I usually conjure up my dream cast before I write a new spec pilot or screenplay. I know, in theory, I'll never get this cast (and it's not that I "cast" A-list actors, it's just the matter of these ever getting made). I think it definitely helps me along, because I can just imagine said actors reciting certain lines to figure out if they'd work or not.

I love this advice,

Also, how was this originally posted Oct 30, 2010? :)

@lucidkim: Busted! My time travel machine turns out to be defective. I meant to write "October 30, 2008." Will edit to bring us all into harmonic convergence. Thanks for the heads-up!

Stupid advice, I would say. Then I just see the actor in roles she or he already played, and make my character as an already existing one.

@Désirée: I've seen lots of writers who said they wrote a script for this actor or that. But for some writers, it could be a hindrance. So I've come up with an alternative DLWTTW, per your comment, and hope to post it later today.