It's so easy to get caught up with one’s goals and desires that one forgets to enjoy the actual process of achieving them. It's taken me a while to fully realize this but the journey really is as important as the destination. Sometimes the journey itself is the real reward, but we're so focused on finishing it and arriving at the end that we don't recognize it as such.

With future projects, I'll do my best to savor the process instead of impatiently yearning for the result. I'll try my best to enjoy doing, instead of having done.

My third feature-length script, the one I'm writing in my UCLA Master class, is taking shape the way my feature scripts usually do -- through alternating bouts of exhilaration and worry. This time, however, I have two extra challenges to deal with.

One challenge is a deadline. We each need to have a complete draft by June, which is when the class ends, and then we’re given all summer to do rewrites before the script is sent out to agents.

The other challenge is self-imposed: I can’t allow myself to be overly influenced by the feedback I receive from my instructor and classmates. That might sound dumb and arrogant, since the whole point of a writing workshop is to exchange feedback with others, but that’s not why I signed up for the class. I signed up to get access to agents.

I think receiving honest, constructive feedback from trusted peers is important, but I like to wait until a draft is complete before that happens. I don’t want to talk about or share my work before that. I have to maintain the integrity of the story I have in mind and can’t allow anyone to derail it, no matter how good their intentions.

The danger of workshopping a script (or short story or novel) is that you can kill a good idea with premature feedback, because many good ideas need time to grow and mature before they show their true value. You can cripple your creativity by listening to people who don’t share your vision and yet have their own opinions on how your story should develop. You might never go down a certain path that could potentially take your story to great heights, simply because the idea was killed before it even had a chance to breathe.

I myself don’t give many notes to others in class due to the reasons above. I’m pretty quiet most of the time, and that’s hard for me to do because I’m usually the class clown.

I've updated the list of principles that I believe are necessary for my success. I hang this list on the wall above my desk to keep myself on the right track.

1) Have short and long term goals clearly in mind and on paper.

2) Constantly learn.

3) Acquire the necessary tools.

4) Use the knowledge and tools to practice and gain experience.

5) There's no such thing as failure as long as you don't quit.

6) Be bold; have a lot of audacity.

7) Be adventurous and take smart risks; shun excessive safety and comfort.

8) Be persistent and consistent.

9) Be strong yet flexible, and therefore unbreakable.

10) Befriend supportive people; avoid destructive people.

11) Talk less, do more.

12) Focus; eliminate distractions.

13) Regularly sharpen the mind and body like you would a pencil that grows dull with use.

14) Don't live in fear.

15) Always challenge yourself.

16) Do it today, not tomorrow.