We had a great chat tonight on setting our 2016 writing goals and software/apps to help us stay organized and on track. Enjoy and Happy New Year!
@jeannevb
Read the transcript below or
on the Storify site .
Setting Writing Goals, Tips & Tricks to Stay On Track - #scriptchat Transcript January 3, 2016
hey there ! Happy New Year!
Hey guys! Happy New Year! *waves*
Happy New Year and Hello all!
Thought we'd start the new year w/ helping ea other reach goals. Shoot out your goals so we can all help ea other be accountable
I could actually use some tips and tricks. What do ya got?
Apologies to any non-screenwriters in my feed. is on. Mute me for an hour.
First off, don't beat yourself up for not making your 2015 goals.
I got two screenplays done in 2015 and hope to do another two in 2016
Hey everyone. So glad to be here with you all.
I didn't expect to enter 4 contests last year.
contests are a great way to set deadlines to get scripts polished.
I hit a legal wall with Hasbro.
As for me, I completed 4 episodes of my web series , started on a sitcom pilot, and a short film script
Writing 3 pages a day at a minimum, putting on a new theatre piece, applying to are goals I know so far.
My best tip is to use contest deadlines as hard and fast deadlines for yourself. Totally helps me keep going.
Exactly what I plan to do
That was in 2015. In 2016, I hope to write 10 more episodes of for season 2, plus rewrites of sitcom/short
Take those big goals & break them down into baby steps so they don't overwhelm you. Pages per day or scenes per day.
What if you're facing a massive monolith that refuses to be divided?
Then I'm going to film a short I wrote and then film a short my friend is writing.
six months to write my first screenplay, six months to sell it to a producer...ta-daa
It also helped me to rewrite anytime I wasn't writing. makes it become a constant exercise even when I'm not feeling creative.
Goal: Write my next 50 pages. I was going to say finish my first draft, but I'll say 50 pages :)
Great idea. I definitely want to prioritize my time for screenwriting, amid all my article writing
I'm a finalist for Industry Insider, so I was on a 90 day schedule to go from idea to final draft. That kicked my butt.
What I'm hearing you say is run the writing like we'd run a business. That's exactly what we should do!
there has to be something about the project that can be done in steps.
Something I'm working on for accountability/motivation is a gamification system for writing. Ie. achievements for hitting goals.
Hey Jen. I'm in Scriptchat. Would love for you to join me. Hope you're doing great.
You're welcome! Happy new year
My first goal this year is to get my butt in the chair and write. I have been badly blocked for quite a while. :(
Re: accountability, find another writer and do a buddy system where you check in with them once/week with goals/results.
I'm going to start the new year with the athena film festival.
Projects are one thing. Figuring out studio hoops is another. Go around or through. Either way, not easy to break down
I know that I will be back to work on my articles for and , but I will definitely set time for scripts
Thanks! I'm working on it!
ah, studios. That's a whole other beast.
Another thing I want to do is to read more scripts. I've watched movies, TV and web series and have observed them closely
That's the biggest thing facing me this year. Well, that and getting a steady day job.
I've learned a lot from watching those, but I know I definitely need to read more scripts.
Best way to reach writing goals is to treat it w/ same value as your day job. Get it done. Be your own boss. Take it seriously.
Another goal of mine is getting out query letters.
Loving of late for storylining a series w. co-writer. Collaborative, no messy index cards, easy drag & drop.
that's always a goal for me - love reading them when I actually make time for it
Anyone ever go to the great american pitch fest?
Would like to ask those on if they keep a journal or blog in any way? And if it improves their writing?
Do any of you have software or other things you use to keep your writing organized?
Sorry if I am not chatting a lot working on my web series outline and pilot script.
What do you like about Scrivener?
But my goals are to write & shoot my web series, complete online writing & Masterclass w/Kevin Spacey classes & network more.
I'm actually concentrating on prose right now. Perhaps a chapter every one or two weeks.
I have planned and plotted last year on what festivals and events I would go to this year.
I need to get back out there I have been hiding out and working on my day job and that is going well but I want to do film too.
haha Hey, whatever works!
Final Draft and Word (for notes/outlines) have always been enough for me.
I definitely want to read at least 1 movie and TV script a week, plus watch them
Thanks! I'll look into it! It sounds better than constantly shoveling through my MSS trying to find stuff. :)
I try to space out contests I'm interested in to get a nice range of deadlines. Also helps keep me pumped for results year round
I use 's text to PDF script software on my Mac. It works great.
Same here. FD & Word (for notes/outlines). I would like to check out Scrivener and Celtx.
Does anyone know the best way to get final draft for a MacBook Pro?
I'd be curious about how that is
Great idea! I'll do that! Thanks!
pretty sure Scrivener has a trial
Not going to stay up for as I’m off to bed. Its 1:20am here.
Thanks! I've heard a few people talking about Scrivener lately. It must be wonderful!
same. You can download a Mac version of Final Draft on their site.
has anyone found speak to text software they like?
I need a job so I can afford to buy Final Draft.
Writing day! Finding shadows from previous ideas and drafts. Nice to have perspective after holidays!
That's a great idea. I might have a friend that can do that with me.
If you have a better way, I'm all ears.
Hey Kevin! *waves* Welcome, and Happy new year
I haven't used any, but there has to be something out there. Anyone know of good dictation software?
only like $30 for iPad version - it's all I can afford, but I've written three scripts on it
Oh, and anyone know anyone look for an entry level accountant in the Detroit area, I'm available for immediate hire.
I got a Passion Planner in October and it's still sitting there collecting dust haha
Don't have an iPad, and use PC only.
Do you have any experience with the Persona software?
What writing software do YOU recommend to help keep your writing in line?
nope, never used it. Anyone try Persona?
I will be attending 2 festivals this year: Louisiana Intl. Film Festival in Baton Rouge, and Fairhope Film Festival in Alabama
ah, bummer - it's wicked expensive
What's a Passion Planner exactly?
How can you tell if your script is worth sending to a contest or an executive? I lose sense after being so engulfed in it.
Hence I need a steady job so I can pay for it.
I don't usually get to watch live.
Might as well check out the Bentonville ff in arkansas.
I use Scrivener for novels & just started using Movie Outline for new script & I are writing
It's fine, totally understand. Thanks for coming
I usually write scripts on Movie Magic or Final Draft
do you have any screenwriting software at all?
Never been there, but I attended Fairhope for the first time last year. Great films, and great people
it's something I'm clearly not good at haha
I use Celtx on my android tablet.
Geena Davis runs the Bentonville
sometimes Writers Store has discount codes. I'll try to ping you when I see next one.
Late... did I miss the dancing girls?
Ah, so basically like a specialized Moleskine notebook?
Thanks so much for the festival recommendation. I didn't know Geena Davis ran the Bentonville festival.
It's a fine program, but apparently not what is used in the circles I wish to work in.
yes, that's supposed to help you set weekly goals, etc.
(didnt' realize we were on tonight)
Haha! The dancing girls left before I could leave a tip.
we weren't going to be then we decided to do a goal-setting chat since Golden Globes are next Sunday.
I love Scrivener since I'm such a lateral thinker. Helps keep track of stray ideas
I just did a thing in all my Scriveners where I figured out what stage each project was in and what needed to be done...
Hey Chris! *waves* Happy new year. Great to see you here
Sort of a "state of the union" for each concept, the pitfalls I found myself facing, and possible ways to get out of them
hey, happy new year Chris
Is it freeware or do you have to pay for it?
Love the idea of stacking projects in diff phases. I usually just try to tackle all at once. Brain needs a rest.
I got TONS of notebooks and scrapbooks... too many blank ones, too!
We now have two film festivals in San Diego area now: Jan is 1st Coronado & Oct is SD so film is getting more love under LA.
How do you guys approach rewrites? With my short, I'm thinking not just of retooling the characters, but also the story
we're going to have a whole rewrite topic coming up, probably February.
That's an interesting idea. Devoting some time to taking stock of all the ideas you're juggling.
I am hoping we are going to have a short film festival soon. That would be a great opportunity for writers and filmmakers.
That being said, it won't be a total overhaul.
