Introduce Yourself : Writer's block by Cynthia Harrt

I have never been there. I have the opposite problem. Maybe it is because I have too many life experiences. I am not sure, but it could mean the spark is not hot enough and maybe it is the wrong story for now. Maybe think of a whole new concept. Switch genres. You should be totally excited in the beginning, middle, and ending. Your fingers should always be flying on their own on auto pilot. If not, it is a chore and not a joy. Find your happy story.

Cynthia Harrt Hi Cynthia! Nice to meet you. That's a great question and a very common problem that a lot us face. Angela makes some good points here! Something that works for me, is taking a break from that project and working on a different one. Sometimes outlining the story helps, too. Detailing where you wanna go with the story and lay out the characters and plot more so you have something more structured to follow. You may just watch or read other screenplays to get inspiration also.

I found a fellow creative who posted a similar question to yours on the platform and they got a lot of comments, it may be worth checking out: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Writers-Block-6

Thank you so much! Unfortunately it happens with most of my stories. But I think I will take your advice and just switch it up, maybe by working on two stories simultaneously. And I will definitely check out the other comments. Thanks again!

I hope my comments posted! Thanks!

Take 3 bowls .

Bowl 1. Good: Have passion to write for it. Got research of the subject. Clarity in what can be made out of it

Bowl 2. Ok.. Not good story but can be turned good. Got to research a bit , might take time.

Bowl 3. It's still in preliminary stage, need bit more research on the subject matter but it's quite interesting concept.

Now try to write all the ideas you have as one liners on a stickies or a small notes on tiny paper. Fold them and put it according to these three bowls. Each time any idea comes to you write it down in a chit and put it in these "IDEA BOWLS".

And now pick 1 chit from each bowl as priority of bowl1, 2, 3 in the order.

Start working of the idea from bowl 1. And whenever you feel bored or lost, pick bowl 2. Whenever you are completely out of focus and need some fresh air go out walk and you think about bowl 2's concept.

Now, make sure any new ideas come in, just put that in three bowls. Don't use that immediately to start writing. Just write the one you picked from bowl 1 in hand till it's complete.

Try this, might help you. I actually do that on the software itself. I have priorities on what I'm working on and when I got to complete it.

Like the below is one bowl of ideas to be working. Don't take any other bowl if you aren't working on it full time. Priority will be always on bowl 1.

BOOST OF LUCK!

I LOVE IT! Thank you so much! With my quirky brain, that just might work! ♥️

The bowl idea is cool! Here is another... Osamu Tezuka, writer/illustrator for "Tetsuwan Atom" (or "Astro Boy" in the US) was so prolific and in super high demand way back in the olden days, publishers had him sign a contract to do a page a day - from several publishers simultaneously. He previously had it in his contract to not have any work published until the story was complete but the publishers ignored that. So when the publishers pushed him to do one page a day, he agreed. And he did give them a page a day to each publisher, but not in story order! He gave them a random page that he already had in his mind and gave them a page here and there. He had his entire story mapped out... So you're stuck on "Page One". Who said start on "Page One"? Start in the middle! Finish the end. Do a conversation or action that's critical that you know will be there somewhere and write that. Move it around. "Page One" will happen on it's own. :) My thoughts are never linear!

How about enrolling on a Stage 32 screenwriting class? I am currently in Thomas Pemberton's Lab and it is so helpful. Believe, there are many in the same boat. Such a class will help you go through the steps to create your masterpiece.

The "3 bowls" is good. I advise people in this situation to capture their writing goals and motivations. Then examine which idea seems to fit best. If it's still hard to decide, it could be that your goals need more clarification, or just that it's easier to have the ideas in your head than to take the next step.

Thank you guys all for the GREAT advice. And I am definitely going to try another page instead of the first! I am excited to try it! ♥️♥️♥️

That idea with the bowls sums it out so perfectly. There are many reasons for writer's block but if yours is not a major block, his propositions are perfect!

Thanks so much Mack!

