Screenwriting should be one of the most fun things you do.  You get to go on adventures every day -- even when sitting at your desk.

But if you're overwhelmed or overworked -- or if you haven't been writing consistently, it is time to shift the paradigm back to fun and EASY.

Here are ten easy ways to become a better screenwriter and ENJOY the journey.

1.  Read at least ONE scene a day from a professional. 

Everyone recommends that you read screenplays, which is a good strategy for gaining deeper understanding of the craft.  But if you don't have time or the motivation to read entire scripts, just take 10 minutes and read one scene. 

One scene might lead to another, etc..  Make this a habit and you'll be surprised how quickly your own writing improves.  

There are a bunch of places that you can download scripts.

Here's a few:
http://www.simplyscripts.com/movie.html
http://www.movie-page.com/movie_scripts.htm

2.  Keep an idea file on every project.

With each script you write -- or plan to write -- create an idea file.  Once you've created the idea file, start emailing yourself ideas as they come up.  

This creates a natural creative process.  Just because you have a file, your creative site will start coming up with ideas to fill it.   If you do this consistently, when you get ready to write the next script, you'll already have 20 - 50 ideas waiting for you.  

And that makes it easy to hit the ground running.

3.  Write at least one line a day. 

Okay, this is one of the solutions to "writer's block."  Some writers sit there staring at a blank screen hoping that if they wait long enough, something brilliant will come out.   It is like they are going to punish their mind into being creative.  

Rather than that, what if you make a deal with yourself to write at least one line.  One line written means you were successful today.  Pat yourself on the back and feel the freedom that comes with that success...

...And if that one line leads to two, that's even better.  

Most of the time, if you write one line, you'll naturally come up with others.  Do this strategy consistently and I'll bet you'll be writing a scene a day in no time.

4.  Make Brainstorming a part of every day life.

Most people go with the first thing that pops into their heads -- whether concept, characters, action, or dialogue.  That gets you a great first draft.  To take that script to a professional level, you then need to brainstorm ways to elevate it.  

My advice:  Don't wait until you have to brainstorm.  Cultivate this skill.  

Pick one thing in your script each day and brainstorm at least 10 different versions.  Could be a line of dialogue or a character trait or the action of a scene.  Doing this will instantly improve that part of your script, but it will also train your mind to find alternatives -- and in time, that will make you a great writer. 

5.  Take a class that is already structured for you.

I know this seems self-serving on my part, but you don't have to take my classes (although you'll probably want to at some point).  Either way, you are looking for three things:

        A.  The daily assignments motivate you to write and improve every day.

        B.  The skill set is something that will benefit your writing or career.

        C.  The instructor designs in a way that makes complex skills easy to learn and use.

The beauty of a class like that is that you come out of it a BETTER WRITER -- without having to go through the trial-and-error approach.  

Instant improvement! 

6.  When you learn something, IMMEDIATELY put it to use by writing a scene. 

I've had many writers come to me and say "I've read every book out there, but I haven't completed a script, yet.  Can you help me?"   And yes, I can. 

You don't want to get "information overload."  When you shove information into your head without experience, it leads to confusion.  The SIMPLE solution is to write a page or scene each time you learn something.  

Let's say you learn a new way to put character into dialogue.  Great!  The first thing you want to do is write a scene using that skill.  That way, the learning has turned into experience and NOW IT IS YOURS.  

BTW, if you do this every day, soon, you'll have a complete screenplay.  Two for the price of one.

7.  Stop trying to be perfect in early drafts.  It shuts down creativity.

Give yourself permission to write poorly in early drafts.  There, I said it.  

Listen, trying to be perfect in early drafts is a sure path to writer's block.  Rather than perfection, you want CREATIVE FREEDOM in early drafts.  Save the need for perfection for the final drafts.  

The sooner you stop criticizing your early drafts, the sooner you'll start discovering your creative brilliance.  And all it takes is giving yourself permission to write poorly in the early drafts.  

Just remember this:

        Early drafts = Creative freedom and permission to write poorly.
        Final drafts =  Detail work and perfection/critical voice.  

Don't get those two mixed up.  

Calming the critical voice may take a bit of work, but it will make your life and writing so much easier. 

8.  Gather a list of 10 or more skills for doing any part of the screenwriting process.

This is something we've already done for you in the ProSeries, (12 ways to create concepts, 47 ways to write any line of dialogue, etc.) but you can do it yourself.  

Just start a file on each skill set and add to it every time you see a new way to accomplish that skill's goal.  

Again, this gives you a new kind of creative freedom.  If you need to improve a character, you just go to your character file.  Now, you have 10 different ways to create characters.  Use those to brainstorm your character and you'll be surprised how many times you quickly find the solution you need.

9.  Find a writing buddy.    

It is so much easier to learn together.  You and your friend take this journey together and save both time and frustration.   Every time she learns something, she shares it.  Every time you learn something, you share it.  

You can also exchange critiques with and bounce ideas off of each other.   This kind of friendship motivates and makes learning fun.   

You can find writing buddies in forums, classes, writing groups, at conferences, and many other places.  There are over 100,000 potential writing buddies out there.  Just step out there and see who works for you.  

One note of caution:  Don't try to force this kind of relationship.  Either you click or you don't. 

10.  Commit to Constant improvement.  Don't go to bed without improving by 1% or more.

If you improve by 1% a day, at the end of the year, you will be a 365% better writer.

There are hundreds of things you can do each day to improve your writing.  You have a list of 10 in this article, but the most important of them all is the commitment.

What's nice about this philosophy is that it doesn't overstress your life.  You grow and improve in small ways and suddenly, you have become one of the best writers out there.

Are you looking forward to that?

My advice:  Pick one or more of these that you are going to use RIGHT NOW.  Don't think about them; just put them into action.

And as you are making that one a daily habit, try out the rest.  In short order, you'll be writing every day and loving every moment of it!