooking and choose a few to target this year.

Put the entry fees aside. Circle those deadlines on your calendar. Then create a timeline working toward those dates, that includes research, multiple drafts and feedback.

Whatever goal you set for yourself this year, I hope you follow through and reap the rewards… But if you don’t, just remember Jan 1st is not the only start date on the calendar. So if you fail, just choose a new one, and try again.