For Playwrights and Musical Theatre Writers Who Want to Keep the Momentum Going
Let’s be real: you want to write every day.
You’ve got this show in your head that deserves to be on its feet—living, breathing, moving people. Your characters show up in your dreams, talking to you, begging you to make them come alive.
But when you sit down to write, you look at the blank screen, your mind races, you have a zillion other things to do and suddenly it’s 10:30 PM, you’re exhausted, and Netflix wins once more.
You’re not alone.
Writing daily is one of the most common struggles among playwrights and musical theatre writers. The pressure to be brilliant, the emotional vulnerability of putting words on a page, and the sheer time-suck of everyday life—it all adds up.
But here’s the thing: writing every day isn’t about discipline or punishment. It’s about building momentum, one actionable moment at a time. And getting produced is somewhat of a numbers game – the more great shows you have, the greater your chances of getting seen.
Let’s break down why it’s so hard to write everyday —and how to flip that script.
1. You Think You Need a Lot of Time
Many writers believe they need a full, uninterrupted hour (or three) to do some real writing.
But face it, long sessions are rare and unsustainable. Most of our lives are crazy busy these days. How do you find those undistracted moments to focus on your play even once a week, much less every day?
Here’s the thing to remember: You don’t need to write the entire Act I today—you just need to get something down.
What to try:
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Set a 15-minute timer. That’s it. One focused sprint. You’ll be amazed at how much clarity can come from a short burst.
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Keep a “daily scene” document: one page, one moment per day. No pressure to connect everything yet.
- Make a promise to yourself to write badly. Take the pressure off yourself to be brilliant. Just write every day. Watch what happens when you just show up.
2. You’re Waiting to Feel Inspired
Ha! If you’re waiting to feel “inspired,” you may wait a long time.
But here’s the truth. There’s power in just showing up. If you only write when the muse strikes, you’ll end up unfocused, depressed, and thinking you should just give up.
Inspiration is not the starting point—it’s the result of showing up consistently.
What to try:
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Create a ritual before you write: light a candle, put on a specific playlist, or make tea. Cue your brain that it’s time to enter the world of your show. Make the ritual repeatable at the same time every day (or most days).
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Keep a running list of scene or song prompts (e.g., “Write a confrontation,” “Write a song of longing,” “Write the moment before they kiss”).
- Before you sit to write, get into the next moment in your show visually first, in your head. I find this mental transition (while doing other things before your writing time) helps “prime the pump” of inspiration.
3. You’re Afraid It Won’t Be Good
Perfectionism kills momentum. First drafts are supposed to be messy. If you’re judging your work before it exists, it will never exist.
One thing I always tell my writers: Writing and editing are two separate processes. Don’t combine them.
What to try:
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Write in a “sketch draft” mindset—you’re not writing the final script, you’re just sketching what might happen.
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Automatic writing for 15 minutes. Use a pen and notebook to trick your brain into being less formal. No one ever has to see this version. Some people call this the “vomit” draft. Just get it on the page.
- As to worrying about being good, that’s part of the process. Allow yourself to write badly. Writing is just re-writing, always refining the work. It will keep getting better and better if you persist.
4. You Don’t Know What Will Happen Next
Feeling stuck in your story is a legit momentum killer. But you don’t need to have it everything all figured out right now to keep going.
Just stick to your 15 minute writing routine and get something on the page. You’ll figure it out as you go along.
What to try:
5. You’re Going It Alone
Writing is solitary, but theater is collaborative.
If you’re trying to do this all by yourself, it’s easy to lose energy. Find someone to share your progress with.
What to try:
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Join (or start) a small writers group with weekly check-ins. It’s remarkable what holding yourself accountable to a writers’ group will do for your process. CreateTheater has many to choose from.
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Share short pieces with a trusted friend or fellow theatremaker to create momentum and accountability.
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Hire a dramaturg to review your work and offer suggestions to move it forward.
✨ Try This: The “Daily Show Builder” Ritual
(5 Steps, 20 Minutes Max)
Step 1 (2 minutes): Review what you wrote yesterday (no editing—just read).
Step 2 (1 minute): Write down today’s scene or moment goal.
Step 3 (15 minutes): Write. No deleting, no second-guessing.
Step 4 (1 minute): Jot down tomorrow’s “next scene idea.”
Step 5 (1 minute): Celebrate. Out loud. Yes, even just “I wrote today!”
Final Thought: Small Progress Is Still Progress
Living a creative life is all about the process.
Some days you’ll write three pages. Some days, just a single line of dialogue. It all counts.
Progress in theater isn’t linear—it’s built in scenes, in stumbles, in sticky-note revelations.
So don’t wait for the perfect moment.
Don’t wait to feel ready.
Just write the next beat.
Your characters (and audiences) are waiting.
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Want a free downloadable version of the Daily Show Builder Ritual of your own?
Let me know and I’ll send it your way.
