by Jenna | Dec 17, 2022 | ScriptMag Articles
In this month’s “Ask the Coach” article, I’m responding to a question about how much to develop a story before starting to write pages.
In this article, I talk about screenwriter Jeff Howard’s take on the value of outlining and developing a story, particularly for screenwriters, including being able to:
- Get back into a script more readily if life interrupts
- Meet contractual obligations to outline once working professionally
- Layer a story more effectively (easier to do at the outline stage)
- Maintain a consistent tone throughout the entirety of the script once you’re writing pages
My ultimate answer to the reader asking the question was: Yes, do the development work first, along with my reasoning based on their specific question and a recommendation on how to proceed.
It’s always tempting to want to skip over the hard part of solving those issues and just writing what you know so far, but you may well be writing yourself into a corner.
Photo by Ron Lach
by Jenna | Nov 19, 2022 | ScriptMag Articles
In this month’s “Ask the Coach” article, I’m responding to a question about prioritizing writing.
In the article, I talk about what prioritizing writing means, where we run into trouble, and then how to prioritize writing.
Here are some of the key points to give you a sneak peek:
- Think of writing as “important, not urgent,” aka something you invest in — taking action on writing is about being the leader of your own life.
- Craft a workable writing schedule that helps you make your priorities actually happen.
- Set writing goals for yourself so you know what you’re doing when you sit down to write.
- Set boundaries around your writing time with others — and yourself.
- Match your attention, intention, and action — so you’re being the writer you want to be.
Ultimately, prioritizing writing boils down to a collection of choices we make about ourselves and our lives that are reflected in our goals, actions, attention, and intentions.
Photo by Ann H on Pexels
by Jenna | Oct 22, 2022 | ScriptMag Articles
In this month's "Ask the Coach" article, I’m responding to a comment on Twitter about handling procrastination. This is a topic I never tire of talking about with writers because it's so relevant and important to understand and navigate. Plus, I've recently reviewed some newer (and empowering) research about procrastination, which I've shared in the article.
In the article, I review five high-level reasons writers procrastinate to help us unpack this common struggle. I describe each reason more fully in the article, but here's the core overview:
- We procrastinate because we’re afraid.
- We procrastinate because writing matters to us.
- We procrastinate to manage challenging emotions. 👈 the newer part!
- We procrastinate to get dopamine hits.
- We procrastinate to process intuition and information.
With this understanding of why we procrastinate, I also offer ways we can manage procrastination, including rewriting negative thoughts, creating community and support around writing with other writers, using deadlines and other external motivations, and more.
The bottom line is that we procrastinate for very real reasons.
by Jenna | Sep 18, 2022 | ScriptMag Articles
In this month’s “Ask the Coach” article I’m answering a reader question about how to build a consistent writing routine, even while managing work and family.
This is the high level view of the 7 tips I shared to help writers start to establish a consistent writing routine and rhythm. Each tip is described more fully in the article, but here’s the list to get you started:
- Begin with sustainability in mind.
- Study your own “resistance threshold.”
- Explore your optimal time of day for writing.
- Trim time from less fulfilling activities.
- Design a writing schedule.
- Build in writing associations or triggers.
- Implement and refine.
In order to be consistent, a useful strategy is selecting a sustainable level of effort for each of your writing sessions.
Photo by Tara Winstead from Pexels
by Jenna | Aug 20, 2022 | ScriptMag Articles
Welcome to the latest installment of my “Ask the Coach” column on Script Mag! This month I’m addressing a few shorter reader questions:
In response to last month’s article regarding having more than one script when querying, a reader asks: “You wrote that marketing your script ‘will involve making sure you have at least two marketable scripts before querying.’ Why is it important to have TWO scripts?” The bottom line is that while it’s absolutely not a requirement to have two marketable scripts before querying, it’s a smart strategy because it means you’re ready when an industry pro or exec likes your writing but not the specific story, and says, “What else do you have?”
Our second question is about finding a unified story structure method and whether there even is such a thing. I’ve studied a lot of methods myself and to date, my personal experience is much like that of the inquirer — taking aspects from different methodologies and merging them to create my own approach. My TL;DR? No, I don’t believe there’s a single script method unicorn, except perhaps the one you ultimately create for yourself.
And last, the third question this month is about what next steps to take with writing classes. In addition to suggesting some specific places to find classes, I recommend thinking about what you most want to learn next and what kind of experience you want to have as a student and creator.
…at the end of the day, trust yourself. Your instincts and inner guidance are among your most valuable tools as a writer.
by Jenna | Jul 23, 2022 | ScriptMag Articles
Welcome to the latest installment of my “Ask the Coach” column on Script Mag! This month I’m addressing a question about where to send a script:
“I am wondering if you know any places or producers that I can send my movie script to?”
Ah, yes! What to do with your movie script once you’ve finished. It might seem like it should be a single, simple answer of where to send it, but it isn’t.
Here’s what you need to know: Once you’ve finished your script, the reality is that there are a number of pathways to bring your script to the marketplace, which can include seeking representation with a manager or agent (Neil Landau recommends starting with a manager), submitting to contests, searching for producers and other industry contacts on IMDBPro and LinkedIn, attending pitchfests, and more.
Rather than rehashing some of the already excellent articles out there about how to sell your script (a search engine is excellent here), let’s put the marketing process in context to help you adopt a marketer’s mindset. [more…]
Figuring out where to send your script requires research, supporting documents, networking, and the mindset that marketing is a normal and expected part of the process.
Photo by Ron Lach from Pexels
