“Snacks!”

So it’s like maybe 15 years ago and I’m reading an interview with noted playwright and screenwriter Neil Simon. And in this interview, Simon confesses that one way he forces himself to write is the judicious use of snacks. That’s right. Snacks.

I don’t have the interview, but basically what I remember is that he’d get like a bag of Fritos, put them in a drawer across the room, sit down at his desk to write, look at the clock, and say to himself, “Okay, I’m going to write for 30 minutes, then I will allow myself a handful of Fritos.” And he’d write. Then get the Fritos. Sit back down then, “Awright, this time I’m going to write for 45 minutes.” 45 minutes later, more Fritos. In essence, Simon had trained himself Pavlovian style to write, your basic behavioral psychology.

Do some of you use this type of enticement to lure you to write? If not, why not give it a shot? Pick out some snack that you really love. Sit your butt on chair, write for an hour, then give yourself a treat.

Snacks!

Cheetos, ahoy!

“The Quest” has entered Week 17! And so did Go On Your Own Quest, an opportunity for anyone to follow the structure of “The Quest” to dig into screenwriting theory [Core — 8 weeks], figure out your story [Prep — 6 weeks], and write a first draft [Pages — 10 weeks]. It’s a 24-week immersion in the screenwriting process and you can do it here — for free!

Today and every Monday through Friday for 10 weeks, I’ll use this slot to post something inspirational as GOYOQ participants pound out their first drafts.

Why not use the structure of this 24-week workshop to Go On Your Own Quest? That was an idea that gathered energy among many members of the GITS community which I described here.

For more information on Go On Your Own Quest, go here.

Comment Archive