Getting Your First Draft Done (Without Losing Your Sanity) Reference Sheet 

 
Set a Daily Writing Amount 
 
Set your daily writing amount lower than you think it should be. 
 
Start small to build the long-term habit. 
 
It’s better to be consistent with a smaller goal rather than to give up on a larger one that 
you couldn’t stick with. 
 
 
Set a Target Deadline 
 
Deadlines are helpful, not hindrances. Deadlines get you moving. 
 
 
Write Bad Pages 
 
You’re writing is going to be bad. Accept it. And stick to the habits. Remember, writing is 
a long term process. 
 
The work you do writing terrible screenplays is not wasted work. It’s work that lays the 
foundations of your skillset. 
 
 
Writer’s Block 
 
Until you have written 10 screenplays, Writer’s Block is nothing but an excuse to 
procrastinate. 
 
 
Don’t Tie Your Heart To Your Early Stories 
 
Your first stories will likely be bad. 
Push away the fear and self-deprecating thoughts and accept it won’t immediately be 
good. 
 
 
Finish. Finish. Finish. 

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