Screenwriting Success
Screenwriting Success
12-Month Screenwriting Success Planner
Take your screenwriting to where you want it to be with this easy-to-follow fill-in-the-blanks planner
“Successful screenwriters write every day. When they’re not writing script pages they’re planning story or developing
characters. And they get scripts written, rewritten and finished.”
- Hayley McKenzie, Founder, Script Angel
12-Month Screenwriting Success Planner
Summary
Introduction How To Use The Planner
The most successful screenwriters I know get results by being Planning productive. At the beginning of each month take some time to schedule and To achieve this, they are committed to writing every day, no plan your writing work. Your goal is to be writing for at least thirty matter what. minutes every day but that might be something you need to build up to. Be ambitious but realistic. Successful screenwriters set goals and deadlines. Writers breaking-in, turning from hobbyist to professional screenwriter, Set deadlines for completing your main project. You might also are typically producing one polished spec script every six months. want to make a note of screenwriting contests whose deadlines you might aim for. And they invest time in developing characters and outlining story, as well as writing script pages. You will also want to take time to plan what learning you’ll complete to help you improve your screenwriting craft; reading Even if you’re fitting your screenwriting around a day-job and scripts and screenwriting books, watching videos or attending family commitments, you can achieve screenwriting success. By events or classes. writing for just thirty minutes every day you can create a portfolio of scripts in a year or two. Evaluating
This planner has been designed to help you achieve that. Use this At the end of the month use the calendar to note what writing easy ‘fill in the blanks’ planner regularly to help you get more work days you achieved. A writing work day is any day you did
writing done and ultimately achieve screenwriting success. thirty minutes or more of writing work.
Fill out the sections at the end of each month to help you evaluate your progress and what lessons you learned.
Please see below for definitions and clarification on each of the types of writing work days.
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Summary
What Each Writing Work Day Means The Screenwriting Habit
Screenwriting is much more than just writing script pages. Successful screenwriters don’t just dream about success, they Screenwriters also spend time planning the script and preparing take consistent action to make it happen. for future projects. The way to get better at anything is daily practise, so start making This planner allows you to plan and keep track of all your writing writing a part of your daily routine right now. Find a time of day, a work by dividing your writing days into three types. place and a process that works for you and stick to it. One writer I know found an hour a day by spending his work lunch break Pages sitting in his car to write! Writing or rewriting script pages of your priority film or tv project. Treating your writing like a job is the best way to make progress, Planning but it’s hard when there’s no pay-check and no-one waiting for All planning and pre-script development on your priority project; you to deliver your script. To overcome this, you need to make plotting story, developing characters, working out your theme. yourself accountable to yourself.
Prep Planning what writing you’ll do each month and then honestly All writing work not directly on your prioritised project. Noting assessing what writing you’ve really done will help you create ideas for other projects you might develop in the future. some accountability. If you decide you need an accountability Developing your screenwriting skills through learning and writing buddy to answer to, try joining a screenwriting group or hiring a exercises. screenwriting coach.
Getting in the screenwriting habit is the best way to achieve success so jump into the planner to help you make that commitment.
www.scriptangel.com Nurturing Screenwriting Talent 12-Month Screenwriting Success Planner
January “If you want to be a writer you must read a lot and write a lot.” – Stephen King Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
www.scriptangel.com Nurturing Screenwriting Talent 12-Month Screenwriting Success Planner
January “If you want to be a writer you must read a lot and write a lot.”
– Stephen King
Plan Evaluate Action Steps
Writing Goals For This Month: Did I Achieve My Writing Goals?: Things that went well:
______
Target Writing Days By Type: Actual Writing Days By Type: ______
Page Days: ______Page Days: ______
Planning Days: ______Planning Days: ______Things that didn’t go so well: Prep Days: ______Prep Days: ______
Target Writing Days Total: Actual Writing Days Total: ______
______
Changes to make for next month: Skills To Learn: Longest Run of Consecutive Writing Days: ______Screenwriting Book To Read: ______
Other Learning Goals:
______
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February “If it’s important to you, you’ll find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse.” – Ryan Blair
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
www.scriptangel.com Nurturing Screenwriting Talent 12-Month Screenwriting Success Planner
February “If it’s important to you, you’ll find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse.” – Ryan Blair
Plan Evaluate Action Steps
Writing Goals For This Month: Did I Achieve My Writing Goals?: Things that went well:
