Screenwriting : Headspace by Courtney Bradman

Walk, take a minute away and concentrate on other things. Music

Sometimes I like to free write, even if it just consists of "I have no idea what to write this is stupid why I am I even doing this....." It can knock loose what is actually blocking me or just lead into some random idea.

I ask ChatGPT for some ideas. (I know, shoot me.)

Hi Courtney. Try re-reading some of your work that was successful or something that you were pleased with. It can be a confidence boost that can often stir creativity. Good luck!

Chatgpt!! That can’t ever generate a wrong answer could it??

I actually tried to look at older projects and then I just get sidetracked and start obsessing on that one too !! Lol

I never seem to “free write” myself into focus but I do love a good scribble session!

Music is awesome!!! Always a favorite!

Courtney - lol. No kidding about going back and getting suck in older efforts. When I think of things to write I spend time contemplating what IIIIIIIII would want to see. Or, maybe, do you have an emotional message you'd like to tell the world. Justice? Redemption? If all else fails - glass of wine or some grass ;)

Scrabble. Run my fingers through a dictionary. Take time off. Adult activity. Disconnect from the Matrix, if overload is the issue. Get into nature. Look into the night sky.

Try this - get a diary - book 3 sessions a week with specific dates and times that you will commit to. Let's say 4 hours. Turn up to your 'desk' on time. You're not committing to write for the 4 hours but you're committing to be there and not leave except for coffee or toilet beaks. Start by not writing but doing undemanding exercises e.g. reading a novel for 30 minutes, writing a journal, writing a book report on a 'How To' book.

Hopefully, you'll get into a routine and start working on your story.

Also consider starting a Microsoft One Note workbook - conceptually it's a digital ring binder and you can fill the dividers and sub dividers with media like Word, Excel, video, links etc. to help organise your ideas and have them in one workbook.

I have problems with procrastination and found this helps because I can make notes and slot them in the right divider.

Good Luck

I find it helpful to take whatever time I am not feeling it to do a deep dive on a problem I have with the story. Maybe this isn't true for other writers, but I often will have nagging doubts that I'm doing the best I can with some or another aspect of the plot. I think about whether or not my characters would actually behave the way I am writing them. If not, then figuring that out will often help me to understand what I need to change, and then I'm writing again.

Accept it. Embrace that writer's block. Then, come to it with fresh eyes and mind.

I make a Spotify playlist for a script before I start writing and every time I write that script, I listen to the same playlist, usually in the same order. This gets me into the same headspace each time I sit down to write and classically trains my brain to know it's writing time.

Writers block doesn't exist. It's a result of not having plotted out your story (characters and conflicts). Nail your structure and no more writers block.

I open Final Draft and just write scenes until I get in the groove on my main project, Courtney Bradman. Sometimes the scenes are for the project. Sometimes they're random scenes.

Hi Courtney, I don’t experience “writers block”. That being said, I sit down at my computer and refresh my mind with my last notes. I use soft Jazz background music, no vocals to relax and lose myself in my story. I am big on outlining and leaving myself notes, etc.

Cartoons. Sometimes taking yourself to the utmost opposite end of your life right now, creates an opening for creativity. So, I watch the Flintstones and I lmao - and I get transported to my childhood when I didn't even know writer's block existed. Pretty soon, the vortex is open for business! :)

I do research for new ideas and sometimes I end up researching more on current project. I always work on several ideas at a time.

When it comes to the genre I'm writing, I prefer to head out to the cinema to watch a movie rather than relying on Netflix.

I start on another script, until I get fresh ideas for the other script. it helps me out, and I have more projects in place

Sometimes I will write a short story that is intentionally absurd. 800-1000 words, like a bedtime story, but sometimes they're weird or terrifying. But I've found that the craft of creating a story - however short (or non-sensical) usually does the trick!

For me it's music. I have several favorites that help inspire me and get me into the flow.

I just start free writing. Getting words out of my head and onto the page. It may have nothing to do with the story I'm working on, but at least I'm writing. And something you randomly throw out there might stick when you least expect it.

Take a break, but not for long. Maybe a day. Then as I'm out and about I start getting ideas.

Courtney, I love to turn to Google to do research...and that's how I get back on track in my writing.

Take a break, go for a workout, get your mind off of the writing.

Try mediating and breathing :) Sending good vibes!

Do something new

I pick up my well worn copy of Julia Cameron’s The Artists Way (red cover) and dive in. An adventure or artist’s date, etc. usually declutters my mind for clarity and direction. Meditation works well also. Best wishes.

Don't laugh, but washing dishes (hot, soapy water) stirs my brains back to working on a project.

Sketchbooks! Doodling and creating flowcharts or phrases on unlined paper released some boundaries and opens up the conceptual experimentation to circle around and fool my brain into thinking freely, then with that jumpstart in a day or two I often have some fresh ideas and energy to bring back to the work of structured writing for a goal.

I turn away from it and play the piano for a short while - something peaceful.

Shamanic drumming or humming works for me. It resets my inner vibrations.

I take a break. You can't force creative writing. I have to clear my mind from my project. Sometimes I will take my current book, usually something related to screenwriting, and read in a park. My book usually spurs me on to try a different approach. If I have my laptop with me, I will take notes, otherwise it's on my phone. Sometimes I work on one of my shorts. Other times I take a longer drive somewhere, there's no radio in my car and that helps me think, sometimes it's about my project, other times it's just to have a different stimuli.

Get in that seat and start punching out some words even if they get deleted. Most of the time it comes out way better than expected.

I step away and try to do something completely offline. It helps give my brain the space to work through whatever is blocking me or not working, without overstimulating or distracting it. If I stay on my computer or immediately get on my phone, it never helps. So I usually go take a walk or I turn on some music and either clean my apartment or take a shower. Those are simple tasks that I can do while my brain processes.

Agree with @Greg about taking a break. I don't take a break light heartedly though but after a period of forcing my fingers on keys no matter how I feel but eventually that leads to the chaos of randomness. Then I cut away completely often by absorbing myself in other artist's works or even mountain hiking, the mind needs respite same as the body and after a period of abstinence thoughts flood back in when least expected.

Agree with the comments about taking a break. Give yourself a few days where you put your script away and do something completely different. This means that you can come back to your script refreshed and with a more open perspective.

Don't beat me up, but washing dishes in hot, soapy water unclogs my brain. That, and getting outdoors. Nature can really boost your creativity.

I just go live life for a while. My subconscious works on my problems and I get a new look at the world which is fuel for my writing.