Screenplays have a specific format that should be followed when writing them so that everyone reading them understands what is considered action and what is considered dialogue. Characters' names need to be fully capitalized when they are speaking and scene transitions are in caps on the right side of the page. All that formatting can distract the writer from telling the story, so screenwriting software eliminates that burden. The software automatically formats the script into proper format as you are writing it. You indicate to the system if you are writing dialogue, a character name or a transition and the software instantly formats the text properly so you have a proper script as soon as you're done writing. Comparably, trying to arrange your script into proper format either as you write it or after you're finished adds time to the process and can distract focus.
While the best ideas for scripts and stories will come from your imagination, screenwriting books are useful tools in instructing you how to construct that story into a three-act structure, which is typically how films and screenplays are written. A screenwriting instructional can also give you ideas about things to avoid while writing and plot devices that traditionally do not work well for audiences. Reading screenwriting books provides you with another perspective on scriptwriting that can benefit you in your storytelling.
Some writers still write on old-fashioned typewriters while others prefer desktop computers and still others write longhand on notebook paper. Laptop computers offer various advantages for those who use them. They are portable so you can quickly transfer them from place to place, which allows you to keep writing even when traveling. Likewise, if you are having motivation problems at home while writing, you could take a laptop to a coffee shop or a park and see if the change in environment helps improve your creativity. The laptop also allows for greater speed of writing when compared to longhand if you have any minimal typing ability.
Music can help keep a writer motivated and focused while writing and is also useful for establishing an emotional mood that matches what you need for a scene. If you are writing in public, music through headphones allows you to block out crowd noise and other distractions so you can focus purely on the story you're trying to create. Some filmmakers take music into account when writing their scripts. Zach Braff designed the soundtrack for the film "Garden State" while he was writing it and he sent a CD of the music along with the script to actors he wanted in the movie. Music can help you in crafting your characters, stories and emotions.