______
Target Writing Days By Type: Actual Writing Days By Type: ______
Page Days: ______Page Days: ______
Planning Days: ______Planning Days: ______Things that didn’t go so well: Prep Days: ______Prep Days: ______
Target Writing Days Total: Actual Writing Days Total: ______
______
Changes to make for next month: Skills To Learn: Longest Run of Consecutive Writing Days: ______Screenwriting Book To Read: ______
Other Learning Goals:
______
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March “Be ruthless about protecting your writing time.” – J K Rowling Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
www.scriptangel.com Nurturing Screenwriting Talent 12-Month Screenwriting Success Planner
March “Be ruthless about protecting your writing time.” – J K Rowling
Plan Evaluate Action Steps
Writing Goals For This Month: Did I Achieve My Writing Goals?: Things that went well:
______
Target Writing Days By Type: Actual Writing Days By Type: ______
Page Days: ______Page Days: ______
Planning Days: ______Planning Days: ______Things that didn’t go so well: Prep Days: ______Prep Days: ______
Target Writing Days Total: Actual Writing Days Total: ______
______
Changes to make for next month: Skills To Learn: Longest Run of Consecutive Writing Days: ______Screenwriting Book To Read: ______
Other Learning Goals:
______
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April “Some people dream of success while others wake up and work hard at it.” – Napoleon Hill Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
www.scriptangel.com Nurturing Screenwriting Talent 12-Month Screenwriting Success Planner
April “Some people dream of success while others wake up and work hard at it.” – Napoleon Hill
Plan Evaluate Action Steps
Writing Goals For This Month: Did I Achieve My Writing Goals?: Things that went well:
______
Target Writing Days By Type: Actual Writing Days By Type: ______
Page Days: ______Page Days: ______
Planning Days: ______Planning Days: ______Things that didn’t go so well: Prep Days: ______Prep Days: ______
Target Writing Days Total: Actual Writing Days Total: ______
______
Changes to make for next month: Skills To Learn: Longest Run of Consecutive Writing Days: ______Screenwriting Book To Read: ______
Other Learning Goals:
______
www.scriptangel.com Nurturing Screenwriting Talent 12-Month Screenwriting Success Planner
May “If you wish to be a writer, write.” – Epictetus Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
www.scriptangel.com Nurturing Screenwriting Talent 12-Month Screenwriting Success Planner
May “If you wish to be a writer, write.” – Epictetus
Plan Evaluate Action Steps
Writing Goals For This Month: Did I Achieve My Writing Goals?: Things that went well:
______
Target Writing Days By Type: Actual Writing Days By Type: ______
Page Days: ______Page Days: ______
Planning Days: ______Planning Days: ______Things that didn’t go so well: Prep Days: ______Prep Days: ______
Target Writing Days Total: Actual Writing Days Total: ______
______
Changes to make for next month: Skills To Learn: Longest Run of Consecutive Writing Days: ______Screenwriting Book To Read: ______
Other Learning Goals:
______
www.scriptangel.com Nurturing Screenwriting Talent 12-Month Screenwriting Success Planner
June “Knowledge is a treasure, but practice is the key to it.” – Lao Tzu Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
www.scriptangel.com Nurturing Screenwriting Talent 12-Month Screenwriting Success Planner
June “Knowledge is a treasure, but practice is the key to it.” – Lao Tzu
Plan Evaluate Action Steps
Writing Goals For This Month: Did I Achieve My Writing Goals?: Things that went well:
______
Target Writing Days By Type: Actual Writing Days By Type: ______
Page Days: ______Page Days: ______
Planning Days: ______Planning Days: ______Things that didn’t go so well: Prep Days: ______Prep Days: ______
Target Writing Days Total: Actual Writing Days Total: ______
______
Changes to make for next month: Skills To Learn: Longest Run of Consecutive Writing Days: ______Screenwriting Book To Read: ______
Other Learning Goals:
______
www.scriptangel.com Nurturing Screenwriting Talent 12-Month Screenwriting Success Planner
July “A writer who waits for the ideal conditions under which to work will never put a word on paper.” – E B White Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
www.scriptangel.com Nurturing Screenwriting Talent 12-Month Screenwriting Success Planner
July “A writer who waits for the ideal conditions under which to work will never put a word on paper.” – E B White
Plan Evaluate Action Steps
Writing Goals For This Month: Did I Achieve My Writing Goals?: Things that went well:
______
Target Writing Days By Type: Actual Writing Days By Type: ______
Page Days: ______Page Days: ______
Planning Days: ______Planning Days: ______Things that didn’t go so well: Prep Days: ______Prep Days: ______
Target Writing Days Total: Actual Writing Days Total: ______
______
Changes to make for next month: Skills To Learn: Longest Run of Consecutive Writing Days: ______Screenwriting Book To Read: ______
Other Learning Goals:
______
www.scriptangel.com Nurturing Screenwriting Talent 12-Month Screenwriting Success Planner
August “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.” – Aristotle Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
www.scriptangel.com Nurturing Screenwriting Talent 12-Month Screenwriting Success Planner
August “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.” – Aristotle
Plan Evaluate Action Steps
Writing Goals For This Month: Did I Achieve My Writing Goals?: Things that went well:
