Introduce Yourself : Looking for an Accountability Partner for Writing by Chris Donaldson

Me too

Right on! I'm not sure how we set this up? Maybe we just branch off of this thread?

One idea to keep it simple is to maybe state a big hairy audacious goal? Mine is to finish outlining and writing Episode 1 of my series 4 weeks from now. I'm on page 16 of ≈ 60 pages. So done by 4/18. What say you?

Open to other ideas on how to structure this as well. Haven't really used Stage 32 much but look forward to learning more about the platform.

I'm interested as well!

Welcome!

Count me in! I'm 70 pages in to my latest feature and want to finish by the end of April.

Hey all - I’ll create a thread and then we can do weekly check-ins for starters. Look forward to it!

I'm a writer too. I would like to be a part of your work sir.

Chris Donaldson Welcome to Stage 32! Nice to have you as a part of the community! You’ll really enjoy it. There are so many wonderful people to connect with and resources available to you. Accountability is so important and glad that you are actively seeking to achieve this and find people to do this with you. This sounds like something I may be interested in doing as well.

If you ever want additional feedback on your script, feel free to check out Stage 32's script coverages as well to get feedback from professionals in the industry.

Script Coverage: https://www.stage32.com/scriptservices/coverage

Script Consulting: https://www.stage32.com/scriptservices/consulting

You also may find this lounge interesting.

https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting

If you’d like some guidance on who might be the best person to connect with, feel free to reach out to Stage 32's Director of Script Services, Jason Mirch at j.mirch@stage32.com can point you in the right direction.

Hi Chris Donaldson, I’d be happy to help out!

Hey everyone. So I've been trying to figure out a thread to get this conversation going (create a lounge for example) but it's beyond me at the moment. So, I thought I'd just post here my accountability goals - then check in weekly to see other people's progress and let you all know how I'm doing.

I am taking a Pilot Episode Writing Course through Script University right now - so far we've outlined the entire pilot using a four act structure (very similar to three act structure). Happy to share more on this if you want. This week, we are tasked with writing ACT 1 (about 15 pages) - which I am marching through pretty well. This works out to 3 pages a day.

One of my tricks is color coding my calendar and having a very defined writing time set aside. For this course, I am setting aside two 1 hr blocks per day (1 in the AM, 1 in the PM), because I do have a day job (I'm a commercial filmmaker). What methods are you using to force yourself into the writing habit?

Let me know what you are up to - and let's cross the finish line together. Look forward to it.

I am working on Episode 1, a series bible, and a pitch right now. I find signing up for contests or pitches helps me with deadlines. My next pitch is due April 17th so that's my deadline for the aforementioned. I try to write between other responsibilities but carving out specified times definitely helps with my accountability.

I'm game. I'm 37 pages into my pilot. My goal is to have the 1st draft completed by April 15th. And I like your approach, Rebecca. Signing up for pitches and contests are indeed great motivators.

Hi, Chris and welcome! I would most definitely join the Writers' Room... several people hold zoom writing cafes on Fridays and Sundays. In addition to having that accountability for writing, the Writers' Room is a great place to meet other writers, learn about the craft and business, have the opportunity to pitch to working executives, give and receive script coverage, practice pitching, table reads and so much more! To try it out for a free month, please email Jason Mirch (j.mirch@stage32.com), the Director of Script Services, for a free month!

I am working on the second act of a feature...my writing process is I write the beginning and ending first, then fill in the gap (I don't know why, the story just always comes to me that way). I would like to have the first draft finished by the end of April, probably another 30-40 pages.

Steffany Lohn Sommers best of luck!

Thanks James!

So it happened. I turned in my First Act of 'Cypher' over the weekend. Second Act is due this Sunday. The writing continues.....

A method that is working for me: make the writing the first priority. Everything else (especially my relationships with people and work) benefits from that. How's everyone else doing in their projects?

