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Every screenwriter’s process is different.Some screenwriters are doing this in their own free time amidst work schedules, school schedules, and family duty schedules.Others are full-time screenwriters that are making a living out of selling scripts or, more so, writing on paid assignment. Even then, they may or may not be working full-time days as far as 8-hour shifts or whatever variance.And always remember that writing isn’t just about typing. You can write in your head as you visualize the scenes during walks, bike rides, runs, car rides, work breaks, school breaks, etc.So it’s whatever you can manage.I won’t leave you hanging though, so here’s my own process. I’m currently on assignment for two major network writing assignments and have written on assignment for a few other contracts, two of which were produced and distributed worldwide.I write in writing sessions, as opposed to blocking out specific scheduled time frames, etc.The general spec script is anywhere from 90–115 pages long. The sweat spit to shoot for is 100 pages. Then if you’re a little less or a little more, no worries.With that page count, I break my process down into 10 writing sessions with a per writing session goal of 10 pages.Time length per session will vary. Some pages come faster than others. But I always stop at 10 pages. If I go over by 1 or 2 pages, that’s fine. But I at least get 10 pages and I wrap it up at that mark. Even if I could write more. Why stop? Because I want to leave myself excited for more pages, as opposed to writing until exhaustion hits and I run out of scenes worked out in my head.Here’s a breakdown of this process PER SESSION:Write 10 pages.Read pages 1–10, write 10 more pages.Read pages 1–20, write 10 more pages.Read pages 1–30, write 10 more pages.Read pages 1–40, write 10 more pages.Read pages 1–50, write 10 more pages.Read pages 1–60, write 10 more pages.Read pages 1–70, write 10 more pages.Read pages 1–80, write 10 more pages.Read pages 1–90, write 10 more pages.Read pages 1–100.Why do I read the pages I’ve just written? I rewrite as I go. Tweak as needed. And it helps me to sustain tone, atmosphere, plot points, pacing, etc.Keep in mind that you need to do the front end work. You should focus on visualization for a month or more. You need to see a majority of what you’re going to write before you sit down in front of that screen. It’s a visual medium.So do the front end work of visualization. I usually compile a playlist of instrumental music movie scores that I feel captures the story, the genre, the scenes, etc. And then I listen to that over and over and I work out scenes and sequences in my head. I usually have about 75% of the movie in my head, scattered about, before I type a single word.And then when you DO start typing, know that you can and should visualize between writing sessions as well.Are writing sessions back-to-back on consecutive days? NO.Not for me at least. Sometimes they are. But sometimes it’s also good to have a break. I may take a day off from it for other life duties or I may take a day off to visualize, research, or watch movies for some visual inspiration.But that’s just me. Every screenwriting from the bottom of the totem pole to the top will have their own ways.I just strongly suggest to all screenwriters that they train themselves to write like a pro, which means that you write under strict deadlines. Taking 6–12 months to finish a script is too long. You’re not doing yourself any favors. Try to create a process where you can finish a first draft in no more than 3 months. Preferably less. Then give yourself 2 weeks for each rewrite draft (usually a couple). That’s it.Good luck!Please follow The Tao of Screenwriting for more screenwriting and film industry insights. Ask me questions. Come visit this “dojo” for screenwriting, movie, television, film/TV industry insights, inspiration, writing exercises & best practices, tips, advice, and industry hacks. I’m here to help and share and inspire.

I posted something similar, but cannot remember the question for it.My middle son’s school thought he was mentally handicapped. He was a genius who needed therapy. We later found out he had schizophrenia.My son loved to convince people he was stupid. Even his best friend thought he was not very bright. Those who lived with him knew he was very smart.He drove his school crazy with bad behaviour like setting computer’s internet home pages to porn sites, etc. I typically spent an hour a day talking with the Vice Principal every day about the things he did that day. He was out of control.His school shows me a note he wrote. Everything was phonetically and grammatically correct. Most words were spelled phonetically, like people do on the internet. Wood instead of would, their when it should be there, etc. It was obvious he was just having fun.I told them the note showed intelligence and why. They did not believe me. I wanted him to get therapy but could not afford it.The school wanted permission to have him tested by a psychologist. I readily agreed but told them he is likely a genius. They politely looked at me as if to say, “No way.”The psychologist tested him and would not tell me my son’s IQ. He would only say it blew him away and that he had never tested someone with that high an IQ. He said my son’s IQ was “in the stratosphere”.I told my son the result the school had found. My son said the IQ test showed an IQ of 154. I believe it.According to “World's Most Intelligent People 2010 – Intelligent People – Highest IQ”[1] :115-124 - Above average (e.g., university students)125-134 - Gifted (e.g., post-graduate students)135-144 - Highly gifted (e.g., intellectuals)145-154 - Genius (e.g., professors)155-164 - Genius (e.g., Nobel Prize winners)165-179 - High genius180-200 - Highest genius>200 - "Unmeasurable geniusAlthough an IQ of 154 is impressive, I am still wondering why the psychologist was so blown away.Footnotes[1] World's Most Intelligent People 2010 – Intelligent People – Highest IQ

Page 1 MetaphorPage 3 ThemePage 10 Dramatic PremisePage 20 More on Main CharacterPage 30 Major Turning PointPage 45 Foreshadow EndingPage 60 Main Character Has No Where To TurnPage 75 Main Character Discovers A New Way to Achieve His/Her GoalPage 90 Major Confrontation with Bad Guy/GalPage 110–115 Black MomentPage 120 Wrap All Loose Ends