Screenwriting : Writing Issue by Marcus Ward

I'm not sure that I have any great advice for you but can let you know that I'm kind of in the same boat. I have two new ideas that I'm working on, a third idea itching for attention, and a rewrite of a screenplay that got to the quarterfinalist round of Page last year. The way that I'm going to approach it is just force myself to focus on one project to get it nailed out and clear it from my head so the other projects can have my full attention in their due time.

What kind of outlining are you doing? I find that using a "Step Outline" has helped me lay out a skeleton of a story from start to finish where I can go back and flesh out after all the steps have been laid out. Maybe just do the basic step outline for all your stories so you can get the basics out of your head and maybe that will help you organize all the ideas in your head? Hope that provided any help. Good Luck!

I always have a million story ideas. You just have to buckle down and pick one at a time. Make notes on the others during downtime but focus on finishing one before you start another.

No disrespect intended, but if you're working on a story, and it bores you, then either it's a boring story; the process of writing a complete story bores you, or you're a boring writer. Or maybe it's this: the act of writing requires your undivided attention and complete concentration to get and stay "in the zone" - and you need to do a better job at kicking out the competing ideas that spring out of your imagination while your creativity truck is cruising. Good luck, bro!

I will usually have my "main" project I'm working on. When I feel overwhelmed by it or need a break, I'll stop and allow myself to make some notes on other projects, read some things I'm revising, etc. But I try to stick to one script at a time for the most part. For example, I have one I just finished but haven't started my revisions/rewrites yet. My significant other and I just started a new screenplay. While he is busy working on his part, I'll go back and start my revisions to mine. So while my concentration is on one project, I usually have other projects percolating at the same time. If that makes any sense, lol.

Well Lon, I set up a beat sheet first as to what to expect in each Act of my screenplay. I then follow with a character design page, then an outline (this part always takes the longest, and if the idea doesn't work it ends there). Once everything is set in stone I write my play. I had a teacher who drilled this in my head so your idea is fleshed out. And to Bill, I think bored was a bad choice of words. It's more when I'm writing my outline or screenplay for one idea my imagination is more interested in working on another idea and I sometimes can't get back into focus. But I'm liking everyone's comments so far. I appreciate the help

Marcus - I was just going by what you said. When I'm outlining or writing a scene, I have a list of questions that my writing answers. It helps me to focus on what's in front of me and prevents any kind of "mind drift". Again, no disrespect intended.

I have had a problem with "mind wandering" not just from topic to topic, but many times, several film projects in one thought episode. This is normal for imaginative creatives. There is so much going on, it's hard to fixate on one particular script. I found the more I "try" to concentrate, the less my attention span. So now instead of trying to "fight" my thoughts, and stick to one particular script, I just let my thought rambling happen. No longer mattering is the key, when it's the right moment, out of the blue "like a rubber ball I bounce back" to the dominant script that needs me.

I guess my two cents would be that if we only wrote when we felt inspired, then nothing would ever get finished. There's some quote floating around in a meme that talks about inspiration will find you while you're working, which I have found to be true. Writing is a job and should be done consistently, whether you feel like it or not. When I was writing novels, I committed to 1,000 words a day, no matter what (sick, holiday, weekend, traveling,etc.), and I would say there were a good number of days where I didn't feel like writing, didn't feel my story, but I kept at it. Just like any job. The last thing I will say is that some of my best writing came on days when I didn't feel like doing it.

I agree David. If I only wrote when I felt inspired or motivated, there wouldn't be much writing going on. Coming from a background of freelance writing has served me well with screenwriting. In a deadline driven environment, one simply can't wait for the muse to speak, unless one does not want to get paid and/or wants to ruin their reputation as a writer.

Focus on one. Just do it. Until you are finished. Some people can work on multiple projects at the same time and get them all finished. But getting them finished is the key. If you aren't finishing the scripts, you need to focus on one and get it done. There are people who write the beginnings of a bunch of screenplays and never get beyond that. They never finish anything. Only one person can get you to Fade Out - you. Just do it.

I have to write every day. Some days it's a page. Some days it's 10. Some days I revise. Some days I write new stuff. But I strive to touch the work in some fashion every day. Like I said, if I only wrote when I was feeling inspired, there wouldn't be much writing going on. And while it's certainly something I'm passionate about and love, I also treat it as a business and a career. I show up for it every day.

I second Jody's advice of writing everyday. Really the thing you have to figure out how to do is write when you don't want to. Work through the boredom. No writer who writes only when they feel like it has ever completed anything. That being said, there's a lot of value in finding right process to streamline things or working with material that holds your interest for longer amounts of time. However, interest will inevitably fade and the best process in the world is still work. Just grit your teeth and bare it. Work through the boredom and apathy until you have something completed. I guarantee you'll come back to whatever interested you initially once you do that.

DW you are correct in regards to figuring out how to write when you don't want to! I can find a million things to do around my house that suddenly become urgent when it's time to write, lol. I just have to sit down and do it, no matter what. Kind of like working out, I always feel great once I'm done!

Great input here so far! Obviously, each writer has to learn his/her personal preferences, but it ultimately comes down to scheduling, discipline, and planning out a film's beats to ensure that you create a story that connects. Without a story that moves forward and characters compelling enough to follow, even the writer(s) will get board and lack the enthusiasm to finish. So, returning to Bill's earlier statement, be sure you actually have a story, instead of a flash thought you think could become a story. Develop & massage it until it consumes your thoughts. Too, consider which character's perspective is best & make him/her/it the protagonist/hero. Would the bridesmaid be the better person to follow, over the bride, as the events unfold? etc.

I agree on making sure you really have a story. I always know my beginning, end and have a working logline. If I can't come up with those things, it's probably not a viable story. I'm lucky in that my boyfriend is a writer too, I can bounce all my crazy ideas off him. Sometimes he will say "write it!" and helps walk me through the idea. Sometimes he says "really??" and walks me through why it doesn't work. Sometimes he just laughs.

Magpie Syndrome - The problem of moving from one shiny object to the next. A good option is to STOP writing loglines and outlines. Write a script. If you keep writing about writing you'll never write anything. Think of one solid interesting idea. Write one sentence that encapsulates the idea, then start writing the screenplay. Describe who your protagonist is, where they are, why they are there, and whats happening. Make it interesting enough that even you don't become bored with it and look forward to getting back to it whenever you can. Write everyday until done. Then go back write the synopsis and loglines.

What are your goals, Marcus?