It’s screenwriter David Willis who finds himself in a position to declare knowledge of the routine to end all other routines. Some tried-and-tested techniques Willis makes use of: write backwards starting with your ending first and asking what a fun way to get there might be, always outline, let the idea sit, boil, and gestate in your thoughts before starting with an outline, work with a partner if possible since your suggestions paddled back and forth will amount to an unexpected whole and a few drafts in quicker than you would be able to accomplish alone.
So he’s not radically different from most writers, all well and good, but what’s the magic habit: the only one that matters? Willis explains: Just sit in the chair and write. It’s a job, whether you like that particular day on the job or not. You don’t need a writer’s retreat to divine a story, just write your first – and therefore worst – draft. Now you have a first draft. That’s progress.
No doubt, you’ll have to double back many a time, for instance: Willis’ greatest weakness as a writer in his lack of foresight for visual comedy and/or large set-pieces, since these qualities aren’t where his mind goes to first, so he does them as additions. He, himself, considers this a major weakness. It ought to be there from the start, otherwise he equates the process with leaving the stove on. “Did I remember to lift up the scale for a minute or two?”
As far as a ritual, the sort of thing a brand new writer may need? Still, the only ritual is to sit down and write. ‘What books should I read?’ You’re too far ahead of yourself. Write a little first, up to a few scripts. Anything. Only then should you read a book to apply its theory. Otherwise, you’ll be worrying about what the correct sheet music may be to compose with, but have you got your instruments in place?
If, off the top of your head, you have an idea of how many scripts you’ve written, or how many drafts of a single project you’ve worked through, the answer is not enough. You need to have essentially lost track of your projects. By that point, you’ve likely made enough of a habit of writing to be susceptible to the guides used by professionals.
As for what to write about for all those pages, having life experience helps. Per Willis, you should spend some attentive time around people, eavesdrop on others even. Their perspectives and conversations will ignite your imagination. The idea seems clear: put your horse before your cart, and then… just start working.