Check out "Fade In." It can read and write all kinds of formats including Final Draft. $50
and so appropriate for the new year
I plan WHAT I'm writing each month, then break it down into tasks and pages for each month every month.
I email myself story ideas then keep them in a file in my email so they don't get lost.
I always print out my first drafts.
I haven't found the perfect approach for tackling the actual process, but figuring out what to fix is usually easy
I'll have to research . That sounds like a good program. Thank you for the recommendation.
Same. Plus I have my iphone that has "Notes" app on the cloud so it great for quick ideas.
I've never tried "stacking" multiple projects, but I guess this is my first time doing it (between my short and web series)
I think it makes it easier to read and edit that way.
Someone suggested I should look at the monomyth (the hero's journey guidelines) for storytelling inspiration.
Step one massive Caffeine
It's like Scrivener for screenwriters...
I don't know how I could manage without Notes and Dropbox on my iPhone.
I've got a screenwriting app on my iPhone too.
I do write out my ideas as if I'm talking to someone else (the "in case I get amnesia" approach to writing)
Me too. I delight in doing rewrite in multicolored pens!
I actually use my phone very little...
Does anyone write poetry to help with their writing?
Step two have motivational photo up near by in my case Betty Page
it's definitely an incredibly DIFFICULT kind of writing
I also have my friend read what I wrote.
So many people do not backup their work. Set an alarm on your phone ea week to remind you to backup. I live by iPhone alerts.
Haha! Not sure about the photo, but I know all about the caffeine!
These days it is easier to dl or upgrade it online.
Not poetry, but I write hold up notes to help fund my writing.
When I write something that's supposed to be especially comedic, I always labor over the jokes for sure.
I always backup my story ideas, treatments, script drafts through Dropbox
comedy is very hard to write. I'm much more of a dark-subject writer. Sick & twisted is easier for me.
I draw a lot sometimes when I'm brainstorming and playing with ideas. Anyone else do that?
Anyone else a member of
http:// Talentville.com ? It's awesome for getting reviews and making screenwriting friends.
I'm the sweetest person in the world in person. On paper? My immediate thought is "let's get twisted"
Ikr. Lol. Back in the day it was napkins, index cards and my arm.
Have any of you tried Carbonite? I have it but have no clue if it actually will work if I needed it.
Comedy, IMO, is THE toughest kind of writing. Seems simple (setups, punchlines), but it's not
I am but I haven't utilized it much.
I get Talentville's newsletter, but never did much on the site. Never really heard much discussion about it.
Writing comedic dialogue and events is kind of easy for me (raised on British comedy), but an actual comedy script? Hard.
I use Carbonite and have had occasion to use it to restore, which worked. It's also a way to remote-access files.
I do told to doodles have meaning...
I'd like to think that if I were more productive, I wouldn't need a productivity app
Even when I worked on my story ideas for S2 of , I still ask myself is it funny?
An electronic storage locker. You pay for a secure cloud.
Oh I am neurotic about backing up. I have a backup to my backup. I had an external HD go bad so glad I had cloud also.
it's an online backup that is ongoing in the background.
Han solo tried carbonite. I had too!
Harder - characters, plot, structure, dialogue & then make it funny.
And it always needs more funny.
same. I'm totally paranoid haha Have had multiple external hard drives shit the bed so I always have plan B,C,D
I used it before, along with another cloud backup called Crash Plan. Now I use Dropbox exclusively
I think... a comedy has to work on it's own without its' comedic elements. So you basically write the movie twice
yeah, provided you know about them before someone just posts "writing sprint, go!" (posted 15m ago)
I write how many pages I wrote that day on the calendar above my desk... and guilt trip myself into having few 0s.
My personal goal for writing a script each day: 1 hour, or 5 pages, whichever comes first. Maybe 2 hours total
Thank you all for recommending all this interesting software for keeping writing organized.
it also helps to have a "sacrifice" project to learn the programs on
Let's talk about finding time to write. Even 15 min a day keeps your head in your story so you're thinking about it all day.
I take a sandwich and my laptop to work every day. I get an hour of writing in the middle of the day.
sounds interesting. The idea of time-jumping can help separate it from other "space ark" series.
