The Scriptwriter’s Life

The Scriptwriter’s Life is a new approach created by BAFTA nominated screenwriter Tim Clague to help Scriptwriters achieve success in their professional careers. The diagram contains, all in one place, the life of a scriptwriter. Its a map that can be used to see what you need to tackle next. Successful writers must maintain a balance between the three circles.

1. What is your story? How do you pitch, how good are your story-telling skills, are you on top of the technology?
2. Building your character. Do you know the industry, are you getting regular training, do you know how to research?
3. Your dialogue with the industry. Are you good at networking, are you drawing people towards you, are you keeping in touch often enough your key contacts?

Once I got over my initial prejudice that the sales people there were dull bankers I realised that they were on a similar journey. They were trying to get better at their job as well. But they did all this other stuff. They worked just as hard at getting better at their pitching skills, at their mentoring, at keeping an eye on the industry, at speaking on the phone, at having meetings, at keeping in touch, at knowing what to charge.

This was all stuff we should do. But no one ever said! No one told me! Yes, we got better at writing over time. But were we getting better at being a writer? Did we know what was really required for a successful scriptwriter’s life?

I got together with colleagues, fellow writers and people from outside the industry to put all these ideas together, in one place, on one page, for the first time.

I use it everyday. Have it in front of you. Today, in your writing time, don’t just do what you want (whatever is easiest in my case). Look at the chart. What haven’t you done in a while? Who haven’t you spoken to? What’s your weak spot?

The goal is to help us all be better at making a living from writing. I want to take this further and South West Screen are seeking finance to help me do just that. In the meantime - print it out, use it, share it, tell me what’s missing.

Tim Clague

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