Screenwriting : Staying Motivated? How? by Brianna Grant

Hi, Barinna

Time is the part of Writing.

Whenever I m confused or disturb i m going to the silent place and give The time ourself.

When I don’t feel like writing I don’t. I stop writing. Then when I start it is with love and enthusiasm. This has virtually removed all doubt of my love for writing.

There is also the chance that you find something you love more. Which is exciting as well.

Sometimes it's just the paticular script I'm working on. Some things just dan't catch on so I'll try something else for a while.

If I‘m stuck with a script I‘ll try to do other related yet different things instead, i.e. work on a pitch deck, submit to competitions, update my bio, read books on screenwriting or some scripts that get me inspired. Like this I have the feeling that I‘m progressing with my screenwriting even though I‘m not actually writing.

I'm always enthused by the idea part and then when it comes to writing my motivation ebbs and flows. My only advice is to be kind to yourself, and don't put too much pressure on yourself to meet goals and targets. 1% progress is better than 0% but if some days are 0% that is fine too - we're human

Who says u gotta be writing/pitching 24/7...nobody does that...do it whenever you have a reason or feel like doing it...

I get drunk then have s** with strange women.

If you don't feel like writing, edit your work. If you don't feel like editing, read.

Hope this helps and good luck!

I watch or read stories close to the field I want to write, and then the ideas return to my imagination and I regain my passion for writing. I hope I helped a little.

Good question. Maybe try to switch to other genres. E.g. short stories, novels and/or even commercial writing. Sometimes it helps to look at it from a new perspective.

Thinking of exciting script ideas, working on outlines and pitch decks, and writing random scenes keep me going, Brianna Grant. Also seeing other writers on here making progress and having success keeps me going.

Get a show biz job

Give notes.

The best way to really light a fire is to reach someone else's project, give them good and deep notes... seeing someone else's script and all the ways you'd improve it allows you to think "fuck, I should do that to mine!"

I've been doing extra cardio to burn off all my pent up energy!

For me, it’s the love of creating a story, and hope. I feel like I was born to be a writer, so I’m passionate about it. I also tell myself “I have a very low chance of becoming a (very) well-paid screenwriter, but I have no chance if I give up”. That gets me super motivated, even with brain injuries making the work difficult.

Creating social media content has really helped me with that, especially on tiktok and Instagram. It can get hard sometimes, but there are so many people who support artists and love on them, and at least some people are seeing my work

Weeelllllll....technically, I'm retired, so that takes a lot of the pressure off. Writing is one of many things I do to keep myself occupied and keep my busy brain entertained. But if I get stuck, one thing that helps me is to "write badly on purpose" because reading back something that is poorly written usually gets my inner editor going.

If that doesn't work, I take a break and go do something else. Walk the dog, work on a painting, make some jewelry, clean off my desk, take a shower, go for a drive, video-chat with my g'daughter, watch how-to videos on YouTube, force myself to do that yucky physical therapy I'm supposed to do daily...(HA!) :P

Honestly, having this community and a support system in general really helps me get re-inspired and motivated when I feel down.

Taking breaks and moving at the beat of your own drum.

I like to go for walks and clear my head. Sometimes the mental block just sits there in your head and you have to do a simple action to rid the mind of all the weight inside it. I live by a lake so I just go walk around the lake (about 3 miles) and think about a lot of things, process different ideas or challenges I'm facing. Plus, exercise! And that usually helps me spiritually cleanse the mental fatigue

I heard someone say earlier that "if you don't have input, how can you expect output", so all theadvice saying to get out of your writing space for a moment can get good results. Stephen King said something along the lins of "When you're inspired, write. When you're uninspired, read".

I love that advice, Ewan Dunbar! I'm often re-inspired when I read a great book or script.

The power of God! My sister and that gift he gave us to do this craft, so hang in there girl and it will happen sooner than you think. Peace

Hey Bri!! I would say, push on! There's so much out there for you and you're writing. So, let anything get in your way. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.