3 practical tips for writers during a pandemic lockdown.

In light of recent events due to you-know-what, here is some practical advice on how to get through these difficult times…

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1. Get some serious writing done.

Despite the difficulty of the situation—and presuming you or your loved ones are healthy and safe—maybe there’s a way to make lemonade out of lemons.

This just might be the perfect opportunity to really immerse yourself in the world of your story and create something really special that you can show people once this thing blows over.

If you’re currently working from home and no longer have to commute to work, add up how many hours you’re currently saving a day by not having to do so.

Let’s say it’s an hour and a half a day. Multiply that by five and you have practically a full day’s extra writing on your hands.

There are a lot of character developments and plot twists that can be squeezed out in that time. Use it.

Create a new routine.

When a weekly structure or routine suddenly vanishes due to events outside of your control, it can feel like having a rug pulled out from under you.

But it can also be an opportunity to structure a new working week for yourself. One that includes all the extra writing you can.

Whether you use a productivity app, a calendar or just a notepad and pen, make sure you block out specific times to write during the week and stick to them.

So if you don’t know them already, check out the work of productivity/habit experts like Chris Bailey, James Clear, Michael Hyatt, etc. and nail a solid writing routine.

Download this free eBook on working remotely.

If you are working from home now, you might be interested in this eBook Working from Home Temporarily.

It’s from Take Control Books and their titles usually retail around ten bucks apiece, but you can download this one for free.

It contains sections on how to set up remote tools, structure your day, set boundaries for kids, etc. and you might find it useful.

2. Spend some time improving your craft.

Now might also be a great opportunity to do some extra research on how to become a better writer.

Here are some free resources besides writing that will help improve your craft.

Read screenwriting books and blog posts.

Don’t believe the naysayers—reading screenwriting books and blogs is a great supplement when learning how to write.

Here’s our recommendation of what to read while in lockdown:

• 10 best screenwriting books to read in 2020

• How to write a screenplay that’s unlike any other

• How to become a screenwriter

• How to write for TV

• How to format a script

Read screenplays.

If you’re already familiar with the site, you’ll know we’re very strong advocates of reading scripts. It’s quite simply one of the best things an aspiring writer can do to improve their craft.

Here are some links to professional screenplays to get you started:

• 50 best screenplays to read and download in every genre

• 50 best TV scripts to read and download for free

• 40 TV show bible examples to download and study

• 20 best comedy scripts to read and download for free

• The best original screenplays for the 2020 Oscars

3. Plan the next stage of your screenwriting career.

In all probability, everything that’s going on now will soon become a distant memory. Life will return to normal just as it was. The stock market will recover. You’ll be able to buy toilet paper again.

With this in mind, now is also the perfect time to take stock of where your screenwriting career’s at right now and where you want it to be.

Make a list of everything you want to do when the world gets back to normal.

• How can you revamp your networking strategy?

• What screenwriting contests do you want to submit your script to?

• What managers do you want to contact? etc.

• Overall, what concrete steps can you take now to get your script(s) ready for the market later?

Below you’ll find some resources to help you do all of the above post-virus:

• How to sell a screenplay: 6 best ways to make a first sale

• How to get a screenwriting agent and manager in 10 steps

• 10 best screenwriting contests

• 2020 screenwriting events calendar

• Best screenwriting courses in the US, Canada and worldwide

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Conclusion.

While we’ve spent this post recommending you use this time to knuckle down and write, we understand that for others, now might not be such a great time to do that.

We all react to crises in different ways and so it’s perfectly fine if you can’t focus on your script right now.

These are definitely strange times to be living through, so don’t feel guilty if you’re not writing as much simply because you’re not in the right headspace.

Now might not be the time to focus on your writing, but on making sure you and your loved ones are safe instead. If anything, this crisis has underlined just how the best things in life really are free.

Whichever course you take, stay healthy and feel free to share your experiences and feedback in the comments section below.

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