I have learned several things this year. - We all make mistakes and it's better to just accept that fact once and for all in order not to let said mistake wear us too far down. - We must also accept and own up to our own flaws, some of which may have led to said mistake. - Always have several projects in development at once. This is something I've been doing since I started writing but it always bears repeating. It's easy to feel lost and empty on a first draft so moving on to something completely different will distract the mind and untie the knots. The other advantage is that developing characters, for instance, on Project 1 helps to keep those things fresh in your mind for Project 2, whatever stage you're at. Plus, having a couple of 10-page treatments ready is better than no pages at all. Wishing everyone a very writerly 2016 :)

My biggest mistake is making excuses. It hindered my growth as a writer. Lesson for 2016? Always be learning new things. Scott's "reading 52 scripts a year" was an eye opener. Do it. My goal is to write two scripts next year, keep a notebook and never being afraid of the page.

I'm a great believer in learning from other peoples mistakes. The biggest lesson I've seen on this blog and elsewhere, is that maybe 50% of the value of your spec is derived from the conceit or story idea. Therefor spend a lot of time working on your 'flash' of inspiration, working out if its strong enough to be made into a movie, before committing the time to write it as a screenplay.

All legitimate writing lessons, Marija, and in fact applicable to Life itself!

Mark, if each of us can just get into the habit of writing every day, so many of the issues which vex us rather magically move off to the side. When writing becomes a daily habit, half the battle is won.

Michael, this is a point I have pounded home for nearly 8 years on this blog and it appears finally to be sinking in. Our scripts have to 'feel like a movie' to have the best chance at getting noticed, landing representation, selling, be produced, etc. The underlying story concept is a critical piece of that equation.