7.Keep Creating & Editing times separate. If you edit while you write, process can become boring. Clearly block a specific amount of time for editing into your schedule. Don’t let it interfere with your creative writing time!

8.If blocked, shake things up! Do something fun, unusual, active! Get your mind somewhere else and move your body. Your creative side will work in your subconscious while you’re at play. Read tips in The Artist’s Way. There are also many resources on internet for handling writers’ block. Check some of these links: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/general/gl_block.html http://www.sff.net/people/LisaRC/ http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/block.html

9.Have a Fan Club. Critics and editors are fine, but have a few friends or family members who you can ask to cheer you on or cheer you up, no matter what you write. Hire a Creativity Coach to keep you focused and to be an unbiased supporter of your creative success!

10.Celebrate in a big way! When you reach big finish, give it a big finish! Do something you’ve always wanted to do, but have never done before. Make finish so memorable that you’ll be eager to begin your next creative writing project!

To help to resolve "meandering" problem and evolution of story toward point, create a story where your main character is just this faceless being that quickly and easily achieves his goal. No dialogue. No rhyme or reason. They just reach their goal without effort or conflict. This is boring, but it creates a basis for story.

Once you're satisfied with this straight-line story, add a specific characteristic that makes this goal have meaning to main character. This would also mean that you would have to modify environment and characteristics of your main character such that, to him, this goal means something. Now, with a call to action, he chases his goal with fervor!

Now, add in an obstacle that keeps him from achieving this goal. This would mean that somewhere in main character's history, this obstacle came into being, but is now an obvious problem in his goal achievement. It could be a character flaw, a villain, or any issue that blocks main character from his goal. How does he overcome this obstacle? Again, a character modification and backstory is required to show his ability to overcome this obstacle as well as some level of action to do so.

Once core story is solid and directed, you add a conflict, a twist, and a resolution, one step at a time, until you begin to see your character and story evolve. With a story in hand, you can now add your dialogue to assist in forward movement of story, but only as needed. With this approach, you can slowly build your story while keeping your "point" in mind and following formula for a solid screenplay.

It is essential that you keep an eye on theme and objective of story and that you work in that direction, otherwise your story will wander aimlessly. Keep it tight, start late, leave early, and follow three-act formula. In end, your screenplay will have solid story and professional appeal that producers are looking for in creating today's interesting, original movies! --- About Author ---

Edward B. Toupin is an author, publisher, life-strategy coach, counselor, Reiki Master, technical writer, and PhD Candidate living in Las Vegas, NV. Among other things, he authors books, articles, and screenplays on topics ranging from career success through life organization and fulfillment. Check out some of his recent print and electronic books as well as his articles covering various life-changing topics!

For more information, and to find out about his upcoming title on book publishing, e-mail Edward at etoupin@toupin.com or visit his site at http://www.toupin.com!