How to Write a Screenplay

Do you have an amazing idea for the next blockbuster movie or TV show? If you’ve ever dreamt of seeing your work on the big screen, it all starts with your screenplay. Every screenplay you write pushes characters through life-changing adventures to create an exciting and dramatic story. We know it’s tough to know where to even begin, but we’ll walk you through how to start your screenplay from the outline all the way to its final revision. In a few short months, you’ll have a finished screenplay you can share with the world!

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Outline

1. Brainstorm premises for your story using “what if” statements. The premise of your screenplay is the core of your story, so choose an idea that you’re excited to pursue. Frame your premise as a “what if” question to help you pick out some of the central conflict.^[1] Look for inspiration from your own life, the news, books, or even from other movies so you can find something that really sparks your interest.^[2]
   
   • For example, the question “What if Peter Pan grew up and forgot about Neverland?” is the premise for the movie Hook.
   • As another example, the question “What if an ordinary boy found out he was actually a powerful wizard?” is a good premise for Harry Potter.
   • Write your ideas on a notepad or on your phone whenever they come to mind. You never know when inspiration will strike.
2. Choose a protagonist and antagonist for your story. The protagonist is the main character of your story and who the audience should root for throughout your script. Provide your character with an overarching goal to achieve by the end, but give them a personality flaw they need to overcome to reach it.^[3] Conversely, the antagonist should actively try to foil your protagonist’s plans. Brainstorm a character that directly goes against your main character’s goal to keep your villain interesting.^[4]
   
   • For example, in Die Hard, John McClane wants to save his wife and the hostages held captive by Hans Gruber.
   • Your antagonist doesn’t have to necessarily be another character. It can also be a monster or the wilderness. For example, in The Revenant, the main character must survive harsh winter weather to make it back to his camp.
3. Give your story constant conflict to create your character’s arc. If your protagonist easily gets what they want right at the beginning of your story, your screenplay won’t be as interesting as it could be. Brainstorm your protagonist’s goal and the steps they need to take to get there. Then come up with conflicts that challenge your character and push them out of their comfort zone. These conflicts can be from your antagonist or poor decisions your character makes. By the end of your script, let your character reach their goals but go through some changes along the way.^[5]
   
   • Have your protagonist fail frequently to make them more believable and add some additional conflict.
   • Let your character start in a place where they’re comfortable but needing something that pushes them into unfamiliar territory. That way, they’ll have to adapt and give things up to get what they want.^[6]
4. Write a 1–2 sentence logline to summarize your story idea. Your logline sells your premise and is what you’ll tell other people to get them excited about your idea. Include your protagonist, their overall goal, and what stands in their way. Workshop a few different ways to write your logline and tell them to a few people to see if they’re interested in your premise.^[7]
   
   • For example, a logline for the film Ratatouille might be, “A rat who wants to be a chef must work with an amateur cook to avoid being caught by the suspicious head chef.”
   • As another example, the logline for The Lord of the Rings could be, "A young man, with the help of a small group of friends, must take a ring across the country to defeat an evil ruler."
5. Jot down all your scene ideas on separate note cards. Brainstorm some events or problems that you want your protagonist to encounter throughout your screenplay. Whenever you have a new idea, grab a new notecard and write it down.^[8] Capture the main elements of the scene in about 7 words and print in large letters so they’re easier to read. Aim to have between 40–60 index cards when you’re finished.
   
   • Some screenwriting software, such as WriterDuet and Final Draft, have digital index cards you can work with.
   • At this stage, no idea is a bad idea. If you think something might be fun or cool to include in your screenplay, write it on a card and worry about if it fits with the story later on.
   • Try using differently colored index cards for separate characters or action sequences so they’re easier to sort through.
6. Organize your scenes in the order you want them in your script. Lay your index cards out on a table or tack them up onto a corkboard so you can see all of the sequences. Rearrange the sequences to see what flows well dramatically from one scene to the next. Since you’re still in the early stages of outlining, feel free to add or remove cards if you need them for your story.^[9]
   
   • Most movies and shows will be in chronological order of events, but you can try putting in events as flashbacks or flash-forwards to add twists to your movie, such as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or Inception.
7. Break your story into a new act when your character reaches high or low points. Film scripts usually have 3 acts that each have multiple sequences. In the setup, or Act I, introduce your story world and protagonist. At the end of Act I, have your character make a decision that pushes them towards their goal and changes their life. During Act II, or the confrontation, show your protagonist working to reach their goal and how the antagonist wants to stop them. Build the end of Act II up to the climactic confrontation between your characters before entering the resolution, or Act III, to wrap up your story.^[10]
   
   • Act II is usually the longest of the 3 acts and will make up about half of your screenplay.
   • If you’re writing a television script, place your act breaks right where you would cut to a commercial.

[Edit]First Draft

1. Set a goal date in 5–6 weeks for when you want to finish your screenplay. It’s always easier to work on something when you give yourself a deadline, so it can help keep you focused. Screenwriters usually take about 5–6 weeks to write a script, so aim to finish within that time frame. Mark the deadline on your calendar and set reminders for yourself so you can strive towards your goal.^[11]
   
   • Ask other people to hold you accountable to your goals to help you feel more motivated to finish on time.
2. Work on 1–2 pages every day. Look for some time in your schedules where you can set aside a bit of time to write each day so you can get into a daily routine. Find a place free of distractions and focus solely on your screenplay so you can easily meet your end goal. At a rate of 1–2 pages per day, you can usually have your screenplay done within 2 months.^[12]
   
   • Don’t get discouraged if you don’t hit your goal every day. Writing can be really tough since it takes a lot of creativity. Even professional writers get stuck from time to time.
3. Give each character a unique voice through their dialogue. Use dialogue to help drive your scenes forward and present new information for the characters. Avoid having characters say things that the reader would already know, or else it might seem to on the nose. As you introduce a new character, keep their voice distinct from other characters so they don’t sound alike.^[13]
   
   • Try covering up the character’s names and guessing which characters are talking passed on their speaking style. If the dialogue all sounds the same, then rework it so each person feels unique.
4. Keep each scene to 3 pages or less. Always write your scenes to move the story forward in some way, whether that’s through lines of dialogue or character actions. To keep your screenplay exciting and the action moving, determine the main point of the scene you’re writing. Cut the beginning of the scene so you enter at the latest moment possible. End the scene as soon as you can after the main action so the plot moves forward.^[14]
   
   • It’s okay to break this rule a few times especially during your first draft since you can always revise your scenes later on.
5. Write without going back to edit. While it can be really tempting to get everything just right on the first pass, try your best not to go back and fix things. Let your ideas flow freely and just write what comes to your head at the moment. Have fun with your creativity and allow yourself to make changes to your story on the fly.^[15]
   
   • If you have an idea that isn’t in your outline, just include it in your draft. You never know if it will work with the rest of your story until you try it out.
6. Aim to write between 90–130 pages if you’re writing a movie. Think of each page of your screenplay as 1 minute of time on screen as a general guideline. Even though some movies are shorter than 90 minutes and longer than 130 minutes, try to stay within the guidelines for your first script since it will be more widely accepted by professionals.^[16]
   
7. Finish a television script between 22–75 pages. The length of a television episode depends on the genre format you’re writing. If you’re writing an episode for a sitcom, then keep it between 22–45 pages since it will fill a half-hour time slot. If you’re working on a dramatic show, then it’s okay for you to write a 45- to 75-page script so it’s about an hour long.^[17]
   
   • Page lengths for TV scripts are more strictly enforced than feature film scripts.

[Edit]Revisions

1. Set your script aside for 2 weeks to get some distance from it. You just spent a lot of time with your script and characters, so it can feel pretty difficult going back to edit. After you finish, take a break from your script and leave it alone. After about 2 weeks, you’ll have fresh eyes and be able to catch things you may not have seen before.^[18]
   
   • You can start working on another project right away or just relax and celebrate that you finished a draft.
2. Reread your script to find parts that don’t make sense. Read your script out loud so it’s easier to find your mistakes. Focus on bigger issues first, such as confusing passages, unclear motivations, and themes that don’t quite land how you want them to. As you go through the script, mark or highlight the areas you want to revise.^[19]
   
   • Avoid focusing on issues like grammar and spelling right away since you can fix those later on.
3. Cut or rework scenes that don’t add something new to the plot. Every scene in your script should move your character closer to their goal or reveal new information for your protagonist. As you work through each of your scenes, ask yourself how the scene relates back to the overall plot. If you can’t find a good reason to include the scene, then you may not need it in your script.^[20]
   
   • For example, a character walking home after work doesn’t add anything to the story. However, if the character runs into a romantic interest while they’re walking home, it can add to your character’s story.
4. Read your dialogue out loud to see if it sounds natural and realistic. Someone will have to perform the dialog you wrote, so act it out yourself to see if it’s easy to say. If you find yourself stumbling over your words or if your dialogue sounds robotic, you may need to rework the phrasing so it’s easier to understand.^[21]
   
   • For example, a 10-year-old character saying, “I do not think this will work out well,” sounds a little stilted. Instead, you might edit the dialogue to “I don’t think that’s gonna go well.”
5. Have someone you trust read through your screenplay for feedback. It’s always nice to have another set of eyes on your screenplay, so talk to your friends, parents, or teachers to see if they’ll give you feedback. Ask them to pinpoint any issues they see in your script and let them know if you have any specific questions. When they finish reading, ask about what parts were too confusing or hard to follow.^[22]
   
6. Continue your rewrites until you’re happy with your script. It can take a bit of time to perfect your screenplay to get it exactly where you want it, so don’t expect to be finished after 1 or 2 drafts. Keep reworking and revising the screenplay until it’s as clear as possible and ask for feedback after each revision. Even though it may take a bit of time to polish, you’ll be happier with your final script.^[23]
   
   • Work on revisions in separate documents so you can look at a fresh new page each time. You can still cut and paste bits you like from the old versions into the new ones.

[Edit]Screenplay Format

1. Use 12-point Courier font for your entire screenplay. Courier is the industry-standard font for screenplays, so avoid using anything else. You can work in a standard word processor, or you can try using software specifically made for screenwriting since it will automatically choose the right fonts and formats.^[24]
   
   • Popular free screenwriting software you can try includes WriterDuet and Celtx.
   • You can also pay for screenwriting software that has more features, such as Final Draft, Fade In, or Highland.
2. Put your title, name, and contact information on the front page. Come up with a title for your screenplay and write it in all caps in the center of the page. Add a line break after the title and type the phrase “written by” in all lowercase. Then put another line break before putting your first and last name. In the bottom-left corner of the page, put your information, like your phone number and a professional email address.^[25]
   
   • You do not need to include your mailing address on the title page of your screenplay.
3. Write scene headings in all caps when you introduce a new location. The scene headings, or “slug lines,” let your reader know where the action of a scene takes place. Start the heading with “INT.” for interior locations and “EXT.” if the scene takes place outside. Then, write the name of the location followed by a hyphen. After that, include the time when the scene takes place using words like “DAY,” “NIGHT,” or “MORNING.”^[26]
   
   • For example, you may have scene headings like “INT. CLASSROOM - DAY” or “EXT. PARKING LOT - NIGHT.”
   • If you want to specify a room, just add it after the location. For example, you could write, “INT. TYLER’S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT.”
   • Keep your scene headings in from the left of the page.^[27]
4. Describe settings and what characters are doing in action blocks. Use the present tense in your action blocks to give visual details about what’s happening in your scene. Establish the location and let the reader know what your characters are doing. Only focus on what the audience would be able to see or hear in the scene since you can explain them visually.^[28]
   
   • For example, rather than saying the “The pie smells good,” you could try something like, “Alex walks up to the pie and takes in a big whiff. He licks his lips at the scent, ready to dig in.”
   • Whenever you’re introducing a character for the first time, write their name in all caps and give a brief visual description. For example, you could write, “SYDNEY, 23, walks through campus in baggy sweatpants sipping a coffee.”
   • Keep action lines single-spaced, in from the left, and in from the right.
5. Center character names and dialogue on the page when someone speaks. Whenever a character is about to talk, start a new line in the center of the page. Write the character’s name in all caps before adding another line break. Then write down what the character says as dialogue below their name.^[29]
   
   • If a character isn’t on screen while they’re talking, then put (O.S.) after their name to signify they’re off-screen.
   • Place character names and dialogue and from the left edge respectively.^[30]
   • You can also add parentheticals on the line after a character’s name to convey the mood or tone of their voice. For example, it could say something like “(frightened)” or “(tense).” Keep the parentheticals in from the left margin.
6. Align transitions on the right side of the page. Transitions help you move from scene to scene so your reader knows you’re about to change locations. Start a new line at the end of the scene. Use the phrase “CUT TO:”, “DISSOLVE TO:”, or “FADE OUT:” to show how you want to switch from the previous sequence to the next one.^[31]
   
   • Leave the transitions from the right edge of the page.
   • Always start the next line after a transition with a new scene heading.
7. Add page numbers to the top-right corner starting on the second page. You don’t need page numbers on your title page or on the actual first page of your script. On the second page of your script, put “2.” in the top-right corner. Keep numbering the rest of the pages the same way.^[32]
   
   • Keep the page numbers from the top of the page and flush with the right margin.

[Edit]Screenplay Help

Sample Script Outline

Sample Script

[Edit]Tips

• Read screenplays for movies that you enjoy so you can see how they’re written. Try searching for the name of the movie plus the phrase “screenplay PDF” to see if you can find any copies.
• Don't worry if your first screenplay isn't perfect. It's normal for your first screenplay to not be very good—the more you write and practice, the better you'll get!^[33]
• Follow agents and production companies online as you write your screenplay so you can learn more about the industry and what kind of entertainment people are looking for.^[34]

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Write an Effective Screenplay for a Short Film
• Format Dialogue in a Story
• Sell a Screenplay
• Write a Script
• Get Ideas for a Short Film

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://gointothestory.blcklst.com/how-i-write-a-script-part-1-story-concept-ab6d5a25fc27
2. ↑ https://nofilmschool.com/new-movie-ideas
3. ↑ https://screencraft.org/2019/05/15/5-screenwriting-tricks-to-conjure-better-character-depth/
4. ↑ https://screencraft.org/2016/10/21/how-to-write-the-perfect-antagonist/
5. ↑ https://nofilmschool.com/use-conflict-amp-your-script
6. ↑ https://www.coverfly.com/screenwriting-plot-and-story-structure/
7. ↑ https://www.raindance.org/10-tips-for-writing-loglines/
8. ↑ https://gointothestory.blcklst.com/screenwriting-tip-index-cards-3c8a303236be
9. ↑ https://gointothestory.blcklst.com/screenwriting-tip-index-cards-3c8a303236be
10. ↑ https://nofilmschool.com/Three-act-structure
11. ↑ https://www.masterclass.com/articles/judd-apatows-guide-to-writing-a-great-screenplay#judd-apatows-guide-to-writing-a-great-screenplay-first-draft-in-7-steps
12. ↑ https://gointothestory.blcklst.com/how-i-write-a-script-part-8-first-draft-d967b1a1e5de
13. ↑ https://www.finaldraft.com/blog/2014/10/08/write-great-dialogue/
14. ↑ https://johnaugust.com/2003/how-long-is-a-scene
15. ↑ https://thescriptlab.com/features/screenwriting-101/10285-screenwriting-first-draft-tips-from-acclaimed-screenwriters/
16. ↑ https://screencraft.org/2018/03/27/five-easy-hacks-cut-scripts-page-count/
17. ↑ https://blcklst.com/help/tv_script_standards.pdf
18. ↑ https://gointothestory.blcklst.com/how-i-write-a-script-part-8-first-draft-d967b1a1e5de
19. ↑ https://screencraft.org/2014/05/18/revising-screenplay-rewriting-screenwriting/
20. ↑ https://johnaugust.com/2007/write-scene
21. ↑ https://gointothestory.blcklst.com/rewriting-your-script-part-10-final-edit-9f13e5cd167
22. ↑ https://thescriptlab.com/features/screenwriting-101/9296-mastering-the-art-of-revising-and-editing-your-screenplays/
23. ↑ https://nofilmschool.com/how-to-write-great-screenplay
24. ↑ https://screenwriting.io/what-is-standard-screenplay-format/
25. ↑ https://johnaugust.com/2010/screenplay-title-page
26. ↑ https://screencraft.org/2015/05/07/elements-of-screenplay-formatting/
27. ↑ https://screenwriting.io/what-is-standard-screenplay-format/
28. ↑ https://online.pointpark.edu/screenwriting/screenplay-format/
29. ↑ https://screencraft.org/2015/05/07/elements-of-screenplay-formatting/
30. ↑ https://screenwriting.io/what-is-standard-screenplay-format/
31. ↑ https://screencraft.org/2018/04/13/everything-screenwriters-need-to-know-about-transitions/
32. ↑ https://screenwriting.io/what-is-standard-screenplay-format/
33. ↑ [v161071_b01]. 16 July 2019.
34. ↑ [v161071_b01]. 16 July 2019.

How to Organize Your Room

Organizing your room can help you feel more calm and in control of your own life. Going about your day will be much easier if you know exactly where everything is. You'll not have to waste twenty minutes of your day searching for your favorite top or pair of jeans. If you want to know how to organize your room, just follow these steps.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Sorting Through Your Belongings

1. Take all of your belongings out of their current locations. This may seem painful and like you're creating a bigger mess, but if you really want to organize your room, you have to start from scratch. Though you may be overwhelmed by the giant pile of stuff you've created on your floor, desk, or bed, rest assured that you'll find the right place for everything soon enough.^[1]
   
   • Remove everything from your closet. Your clothes, shoes, and anything you keep in your closet can go in a pile on the floor in front of the closet.
   • Remove everything from your desk. You can place the papers and anything else you find on the desk's surface.
   • Remove everything from your dresser. If you're creating too much of a mess, remove one drawer at a time.
   • Take any other items that are laying around and place them on your bed and on the floor.
   • If taking everything out of its place at once is overwhelming and is taking up too much space, you can tackle your room by taking apart one area at a time.
2. Organize your belongings. Before you begin to figure out where everything should go, you should get a number of boxes and label them for different purposes. Crates or plastic bins will work just as well, but boxes are best because you can just recycle them when you're done organizing and won't have to deal with more clutter. Label them Keep, Store, Donate, and Trash. ^[2] Here's how you should label the boxes:
   
   • Keep. The items that you keep will be items that you use on a regular basis. If you've used the item in the last two or three months, you should keep it.
   • Store. These are things that you can't bear to throw away, such as something with sentimental value, but which you rarely use. You can also store away a large portion of your clothes that you won't wear until the next season or two. If it's the middle of the summer, you can store your winter sweaters, and if it's the dead of winter, you can store your summer dresses.
   • Donate. These are items that may benefit someone or could be sold, but which you don't need any more. You may have a nice sweater that you don't fit into anymore that you can donate, or an old textbook that you can sell.
   • Trash. These are items that no one needs -- including you. If you have to spend time wondering what something is, or when the last time you even saw it was, or even if you forgot you ever owned something, it's time to toss it.
3. Try to get rid of as many items as possible. This is an important step. Though you may want to throw everything in the "Keep" box, or have put every last extra item in the "Store" box, this won't help you get organized. You need to do some searching to figure out what you really need in your room right there where you spend your time. Remember that less really is more. The less things you have, the easier it will be to organize your bedroom.^[3]
   
   • Try the twenty second rule. If you have to spend more than twenty seconds looking at an item and asking yourself if you'll ever use it again, the answer is no.
   • If you have something you know you don't need but don't want to part with it, try giving it to a friend or family member so you feel better about it being in someone else's hands.
4. Put all the boxes except the "Keep" boxes in the right place. Now that you've organized your room, you can begin to get rid of all the things you don't need. The sooner you get rid of or store the other boxes, the easier it will be to move on with your organization. Here's what to do:
   
   • The first part is easy. Just throw out everything in the "Throw Out" box.
   • Find a local church, Goodwill, or another organization that is taking donations, and bring all of your donated items there. Be prepared for the place to tell you that they won't accept some of your items. You can either try to donate them somewhere else, or just throw them out.
   • Start selling your "Sell" items. Have a garage sale or put them on Craigslist.
   • Store your storage boxes. If you have a storage unit or another place outside of your room to place them, great. If not, store them in a part of your room you won't be using very often, such as under your bed or in the back of your closet. Remember to label them carefully so you know where your things are when the time comes to use them or donate them.

[Edit]Reorganizing Your Belongings

1. Organize your closet. Keeping an organized and neat closet is the key to having a clean bedroom. You should make the most of your closet space and organize your clothes by season. If you have a larger closet, it may be a good place to store your additional items or to keep your shoes and accessories.^[4] Here's how to organize your closet:
   
   • The first thing you should do after you've sorted your clothes into the "Keep", "Store", and "Donate" piles is to take one more hard look at your clothes. If you haven't worn a certain item in over a year, it's time for it to go. The only exception for this rule is if you have a very formal gown or suit that you haven't had a chance to wear and that still fits you.
   • Organize your clothes by season. Keep the summer, spring, winter, and fall clothes on the same part of the closet. If you have room for storage in the closet, store those off-season clothes in a bin in the back of your closet.
   • Hang up as many of the clothes as you can while still maintaining space between your garments to create order. Try organizing them by the type of garment they are. For example, when you hang up your summer clothes, keep tank tops, t-shirts, and dresses separated.
   • Make use of the space below your clothes. If you've hung up your clothes, you should still have a few feet of space below them, so don't waste it. Use the space for a storage bin or for a shoe rack.
   • If you have a door that opens instead of a sliding door, invest in a shoe rack or jewelry holder that hangs over your door. This is a great use of space. If you don't have a door there, you can consider hanging one of these over your bedroom door.
   • If you have room in your closet for a dresser, this is the perfect place for it.
2. Organize your dresser. Your dresser is the place where you store your additional clothes or accessories, so it should be as neat as possible to prevent you from turning it upside down every time you search for another piece of clothing. Here's how to organize your dresser:
   
   • Organize the top of your dresser. Take all the clutter from the top of your dresser and put it in a plastic bin at the corner of the dresser. If there's a better place for the clutter, like your bathroom, desk, or top drawer, put it there. If you find stuff that's better off in someone else's hands, donate it or sell it.
   • Find a good use for your top dresser drawer. Don't just use the top drawer to throw in everything that doesn't have a good place. Decide what this use will be and stick to it.
   • Organize the rest of your drawers. Create a drawer for your underwear, a drawer for your pajamas, a drawer for your athletic gear if you work out a lot, and then one or two drawers for the tops and bottoms you wear every day. Keep your tops and bottoms separate so you know where to find everything.
3. Organize your desk. If you have a desk in your room, you should keep it as organized as possible. Come up with a game plan for separating and organizing all of your important items so you avoid a mess in the future. Here's how to do it:
   
   • Designate a place for your scissors, staplers, and other office supplies. This could be an area on the corner of your desk or your top drawer. It should be easily accessible since you'll use these items often. Remind yourself to keep all of the desk things on the desk. If you use the stapler, return it to the desk, or it may get lost among the other clutter in the rest of your house.
   • Designate a place for your writing utensils. Have a cup or small case for keeping your writing utensils so you no longer have to spend fifteen minutes looking for a pen. As you do this, go through your utensils to make sure that all of them work. Toss out the ones that can barely write a simple sentence.
   • Create a filing system for organizing your papers. Create folders or drawers designated for different tasks. One drawer could be used for important papers that you don't use often. Another drawer or folder could be designated for papers for a certain subject or aspect of your life. Don't mix the papers up, or you'll have a hard time finding things.
   • Minimize the clutter on the surface of your desk. Try to keep the photos and mementos on your desk at a minimum to give yourself more room to work, keep your computer, or other things.
4. Organize the rest of your room. Once you've tackled your closet, dresser, and desk, your room should begin to look like a new calm and organized place. However, you're not done quite yet. Before you can truly say your room is organized, there are a few more things you should do:
   
   • Make your bed. Part of having an organized room is putting things in their place, and your bedspread and pillows should go where they belong. If your bed is cluttered with so many pillows or stuffed animals that you can barely sleep in it, then it may be time to store, donate or throw out of some of the items.
     • Clean out the space under your bed. A made bed does not look nice if the space under your bed is filled with clutter and junk!
   • Get rid of the clutter on your walls. Some eye-catching posters and paintings are nice and a whiteboard or calendar can also help you get organized. However, get rid of old posters that don't pique your interest, old, torn photos, and other wall clutter. Those things can go into storage or donation, but only donate things that are in good condition.
   • Organize any other remaining pieces of furniture. If you have a night stand, a filing cabinet, or a bookshelf, make sure that they are as neat, tidy, and as logically organized as the rest of the items in your room.^[5]
   • Put any remaining items in their place. If you still have some items hanging around, find a place for them.

[Edit]Cleaning Your Newly-Organized Room

1. Clean your floor. Now that you've put all of your items in their place, you should have a bare floor. Take the time to clean it to give your room that polished feel. You won't feel organized if your room doesn't feel clean.
   
   • Put on some music or invite a friend over to help you clean to make the process more enjoyable.
   • If you have a hardwood floor, wash or sweep it. If you have a carpeted floor, it's time to vacuum.
2. Wipe down all of the surfaces in your room. Take a wet cloth and run it over your desk, the top of your dresser, your nightstand, and any additional items in your room. Get rid of all of the dust that you've ignored while your room was too messy.
   
   • Make a goal of wiping the surfaces in your room at least once a week.
3. Make a game plan to stay organized and clean. You don't want all the hard work you put into cleaning and organizing your room to go to waste. If you go back to your messy habits in just one week, you can undo so much of the effort that you've put in. Here's how to make sure you maintain a clean and organized room in the future:
   
   • Be determined to spend at least 5 to 10 minutes every night organizing your room before you go to bed. Now that you've organized the last of your things, you should vow to keep them in their places.
   • Be determined to clean your room for at least 5 to 10 minutes every day. This includes taking out the trash, getting rid of any food, and removing any old papers, ticket stubs, or random things that have accumulated in your space.

[Edit]Tips

• Have a wastebasket so you can keep trash from cluttering your room.
• Put on music. It will help you have fun while you clean.
• Check your room weekly and pick up trash or clothes that are on the floor.
• Reward yourself once your room is organized with things such as a favorite movie or video game, a fun outing, or something like that.
• Put things near where you use them. Put your accessories by your mirror, your pencils by your desk, and so on.
• Think of how you may want to organize your spaces before you organize them, that way it will be easier to start - and finish. Of course, if you want to do it spontaneously, that's fine too!
• Make a list of the most important areas to tackle first, otherwise, you may find yourself tackling the small stuff and avoiding the big stuff. Stick to your list in order of priority and you'll feel more relief when it's done.
• Purchase organizational buckets and drawers to store clothes or accessories in.
• Make your bed every morning. This will encourage you to stay organized, and your room will seem a lot cleaner from that alone.
• Try to have breaks in between so you don't get tired. Have a snack, drink some water, and read a book for 15 minutes or so.
• Organize books, CDs, and DVDs in alphabetical order to make it easier to find what you're looking for. You can also organize them by genre, if you want.
• If you clean out your wardrobe, try everything on before deciding which box to put it in. If it doesn't fit, or you wouldn't be caught dead wearing it, don't keep it (or save it for a younger sibling so that when they grow it will fit them). If you are saving it for a younger sibling, then put it in your storage box.
• Try purchasing under bed storage boxes. They are only about $2.99.
• If you need more places to put things, buy or reuse boxes. Mason or candy jars can also make pretty containers for smaller items like writing utensils or your scissors, stapler, and other supplies.
• When throwing away items, check with your parents first to make sure you're allowed to get rid of these things.
• Try to think about the outcome while cleaning to motivate you and at the and you can decorate a bit. It'll make your room a little more you and look pretty nice and colorful as well!
• If you have a small room, you can move things from your room to other places in your house. That way, it's less easy to make it messy again.
• Put all your stuff besides furniture on your bed to vacuum or clean the floor so you don't have to do it as you're cleaning.
• Quickly clean your room every night.
• If you get changed, don't just leave your clothes you are getting out of on the floor, pick them up and if they are dirty put them in the laundry.
• If your mom or dad has their own closet, give the hangers that once held your old clothes to them.
• Don't rush it. Take your time so you can do a good job.

[Edit]Things You'll Need

• Several large cardboard boxes
• Storage boxes
• Cleaning items, such as a vacuum, broom, and duster
• Hangers

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Arrange Your Furniture
• Clean Your Room
• Buy a Summer Wardrobe
• Get a Basic Wardrobe (for Girls)
• Be Organized

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ http://www.hgtv.com/homekeeping/organization-basics/index.html
2. ↑ https://housewifehowtos.com/get-organized/how-to-organize-your-bedroom/
3. ↑ https://housewifehowtos.com/get-organized/how-to-organize-your-bedroom/
4. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/organizing/closets/inspirational-closets?
5. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/organizing/tips/g3364/quick-bedroom-organizing-tips/?slide=4

How to Grow Vegetables in Winter

Cold winter weather doesn't mean your vegetable garden has to be empty. In fact, vegetable gardening in the winter can be more laid-back than in warmer months since you don't have as much to tend to. The key to successful winter gardening is planting hardy vegetables that are tolerant of the cold. Fortunately, there are lots of vegetables you can choose from for your winter garden.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Planting Hardy Vegetables

1. Grow leafy greens during the winter. Leafy salad greens are hardy and capable of withstanding cold temperatures and frosts. To grow leafy greens for a winter harvest, plant them in the ground during the summer. Some leafy greens you can try growing are:^[1]
   
   • Arugula
   • Parsley
   • Spinach
   • Endives
2. Plant root vegetables to harvest throughout winter. Like leafy greens, root vegetables are able to withstand winter weather conditions with enough protection. Plant root vegetables directly in the ground in late summer or early fall for a winter harvest. Some roots vegetables you can add to your winter garden are:^[2]
   
   • Carrots
   • Beets
   • Radishes
   • Turnips
   • Parsnips
3. Try growing brassicas in your winter garden. To grow brassicas in winter, plant them in an outdoor seedbed in late spring or early summer. You can also start them indoors in seed trays or pots. If you start your brassicas indoors, transfer them into the ground outside once they grow into seedlings with a few sets of leaves. Some popular brassicas you can grow over the winter are:^[3]
   
   • Broccoli
   • Brussels sprouts
   • Cabbage
   • Kohlrabi

[Edit]Protecting Vegetables from the Cold

1. Install a shelter to cover your vegetables before the first frost. To keep your vegetables safe from cold and freezing temperatures, you'll need to insulate them with some kind of shelter. Whichever kind of shelter you use, make sure you put it up before the first frost. Otherwise, your vegetables may be damaged from the cold.^[4]
   
   • One kind of shelter you can use is a mini tunnel that goes over your vegetables. You can find a mini tunnel at your local gardening center, or you can make your own using metal hoops and a row cover.^[5]
   • Not sure when your first frost is? Look online to find the average first frost date for your area.
2. Build straw-bale cold frames to protect leafy greens and brassicas. Straw-bale cold frames are shelters made with straw bales that help insulate plants from the cold. To make your frames, surround your garden beds with straw bales so they’re closed off. Then, lay an old door, window, or piece of polycarbonate over the top of the bales or straw to seal the frame.^[6]
   
   • To harvest the vegetables in your cold frames, just lift the top and pull out the vegetables inside.
3. Use cloches to shelter greens and brassicas as an alternative to a frame. Cloches are plastic covers that can be placed over plants. You can cover small vegetables with store-bought cloches, or you can make your own for larger garden beds. To make your own cloches, surround your vegetables with posts and slide a plastic garbage bag over them.^[7]
   
4. Lay down a thick layer of mulch to protect root vegetables from the cold. Before the first frost, cover the ground around your root vegetables with of mulch. Then, lay a sheet or gardening row cover over the mulch and root vegetables to trap in the warmth.^[8]
   
   • Popular types of mulch you can use are shredded leaves, shredded straw, and shredded bark.
   • When you’re ready to harvest your root vegetables, you can just lift up the sheet or row cover and dig them out of the ground.

[Edit]Caring for Your Vegetables

1. Water your winter vegetables sparingly. Winter vegetables don’t need as much water because of the moisture they get from winter rain and snow. Also, since there’s less sunlight during the winter, the soil doesn’t dry out as quickly. Water your vegetables occasionally if you’re experiencing a winter dry spell, or if the soil they’re in is particularly dry.^[9]
   
   • Avoid watering your vegetables when it's below . If you live somewhere that has freezing temperatures all winter, make sure you thoroughly water your vegetables in the fall before winter starts.^[10]
2. Give your winter vegetables just one application of fertilizer. Winter vegetables don't need regular applications of fertilizer to grow. Instead, apply a fertilizer to the soil when you're planting your vegetables and then avoid adding any more for the rest of the winter. Your vegetables will be able to survive the winter off of the initial application.^[11]
   
   • Some organic fertilizers you can use are blood meal, bone meal, and cottonseed meal.
3. Harvest your vegetables throughout the winter. The right time to harvest your winter vegetables depends on what kind they are and when you planted them. Check on your vegetables regularly and harvest them from their winter shelters so they don’t spoil.
   
   • Root vegetables like carrots, radishes, and beets can be harvested whenever they reach a usable size.
   • Harvest leafy greens when the leaves are small or medium-sized and tender. Don’t let them grow too large or they could develop a bitter taste.^[12]
   • Brassicas can take 10-14 weeks to mature, depending on the vegetable and variety.

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Grow Vegetables in Containers
• Grow Vegetables in the South (USA)
• Grow Vegetables in the Midwest
• Grow Vegetables Vertically

[Edit]References

1. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=707
2. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=707
3. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=707
4. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=707
5. ↑ https://savvygardening.com/grow-fresh-vegetables-in-winter/
6. ↑ https://savvygardening.com/grow-fresh-vegetables-in-winter/
7. ↑ https://savvygardening.com/grow-fresh-vegetables-in-winter/
8. ↑ https://savvygardening.com/grow-fresh-vegetables-in-winter/
9. ↑ https://garden.org/learn/articles/view/274/
10. ↑ https://www.todayshomeowner.com/when-to-water-plants-before-a-freeze/
11. ↑ https://garden.org/learn/articles/view/274/
12. ↑ http://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/vegetables/1842-harvest-vegetables/

How to Accomplish Your New Year's Resolutions

New Year's resolutions are goals or promises that people make during the New Year holiday to try to make their upcoming year better in some way. If you find it difficult to keep your resolutions, you may be helped by the following list which is intended to help make sure you accomplish the goals you set for the New Year.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Creating Resolutions and Preparing to Begin

1. Brainstorm about changes and improvements you'd like to make.^[1] These can be about anything, not just the big ones like quitting smoking and losing weight that many people associate with New Year's resolutions. Jot down some notes while doing the following:
   
   • Consider how you can improve your health. Ask yourself, Can I drink more water? Quit smoking? Stop eating fast food or fried food? Become vegetarian? Exercise more?
   • Consider your relationships with others. Are there ways that you can be a better spouse, parent, other family member, or friend?
   • Consider your work life. Ask yourself, Can I be more successful and happier at work? Be more organized? Stop procrastinating?
   • Consider ways to make a difference. Are there ways you could make a difference in the world through activism, awareness raising or promoting a cause?
2. Choose one or two attainable larger goals. Look over your notes and determine what items on it are most important to you. Don't take too long choosing; often it's the things that leap out at you straight away that have the most meaning for you personally.
   
3. Create “systems.” Systems are the ways that you carry out a larger goal. You need to break down large goals into smaller actions that can are easier to carry out.^[2] If you leave your larger goals too vague, you may get confused and change your mind frequently on the ways to accomplish them. This is the purpose of creating systems.
   
   • For example: if your goal is to lose 30 pounds in the following year, you can resolve to cut out fast food, soft drinks, sugary snacks and drinks, drink more water, and walk three days a week until March, and then gradually add in two days at the gym.^[3]
4. Look at your list and reflect, using the SMART mnemonic. Make sure your goals are:
   
   • S – Specific (or Significant). This means your goals include systems for achieving them. You have specific actions that can be carried out that work toward your larger goal.
   • M – Measurable. This means that the changes you see once the goal is reached is noticeable. You will feel different (better), because you are healthier, because your family or social life has improved, etc.
   • A – Attainable. This means that the goal is realistic and can be reached. There are benefits to aiming high, but you don't want to aim so high that you become disappointed and discouraged from making any changes at all if you can't reach the goal you set.
     • For instance, if you've never run a day in your life, don't make running a marathon your goal quite yet. Perhaps start with shorter races like a 3K or 5K, and work up from there.
   • R – Relevant (or Rewarding). This means that there is a real need for your goal. You have been unsatisfied with a certain area of your life for some time, and you have a strong motivation to want to change it.
   • T – Trackable. This is similar to measurable, but means that you can assess your progress throughout the process. Have you made a schedule and are you following it? Are you losing weight gradually (if that's your goal)? Are you getting along better with your loved ones? Etc.^[4]
5. Talk to others about your goals. Discuss your goals and why you made them with your family and friends. This step is very important!
   
   • Ask for others' support on these goals throughout the year. If possible, team up and visit the gym or shop at the health food store together. Ask them to speak up if you slip and order a Diet Coke instead of a water, or forget another goal on your list.
   • People who tell others about their goals are more likely to accomplish them, whether it's because they have extra support they need, or because they're afraid of being embarrassed if they don't accomplish them, it's hard to say.^[5]
6. Print out copies of your resolutions. Save a copy on each computer or electronic device you own, such as your cell phone and tablet.
   
   • Email a copy to your work address and save it to your work computer.
   • Make a smaller copy and keep it in your wallet.
   • Post a copy on the outside of your refrigerator! Use bright paper so it catches your eye and don't let it get hidden behind coupons and artwork.

[Edit]Starting Your Resolutions

1. Create a schedule. Even more important than a specific deadline for your goals is to set a schedule of how you will reach the goal. Some goals are actually lifelong changes that you will continue after the goal is reached.
   
   • For instance, systems for weight loss and for improving your relationships don't necessarily “end” once you've reached the goal. To keep weight off, you have to maintain the healthier lifestyle system that you created. To maintain healthy relationships, you would want to continue the things you started doing in your resolutions. So consider:
   • If the goal is losing weight, be sure that you have researched a healthy amount of time to lose a certain amount of weight, and write down your exercise schedule and the changes you will make in your diet for each day.
   • If you're trying to be a better parent or friend, or to be more successful at work, make a schedule of when and how you will do each thing that's on your systems list.^[6]
2. Start following your plan immediately. Don't wait for inspiration to strike. The best thing to do is start on January 1 and start tracking your progress.
   
   • If your goal is to lose weight, don't say, “I'll start tomorrow.” Start right away! Starting may actually be the toughest part, but once you get into a routine it should become easier.^[7]
3. Create accountability. Set up dates for evaluation with a mentor. This helps you to stay focused and evaluates methods for improvement.
   
   • It's even better if you find someone who has the same resolution. If you have a friend who's also trying to lose weight, check in with each other and motivate each other. It may also help to consult with your doctor or a trainer about your progress
4. Remind yourself about your goals. For every day on your calendar or schedule, write down what you will do for that day, what time you will do it, and don't forget to actually do it, no matter how busy you are.
   
