1. Always give yourself an EMOTIONAL deadline.

Alway give yourself a deadline to complete your work, but make it an EMOTIONAL deadline - meaning that there will be some sort of negative consequence if you don't make the deadline on time. (Example: $1000 to your spouse or significant other if you don't make the deadline.)$1000 if you don’t make the deadline? Do you think you might be a little more motivated than usual?

As playwrights and creators, left to our own devices, we often renogotiate our deadlines turning the deadline into a feeble wish.

Try committing to a real EMOTIONAL deadline so you have some leverage on yourself to really get the work done.

2. Write. Write. Write. And DON'T EDIT so much!

Get some actors to bring your script to life informally or in a workshop situation. Stop editing so much in the writing phase and edit in and around rehearsal when you can see and hear what is really working. I have done this for years and it works, and it is so much more fun than agonizing over words on paper. When actors speak and live your words, you can easily see and hear what works and what doesn’t.

3. Take time off from writing and get into nature.

Especially in this Brave New World, if you are in your apartment all day long on your computer, eventually your creative juices are going to get sapped. A good strategy is to take some time to refuel by going outside into nature.

Go to the park, or take a hike into the woods, or a walk on the beach. Shut down for a while. Don’t think about your play, just hang out in nature. You'll be amazed at what will happen when you get back to writing. Shutting down your conscious brain by being in nature will actually help you write better. Go figure!

4. Write from your gut, your personal experience, and don't pull punches.

If your story is based on truth, change the names and write it. Writing about a real dramatic personal experience will power your play and your writing in insanely wonderful ways.

Don't pull punches.

Go for the KNOCK OUT.

Dare to be painfully honest in your storytelling.

Channel the story, and don’t apologize for being truthful.

You are a storyteller.

So tell the story.