Screenwriting : How to find the energy to write after an 8 hour work day. by Laura Dulin

I wait till I put kids to bed, and my wife decides to go to bed for the night. This is my time and I could spend it watching TV (sometimes I do), but I know this is the only time I truly get peace so this is the time.

good suggestions. Unfortunately I'm not a night owl, so lat night won't do. However, the key might be in trying to slip it in here and there at work. :)

you should get up an hour early and do 1 hour per day. That's all you need to make progress!

I used to write an hour before work, and then spend the work day thinking of the next day's writing.

sometimes i think I would give anything to only have an 8 hour day 5 days a week.

Instead of time, try pages. One page a day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owCk4OpVm_Y&list=UUs8o1mdWAfefJkdBg632_tg From William Martell, can't wait for the full interview.

I realized that with my full time job with an IT MNC, I could not do so much, other than dream and moan :-). I quit my cozy job to become productive. While I seem to be doing some writing (at least I am occupied the whole day) , the $ is yet to come. I intend to give it a shot for a couple more months , and then pick up a less taxing job, though it may bruise my ego a li'l bit :-). But my writing has to go on, as I've burned all my bridges...

If you're freshest in the morning, then get up early and use that quiet time to write. I used to be a night writer, sitting down to pound at the keyboard right after dinner. Gradually I found that by the time I could sit down at the computer a night I was already done for the day. So now I get up at 5am (ish -- and sometimes it's a big ish) and put in my writing time. It took a while to get used to, but now it's into my body clock, and I'm making pages. The other tip is write during your lunch, assuming you don't need to do job-related networking, errands or the like.

Thanks for the tips everyone. Like you all I must find some special way to work it.

Laura, there is a great book by Pilar Alessandra called the coffee break screenwriter. She not only breaks down the process into things you can achieve in small chunks, but it is also just a good resource for how to break and structure story. (It's also a quick read).

I love the book. Convenient book to use if you're stuck somewhere for a while...dr's office, traffic jam, etc..

Paraphrasing Jake Kreuger: Set small objectifiable goals and write every day when you're awake and alert (not exhausted.) That probably means writing in the morning before work (getting up earlier, if necessary). There is time. if not the morning, Lunch hour. Breaks. Train commute. Are you a writer with a day job or a [job title] with a writing hobby? When you decide you're a writer, you'll make it happen.

I know what you mean, Laura. I recently posted the question, asking how many hours people tend to commit to writing each week on top of working a full-time job. Something I've heard that I'm trying to follow is: Write every day, no matter how small. Write something. I'd also suggest jotting down ideas as they come to you throughout the day.

Having a job that gives you time to write is, in my opinion, crucial. This might mean writing on the job, it might mean writing early in the morning, at lunch, at dinner, etc. but the more you struggle to find time, the harder it's going to be. I'd carry a notepad with you everywhere though. If you're so busy you can only write in your head while at work, at least you can catch a few of your best ideas on paper and translate them into something more later. I've brainstormed some of my best ideas while walking between tasks at work, and a ready notebook ensures they don't just fade away.

Well in my opinion, there's pretty much no job that doesn't allow you the time to pursue writing as just a half hour a day 4 or 5 days a week can yield results over time. Just like theres' no job that doesn't allow time for exercise. If you want to find the time, you'll find it. Even with 2 jobs and 3 kids if that's your situation.

Even though I have time to write...I try just 3 to 5 pages at a time. This even gives me time to add certain situations that have occurred, and ramble around in my head. No pressure. In a month the screenplay can be done. Set a goal.... but don't beat yourself up if it's not exact.

Hi Laura, I like you have a 40 hour work week, sometimes more, plus an 11 year old and a house to care for. However, thanks to a referral by Stephanie Palmer I read a book by Twyla Tharp. I first heard the raves reviews from Howard Stern but then it was backed up by Stephanie so I read it. What a great book!!! She gives some real insight to discipline and being able to get it all done even when you just want to stay asleep in bed instead of getting up and putting pen to paper.

After reading a number of great suggestions I came up with the following plan: Read one exercise from "The Coffee Break Screenwriter" when I arrive at work, and try to reflect on it throughout the day. Go to a cafe after work to write for an hour in order to spend this hour writing instead of stuck in traffic. Be as dedicated as possible. Good luck to all.

