Screenwriting : A lot of Work But No Life Balance by Beverley Wood

It takes years and years pretty much no matter the circumstances. You're doing the right things; reading lots of scripts, finishing screenplays, outlining, and planning more screenplays. That's the process I'd say don't be hard on yourself or press, try and block out the time factor as hard as it may be, and keep doing what you're doing. Try to develop some sort of routine/discipline for writing within your hectic schedule. There are no cheat codes or anything.

I've dealt with similar issues and knew I was neglecting family. I'm okay with less of a social life because it is temporary. Imagine what it'll be like when you begin reaching your goals! As for family - could they join you in watching tv/films? Mine did. I even sat reading the script on my laptop/phone when available (thescriptlab website). You can purposefully schedule social time but limit yourself - two hours a week? Every other week? You know now time flies lol! That gives you something to look forward to. MAINLY please don't let anyone tell you the lie that women can't have both family/career success because you can with intentional planning. I have, I do, and it's awesome. And give yourself grace. I'm so impressed with everything you're accomplishing! Can you imagine what your kids (and others) are learning watching your ethic?

Hey, Beverley Wood . I schedule out my entire day with the timer on my cell phone. I keep my day in a harmonic balance that works for me. This structure allows me to address the daily things I deem important (writing, family time, real estate, animation, etc.). I'm in pure chaos If I try to "just wing it." Good luck in finding your harmony. The struggle is real. Onward and upward.

I'm in precisely the same spot. I make it a point to have 1 martini 3 days a week at a local watering hole and driving out to the beach for a walk on the pier. Uh, then I go to the supermarket.

Colette "ByFilms" Byfield your suggestions are great. I never stopped to consider scheduling a fun day (I'd feel guilty I wasn't writing). I have already experienced burn out when I was a TV Producer and never want to feel that again. Please, bring on more suggestions. I like what you're saying.

Cara Rogers You upheld me with your message - thank you! I do believe we can have it all as women and I'm glad I'm not alone here. I work hard so that my children see a good work ethic (without burnout) and I'm going to carve out some "me time" and family time during our week.

What do you want to do? Do that. Does seeing people bring you joy? Do that. Seeing friends should feel like a task. My wife reminds me to see people. Otherwise I am happy in my office.

Having said that. I am in the room I am in. If I am with friends I phone is in my car.

MB Stevens I really admire your self-discipline to stick to your daily schedule. It's a great idea too! I know in the past I've set out a schedule and it fell apart when I'd say: "Just ten more minutes of writing" only to find an hour has passed. I'm going to persevere and not give up. Thank you for the encouragement.

Paul Alan Spreadbury - that's a great idea to have a martini, a drive and a walk on the beach. I'm going to fashion something like that for myself (one martini and I'm asleep) - swim, sauna and a walk in the park will work. I'll even get dressed up to go to the supermarket now I think about it. Cheers to your next martini!

Craig D Griffiths right now writing brings me joy. I call it my happy place, especially when my world isn't going well. I used to get my nails manicured but couldn't wait to get out of the salon to write. I'm going to try MB Stevens' plan and use my phone more. Swim, sauna and walks - those are sweet spots. Thank you for the though provoking questions.

Colette "ByFilms" Byfield Thank you for sharing that schedule - I think that would work for me. I'm going to give it a trial. EATING LUNCH - oh how often I've skipped lunch to catch up on something else! STAYING UP LATE = a bad head in the mornings. My biggest goal is to get to bed by 10pm and be up by 6am - I keep trying, failing and trying. I will get there! Thank you for such uplifting advice!

Rob Jones thank you for your encouraging words. You're right, there are no short cuts, but I'm really working on getting my schedule much tighter and sticking to it. I'm going to use my phone to set up alarms and plans for my days and weeks to stay on track.

Oh, dear! I know that so well. When my kids were younger, I used to write after they went to sleep. Now that they are older, I write in the evening, after supper, while they are either watching TV, playing games or doing homework.

I write in a phone and ipad. I use Writerduet which is great as a mobile platform.

@Beverly I’ve been in that same situation but realised I was only guilt tripping myself with the same question. (“Danger of being a recluse and neglecting social life?”) We all deserve ME time, stifling creativity rebounds in frustration for many artists and I’ve learned to get a project out of my system with no regrets. I spread the passion and burn pages when needs must but in between socialise with the right people when I need to.

With closest family members I tell them the story I’m writing (if not seen them for a while) so they realise we are all part of a greater whole.

Cheers Beverley! We get it and send you hugs! I have a day job and 3 kids. I find that just like scheduling time to write, one should schedule time with family. Literally! Tell everyone “We are walking the dog at 3pm on the local trail so be ready lol!” Take care and best to you!

Got kids, mortgage, world crisis onatop...can't afford artist's life...but I love writing, never gonna give up, but doing it my pace...right now, I'm revising some old script, doing 2-3 pages a week...no boss over me...the moment u start taking money over something, results are wanted pronto...u either can live with that, or live without it...

pretty much. reccomendation:

choose the best scene you've got and make a 3 min short movie. it will enlight you about all the different steps of a movie making endeavour (including how to deal w bad screenplay in the shooting and post editing...

in my experience in the university all writers get fatal frustation when image on screen does not make for image from imagination...

so, your short is not to get an oscar, but to expand perception to be ready to talk to producers and other pro people to REAL make your screenplay to movie.

hope this quest get you where you want to be.

David Draper LOL! Thank you for your empathy and for sharing your experience. I guess many of us are in the same boat but it's really nice to hear from people such as yourself 'out there' sharing the struggle and enjoying it. All the best to you too!

Kiril Maksimoski Good luck with your writing and thanks for the comment.

Roman BRuni - that's an excellent idea! I'm going to try it. Thank you!!

In my experience, the toughest part is breaking in because the rewards are so few for so long. When you actually start making stuff, it becomes a lot of fun and not really like work. I think part of the reason why filmmaking is a 24-7 job is because it's so addictive. A lot of amateur writers paint the working side as harder but I think they're looking at it all through a window and making assumptions. My point here is, there's light at the end of the tunnel. It gets more enjoyable, more rewarding, and easier to balance.

A couple of weeks back, I was reviewing and approving a new scene sequence on my phone while sitting in a pub waiting for a gig to start.

It's also important to not try to compare yourself and compete with those who are grinding or promoting a grind mindset. A lot of those people have their personal/social/family lives interwoven into their working lives or are straight up posturing about the hours they work.

You not only get to dictate your working life, you are responsible for it. Setting boundaries with others and yourself is critical. Getting it right is powerful too because you can kinda work harder and play harder when it's right and you compartmentalise when you need to.

I think what's most important though is to not overthink it as that's where the guilt and paranoia can creep in. There's a lot to be said for keeping things organic and finding where they best fall into place.

We each look at it differently. To me, story telling/screenwriting is a way of life - my life is in balance then. When working in the Writer's Room on a few shows - it was a boring job that had my life totally out of balance.

Hi Bev! I just saw this post from a year ago. Are you doing better? Do your kids still recognize you? LOL. I hope you've found the balance you were looking for. Keep in mind, one day you'll be old, your kids will be gone, you'll be going to bed at 9PM (so no social life to worry about) and THEN you can write alllllll day and never think twice about it.