I'm with you, Chris Donaldson - I've reordered my day so that my writing is my first task of "business" ( I still walk and eat breakfast first), and then do all my other "work" after that. Treating it a bit like working out until the muscle is better developed, ya know?

And congrats on making your deadline! How is everyone else doing?

Heck yeah, Chris!! Keep up the great work!

I keep re-working my beginning so I have gotten my page counts like I wanted, but making progress. And good work Chris Donaldson

Nice approach Darren Mancini

I got sidetracked with a rewrite, but hey, at least it's still writing!

Hey all - I'll post here more this week - but finished Acts 2 and 3 of my pilot this week. 45 pages in. Act 4 is this week - due Sunday at midnight. Then the first draft (and yes, it reads like a first draft) is done.

Everyone talks about 'balance' - but a word I'll throw out there is 'blend'. I've been able to blend writing into my schedule at different points of the day (starting early morning, usually one of the last things I do at night) which has helped. Even opening the script for 15 minutes in the middle of the day keeps the wheels turning, and forces me to thing about better obstacles, better solutions, etc. Hope all is well - and keep those words flowing!

Keep up the good work, Chris! I'm starting my 5th tv series this week. I'm really excited about this one as it deals with witches and warlocks. Happy writing, everyone!

Kudos, Cynthia. What approach are you taking to getting these read by producers, etc?

I can tell you one thing that is really helping me write: outlining, outlining, outlining..... I've been super lazy about this in the past - but no more.

Hey all - so I turned in ACT 4 of my pilot, which means I finished Draft 1 (of many) in the six weeks allotted time. Is it perfect? Ha ha - isn't perfection the enemy of progress?

I am super interested in PROCESS if people want to discuss that. The PROCESS that allows time for creativity and actually getting the WORK done. How are you - today - making it happen?

Darren Mancini Melany Markham Kimberly Anglemyer Tasha Lewis Steffany Lohn Sommers @cynthiamccoggle @SteffanyLohnSommers @martinreese @jameswelday @karenross @monicamansy

Usually the people in the film script just start talking or doing and I just take dictation. They write it; I just scribble down what they say. All the action comes from that...

Don''t need outlines, treatments, loglines...that comes after. I know that's heresy on here, but it works.

Similar to Jon, my characters interrupt me throughout the day (most often when I'm juuuuust about to fall asleep, lol), so I will jot stuff down as it comes. Besides that, my creative process, such as it is, comes from simply listening, watching, and reading. I was stuck in the second act of my current feature, so googled what I was stuck on and looked at all kinds of articles, postings, videos, etc, on the subject until I found the path I needed. My "scheduled" time is in the evening, after work, and on the weekend, but also whenever inspiration hits :)

hit me up im a writer ,,

did some scripts but was discredited did not get credit sent them to place and they sold my script and i nver got paid or credit great films too

also i got email not to long ago about week ago. from same people trying get me write more scripts for them i was shocked they really think im stupid turned them down,

Design a process that meets your learning style needs, In my case, I use checklist and outlines for most writing projects. Create an Accountability Checklist that you follow daily, weekly, monthly or quarterly. It could be individual or for groups.

Darren Mancini use your struggles as motivation and fuel for new testimonies. Remember many films contain actors who are experiencing real health challenges. On a lighter note, there was a man on the show To Tell The Truth who made substantial income playing a professional dead person. Smile.

Going back to my outline on my series. In my writing a character that wasn't going to play a major part has emerged. Now I have to add him in.

Darren Mancini I'll echo what @tashalewis said - use this adversity for fuel. And I love the idea of making a list and knocking it down. I've been dedicating a minimum of an hour per day either writing, or if no ideas are forthcoming, thinking about writing. For me, I need time in the process.

Sidenote: It's amazing how western medicine rarely thinks of food as medicine. Good on you.

On to DRAFT 2 of my pilot. Time to sharpen the blade and make it sing.

Awesome Darren!