How to Make The Most of Your Commute: screenWriting on the Go

How long is your commute? Everyone is back outside, so that means traffic, long car rides, Ubers and buses. So what does that mean to your script writing journey? In this article, we will discuss writing on the go and how you can make the most of your commute by writing your next screenplay. ​

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MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR COMMUTE

Think about creative and productive ways you can use your time during your commute. If your commute is 30 minutes or longer, you can definitely be using that time to work on your screenplay. Many screenwriting softwares have a mobile app where you can write your screenplay right on your phone. If you are driving, you can record voice notes to break story. If you are on the bus or in an Uber, you can revise pages. It’s all about the want and desire to make time for what is important to you. If you’re looking for an affordable way to write on the go, then check out ArcStudio. They have both a desktop and mobile version and pricing tiers based on your writing needs. Sign up using our link here and receive $30 off your subscription!

LET’S GET PRODUCTIVE

No matter the mode of transportation, you can always do something to make the best use of your time and work on your screenplay. See a quick list below of writing activities you can do on the go:

• Generate story concepts. This activity is great if you’re just getting started. Use your commute time to type, write or dictate story ideas. Don’t forget to get creative! Looking for more ways to brainstorm ideas for your screenplay? Check out our quick Youtube video on Idea Generation explained in less than two minutes!
• Character development. Tired of getting feedback that your character’s are bland and one dimensional? Then use your commute time to flesh out character bios. Check out our #WhoAmI Character Development Worksheet for exercises on creating 3-dimensional characters and more! Perfect for on-the-go writing. 
• Brainstorm scenes. You may not feel that the vibe is right to write your climax or big fight scene, but you can still get scene work done on your commute. Use your travel time to iron out dialogue or track the goals of your scenes. When you get home, you can flesh them out further. For now, it’s just about getting the idea on the page.
• Work on your story’s outline. Most structure problems can be fixed by revisiting your outline. Whether you are outlining a new story or fixing problem areas in a completed screenplay, using your commute time to work on your outline can do wonders for your writing process once you sit down to write. Want to learn more about how to write an effective outline for your screenplay? Check out our HTF Do I Write an Outline? Workbook available for both TV pilots, TV specs, and features. 
• Read. Read. Read. One of the best ways to learn structure and format is by reading screenplays. Need screenplay examples? Head to our Screenplay Vault and check out all of our available screenplays!
• Youtube University. In addition to reading, watching content on screenwriting can be equally as beneficial as all of the other tips in this article. You can spend your commute honing your craft by learning from experts. TPP offers #freegame on the foundations of scriptwriting covering elements like theme, the inciting incident, and more! Our CEO and Head Consultant, Shannan E. Johnson even breaks down the story beats of some of our favorite movies like SET IT OFF and DRUMLINE. Be sure to check out our arsenal of videos on our Youtube Page.

Even if you’re not necessarily writing pages, you’re still writing. When you get home and have some quiet time, you can finally put it all together and crank out a scene or two. Do what you can with what you have. Laptop died? Use your phone. Driving? Use voice notes or a text to speech app. There are a million and one ways to be productive and make progress on your screenplay. You just have to put forth the effort!

Check out our Development Notes service to get personalized feedback from one of our Story Experts and take your screenplay to the next level!

Happy Writing!

​Written by TPP Story Expert Khadija Roane

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author

Khadija Roane is a Magna Cum Laude graduate from the illustrious Howard University where she received her BFA in Theatre Arts. Khadija then graduated from UCLA's MFA Producers program where she interned in film and television development at MACRO, Vertigo Films, Gamechanger Films, and Pamplona Productions before working as a Scripted TV Assistant at WME. She has placed in the Pittsburgh Shorts Screenwriting Competition and the Atlanta Film Festival, and received the Barbara Boyle Promising Producer Award. Khadija lives in Los Angeles where she is an independent filmmaker and a Story Expert at The Professional Pen.