Screenwriting : How to Stay Motivated in Screenwriting Without Any Success Yet? by Anush Har

Hi, Anush Har. Celebrate the small victories (connecting with a producer, getting a script request, getting helpful feedback on a script, etc.) until you have success like selling a script, getting a writing job, etc. Remind yourself that it's a marathon, not a sprint. And stay engaged with the Stage 32 community. The progress they're making on projects and their success stories can motivate you to keep writing. These things help keep me motivated.

You have to enjoy the process. Developing your stories and improving your craft. Network, probably online. Two of my produced shorts were found on the shootingpeople site where you can pitch your projects. Good luck going forward.

Embrace the long game and, as Ronnie Mackintosh said, enjoy the process and remember why you had the dream in the first place. Remember, progress takes many forms in this business. The size and power of your network is one of those forms. Control what you can control, build those relationships, cut out the noise and aim to win every single day.

Anush Har Hi Anush, don’t think of your desired outcome as coming from someone else’s validation. love the process of writing, of crafting a story that resonates with people - your audience. That will free you from the pressure and help you focus on the means of writing the screenplay.

As someone who has yet to achieve success in this industry, I basically have to remind myself why I love creating when I feel discouraged/unmotivated. And the reason I love creating is because that's when I feel most like myself. Your reason for chasing success can of course be radically different but it's your reason and ultimately what drives you.

Might I suggest writing a micro short (5 pages or less) that you can film on your phone. By taking something you've written to the next level it will not only expand your creative mindset and capacity, it will enforce the joy of seeing any of your work produced and also give you greater appreciation for those come after you in the production process, which will actually improve your writing, bringing you full circle.

Writing is as important to me as breathing. It's what I do every day whether it's working on my scripts or writing notes in my diary. I don't let anything take that away from me. Last year I participated in my first competition and I was not chosen as a finalist or any real placement. But why should I stop writing? It actually motivated me to keep going, to learn and to improve my skills and try again another time. Also I received my first real feedback from it which helped me a lot to get better. My favorite line from that feedback probably was that "every cinematographer would have a field day bringing the script to life". But I had flaws with my structure and I learned from it. Every setback to me is just another lesson learned. Yes, of course it can be frustrating and disappointing. But it can also be a great motivation to not give up and do better next time. I also like to see my daily responsibilities as breaks from writing and when I find the time to write again it's with a refreshed mind. I also like to sit down every evening and reflect on my goals and where I want to be at. It helps me wake up motivated in the mornings :)

Anush Har First, I want to cheer you for making this post. You know why? Because you are aware of it, and it's halfway to success. Second, I would love for you to think about: what is success for you? What does that means? Third: Bring your success goal and divide it into small goals and objectives with a chronological time to achieve them.

Step Four: Formulate a question specific to each success goal. Identify the necessary steps to achieve each goal. Answer the question. With your answers, build a strategy. Action steps.

Step Five: Work on your self-love for it! Accept every step and the outcomes. Even if they aren't what your success means to you, celebrate each learning and failure, because at the end, all of them will lead you to your success.

And I know you will achieve it.

Believe in you! I hope this journey helps you, and I am cheering for you! You aren't alone.

For 26 years, I served in the UK military and police, never once thinking about writing. Then, last year, everything changed.

When my dad passed away, I remembered how he always wanted to write a book about his life but never got around to it. So, I did it for both of us. What I didn’t expect was that once I started writing, I couldn’t stop. Ideas kept coming—sometimes five or six a day, sometimes fully formed stories straight out of dreams. Now, I sleep with a notepad next to my bed, ready to catch whatever comes next.

Writing became more than just an outlet—it gave me a way to process everything I’d seen, everything I’d lived through. It became a way to quiet my mind after years of high-intensity work. What started as a single book turned into something bigger than I ever imagined.

I know what it feels like to write without knowing if anyone will ever see your work. To wonder if the effort is worth it when there’s no immediate validation. But I’ve found that the key isn’t chasing recognition—it’s trusting the process. The stories matter. The work matters. Every idea, every draft, every late night adds up to something real.

If you’re struggling to stay motivated, just take it one step at a time. Keep writing. Keep creating. Escape daily life. The results will come when they’re meant to.

My condolences, Mike McDonald. I think it's incredible that you wrote a book about your dad's life! Keeping a notepad next to the bed is a great idea.

Start with smaller, more achievable, goals. See what local film makers in your area are doing, and I'm sure you can convince someone that you'd be a good collaborating partner. You get a short film done, and you have a credit, that you can leverage towards a larger goal. It's very hard to make movies, it's not impossible to make movies.

David Michael Kelly That’s a great point! I’ll definitely look into local filmmakers and smaller projects to start building experience. It can be challenging since many filmmakers prefer to work with familiar collaborators and may not be open to working with beginners. Hopefully, persistence will make a difference, so I’ll keep pushing forward. Thanks for the advice!

Mike McDonald Thank you for sharing your story! It’s inspiring to see how writing has become such a meaningful part of your life—both as a way to process your experiences and honor your father’s dream. The idea of trusting the process and writing for the love of storytelling, rather than immediate validation, truly resonates. Your journey is a wonderful reminder that creativity finds us when we need it most. Wishing you continued inspiration and success on this path!