______
Target Writing Days By Type: Actual Writing Days By Type: ______
Page Days: ______Page Days: ______
Planning Days: ______Planning Days: ______Things that didn’t go so well: Prep Days: ______Prep Days: ______
Target Writing Days Total: Actual Writing Days Total: ______
______
Changes to make for next month: Skills To Learn: Longest Run of Consecutive Writing Days: ______Screenwriting Book To Read: ______
Other Learning Goals:
______
www.scriptangel.com Nurturing Screenwriting Talent 12-Month Screenwriting Success Planner
September “Start writing, no matter what.” – Louis L’Amour Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
www.scriptangel.com Nurturing Screenwriting Talent 12-Month Screenwriting Success Planner
September “Start writing, no matter what.” – Louis L’Amour
Plan Evaluate Action Steps
Writing Goals For This Month: Did I Achieve My Writing Goals?: Things that went well:
______
Target Writing Days By Type: Actual Writing Days By Type: ______
Page Days: ______Page Days: ______
Planning Days: ______Planning Days: ______Things that didn’t go so well: Prep Days: ______Prep Days: ______
Target Writing Days Total: Actual Writing Days Total: ______
______
Changes to make for next month: Skills To Learn: Longest Run of Consecutive Writing Days: ______Screenwriting Book To Read: ______
Other Learning Goals:
______
www.scriptangel.com Nurturing Screenwriting Talent 12-Month Screenwriting Success Planner
October “Success is the result of hard work and persistence.” – Colin Powell Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
www.scriptangel.com Nurturing Screenwriting Talent 12-Month Screenwriting Success Planner
October “Success is the result of hard work and persistence.” – Colin Powell
Plan Evaluate Action Steps
Writing Goals For This Month: Did I Achieve My Writing Goals?: Things that went well:
______
Target Writing Days By Type: Actual Writing Days By Type: ______
Page Days: ______Page Days: ______
Planning Days: ______Planning Days: ______Things that didn’t go so well: Prep Days: ______Prep Days: ______
Target Writing Days Total: Actual Writing Days Total: ______
______
Changes to make for next month: Skills To Learn: Longest Run of Consecutive Writing Days: ______Screenwriting Book To Read: ______
Other Learning Goals:
______
www.scriptangel.com Nurturing Screenwriting Talent 12-Month Screenwriting Success Planner
November “It is only by going through a volume of work that your work will be as good as your ambitions.” – Ira Glass Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
www.scriptangel.com Nurturing Screenwriting Talent 12-Month Screenwriting Success Planner
November “It is only by going through a volume of work that your work will be as good as your ambitions.” – Ira Glass
Plan Evaluate Action Steps
Writing Goals For This Month: Did I Achieve My Writing Goals?: Things that went well:
______
Target Writing Days By Type: Actual Writing Days By Type: ______
Page Days: ______Page Days: ______
Planning Days: ______Planning Days: ______Things that didn’t go so well: Prep Days: ______Prep Days: ______
Target Writing Days Total: Actual Writing Days Total: ______
______
Changes to make for next month: Skills To Learn: Longest Run of Consecutive Writing Days: ______Screenwriting Book To Read: ______
Other Learning Goals:
______
www.scriptangel.com Nurturing Screenwriting Talent 12-Month Screenwriting Success Planner
December “Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” – Jim Rohn Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
www.scriptangel.com Nurturing Screenwriting Talent 12-Month Screenwriting Success Planner
December “Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” – Jim Rohn
Plan Evaluate Action Steps
Writing Goals For This Month: Did I Achieve My Writing Goals?: Things that went well:
______
Target Writing Days By Type: Actual Writing Days By Type: ______
Page Days: ______Page Days: ______
Planning Days: ______Planning Days: ______Things that didn’t go so well: Prep Days: ______Prep Days: ______
Target Writing Days Total: Actual Writing Days Total: ______
______
Changes to make for next month: Skills To Learn: Longest Run of Consecutive Writing Days: ______Screenwriting Book To Read: ______
Other Learning Goals:
______
www.scriptangel.com Nurturing Screenwriting Talent 12-Month Screenwriting Success Planner
About Hayley McKenzie
Hayley McKenzie is the Founder of Script Angel, a screenwriter training and development company. She is a highly experienced professional script executive with over fifteen years working in the film and television industry, in both development and production. Hayley was Development Executive at ITV Studios Drama and has script edited UK television dramas for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, and on produced feature films including indie hit Papadopoulos & Sons (Dir. Marcus Markou). As a producer, Hayley’s short film Love in the Afternoon secured a distribution deal with Shorts International. Hayley is an international speaker at film and television events including Cannes Film Festival (for the European Producers' Club), Raindance Film Festival (DigiCreators Writersroom), Craft of Comedy UK, LOCO London Comedy Film Festival and London Screenwriters' Festival.
Script Angel has provided script development support for Story Expo in Los Angeles, Northern Film
& Media, The Sitcom Mission, the Big Comedy Conference and the Craft of Comedy UK.
For more information on Hayley, please visit: www.scriptangel.com
You can find us on Twitter and Facebook.
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