I work 10hr days and have to travel 2.5hrs to and from work, so finding time to write means getting up at 445am for an hour and then another hour when I get home. I did this for two years. Totally exhausted me. The only thing that kept me going was the absolute love I had for my idea, and the enthusiastic responses I got from others when I pitched the idea to them. Those positive vibes gave me the energy to burn the candle at both ends. After a long rest, I'm about to do it all over again and I can't wait! Good luck Laura. Keep coming back to Stage 32. I find the great people here very inspiring and supportive :-)

I work almost 12 hours a day, and it stressed me out. But i always bring some small notebook or sometimes i use my iphone notes to write it down what it came out from my mind while i do my work. What can i say to you is, inspiration is come from anything. Just put it all together in your notepad, and continue it while you finish you work (usually i do this after shower) hope it help. :)

When I was working full time, I committed to spending at least five minutes to writing every weekday morning, with a few hours on the weekend. I used the Seinfeld "Don't Break the Chain" method. See www.writersstore.com/dont-break-the-chain-jerry-seinfeld. Even though five minutes doesn't seem like much, it kept me engaged with the writing and enabled me to kick things into a higher gear on the weekend.

I was wondering the same thing. I've been working+commuting+kids activities 12-16 hrs over the last few years with normally about 6 hrs sleep and i still need to figure out how to slot in time to continue writing and providing innovation to my site www.screenplaybids.com which was supposed to help the community link together. I need that advice too :)

You make room for your priorities. You can't do everything.

I know Richard... maybe i can get the kids to walk to their activities and document it into a script :)

A steady stream of coffee helps...

Honestly, I kinda don't, but I'm fortunate in that I have most of every weekend free to write.

You just need to find your new schedule. A new job will not only rock your daily schedule for everything, but it's a permanent fixture in the top ten most stressful things you can do. Focus on your new job, take notes for the writing and write when you can. Everything will sort itself in a few weeks.

Wise advice, Rick Reynolds.

A new job wasn't what i was thinking but sounds great :)

Here's a great article on this topic by Scott Myers: http://gointothestory.blcklst.com/2014/12/writing-goals-2015-part-7-time....

Not an easy question. I've found that I get more done if I give an hour to ninety minutes in the morning, rather than try to squeeze it in at night. As many others have mentioned, working things out in your head during the day makes you more productive when you do have time to sit down and write.

Did you just employed or have your family and children?

No children, just a job. How so many of you work 10-12 hours, commute, have children and still write is beyond amazing. I might suggest to some of you who seem overburdened with responsibilities to read "Simple Prosperity" by David Wann.

I've got three (older) children, my wife and I both work, splitting school runs etc between us... my new years resolution is to write at least 2 pages every day (avg 4 so far)... and 1 new idea. I've tried to set myself up to win with this by doing the following:- 1) I have my laptop in the lounge, earphones connected to iPhone so I can listen to music rather than have TV distract me. This way I am 'with the family' whilst still getting some peace to write. 2) I've bought keyboards for my iPad and iPhone, I keep my scripts synced in the cloud on CeltX, so I can write in multiple places and always be on the latest draft. I'm hoping these will help, and keep me writing for frequently during the day... I also vowed to spend less time on writing sites and more time writing - jury's out on that one ;-)

A page a day.

Now that I've been hired on a new writing assignment and still running my Consulting business full time, life is about to get crazy. I don't know how people with children do ANYTHING to be honest. But, I'm not an "hour a day" writer. I need to finish everything and be able to jsut focus on the writing for an extended period of time, so my goal is to set aside 1 day a week - at least a 6 hour period - to write. Probably Sunday. But everyone has their own process. Don't let those who tell you to "write one hour a day" make you feel bad that you can't.

I'm a weekend writer and weekday note-taker at the moment. I do what I can on the Sat and try to make it up to 8 hours over the Sun. I don't beat myself up about it though. What I am trying to do is change my life situation so I have more time to write.