Been there a number of times in the last 40 years. I'll tell you what I use to tell my students. Your first draft should never be perfect just get it down on paper or on the computer. If you have trouble with the beginning do what Margaret Mitchell did with Gone with the Wind start at the end and write the story backward. It worked for her, Maybe you need more back story. or you can start in the middle if you need to. I've done that once or twice. Don't judge yourself, trust yourself, and let the story come out. You can fix issues with plot, dialog, structure later. If you can't write the script, get index cards and write the outline. Use music, pictures, or anything to can to start. I have a file with 100 ideas and I always follow my passion because that's what will get me through to the end. I'm free to chat online if you need any other help.

I encourage you to not start with the first page. Jot down scenes, bits of dialogue, anything that inspires you. That process can be freeing.

I think I will try this also, thanks!

Hi Cynthia, I’m a musician, so from a different standpoint and information, do you have script writing software? Two of my friends/ associates have and say or really helps. Granted, still a blank screen - which I see when writing music, being able to add characters, and probably different story sections (like in Word) may help you formalize different areas of your story you are trying to Write. Ie - jumping to a different part of the story. Ok - hope all is well; stay safe out there. Sincerely, Kerry Kennard

I do have at least two! Save the Cat and I forget the other! I do like a blank page. But I think Paul helped me understand that I don't clearly know where my stories are going. I have an idea but it's not clear. I think that's my problem. So once I know that, I will try the software. Thanks for your advice and help! And thanks EVERYONE! You've all given me useful information and advice. Happy creating this week!

I would go with what Stephen King said about ideas: “My idea about a good idea is one that sticks around and sticks around and sticks around.”

As you said ...

... And I am definitely going to try another page instead of the first! I am excited to try it! ♥️♥️♥️

It’s like reading a book also -

Try and go ahead to other chapters.

(Even if having issues going from front to back).

When I’m writing Music it’s kind of similar, though a little different to what scripting is.

I go with an idea, then try and blend it in with the previous section .. If possible.

My newest release is C where it leads - w

Different meters and ideas ... and seems to

Flow pretty well from section to section.

Have a great week- hope some of this helps.

K. Kennard

Eh guys! I'm almost done writing a book about... how to write a book! Some of your ideas are really great. Can I borrow some of them for my book? Of course, I won't use them if you don't want me to and if you agree, I would credit you, obviously. Thanks. :)

Credit is fine with me, Eveelyne. Glad to help, if my ideas helped you. I'm here to network and find work as a Composer, also. Tonight I did work on one video for the music teaching website; Def. dedicated and detail oriented.

Evelyne Gauthier If you asking for 3 bowls ideas than sure no worries. I don't mind. You can write my name as , some Indian Indie filmmmaker by name, "Nobody" :-P

If you're struggling to get the ideas out because you're not sure if they are viable or not, get them written down anyway! Sometimes its difficult to decide when they're all running circles around each other in your head, so getting them down in any shape or form is a good way to enable you to take a step back and take a more objective look at them. I call this "getting the jigsaw pieces out of the box" as it makes it easier to see how they fit in the whole picture.

If you wish to succeed as a screenwriter, then you will have to get out of that boat. Take a life preserver along with you. Look at the idea you love the most, then begin writing out an outline. Natalie Goldberg, wrote, Writing Down the Bones. She shares good tips in getting your words going. Write out the idea with the ending in mind, then dive into the story until FADE OUT. Then go back and rewrite it. Get yourself moving forward with just one idea. Learn the craft, watch both good and bad movies. Observe your ideas. Look for the kind of story that you favor then go ahead and write that one. Your ideas will just sit there until write out one of them. Keep writing.

Thanks, Kerry and Rohit. :D

Evelyne Gauthier you can use anything you wish to. Best of luck with the book. I can't wait to read it one day.

Hi everyone. I'm New here and I am a srciptwriter

Thank you, Paul. I'll keep you posted. :)

Can you imagine starting to color a Coloring Book with no lines in it? I'm sure many of us would get coloring block without those line-guides. The line-guides in a coloring book are much like Scene Beats in our developing script. If we construct and ink our Scene Beats first, there is less chance a block will occur because we can always move to another scene. Writing in a linear fashion induces writer's block because you don't know what to write in succession or what link in the chain comes next. When you have Scene Beats, any can be chosen to write about, since it's no longer about what's next, but rather, which Scene of all the scenes I have mapped out am I most excited to write about next?