Where Do You Write | The Athletic Nerd

The Creative Ignition 4: Libraries

June 22nd, 2010 | Posted by jasonmckinnon in Screenwriting - (0 Comments)

I like to write about screenwriting.

It’s my number one passion. It’s inspiring.

I’ve been writing screenplays for long enough to know how to trigger my creative ignition.

In certain cases it could be a movie that makes me want to write.

Sometimes it’s a location that starts a fire in your mind.

Locations like the ceiling in your room, an old basketball court or driving in your car deep in thought.

I happen to love writing screenplays at the library.

I haven’t been there much lately but it’s one of my favorite places to be creative. It’s always the Reference Library in Toronto. When I’m there you can find me on the 4th floor surrounded by screenwriting and film books.

In front of me, I’ll have several notebooks spread out. In them I write outlines and rough pages of whatever script I’m working on.

Before I know it, 5 hours has gone by and the library is closing.

I take my work home and type it up. A few hours later, I’ve put a huge dent into the script.

It all starts at the library.

Nerdy or not… It works.

Screenwriting: New Surroundings

January 7th, 2010 | Posted by jasonmckinnon in Screenwriting - (0 Comments)

January is a month of new beginnings. It’s a time of resolutions and ambitious goals for the year ahead. For me, it means all of those things and more.

It’s become a yearly tradition of mine. This mission is extremely important to my yearly routine. It’s a vital component of my creative routine. It’s so important that I cannot possibly imagine writing a single word in the new year without first accomplishing this goal.

I change my furniture around.

When I start something new like a script or a film (or both in the case of 2010) I find it necessary to change my surroundings. It feels like I’m starting a new job with a new office and new possibilities. For any writer out there who finds themselves blocked at any time of year, I recommend this practice for hundreds of reasons. Here’s a few:

Throwing on the iPod and organizing your surroundings is a good chance to think about your new project.
You’re already being creative by deciding how your new configuration of furniture will look.
Everyone has a closet that stresses them out. We all have junk drawers that we will get to someday. It’s almost liberating to finally get to those problem areas.
How many times a year can you honestly say that you are 100% caught up with your laundry? Make sure to do the sheets on your bed too. That’s key.
Is anybody else in a better mood when the fridge is packed with food? Grocery shopping is a crucial part of Operation Life Restart. While you’re out, buy yourself a cake. Why not? I do it all the time. Who doesn’t love cake?
With everything in order around you, it’s a million times easier to concentrate without the distractions of everyday life.
Finally finishing your work brings an enormous sense of accomplishment and makes you feel ready to take on any project.
It may sound like a busy way to spend a day off but I guarantee you will not regret it.

Most importantly….

You’ll feel like writing.

I completed Operation Life Restart on Sunday. I’m ready for 2010.

Screenwriting: Portable Writing

November 15th, 2009 | Posted by jasonmckinnon in Screenwriting | Technology - (2 Comments)

Today, I Googled iPhone tips… I’m always looking for nerdy things to do. I came across a function that lets you take screenshots of your iPhone. So here is my home page.

Immediately, the gears started turning and a blog post was born. A post about a new way for writers to work on their newest projects. Portable Writing.

For the last few months I’ve been writing a lot about my phone and what it’s meant for my writing. I also wrote about finding time to write. It’s seriously getting harder and harder to find excuses NOT to. Look at that gorgeous screenshot. Lets take a closer look.

Smart phones have literally enhanced the writer’s ability to…

Well write. I’m constantly firing up the iPhone to write a blog, scene or outline a new sequence. Needless to say, it’s been a very productive couple of months.

It started with WordPress. An app that allows you to update, edit and publish posts from your phone. These days, every writer has a blog of some type. A quick search of the app store shows dozens of blogging apps to help you get that new article online no matter which platform you use.

The Athletic Nerd has been in existence for just about 3 months and I’d say close to half of the posts began on my phone. Whether it’s killing time on a bus or walking to the store, I always have an outlet to write.

The app that literally blew my mind was Screenplay. My full review of the app can be found HERE. I searched screenwriting in the app store on the odd chance there would be a news app or something similar. I never would have thought a full featured screenwriting app would pop up. I’ve been using it to finish a short film I’ve been picking at over the last few weeks. It’s a great way to write if you can’t find the time at home.

The Outliner App came next. This reasonably priced program allows you to create and update mulitiple lists for any occasion. I have lists for movie ideas, blog topics, story lines, scene ideas, dialogue possibilities and even outlines for future scripts. It’s a must have for any writer.

Having the iPhone has also re-invigorated my interest in social networking. Facebook and Twitter are featured prominantly on my phone. I’m always connected to my friends AND it’s easier for me to post updates on 17 West and my blog.

Finally, my super nerd app of the week, Analytics. An app that logs into Google Analytics and displays your website statistics. I follow these numbers closely and it’s great to be able to check them wherever I go.

Portable writing used to mean pens and notebooks. I’m still a massive fan of hitting the library with nothing but blank pages and hours to kill but when time doesn’t permit itself, I can always use my phone.

XTRA: Check out my review of Celtx for iPhone and iPad

The Creative Ignition 4: Libraries

Screenwriting: New Surroundings

Most importantly….

Screenwriting: Portable Writing

Smart phones have literally enhanced the writer’s ability to…

Portable writing. Sweet.

The Latest:

Discover:

You Might Also Like: