So I'm outlining an idea. I have the characters and main chunks of the plot and some interesting arcs and a location, but the theme and genre are kicking me in the pants. It could sit comfortably in a few different genres depending on what I focus on, but I have this irrational fear (probably borne more out of procrastination than anything, really) of locking it down and then realising halfway through that I got it wrong and it would've been better as something else. So, it could be crime fiction and very brooding, or a hilarious rom-com (comedy gold, me), or a character-driven drama but I can't quite decide...
Screenwriting : Navel Gazing by Freyja Seren (she/her)
Other topics in Screenwriting:
Check out Trending Discussions
Register / Log In
5 people like this
That's a problem many writers have when they haven't locked down the concept. Separate from turning a project into a comedy or musical. But when the concept is locked down, it begs to be told only a certain way.
5 people like this
I have found that once I start the story dictates what it is going to be. One character will say something and suddenly the mood changes.
Plus if you get it wrong you have all those yummy rewrites to do.
5 people like this
Why not start writing, put the fear in a jar, close the jar and don't let it back out. Who are you going to hurt by messing up the first few drafts? No one. Sure as heck not the piece of paper (virtual or not) that you're writing on. Write the comedy. If it sucks, write the broody drama. If it sucks, write the crime fiction. If all of them suck, take a breath and think it over again. You have NOTHING to lose. Just. Write. The blank page does not judge you, or hurt you, or think any less of you, no matter what you put on it.
3 people like this
I've found that usually the genre I think a story is going to be ends up being something completely different. My thought is just to write what you want to write, and the genre (or two) where it fits best will appear. Good luck!
3 people like this
I think that if you have the idea, the theme and genre will become clear to you if you allow that idea to develop - through writing. Sometimes it's necessary to 'go wrong' in order to know what is 'right' (although I personally prefer to think of it as creating something 'different' rather than 'wrong'). You are likely to know if you let the idea take you there :) Good luck!
2 people like this
Honestly I feel maybe you should know your genre before you start writing, but that's just coming from my experience... But ya I refuse to google this but what's navel gazing O.O
3 people like this
You're overthinking it. Just write. Sometimes the theme will come first. Sometimes you realize the true theme years after you wrote it. Ass On Chair. Just love the craft and write it.
3 people like this
Thanks everyone. I think it's fear and procrastination and it's true, I need to just start writing. I'm moving from books, short stories and poetry into screenwriting and the transition is interesting. I also work in the charity sector so most of my writing over the past couple of years has been reports and funding applications (which is great experience for pitching documents, by the way... We'll see how that pans out in the real world) David DeHaas haha navel-gazing is a 90's expression for thinking far too inwardly in a self-absorbed spiral. It came from the type of dancing hipsters did to brit-pop bands like Blur and Oasis (more Blur than Oasis, I think).
Rohit Kumar Thanks for the comprehensive response. It's funny - when I'm writing short stories, poetry or novel-length pieces I tend to just write without planning. The story unfolds. There's a point with longer pieces when I need to make notes to keep track of everything, but generally the focus is on creative writing. I'm finding with screenplays and scripts there's a need to plan a lot more meticulously. It's a more nuts and bolts process, if that makes sense.
Thanks folks! Time to stop procrastinating and just write the thing!
Rohit Kumar Beautifully put! Thank you. I think the ego struggle of going from a medium one knows well (story writing) to a medium one is new too (scriptwriting) is a challenge as well. Like an expert cyclist learning to kayak; it's a whole different muscle group. I think there's a challenge of being bad at something I'm supposed to be good at - I'm a writer so I should be able to write! But the process is alien and confusing.
Anyway, I'm another couple of pages down for better or for worse, so thanks all for the motivation! <3 Stage 32!
2 people like this
Thanks for sharing, Freyja Seren. Let me help clarify something for you, if I may: procrastination comes from fear ... not the other way around (trust me, I know.)
We ALL put off (decisions, activities) that we're afraid of getting wrong/failing at.
That's called: procrastination. 9/10 (or more) it's totally irrational. Hope that helps.
My advice (on making your genre/theme/plot decisions), is to look inside YOURSELF for stuff that moves you emotionally. (meaning: past experiences and feelings [happy and/or painful] you can draw from; because THAT is what will move your reader/audience the most... because it's REAL.)
Find what's real, and then choose the genre/theme/plot that best fits. Good Luck!