8 Ways to Embrace the Writer’s Life

Through my years teaching screenwriting, I have encountered every kind of aspiring writer: the young dreamer brimming with ideas and eager to create the next big hit, the busy professional drained from their day job yet convinced that a brilliant screenplay is waiting to be written, and seasoned individuals in their forties, fifties, and sixties—often equipped with a wealth of stories and life lessons. Sometimes, they have so much to share that they struggle to condense it all into a screenplay. Yet, when the reality of writing hits them, many quit. It’s not that they aren’t creative or talented; it’s just that you have to learn to nurture that creativity within you.Being a writer involves diving deep into the world around you,being more attentive and observant  to the world around you, noticing the subtleties of daily life, and contemplating human experiences. It’s about developing a perspective that finds inspiration in the ordinary instances in life , letting your mind roam freely to create stories from the simplest of moments. 

Drawing from my own experiences and insights from the screenwriting community, I will share some actionable tips to help you nurture your creativity. I know it’s easier said than done, and writing can feel like a daunting task. However, slowly incorporating these habits into your daily life can help put your ideas on paper and boost your writing journey.

Isn’t journaling the first step to becoming a writer .Many of us may have spent countless childhood hours penning our angst on our diaries or written down things to make sense of make sense of the world during those tough growing up years .What better than journaling to understand the workings of our minds , the invisible patterns that go beneath the everyday thoughts and work out what goes on in our subconscious 

Why It Works: Journaling allows you to reflect on your daily life and pay attention to the little things—the relationships, the conflicts, and those unexpected moments that can become the foundation of a great story. Take Virginia Woolf, for instance. She filled her journals with her thoughts  and emotions, often taking inspiration from them for her novels. Then there’s Frida Kahlo, who poured her heart into her diary, letting her experiences influence her amazing artwork.

How to Start: You don’t have to exclusively set aside time to work on this .Just spend five minutes each morning or night jotting down your thoughts. It doesn’t have to be deep—just write whatever comes to mind. You might be surprised by the amazing ideas you come up with .

2. Free Writing

Now you would think what is free writing and how is it different from journal writing. Free writing or what we call stream of conscious writing is a writers best tools to get your best ideas .or overcome writer’s block. The concept is straightforward: write continuously for, say, a 15-20 minute period without stressing over grammar, structure, or even what you are writing about. Do not edit yourself while writing and do this religiously every day .

Why It Works: As writers, we are super scared of actually putting pen to paper. We are consistently critical of ourselves, thinking whatever comes out of our pen will be garbage. Now, when you are doing free writing, you are not concerned about what you are writing about. Free writing helps you get rid of that inner critic which stops you from writing .And trust me while most of what you might have written may turn out to be uselss , you will absolutely find some great ideas in your writing .Afterall you can not consistently write garbage. When your thoughts will flow without restriction , you will end up generating some great scenes , character or even entire storylines . Natalie Goldberg, in her book Writing Down the Bones, highlights the significance of just letting go write without self-censorship to discover your unique voice.

How to Start: Set a timer for 10-15 minutes, grab a notebook or your laptop and write without stopping. Don’t focus on perfection; just write ! And believe me in this entire chaos you will uncover the most amazing ideas , so much so that you will end up amazing yourself .

3. Build an Idea Bank

Generating great story ideas starts with producing a large number of them. As new writers, we often become attached to the first idea that pops into our heads and continue to develop it until we reach an impasse. Instead, in the beginning, focus on generating a multitude of ideas. In fact, you could dedicate a week each month to brainstorming 10 ideas a day. Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, renowned for his sharp dialogue and engaging narratives, frequently advocates for this method. He doesn’t limit himself to a single concept; rather, he explores various ideas and angles. For instance, while working on The Social Network, he crafted multiple storylines centered around themes of friendship, ambition, and betrayal. By nurturing these ideas and intertwining them, he created a rich, multi-layered script that resonated with audiences. This practice of idea generation enables writers to uncover unique perspectives and ultimately select the strongest concept for their projects.

Why It Works: Not every idea will transform into a complete script right away, and that’s completely okay! By gathering your ideas in one place, you can revisit them later. Some of the best concepts require time to mature. For example, Stephen King is famous for maintaining detailed notebooks filled with observations and snippets that eventually evolve into his bestselling novels. Likewise, Vikramaditya Motwane, the director of films like Udaan and Trapped, often draws from personal experiences and saved ideas to craft rich narratives.

You don’t have to confront the most challenging idea for your first script. Sometimes, a great concept may need some refining or a fresh perspective before it’s ready for the spotlight. How to Start: Create a folder on your computer or use a notebook to jot down your ideas. Write down anything that strikes you as intriguing—a conversation you overheard, a “what if” scenario, or even a visual concept. Apps like Google Keep or Evernote can also help you stay organized.

