After finishing a rewrite... proofing it... what's your process for the next step?
I have found that I am temporarily exhausted in an odd way, or I just can't focus on another draft of anything. I find myself going into outlines or way back into my idea pool, or even just watching some writing vlogs. Seemingly anything except work on another draft for about a week.
A big part of that is dread about the comments and I am always tempted to re-read the submitted draft to proof it more. And since this "creative limbo" is not on my to-do list, I always feels it's a personal flaw that wastes time.
However, looking into all those other writing materials has its upside as it helps keep my whole creative maelstrom in view and more manageable.
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Ha!!!
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I am usually in the draft on the next one club. And I've been right there with you on the exhaustion part too. My creative brain has been having a tantrum. It says to me "No" and forcing things doesn't work.
It's trickling back slowly.
I've been talking a lot lately about how rest is so vital and this is actually why. I wrote myself out.
So, in the interim I've been focusing on pitch materials for finished work, outlining etc. and I do a lot of proofing and editing on drafts that's aren't fully polished yet.
I love edits, so it's fun for me and keeps me engaged with my work without stressing my creative brain further.
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Duunnn. Dunnn. Haha I work on another project, watch a movie, rest, network, or do something else, Michael Dzurak.
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I know that stuck moment—when you want to continue, but your mind forces you to stop. Even though I haven’t completed my first script yet, I often experience long pauses when I discover new contradictions in the story’s flow, or when I become emotionally blocked and can’t move forward.
When you have big dreams and many ideas waiting, those moments—or even days—can feel like a huge loss. But we’re human, not computers. It’s okay to rest and then slowly return to the work.
Sometimes, taking a small step—like rereading your outline, writing a single beat, or reconnecting with your characters—can be enough to guide you back into the story.
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"...in the interim I've been focusing on pitch materials for finished work, outlining etc."
That sounds like a good idea, Elle Bolan. Going from something big to a series of smaller things can help with the creative exhaustion.
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Watching a movie sounds good, Maurice Vaughan.
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"...we’re human, not computers. It’s okay to rest and then slowly return to the work."
And that's probably the thing. We just have to slow down a bit sometimes.
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No artist should be working in dread, my dude. I can't believe how normalised that has become. Once I've got a script done, my only interest is getting in front of those who should love it.
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Powerful optimism, CJ Walley.
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To ease your worries, let’s put things into perspective. In 1981, the BACK TO THE FUTURE script was rejected 40 times by ALL the studios following a series of rewrites and MORE rewrites. Consider the factors in play: Luck, Timing, the proper Industry contacts, or perhaps, the very fortunate “Flavor of the Month” script that falls into the right laps. Work your best magic and get it out there. From that point on, allow FATE to take the wheel.
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Michael Dzurak, I had to find it in a world of pessimism. There was a time, a long time ago, when I was writing drafts and submitting them to various places for approval. That nearly ruined both me and my scripts as the process was just a downward spiral into depression and desperation.
Choosing a path of conviction and self-belief was the answer. I learned that from reading biographies of successful artists.