Danny is right, the way people structure their writing time, (to when they can be most productive) is different for everyone. I have no choice but to be at peak production levels everyday possible. I'm fortunate that I get paid to write for others, so the key to me is to get my projects the attention they deserve (something I am working diligently at in 2015). I'm one of the crazy ones single, with a nine-year-old, dog, chameleon etc... plus so many work for hire and coverage jobs that they end up as at least 1 1/2 fulltime jobs -- my day goes from 5 am to midnight everyday. As a freak of nature and efficiency, I can tell you this; that once you get to an automatic level of productivity where you have no choice but to keep a lot of balls in the air, you actually produce more. THE MORE YOU WRITE THE MORE YOU ARE ABLE TO. I don't have time for writer's block, if something isn't flowing, I go for a walk, beat a punching bag and/or I stack projects where I'll outline on one while writing on another and polishing or meeting on another. I average 10 pages a day -- but not always on the same project. I read at least 3 scripts a day, on my phone or ipad -- I get my second wind about 9 PM where I'd stay up all night and write if I didn't have to get up at 5 to get life in order. It's different for everyone -- but one thing is for sure, if you don't sit down on a regular basis and write you will never be a writer.

Laurie, that's exactly what I've found. Winding back from writing full time to writing part time has kicked my imagination in the gut.

Maybe I'm strange, but I find all day at work I have so many ideas running through my head that when I get a piece of paper in front of me it doesn't matter if I have energy or not they need to come out. I'm the same way if I'm trying to sleep and a new idea comes to me, I need to get up and get it down before I could sleep.

I kinda consider it like surfing waves. You ride the wave as long as the gumption lasts. Then you either swim out to catch another one (in your "off time") or you just get out of the ocean (and maybe read a book or watch a flick to percolate fresh ideas as you read or watch).

Stephen King says if you write 4 good pages a day, you're doing really well as a writer. So don't beat yourself up with the "8 hour" mark you've set for yourself. Sometimes, you want to want to write... you never want to feel like you have to write.

Caroline Thompson (Edward Scissorhands, Nightmare Before Christmas etc...) says she only writes 5 pages a day, sometimes they're easy sometimes not -- but she feels like that's all she can do effectively. I'd be thrilled to get to a point where that was all I had to do.

First of all, you have to make a decision to START. You can say you're too busy, too tired, too (insert excuse), but how badly do you want it? You cannot achieve results without STARTING! Also, have you set a specific, written goal. Psychologists who study the art of success claim that 95-97% of people who do NOT have written goals fail, while the 3-5% who do have written goals triumph. You need to be among that elite 3-5% if you want to succeed! Are you making your writing goals a priority in your life? We can all say we don't have enough time. And who does? But the bottom line is, determine what you value?

Whoa Larry. Congrats on 15 pages in one day. Just remember that editing in a negative task, and writing is a positive one. It helps to stick with wearing one hat. If you're writing, stick with your writing. Editing should be done after. Personally, when I print out my pages and re-read them for editing purposes, I find that I lose a certain head of writing steam that keeps the progress going at the same clip. Just something to file away as to how to work most efficient towards the goal of a finished first draft.

I usually can't; most of my time writing is Friday night to sometime Sunday. Good weekend about 5k words. When I am home; as in the past week, I just marathon. So I was able to edit 196k words in about 3 days....

Use time doing mundane chores like loading dishes or doing laundry, or when you're stuck in traffic to turn over problems in your story in your head. My playwriting instructor once told me that there is plenty of time when we're doing things but not really using our brains for anything much. You just need to know ahead of time what you're going to be thinking about when you find a chance like that.

@Richard...I get a lot of the pre-write work done while I'm prowling the halls at work delivering lab mail.

Laura---""unfortunately I'm not a night owl"" is a cop-out. In many jobs I've had, the hours were crazy and I never said I wasn't a morning person or a night person. Because I was willing to get where I am, I've even done jobs where I would sleep for 3 hours, work for 6 hours, then sleep for 3 more hours before the next job. If this is something you want, excuses won't get in the way. So your not a night owl, then push yourself a bit to use part of the night owl time, even if it's only 20 minutes. You may have to become what your not, in order to become what you want. DON'T be a night owl when the script is finished or your rich and famous. Bend for the cause, don't try and make the cause bend for you.

Certain jobs allow one the luxury to write, like those where you are on call.