4. Explore Visual Inspiration

Visual platforms like Pinterest and Instagram are treasure troves for screenwriters seeking new ideas. They allow you to uncover a variety of visuals—landscapes, costumes, expressions—that can inspire scenes, settings, and much more for your screenplay . Since screenwriting is fundamentally a visual art, collecting visuals can greatly enhance the imagery and style of your story

How to Start: Set up a “Story Ideas” board on Pinterest and begin saving images that speak to you. This could range from a landscape to a captivating looking  character. Over time, you’ll develop a visual boards that can inspire  ideas for scenes or entire storylines. Besides instead of just writing or typing on your compute this can be a fun way of building your story .

5. Observe and Eavesdrop

I cannot not overstate the importance of becoming an excellent observer of life when you become a writer .How do you otherwise get your raw material from .Forget being busy on your phone when in a cafe or walking on the road .There is a wealth of information around you , waiting to be picked and turned into stories – That newly married couple with a stiff body language ,the elderly woman sitting on the roadside, selling jasmine garlands, her weathered hands weaving flowers into intricate patterns,the old couple selling food by the roadside ,the laughter and funny banter of  the schoolchildren racing home after school.All the recent movies and shows like Patalok , Shubh mangal savdhan , gully boy and several others have displayed amazing human insight and authentic dialogues which can only come from excellent observation .

Why It Works: Authentic characters and dialogue stem from understanding how people truly communicate and interact. Take Aaron Sorkin for example , the screenwriter behind Social network and The West Wing. He is celebrated for his sharp, witty dialogue that mirrors the rhythm of real conversations. Sorkin often emphasizes the importance of listening to how people engage with one another and the subtleties of dialogue in his writing process.

How to Start: The next time you find yourself in a café, park, or waiting for an appointment, pay close attention to how people interact. Listen to conversations happening around you. Observe their body language, accents, and mannerisms. For instance, if you see a couple engaged in a quiet argument, take note of their choice of words , the emotions on their face and their body language etc .

Incorporating these observations into your writing not only enhances your characters but also adds depth to your narrative, making it resonate more profoundly with your audience.

6. Capture Moments With Photos or Voice Notes

Sometimes, inspiration hits when you’re away from your notebook or computer. Snapping quick photos or recording voice notes can help you hold onto those ideas for later.

Why It Works: Writers often visualize their thoughts in scenes, and a single image or phrase can blossom into a full scene or mood. For example,Martin Scorsese frequently carries a camera to capture scenes or moments that ignite his creativity, which he may reference in his films down the line.

How to Start: Use your phone to snap pictures of scenes or people that inspire you. If you overhear an intriguing piece of dialogue or have a sudden idea, record a voice note to keep it safe. Make it a routine to revisit these moments often, as they might ignite new ideas when you need them.

7. Dedicate Time to Reading and watching 

So I did this workshop on screenwriting and I clearly remember a very famous screenwriter saying that before you become a writer , you have to devote an year to reading one screenplay a week, writing two pages a day and watching one movie a week .Over the years whatever workshops I have attended ,this has been the one constant thing I have heard from almost every writing teacher ..Read and watch how muchever you can because that is where you will get your ideas from 

Why It Works: To write effectively for the screen, you need to observe how others have approached it. Watching films and reading scripts will enhance your understanding of pacing, structure, and tone.

How to Start: Set aside time each week to watch a movie or read a script. As you do, jot down notes on what catches your attention—character arcs, plot twists, or standout scenes. Pay attention to how character development moves the story ahead and how your characters personality is revealed through dialogue.

8. Schedule “Think Time”

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to overlook the value of quiet moments. Regularly taking out time to think and brainstorm can help you dig deeper into your ideas.

Why It Works: Having dedicated “think time” without distractions allows ideas to form organically. Often, writers find their best thoughts come to them  during boring , everyday  tasks. Don’t you sometimes get the best ideas during your commute to the office or in the shower where you are letting your mind wonder .Agatha Christie, for example, often found inspiration while gardening or taking long walks. Similarly, Christopher Nolan has expressed how he immerses himself in a concept, letting it simmer in his mind until it becomes more developed.

How to Start: Block off at least 30 minutes in your schedule where you can sit in silence. Avoid screens and allow your thoughts to roam freely. You might find clarity and new ideas bubbling up that you hadn’t considered before. Vikram Chandra, author of Sacred Games, emphasizes the importance of reflecting and letting ideas take shape through quiet contemplation.