The Professional Pen
THE PROFESSIONAL PEN
  • LOGIN/register
  • HOME
  • WHERE DO I START?
  • LEARN
    • COURSES
    • MASTER CLASSES
    • WORKBOOKS
  • DEVELOPMENT NOTES
  • CONSULTATIONS
  • COMMUNITY
  • PROGRAMS
    • MENTORSHIP
    • SCRIPT COMPETITION
    • EXECUTIVE TRAINING PROGRAM
  • ABOUT

The Blog

You can't pour from an empty cup! (Self care for screenWriters)

3/14/2021

0 Comments

 
THE GREAT GATSBY
Let's face it, screenwriters aren’t the best when it comes to self-care. We stretch ourselves thin competing with ourselves and people we have never even met, trying to write the perfect scene while our eyeballs sear like steak. We may think we're doing our due diligence. As the saying goes, writing is suffering... but that’s bullsh*t. 
Stretching yourself thin won’t be good for you or your script. Trust me, it’ll show. Taking time off is just as necessary as hitting that page count. You may be asking yourself, What is self-care? Or Isn’t that just an excuse to be lazy? To answer the latter: F*CK NO!
And to the former,  self-care looks different for everyone, but the common denominator in all of it is to do something FOR YOU. So, here are some suggestions that may help. 

1.WATCH TV & FILMS JUST TO WATCH:

As screenwriters, it’s our gospel to dissect the sh*t out of stories so we can learn how to make our own magic. But watching TV and films for fun is just as important. You get to FEEL the story rather than trying to solve it like the algebra equations we learned in grade school that we’ve NEVER EVER USED.  TV shows and films are made for the one reason we all write them. For an ESCAPE. Let yourself enjoy the story the way it was meant to be enjoyed. But, don’t think that I’m telling you to binge the latest Netflix series. I’m not letting you off that easy. You need a balance, which brings me to my next point.  

2. SCHEDULE SCHEDULE SCHEDULE!:

Having a schedule is paramount not only for self-care but can also improve the quality of your writing. Just like writing an outline is for your baby, a schedule will be an outline for your day. When you dedicate a certain amount of time to your writing, you allow yourself to get into the zone when you face the page. But make sure in that time you put aside for your writing that you WRITE SOMETHING. A page full of messy action lines and awkward dialogue is better than facing that white a$$ page for the 5th day in a row. 

3. EXERCISE:

I’m not telling you to train for the Olympics, but as writers, we sit on our a$$ allll dayyyyyy. That sh*t isn’t good for us. Step away from the bright screen and stretch for a bit; your characters aren’t going anywhere. Buy a kettlebell or dumbbell and keep it visible so the thought of I bought it, might as well use it will creep in. LOL. Exercising is not only necessary for your health but you’ll also have a clear mind when you get back to your baby. 

4. GET A HOBBY:

And no, I am not talking about writing. Writing is a career and you should treat it as such. Try drawing, knitting, even picking up a controller and playing your kid's video game. Sh*t you paid for it; it's yours too! LOL. Just do something that allows you to have fun without criticizing yourself for how well you're doing it. As writers, we do that more than enough.

So the next time you feel that burn in your eyes or that tingling feeling in your legs, take a break for however long you need. You’ll thank yourself and so will your baby.

Wanna learn screenplay structure from The Professional Pen? Click here to take the leap.


author

Collin Shaw
Picture


Tweet
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    ABOUT
    ​THE PROFESSIONAL PEN

    TPP is a script consultancy that offers mentorship through 1:1 coaching and membership through our BFF writing community to writers seeking a professional career in screenwriting.
    Work with a Coach

    Archives

    December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 April 2020 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 November 2015 October 2015

    Categories

    All Film Reviews Reviews Rewrite Screenplay Elements Script Notes EXPLAINED! TV Reviews Writer Advice

    RSS Feed



    Best Friends Forever
    Join our FREE writing community.
    A safe space to learn and grow in screenwriting.


    No Judgement. No Pressure. Just Writing.
    JOIN NOW

Find it Here

About

  • About Us
  • Testimonials​
  • Project Formats
  • ​Policies + Agreements​
  • Newsletter Sign-Up
SCHEDULE A CALL

LEARN

  • Screenwriting Courses​ 
  • Update Stripe Account
  • Screenwriting Master Classes
  • Screenwriting Workbooks​​​

COACHING

  • Where do I start?
  • Consultations​
  • Development Notes
  • Submit a Revised Draft
  • Submit a Short Film Script
  • Mentorship​
  • Executive Training Program

#FreeGame

  • $1 Screenwriting Community
  • Blog
  • Screenplay Vault​​​​

Business services

  • Development Consulting
  • Script Coverage Services
  • ​College Speaker Series
READ THE BLOG
Become Best Friends with TPP to enjoy exclusive screenwriting benefits
Gain access to:
  • Exclusive monthly office hours
  • Industry guest speakers
  • Scriptwriting workshops​
BECOME A BFF
READ SCREENPLAYS

Contact Us

Copyright © 2022 The Professional Pen
LogIn
  • HOME
  • WHERE DO I START?
  • LEARN
    • COURSES
    • MASTER CLASSES
    • WORKBOOKS
  • DEVELOPMENT NOTES
  • CONSULTATIONS
  • COMMUNITY
  • PROGRAMS
    • MENTORSHIP
    • SCRIPT COMPETITION
    • EXECUTIVE TRAINING PROGRAM
  • ABOUT
Newsletter Signup