I think I've realized after reading everyone's responses that the true culprit for not moving forward as fast as I'd like is procrastination, and not a lack of time. When I was unemployed I simply ran out of ways to procrastinate, and so the only thing left to do was write. Now that I'm employed again, between work and procrastination, the day is gone. Time to get over whatever fear causes procrastination and just do it. Thanks again for everyone's comments.

Hi Laura: Last year I tried an experiment which worked and thought I would share. Instead of writing everyday, I took myself out for tea on a saturday or sunday and worked on my feature film script for just two hours. I wanted to see how long it would take to write a feature from start to finish. Before a year was up I had my first draft - just working 2 hours every weekend. It was a very satisfying experience and it was nice to take the pressure off of myself and look forward all week to my little treat each weekend. Of course this won't work if you're on a timeline but if you are writing a spec - what's the rush? Hope that helped. Cheers, Chris.

Take the time you find for reading books and newspapers and write in those times.

I found it impossible to write after a long day at work as I work very physical jobs. all i want to do when i get home is sit down and watch telly. i found days off the best times to write. i am now unemployed and enjoying the luxury of time to write though not writing nearly as much as i should be.

I use a couple of tricks. One is to work on aspects of writing that don't require my full energy. I do those things when I'm feeling tired or beat down. For instance, proofreading, reorganizing files, writing non-production background information - whatever occurs for you as monkey-work, that's stuff you can do when you're feeling tired. The other thing is a simple trick - Write Junk! Just allow yourself to write garbage about your story instead of buckling down to create the masterpiece you're committed to writing. Make up a fake scene in which the characters pretend to have a speech impediment or are completely drunk. Just make some throw-away pages come out of your system. The trick for me is that in both cases, I actually find that I begin creating something useful. Just as your laundry pile looms mountainous when there's a scene to finish - your scene will sometimes become urgent when you're trying to clear space on your hard disk by trashing old files. Or when you're really stuck on a scene and just can't muster the energy to write the lines -- writing a letter to your mom about how stubborn your characters are being can sometimes unearth gold. Your mileage may vary.

Take a big task and divide it into small pieces. Do a small piece each day and as the routine progresses you'll start to do a little more each day. Everyday we battle with procrastination and laziness. So in essence you have to "defeat yourself" and just start.

I split my stories into at least 6 parts...and write each one; for the most part in order.

One word ... weekend

Weekend, and inspirations outside of work, on, and off computer

Well, with phones that can help to write life has become much easier for writers like us. Instead of driving take a bus or a train and write while travelling. Even at work you can always use alt-tab to open Celtx. Cut down your lunch time to 5 minutes, and good to stop gossiping about boss' secretary. If writing at home is difficult use after-hours at office desk and leave for home late.

1. Before work. Get up at 5 am. 2. Write during lunch. My supv. let me use work computer. I got his permission. 3. Write after work. 4. Forget about most of social life, and limit to essential fun things. Sleep a lot when you can. Aloha, Doris in Hawaii. 50 years of Professional screenwriting experience.

I also when I'm in the midst of a project always keep the file open (saving it before I have to go anywhere) when you have a thought at 1:30 in the morning; sometimes waiting for it to load is just too long.

I feel ya'. I have a full-time job and often have to work through lunch, so there's no writing time. While at work I would never write on my company's time, or on their equipment, besides being their property, it's unethical. I'm also a single parent to a 12 year old who has activities and sleepovers. I work out every work day when possible. I try to write between 9 and mid-night or one am, then get up at 6 am to start the day over. On the weekends when my daughter is with her father, I try to get a lot of writing done in those two days. On the weekends when she's home I really don't get that much writing done, because she may have friends over and stay up 'til mid-night which cuts into my 'writing time.' It's tough for everyone. Get as much done as you can and don't bust your balls too much, because all you have to do is remember one thing-- Tomorrow's another day to make shit happen.

@Lisa I get most of my writing done during the weekends; that's why it took over 9 months to finish the last project. I get really happy when I have a 5k word weekend.

@Lisa, admire your tenacity

I've been amazed at the variety of responses here to my initial question. People do find a way. I'm on the "2 scenes a day" goal now. Little by little everyday is better for me than big chunks of time.