Screenwriting : Dealing with writer's block by Yan Ju Zeng

I watch movies often, read a book...and step away even if it's for a day or two; also I find limiting my page count helps in reducing writers block, All the best -JAC

Hey Yan Ju Zeng I don't actually believe in writer's block. I believe in creative flow (when you aren't overthinking/doubting) and when you are in that fearful/procrastinating/doubting mind. I've recently discovered several meditation sessions encouraging acceptance of the "don't know mind" , basically surrendering and not letting it trigger negative thoughts/ beliefs. Going for a walk, meditation and absolutely reading/ listening to podcasts and watching films can potentially reignite that creative spark.

I created a routine. Some call it a ritual. I put on a playlist, set my timer for 15 minutes. That can get me in the flow and over the anxiety of starting. When I do this I don’t hit writers block. Call me weird.

Yan Ju Zeng Hi, I must admit to never suffering from writer’s block, but I just realise that there are times in my life when I don’t write. It just means that I’m not ready, or maybe that the idea I have isn’t yet ready to be born on the page.

Yan Ju Zeng, I like to take the writer`s block and put it on the floor. Then I walk around it a few times. I can then say I walked around the block. It is great exercise.

Hi, Yan Ju Zeng I usually stop and watch a film,. I believe that nothing happens without a purpose, so I'm sure that this way something interesting will come up to my mind.

I don't - if it doesn't come to me naturally, I don't force it. If I try too hard, I ultimately don't like it. I usually place myself within the scene and think about what's around me, what's just happened, which characters I'm with. I sort of 'embody' the character!

Hi, Yan Ju Zeng. I reread my outline, take a break from the project, push through and finish, or write random scenes.

Ян Цзюй Цзэн, In such cases, I "surf"—switch to a project completely unrelated to writing. And by the time a “crisis” arises in it, in the previous one, as a rule, it has already ended. I don't allow myself to stop—my "engine" always stays warmed up, ready to begin the climb to the next pass. But I see this doesn't work for everyone.

Meditation. I find that anytime that I can’t focus that meditation always helps get me back on track.

Amanda Toney me too, Amanda. It helps clear all the fudge of life out of our system.

Visiting a place or doing anything absolutely new. Doesn't have to be far from home - just someplace you've never been. A lake, park, small town main street, historical site... whatever makes your brain process something completely different from the ordinary routine. I'm always amazed at how new, little details seed my imagination.

Playing my guitar. If I just cannot write, I can grab my guitar and it helps me find that creative rhythm inside my body.

Road trip. My favorite drive is HWY 395 from Hesperia, CA to Reno, NV. Driving through the desert is my meditation.

I really love all the responses! thank you for writing everyone!

Yan Ju Zeng, it is my pleasure.

You're welcome, Yan Ju Zeng.

Yan Ju Zeng Enjoy the break with hiking. Have a wonderful weekend.

I think your way of dealing with it is the best way. You can move away from the problem, give yourself some distance and come back to it from a fresh perspective.

Reading is also good advice. Stephen King said "When you're inspired, write. When you're unInspired, read".

Cheers to winning that challenge every time one way or another!

I give myself one "switcheroo" per project,

I've written 7 feature screenplays in 15 years and each time I allow myself to shelve a project and take up a different concept 1 time

but then I must follow through and finish that script, so it lets me be just a bit flexible in broad strokes but then keeps me on track pretty ruthlessly at the same time!