I think for me, since I'm also a journalist/blogger, finding time to write a script is even more important
Awesome. Lunch-hour writing sprints make all the difference.
Well if any of you are looking for reviews and are willing to review in return, I'd encourage you to check out Talentville.
I think having a designated writing time and sticking to it helps. And if it's 15 minutes before work that's great.
I'm going to get better about using my public transportation time to write (train) or outline on my phone (bus).
Thanks! I'll take a look at Talentville.
Thats interesting, it's not so much finding the time for me as it is finding the motivation. That's wut I struggle w/.
I have a writing pad in the car, but I barely use it. If I get an idea, I'll just start talking about it in my head
later on i'll find time to write. And just when the thriller starts to get real good. :)
Once I finish my work writing (articles), I need to set aside time to do screenwriting, even if it's 1 hour
That sounds interesting! Something one isn't attached to to test out the programs. I'll keep this in mind.
I call out sessions often, so follow the hashtag. I try to give out a 30-min warning ahead of time.
I like this idea a lot! ^_^
Hey, you doing okay? was tonight.
Yes time management is the biggest issue with writing or any other projects for that matter.
Very true. Both days this weekend, I got a few solid pages done in the morning and felt great the rest of the day.
So we're all going to kick ass in 2016, yes? No excuses. Sit your asses down & meet your goals. *cracks whip*
Good organization and workflow isn't a substitute for putting in the time, but it can make the time much more productive
Since my schedule is getting busier, I will have to use my iCal and Google.
Just write one page a day and you have 3 rough drafts a year.
I need to use a writing pad, especially if I get a great idea for a script, or one that can help an existing proje
On my current first draft I write at least 15 minutes by hand and for my next sprint type that text.
I'm going to need to figure some things out first.
Re: programs & organizing - don't use organization & outlining as a procrastination tool.
anything you can take with you to write down an idea when you get it... you gotta get it!
never! it's a tool to make your time more productive!
No next week due to Golden Globes. Get your on instead for drinks & award show snark.
Nice! Golden Globes looks exciting!
Thanks, everyone! Great chat!
Hasbro Corporate is my next stop. I need to company permission to submit work.
Later all I'm gonna go look up this carbonite.
I tried writing on an eye pad but it just spread the eye infection...
Thanks so much for tonight's chat, and all the amazing work you do for us screenwriters! Love you and everyone here!
we join 's gang during award shows. So much fun!
It's been great as always, ! Many successes in the coming year for everyone!
Very invigorating chat, everyone. Glad I got to be active in this one. Happy new year!
That's funny that you said that. That is my motto this year: .
Hope you're all inspired to push outside your comfort zone & get some serious writing done this year. Use ea other for support!
I'll have to take a peek!
Happy New Year to you all! May 2016 be the best writing year yet! Enjoyed it, as always!
A well needed with everyone. Thanks so much. ! I wish everyone great luck with your goals and projects.
Now back to watching MAKING A MURDERER...
Happy New Year, Everyone! Good luck with your writing projects for 2016. Thank you very much,
Okay, I have things I should busy myself with
Good night! Time to write some more and then watch .
Thanks for joining in, all! Happy writing and Happy New Year! I'll post the transcript & tweet it out.
My one resolution is to figure out how to organize and outline my screenplays
would you believe I've never watched it? Probably the only person in the world haha
I hear very good things about Making A Murderer.
Any advice for approaching known actors about participating in a campaign?
trying to grab a transcript for and Storify site is tell me no results found. Tried 3 diff't browsers. Ideas?
Setting Writing Goals, Tips & Tricks to Stay On Track - Transcript January 3, 2015: We...
http:// bit.ly/1mtM80R
Setting Writing Goals, Tips & Tricks to Stay On Track - Transcript January 3, 2015...
http:// bit.ly/1ODYidm via
Missed for film school. I love my film school classes.
Shooting for four feature drafts and a pilot this year. Hold yourself accountable!
Examining my one last time before shipping it off to for notes.
s4dbb: Examining my one last time before shipping it off to maximum_z for notes.
Sorry I missed tonight's ! Glad I didn't miss a thing! cc: