Happy New Year!

It's a new year and that means new possibilities!

Now is the time to set your goals and start your routine. Write everyday for a couple of hours or even a couple of minutes. No sweat if you skip a day, but don't try to catch up, just continue the routine the next day. You can do it!

After several drafts I am finally happy to say that my recent horror script has been sent out to it's first couple of festivals. I can't tell you it was easy though. There was much hard work, many long nights, several rewrites, and some serious headaches. Just having your screenplay finished and ready to send out though, that truely is priceless, and quite the payoff.

So what now?

Well, this week I start outlining my next script, a romantic comedy. I took the first week of January off of major writing and just spent a couple hours each day working on some non-screenplay projects. I also read a couple scripts and gave feedback to some fellow writers, and finally, started pre-production for a short film which I will be Cinematographer.

I am very excited to be surrounded by film again and hope to write and direct my own short this year. I continue to build my contacts and get together with friendly creative minds. I think being around people who are inspired in turn inspires you and continues on that loop creating a giant snowball of inspiration. It may be corny, but it's true, and if you are inspired and happy, you are unstoppable.

A couple of things before I go, just some tips I've been doing that, I believe, have helped me become a better writer. Do with them what you will.

1. Continue to listen to the podcast "On the Page"
2. Posted a list of screenplay festivals with deadlines, and fees on the wall above my computer.
3. Outlined thoroughly before beginning my screenplay.
4. Sent drafts out to a few trustworthy, respected peers for feedback.
5. Read scripts and gave feedback to them in return.
6. Write every single day.

Thanks everyone and happy 2010!