Screenwriting : Concentration by Jose Portillo

This is a great question, one I am currently struggling with as well.

Sometimes it's difficult to write when those negative things are on your mind. I push through the negativity and write. I also try to get immersed in the story so I don't notice those negative things.

Sometimes that's the only thing that helps me too, Maurice. I squint my eyes and push through the read until I break on through. I also give myself a lil' talking to beforehand. Remind myself that I deserve a break from the madness. So writing really becomes a reward. Another trick I do is I distract my mind before writing by listening to music. Usually, it's something I know the lyrics to and it does a mental scrub for me. Or I'll listen to a podcast, but that sometimes wastes time because I want to listen to more, lol. Other times it really just calms my overactive mind.

Since I look at writing as a mental refuge, I've been able to write effectively in various states of stress. However, if you're distracted by outside forces, go to a quiet place, turn on some classical music and have a glass of wine. It's a good way to jumpstart relaxation and creativity.

A pep talk beforehand sounds helpful, Jose. I think I would get distracted by music and a podcast. :)

I like to switch my working place. I take my writing tools and sit down in a café or public library in order to get that focus I need. Sometimes that doesn't work but most of the times it does for me. In a new place I feel like I also get a fresh start in mind.

Glass of wine sounds good, Phillip! Classical music too. I was doing the classical route for a bit while writing a science fiction pilot. Spotify has some good playlists for that. You know what has helped as well are noise-canceling headphones. Somehow it makes me feel disconnected from the outside world and allows me to get into the writing world easier.

Jose: Sounds like a great way to shut out other noises. I was laughing the other night while watching Better Call Saul when the Kim Wexler character was working on a big case while listening to loud alternative rock through headphones. I'm blessed to have a nice room to work in with a 2nd-floor view of the neighborhood. My wife just left for a visit and I'm going to record some vocals for a track.

I watch comps to my current project, reading along with the script if available. Otherwise just taking notes. It worked for me yesterday and luckily I'm writing a comedy so laughs helped as well.

"If you are going through hell, keep going." - Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

Pick days you're in a better mood, and start writing even though you don't want to. My mood is the one in the way of my writing, so I pick days that I feel better about things.

Meditation work well. Or just stop ignoring your emotions. Address those issues first, then return to writing. My pod cast discusses a lot about mental health "Unimaginable Beauty" on spotify / Anchor.

I consider writing a break from all that. So that is my mindset when I sit down to write.

I am guilty of writing about them. My life fell apart in 2008, and I went through a loooong period where I didn't write. I have since learned to embrace what creeps in and turn into something I write, whether that be genre, character, tone it adds something to overall writing (I think) and it also helps me deal mentally. I realize this might not work for those writing on assignment... but you are not always writing on assignment, are you? Just a thought.

It can be difficult to write when your mind is focussed on something else. Most important thing to understand is real life come first. There is nothing wrong with not writing as much when you're dealing with real life. It's all about putting things into perspective. A few things that I find really helps is to do the following. Firstly, think about your writing goals. Unless you're writing for a deadline, the writing can take as long as you need to to get it done. When you remove the idea that you need to write to finish the script in said amount of days/months it allows you to focus on viewing writing as something fun that gives a sense of relief from real life. This leads me to the second point. Secondly, writing is an escape from real life. Writing is the chance for you to be the real you, who you strive to be, and not what you are currently. Real life is tough but such issues don't define you as a person and it's good to think about that and truly believe it. When you write you give yourself the chance to set yourself free and be the true you. Thirdly, don't think I need to write everyday to make progress. If you can only write 10 minutes a day productively that is better than writing an hour unproductively. So, don't feel like you need to push through your feelings when writing. If you become distracted, take a break and come back when you feel you can refocus. Remember real life comes first and it's best to address these feelings as they are important. I have gone through a similar experience with my writing but thinking about these things has helped me quite a lot. You've got this and hope everything works out.

Compartmentalizing can be helpful. Consider writing in a journal on a daily basis. Dump what you're struggling with onto the journal's pages. Then, take a break. Go for a walk if you're able to squeeze one in, or step outside and get some fresh air...or create a slideshow of pictures from the Hubble Space Telescope--anything to kind of "reset" your brain and shift your perspective. After that, try diving into your screenplay writing. If you don't have a dedicated location where you do your screenplay writing, and if it's practicable for you to do so, find your writing nook. Over time, it should become easier to sequester those intrusive thoughts in the journal itself and improve your focus by repurposing the energy previously spent on rumination toward the creative process. I hope this helps.

Best of luck with your writing.

Since writing is not my main source of income I prioritise it appropriately. Is there people or issues more important. I deal with them. If I get a chance to have fun. It will probably be with writing.

That is the key. Put it in context of your life. Then you will give it the time it deserves. If it isn’t in your top tier priorities, why are you trying to give it more importance than it deserves. You are the only person that knows how much you write.

How do I clear my mind? I will make small notes in stolen moments. Then when my mind is clear I can write. I didn’t write for 6 months.

My sister hadn’t worked for a few months as she was in aviation and the pandemic grounded all planes. My father died and I was his executor. Some people had trashed his home to the point is was unsellable (ripped plaster off walls and destroyed ceilings). So I had to renovate the house to sell it so I get money to my sister who was going to lose her home as she had spent 12 months living on credit cards and the mercy of the bank. Guess what I didn’t write in that time. I still had ideas etc. So I would note them. I may have even logged into writerduet a few times and did bits and pieces. But no real writing. We just have to prioritise our lives. When it is all said and done. We arn’t fixing the world with our writing.

I work in small portions and not every day, but when I'm there, I'm there...just enjoying the leisure of being a hobby writer...once deadlines and conditions kick in, it just becomes another job...stress, insecurity, lack of motivation...

You take the turmoil as a gift and put it into your art. Some of my deepest and most profound writing has been fuelled by my most negative experiences and the lessons I learned from them.

A sound methodical process is also important so you can get what you need out of yourself when you need it. I detail my process here.

Write your thoughts down in a book, with a pen. Don't type them, the actual physical act of writing releaves stress, at least it does for me. If something is bothering me, I find that writing it down really helps. Then shut the book and use that as a mental note that it's in the book and it can wait until later to deal with.

I'm really digging this thread. Love the idea of a journal. I used to do that regularly but stopped a few years back. This will help a lot. I'm going back to that. Changing of location is a great one too. I often go to a park where I see the same people jogging every day. I consider them my co-workers, which helps me focus because it starts to feel like I'm at work. And of course not ignoring your feelings on days when it's too hard, for sure! Or using those feelings to fuel your writing, even if it means temporarily writing something else.

In my darkest moments, when I had nothing, I still had my voice. That voice in your head that keeps '"distracting" you - let it speak. Let that voice do the writing.

You might be surprised by the results.

Many artists say that they go where it hurts the most with their art, because that's how they know it'll be worth something profound.

The distraction is valid, and your inner world is asking you to pay attention.