Screenwriting : Screenwriters: Time is NOT on your side by Lee Jessup

Thank you, again, Lee. You're words of wisdom are awsome and right on!

Very good advice, Lee. Good to hear. ...Especially when I was just about to watch ESPN instead of writing.

As they say on the blogs: this! (It means I like it, in case someone doesn't speak blog).

"You have to be developing ideas, developing new work, all the time." Isn't that the fun of it? Isn't that why we attach screenwriter to our names? It's the other stuff (marketing) that's a pain in the rear.

@Michael - I WISH more people thought like you! Sure, the majority of the writers I come across get off on idea development, outlining, character development and story structure, but it really stuns me how often I meet writers - who consider themselves writers - who haven't written anything you in 3, 4, even 5 years, and don't think that there's any reason they should be creating new content! The reality is that the more you write, the better you are at it, the better the chance you give to yourself. Can you tell this stuff frustrated me? :)

When I sit down to write each day, it's like sitting down and watching a great movie or reading an amazing book. The difference is, I'm writing it and can make the story as exciting as possible. I just let the movie run wild in my head and gut!

always work, never stop working. there is no excuse to not be working on something new.

This is so true. When ever I hit a bit of writers block, I have about four other projects I can work... And quite often something within the backup project gives me the bump I need to get cracking on my main.

Don't underestimate a good break though either.

@Lyse - you totally get it! I love it! The reality is that most of my blog posts are written from a place of frustration, from talking to writers and observing what some of their challenges are... The most frustrating thing is when they don't get it. When you tell them that they have to produce new content, and they say "why? my last script that I wrote five years ago and already sent to everyone should be good enough." or "I'm not writing anything new until the industry does something with this one." So I can't tell you how happy it makes me when I come across writers like you who keep to a schedule, who stay aggressive with the writing, and who realize that their most important job is to create quality new content all the time! Because, as you know, once there's a manager on board, expectations always go up...

Lyse - LOL! You are totally right! Every writer should work towards writing better, faster, MORE, because having a great new script on your hands gives you something to talk about. Without it, it's very difficult to stay front of mind, especially when you're repped. One of my clients recently complained to me that her agent wasn't working for her, wasn't getting her out. It took a little bit of digging, but then I realized that she hadn't gotten the agent new content in almost 24 months! If you don't feed your reps consistently, until you're established there's little they will be able to do for you...

Just read that again, Dan. I find it inspirational. I have to knuckle down to a 12 hour writing session in a minute. I have a lot of work on right now. Hopefully this year will see two of my shorts made and there are two features on the plate too. Honestly though, one does need a break... for mental reasons. I like to unwind of an evening, funnily enough by playing chess and I like to smoke. Not much of a drinker, y'see. Also though, sometimes I need to take a week out. Don't have to go anywhere. I just need a break. I usually average 10-20 pages a day. Run-throughs on scripts, including touch ups, can be done in a single day. Obviously if one is the type of screenwriter that only produces a couple pages a day, then having a break isn't such a good idea. Why would they need one? I think that 'break' needs to be better defined here.