   • If your goal is losing weight, write down what you will eat, and when and how you will exercise each week.
5. Focus on the process rather than the end goal. Take each step one at a time and be happy with your progress. The only way you'll get to where you want to go is to complete every small step along the way, checking it off with pride as you accomplish each step.^[8]
   
   • Remind yourself of the weight you are losing or how you are feeling healthier instead of the fact that you haven't reached a certain number of lost pounds yet. You will get there.
6. Create your environment so that you will accomplish your goals. It's also good to get rid of habits that don't coincide with your goals and may contribute to you being unable to reach them.
   
   • For example, set your running shoes next to the door. Put fruits and veggies in the front of the fridge. Get rid of the junk food and don't buy more.
   • If something you regularly do for fun with family and/or friends includes eating out at places where most of the food is unhealthy, choose a different place that offer healthy meals. Or, don't eat out at all and do something else like go for a walk or a bike ride instead.

[Edit]Maintaining and Accomplishing Your Resolutions

1. Reward yourself. Determine ahead of time what rewards will be at small milestones of accomplishment. Have frequent small rewards and a “grand prize” for completion.
   
   • If your goal is losing weight, you might buy new clothes to replace old ones that don't fit anymore at each milestone, and then plan a nice vacation for when you've reached your goal.
2. Remind yourself of your successes. It can be hard to maintain your motivation and dedication to making a change in your life when you can't see immediate results for your efforts.
   
   • At each low point, have faith that persisting and being consistent in reaching your goal will pay off in the long run. If you're trying to lose weight and are struggling to keep up with your workouts, just think about how each minute you exercise burns fat and gets you closer to your goal.^[9]
3. Face your fear of change. Fearing change often stops us from achieving a goal. Making a goal sounds good at the time, but then the fear of change surfaces. To avoid this happening to you, realize that your excuses are a way of covering up a fear of change.
   
   • Look beyond "I can't" and start substituting this with "I can" and "I am".
   • Identify your excuses for not going through with parts of your goal. By listing excuses, you can see them for what they are and move beyond the fear of change.
   • Sidestep blaming other people or circumstances for not achieving your goals. If you take responsibility for achieving your goal, these external factors cannot sap your power to do what you've said you'd do.
4. Recognize your self-defeating behaviors.^[10] Write down the things you do out of habit that distract you from what really matters. Then, list things that you consider to be more positive and fulfilling behaviors and choices you want to make instead.
   
   • This includes adjusting the habits mentioned in a previous step, even if they were things you once enjoyed. For instance, if are trying to lose weight and you eat out with family or friends as bonding time, either choose restaurants that offer healthy meals or decide to do something else fun together instead of eating out.
5. Begin again if you slip up. Everyone encounters occasional outside stressors and events that take us out of focus on our goals. Use Monday as your day to regroup and start over if you slip and have a bad week completing your goals for any reason.
   
   • The “Monday Campaigns” is a group of nonprofit health organizations that organize various healthy things to do on Mondays, such as “Meatless Mondays,” “De-Stress Mondays,” and “Move-It Mondays.” Don't be too hard on yourself if you slip and remind yourself of the progress you have made. Just start over on Monday.^[11]
6. Lean on your support team. Whoever you've chosen to help you, be it family, friends, a life coach, therapist, or someone else, lean on them to support you through times of weakness, when you need a booster to get back on track.
   
   • Don't expect to do this completely alone; look for other people's advice, ideas and feedback to help you keep going.^[12]
7. Keep a journal. Document at least one thing every single day in the following year for which you feel grateful and one sentence for the progress you have made.
   
   • When writing, consider: What memorable moments can you draw from each day? In what ways did you grow today or find that your awareness shifted? Keeping note of this will help you to stay grounded and motivated with your goals.

[Edit]Realistic, Achievable Resolutions and Sample Template

Realistic Fitness New Year's Resolutions

Achievable Nutrition New Year's Resolutions

New Year's Resolutions Template

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• Don't try to plan your resolutions when you're in a bad mood or pressed for time. Taking time to make a thoughtful list will make your goals easier to achieve.
• Keep a Diary of your goals. Mark when you began, and set a date to accomplish them by. Do this for every goal and try to always improve upon your previous time.
• Research your goals. Be sure you understand how to schedule your system to accomplish what you want to accomplish.
• Consider setting up a little competition with your family or friends to keep focused on a tough goal. Should the loser buy a healthy lunch? Maybe take a family vacation to a great beach if everyone hits their goals by July.
• Track the results in your diary so that you get to know you improved and feel to hard work until you reach your goal.

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Have a Good Family Life
• Choose Healthy Snacks
• Eat Healthy
• Have a Healthy Relationship
• Achieve Short Term Goals
• Set Goals
• Drink More Water Every Day
• Stop Making Excuses for Your Weight

[Edit]References

1. ↑ [v161447_b01]. 19 June 2020.
2. ↑ [v161447_b01]. 19 June 2020.
3. ↑ http://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/an-nearly-foolproof-way-to-achieve-every-goal-you-set-wed.html
4. ↑ http://www.mindtools.com/page6.html
5. ↑ http://www.forbes.com/sites/glassheel/2013/03/14/6-ways-to-achieve-any-goal/
6. ↑ http://www.forbes.com/sites/glassheel/2013/03/14/6-ways-to-achieve-any-goal/
7. ↑ http://news.menshealth.com/the-science-behind-keeping-your-resolution/2011/12/31/
8. ↑ http://jamesclear.com/schedule-goals
9. ↑ http://www.mindtools.com/page6.html
10. ↑ [v161447_b01]. 19 June 2020.
11. ↑ http://www.mondaycampaigns.org/
12. ↑ http://topachievement.com/philhumbert.html