So I'm lucky enough to be able to write full time now, but full time means that there is a loooooot of time to myself. I know that everybody works differently, but I'm trying to figure out the best way to break apart my day. Currently I write 3 hours in the morning, and then write again for 3 hours after lunch.
I want to make time for reading scripts, watching recommended movies, etc., while avoiding burnout.
What works for you all?
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Unfortunately for me, I have a 9 to 5 day job so I'm stuck being able to write in the evenings. So my answer is of a "what if" variety.
IF I was able to write full-time, I'd get up exercise, shower, sit down and begin writing, etc. then lunch, then write after lunch for a few hours.
Evenings would be for films, screenplays and research (watching, reading and reading books, etc.)
Car rides already are for podcasts on the craft as well as audiobooks being developed for release.
Maybe set a goal to read 1 to 2 scripts per week and watch 1 to 2 films per week.
Writer's block, etc. would throw a wrench into that routine and I'd try to have a list of items to do to break writer's block (start a new script, read more, etc.)
yeah i think the goals of 1-2 per week will be super helpful. Thanks!
Chad what would you possible do with that many screenplays?
Dan Guardino The 1 to 2 screenplays a week I would read or the 3 or 4 I would hopefully be able to write per year with that kind of schedule? I guess the ones I read I throw in a folder after reading them (pdfs). The ones I would hopefully write? Well, sell them or use them as tools to get screenwriting gigs. I hope I understood your question correctly.
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Chad. I misread what you wrote. Writing 3 or 4 a year is a lot but it is a good goal to shoot for. Obviously you would want to try and market them as you go. I hope you manage to reach your goals.
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Mitch. Is there a reason you have to write six hours a day, watch films and read screenplays everyday?
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Hey work as long as it's productive. If you're staring at the screen might as well go out and have fun. Don't worry because soon you'll start feeling guilty and fresh ideas will pop into your head. Weird how the mind works.
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Don't overthink it. Truly. It sounds like you're already doing so much more than most. Kudos to you.
But if these are all things you want to do, block out time on a calendar. Print out one and block your mornings off to write, maybe an afternoon in the middle of the week to listen to podcasts, and maybe a Friday afternoon to read scripts. Bam. You're good.
Thinking counts as work, too.
But do have fun with it. Otherwise, what's the point?
Worry about bank deposit schedules.
Erik Jacobsen , I don't know if that's sarcasm? (One can never tell with text, so if it isn't, my apologies.) Either way, I say this because many writers discount thinking as part of the creative process. They don't believe they are "working."
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I write around my day job, but, while I'm in my day job I outline what I'm going to write. I have an overactive mind (oh, hi anxiety) and thinking is definitely a big part of my creative process.
I have a day job. I go to Karate or Yoga or Gym most days. I generally write at night. I also am a member of scribophile.com, which I use for writing my novel. I do a lot of critiquing there. I find that it helps give me new idea's in my own writing.
I got burned out a long time ago so I only write when I have to.
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Joleene DesRosiers You make a good point. You need to find joy in the writing as well. Right now when I do get time to write (doing a rewrite right now) I really, really enjoy delving in, deconstructing the scene and figuring out how to make it better, tighter or if necessary, rewritten or trimmed completely. The little sense of "wins" after tweaking each scene and then seeing how it's improved is like little injections of joy (sounds sappy right?).
Getting burned out is a very real reality and some people take a break from writing but another approach when you feel burned out is to write something else or brainstorm something else or delve into research (reading/watching movies, etc. to get ideas, etc. unrelated). The risk is you catch the "fire" of that other project/idea and the one you were "slogging" through gets put on the back burner or abandoned.
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I still take the occasional set job to pay the bills and hours are erratic. I have to commit to finding the time even when it might mean an early morning rise or a late night marathon.
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Joleene DesRosiers perfect.
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I write whenever I can. Sometimes on the train, sometimes on lunch break, sometimes as I'm falling asleep. Whenever there's inspiration, I do it.