Sandra Isabel Correia Thank you so much for your supportive words—they really warmed my heart. Your encouragement means a lot, and I appreciate how you broke everything down into clear, actionable steps. It’s inspiring to hear that I’m already halfway to success just by being aware of the process. I’ll definitely take your advice and start thinking more clearly about what success means to me, breaking it down into smaller, achievable goals. Thank you for reminding me that I’m not alone in this journey!

Lucy Addams Thank you for sharing your experience—it’s incredibly inspiring! I completely agree that every challenge is an opportunity to grow. I love how you view your daily responsibilities as breaks from writing.

Laurie Ashbourne Thank you for the suggestion! I agree that seeing something produced, even on a small scale, would be a powerful way to learn and grow as a writer, while also sparking new creative ideas.

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh Thank you for sharing that! I completely relate to what you said about reminding yourself why you love creating when feeling discouraged. Success may look different for each of us, but as you mentioned, it’s the personal drive and passion that truly matter in the end.

Geoff Hall Thank you for this insightful advice! Focusing on the process and loving the craft itself is key. I’ll keep that in mind as I work on my scripts—focusing on connecting with my audience and enjoying the journey.

You are welcome, Anush Har take my advice because it will help you. I use these techniques with my mentees, and if they succeed, you'll also. Cheering for you :)

Richard "RB" Botto Thank you for sharing this! I really appreciate the reminder to embrace the long game and stay focused on why I started this journey in the first place. Aiming to win each day is such a powerful mindset.

Few succeed and it takes so much work. But some on here have.

Ronnie Mackintosh Thanks for the great advice! I’ll definitely focus on enjoying the process and improving my craft. I really appreciate your support and good luck wishes!

Jon Shallit You're right, it takes a lot of hard work, but it's encouraging to see that some have made it.

Maurice Vaughan Thank you for the great advice! Staying engaged with the Stage 32 community is a fantastic idea—it’s inspiring to see others' progress and success stories.

Drongo Bum Thank you for sharing your perspective—it’s really thought-provoking. I agree that writing for the love of it, rather than seeking external validation, is key. The idea of writing every day, even if it’s just freeform, is inspiring. It’s a great reminder that sometimes the process itself is more rewarding than the end goal. I also appreciate the reminder to focus on creating meaningful work rather than chasing fame or recognition.

You're welcome, Anush Har. I hope the advice helps you stay motivated!

You have to love the hunt and not the reward in the beginning

Why do you write Anush Har ?

You're welcome, Anush Har !

Set small, achievable goals, celebrate progress, and connect with other writers for support. Sometimes, the simple act of writing consistently is the success. Keep going!

Pat Alexander Thank you for your advice! It seems everyone agrees that the only true starting point is loving what you do and writing from the heart.

Michael David This is a great question! Thank you for asking—it made me reflect once again on why I’m pursuing this path. First of all, I’ve always loved writing. That's why, in the early stages of my career, I started working as a journalist. What first drew me to screenwriting was having several ideas that I believed could make great movies. At some point, I gave up, thinking no one needed my stories. But now, I feel a strong urge to put them on paper—almost like a necessity coming from within. I don’t know where this path will lead me, but I feel like I have to write. The most discouraging part is the uncertainty—where this journey is going and what to do if it leads nowhere.

Good question! I agree with Sam Rivera. Of course like any other aspiring screenwriter/director I hope to get involved in a bigger production, but it are the small steps (your own short movie, writing for musicals, e.g.) that give fuel to your motivation. And, of course, try to collaborate with other creatives.

Sam Rivera Great advice! Stage 32 truly shows how powerful a supportive community can be. Connecting with other writers makes the journey less lonely and more motivating. Thanks for the encouragement!

Frank Van Der Meijden Thank you for your advice. I have an idea for a short film (7-10 minutes), and I guess I should start by writing the script for it. That could be my first small step.

Anush Har that sounds like a great idea, Anush.

I hear you! Every writer starts somewhere, and staying motivated without tangible success can be tough. Give yourself grace and self- love always, always, always! But every script, every scene, every idea is progress. Set small/ manageable goals, find your creative community of people, and remember why you started. Keep going—you’ve got this!

Sydney S Wow, thank you so much for these words! Your kindness and positivity truly made my day!

I find competition placings can help. They can provide some validation.

Thanks

Colin Mummery Drongo Bum Thank you for bringing up this topic! It's really interesting to learn more about screenwriting competitions. Definitely something worth exploring and understanding the pros and cons.

Give yourself credit for finishing it. Know that it’s in the page and nobody can take that away. Always be learning

Absolutely, Anush Har, and thank you for sharing this so honestly. I think so many writers (myself included) can relate to what you’re expressing. That space between starting and seeing success, however we define that, is a tough one. It asks you to show up every day fueled by nothing but your own belief in the story.

What has helped me personally is shifting my mindset from “I have to succeed” to “I’m here to grow.” Every scene I write, every revision I tackle, every note I receive, even the frustrating ones, is making me a better writer. That is not just practice, that is real progress.

I also find motivation in connecting with other creatives in this community because hearing their ups and downs reminds me that I am not alone. And when I am really struggling, I try to lower the bar for the day. Fifteen minutes of writing still counts. A few lines of dialogue still move the story forward.

Your passion is the foundation. Trust that the rest will come. Keep showing up for yourself and your story, even on the hard days. You are building something meaningful.