I gotta terminal case of writer's block. I'm on page 75 of my SP and can't seem to pull together the plot lines for a conclusion. I know how I want it to conclude, but how to get there? GAH! I also have to do a lot of massaging on what's already written. Anybody want to commiserate on a historical drama SP set in the pre-Civil War south? I fear I will be way over 120 pages if I go with my gut...
Screenwriting : Writer's Block; How do you crash through? by Phil Hawkins
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Go with your gut. You might find it works itself out to where it should be. If it doesn't you just look back to see if there is any fat in the SP that you can trim out.
There is a very good chance that the problem lies in your first act. If you haven't read REWRITE, check it out. It is a great book to help you organize your thoughts.
Thanks!!
Go with your gut, and cut later. Sometimes you just have to write long in order to find the story. Good luck!
Sounds like the perfect time for a major outbreak of Dysentery. Few things make a cast of fictional Pre-Civil War South characters cut to the chase action and dialogue wise quite like a severe and rampant case of Dysentery.
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Same thing we do as composers - we go Trashmo. You write knowing that it's going to be crap. You purposely make it crappy and old and boring. Then something slips up, you make a mistake, a new idea emerges. The Dialectic catapults you to a new place you never even considered. Works every time.
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Victor's right, Phil. I've taught writing at the college level for some time, and I mention the 3P Theory whenever writer's block is mentioned: Perfectionism leads to Paralysis, which leads to Procrastination. If one can't think of anything to write, then just write anything. At first, the writing may be completely unrelated, but the more you write, the more your subconscious--and conscience--will steer you in the right/write direction. Don't let perfectionism get the best of you. Working writers blow right through that big block to writing!
I read that lots of plantation owners AND their slaves all moved to Brazil, to avoid the Civil War. IUs that true? And that they're still wealthy and thrive in Brazil.
I find that odd facts like that or urban legends about my subject will jar something loose. Good luck!
Lew, you're the man. That's exactly what happened. Thanks!
I just read the post by Lee Jessup about doing an outline by Dwayne Smith. I found it very enlightening. Maybe that will help you figure out how to craft that bridge you are looking for. Break it down to the bare bones and then put some meat on it.
Sounds like you have more to say than the space to say it in, rather than not having enough to say. Go with your gut, write it out, and then trim it down. "Kill your darlings" as the saying goes.
Go back to the beat sheet, and the log line and get the screenplay back on track.
Did you outline first? Now is the time to rely on your outline.
a hit off the bubbler!