Script Writing - Tips and Tricks to Improve Your Efficiency...

I've been writing in my spare time since I was 15 and four years on I've picked up a few tips and tricks that make me work better. I thought I'd share them...

• I fall in and out of love with my work all the time. Sometimes I will write on a project every day, run out of ideas and inspiration, then I'll end up leaving it for weeks on end. I think it's important to have a few scripts or ideas on the go so you don't get out of the habit of writing.
• Personally, I prefer to outline my script and dialog in PowerPoint as I find it easier to arrange and change up before I format it onto Celtx. This works for me but may not work for everyone.
• I assume if you're a writer of some kind that you'll have a better than average imagination so it won't be difficult to imagine actresses and actors speaking your lines and following your action. By doing this it gives me a voice to work with and I find it easier to visualise scenes if an actor or actress I know is doing it for me.
• One thing I do struggle with is character names, it's always my downfall and usually they get changed a lot (although I am certain when I've found the right name). I use street names to help me with surnames and if I'm stuck for a first name, the internet comes into play (especially if it is for a historical/period script).
• I find listening to music puts me in the right frame of mind. The music genre will change depending on the genre of the script but I always resort back to instrumentals and classical. Ensure the music isn't too loud or overpowering because before you know it you've lost half an hour pretending to be on stage belting out The Greatest Showman soundtrack.
• Staying on the subject of music, I've created playlists on Spotify for writing, which create different moods (dark/happy/powerful - bear in mind, Sia features prominently in all of them).
• A lot of character traits and one-liners have come from family, friends, and strangers so if you see or hear something you like the sound of, type it in your notes on your phone or write it down in a notepad.
• It's easy to lose inspiration when you feel like your efforts aren't going anywhere when writing spec scripts so set yourself a goal; whether it be a competition deadline or just editing a first draft.
• Try and avoid looking over your work all of the time. I often find myself doing it thinking it's useful, when all I'm doing is procrastinating. Looking over your work for corrections is so important but the first draft is just about getting it written.
• I believe that during writer's block the harder I look for inspiration the quicker it runs away from me and I can tell when I've forced dialog just because I've felt I need to write a bit more. This is neither efficient nor helpful as it just ends up getting deleted. So when I've got writer's block I find appropriate music, re-read a few scenes or move to a different project for the night.

As reading this has been five minutes of your life you're never going to get back, I hope it has been helpful in some way or another. I'm not a BAFTA winning writer or rub elbows with those who are, I haven't even got an agent but I am passionate about my projects and have been writing for a few years. So thanks for reading and I hope I've been of some help.