We’re halfway through the year, which means I’ve now written every day for the past six months. In that time, I’ve written two pilots (at least four complete drafts), a spec script, and a handful of smaller projects. Here’s how (thread):

Full disclaimer: I don’t have kids. I don’t pay rent. I have been taking classes full time, but I don’t have to worry about going to work during a pandemic. Still, no matter where you are in life, I hope there’s something in here that can help.

My record streak was 30 days, so this is huge for me. I’ve always struggled to keep up a consistent schedule. I get inspired, write until it’s hard, and then give up. @NaNoWriMo is the closest I’d ever gotten to consistency. But January 1, I decided I’d write every day this year.

First: I downloaded @LA_Screenwriter's writing tracker. I put it on my iPad Notes so I don’t lose it, but printing it out would work well too. Every day when I write, I highlight the day’s letter. Seeing the blue highlight grow is addictive, and helps me not skimp.

Second, I set the rules: I have to write for 30 minutes between when I wake up and midnight that night in order to get my blue highlight for the day. I use @forestapp to time the 30 minutes, so I can see my progress over time and so I can’t be distracted by my phone.

This got tricky. When I was filming 6p to 8a and then back to set by 6p, it meant waking up early to write. Sometimes it means staring at a blank word document for 30 minutes at 11p on an airplane after a day of meetings. Sometimes it meant skipping family activities.

Third, I loosened my definition of “writing”. Any action of creation towards a writing project counts. Outlining counts. Whiteboard brainstorming counts. Journaling about the project counts (but not regular journaling). Actually writing words that will go in the final counts.

Research does not count. Reading does not count. Watching the show I’m spec-ing while I take notes on it doesn’t count. (I’ve never had trouble finding time to do any of those).

Most importantly, I let go of word counts and other productivity markers. If I sit quietly for 30 minutes in front of my notebook or laptop and don’t write anything, but also don’t do anything else, it counts. I’ve never made it a whole 30 minutes without having at least one idea

At the end of April, I bought myself Animal Crossing (it’s quarantine, you’ve got to do something). And out of concern for my productivity, I added another rule: I have to write for an hour before I can play Animal Crossing.

This has legitimately done wonders for my productivity. Not only do I write more, but I write earlier. In order to play Animal Crossing while watching TV after dinner, I have to start writing by around 4pm. It’s like magic.

If you’ve got a system that works for you, congrats! Disregard this thread. But if, like me until this year, you find yourself constantly bemoaning the time you’re wasting, I hope this system can help you as much as it’s helped me.