Screenwriting : The Dreaded Screenwriters Block! by S R Clark

Never had it, sorry. If you have writer´s block, in my opinion, then you don´t have anything to say. In that case, good that nothing gets written, ´cause it would be bad for sure. Once you have something to say, the stuff writes itself. :)

I have a similar situation S.R. Can't think of how to strengthen the weakness without a complete change of story, possibly characters. I think the script is really good as is. But reviews all say pretty much the same thing.

So, I let it sit for a while. I'll jot notes occasionally on new ideas, but no re-write yet. I just moved on to other projects. I even created a new story in a genre that requires me to address what the first story needed.

Like a shark, gotta keep moving to stay alive.

Hi S R, I had the same problem last year. I wrote a feature that I thought was a masterpiece, sent it for review... got torn apart...after that I couldn’t even write a shopping list! It took me three months to get over it. I thought that maybe I wasn’t ready for a feature, so I went back to drawing board and wrote a short script. I didn’t put too much pressure on myself this time and few writers friends thought it was good. After that I regained confidence and wrote another feature. It’s a long marathon, up and downs along the way...take your time, go out, start a new hobby for a while and then go back and try again...the important is, never, ever give up... all the best :)

Take a break for a while and think about something other than writing. I take a walk, listen to music, even watch documentaries on YouTube. When you least expect it, inspiration can come. Good luck.

S R. Maybe the reviewer was full of crap. That is why I never have anyone review my screenplays except for my editor and my agent and I only make changes if I their suggestions will help my screenplay.

I take my mind off of what I’m writing. I’ll listen to music, or paint. It takes a few days but eventually I get back to it.

Take a break and don't think about anything at all. Meditate, swim, bike ride, ice cream and sunset. Just walk away to get that edge again

It doesn't sound like you have a typical case of writer's block, but there are many ways to get over any obstacle(s) that halt progress.

How urgent is your project? i.e., is there a deadline attached to it?

If there isn't a set deadline, then it might be worth putting the script to one side and returning to it when you have a fresh perspective. Sometimes the worse place to try and edit and rewrite from is directly after a negative response. Although they can be beneficial, it's a jarring experience, and it's easy to fall into a negative space.

Did the person who gave the feedback offer any details on the plot issue they gave notes on? Was this the only piece of negative feedback? It's worth noting that not all feedback and notes are correct or useful. If it was from a credible source (producer, a working screenwriter, script consultant, etc.), then it's worth taking on board. However, it doesn't necessarily mean they're right.

If this was your only source of feedback, you could seek more opinions and possibly consider using a script consultant.

Scott Myers is worth following on Twitter - he usually has some usable tricks to avoid writer's block (@gointothestory)

Although it's not a similar problem, there is something of a related nature that I need to tackle that will take a lot of plot and structure planning. I wrote a short script at the backend of last year and sent it to a producer. While they liked the draft and their feedback was mostly positive, the length didn't work for them. He asked if I'd consider reworking it into a feature and that we could meet up again in the near future to continue to discuss it.

I had hoped to get another project into production but I agreed with him. The main issue I face now is to flesh out the narrative into a feature without losing the essence of what drove the short script.

A tutor at my old university told me a nugget of advice that I'll never forget. He said that the most creative part of the writing process happens after the first draft.

Hope there is some useful advice in there, and best of luck with your rewrite. It doesn't sound like you have a typical case of writer's block, but there are many ways to get over any obstacle(s) that halt progress.

How urgent is your project? i.e., is there a deadline attached to it?

If there isn't a set deadline, then it might be worth putting the script to one side and returning to it when you have a fresh perspective. Sometimes the worse place to try and edit and rewrite from is directly after a negative response. Although they can be beneficial, it's a jarring experience, and it's easy to fall into a negative space.

Did the person who gave the feedback offer any details on the plot issue they gave notes on? Was this the only piece of negative feedback? It's worth noting that not all feedback and notes are correct or useful. If it was from a credible source (producer, a working screenwriter, script consultant, etc.), then it's worth taking on board. However, it doesn't necessarily mean they're right.

If this was your only source of feedback, you could seek more opinions and possibly consider using a script consultant.

Scott Myers is worth following on Twitter - he usually has some usable tricks to avoid writer's block (@gointothestory)

Although it's not a similar problem, there is something of a related nature that I need to tackle that will take a lot of plot and structure planning. I wrote a short script at the backend of last year and sent it to a producer. While they liked the draft and their feedback was mostly positive, the length didn't work for them. He asked if I'd consider reworking it into a feature and that we could meet up again in the near future to continue to discuss it.

I had hoped to get another project into production but I agreed with him. The main issue I face now is to flesh out the narrative into a feature without losing the essence of what drove the short script.

A tutor at my old university told me a nugget of advice that I'll never forget. He said that the most creative part of the writing process happens after the first draft.

Hope there is some useful advice in there, and best of luck with your rewrite.

Thank you everyone so much for your advice and assistance I will be definitely taking a step away and doing other things until it dissipates or I find more inspiration/order to my chaos. Zlatan -for me its quite the opposite I'm afraid too much going on , too many ideas , its clogging my brain, I can't organize it.Dan- It did cross my mind and possibly they didn't read it close enough, it was a paid review. They didn't get the setting right and I don't feel the caught the actual characters personalities correctly but it could be the way I conveyed them. Martyn- its not urgent per say it was more of a personal deadline, I wanted it done this year. The review said the show was 'incredibly appealing, populating its setting with a crazy, likeable cast of strange characters. Where it falters is in the structure of the plot, which for too much of the episode is sluggish, even when its construction scenes with solid jokes. With some work to strengthen the central plot, though , this is a script that has clear appeal.'-- I have thought to maybe work on other episodes, I have 3 seasons outlined out maybe work on them for a while and return to the pilot.

It does sound like you'll benefit from some time away from the script to revisit it with fresh eyes and an open mind.

Every genre and medium (TV/Film/Stage) has its own nuances, and it might be an idea if you identify what genre your project falls under and study various episodes. Read up on plot and structure for TV as you do so, and really concentrate on the plot and structure. Do you notice any similar patterns? What role do location and central meeting points play in the show?

Another thing you might want to consider is networking with TV screenwriters, producers, directors, and everything attached to the medium on here and other platforms. You can maybe share work with people and provide notes for each other.

Imma get up on a soap box for a second. I despise the word "block." You're not suffering from a "block" of any kind. When people talk about these moments of lapse in clarity and confidence, it is literally just that - your own insecurities staring you in the face. "Creative block" as a lot of folks talk about it isn't something that you just randomly run into, and it's no something that you just push through.

In the past I've had these insecurities pile up so damn high I couldn't physically put pencil to paper. It was overwhelming, and I felt trapped. I wasn't "blocked" I was terrified! I didn't want to mess up, so I had scared myself away from even trying.

When you're suffering from something that you feel is a "block" look beyond that. Find what exactly it was that put you in that place and figure out a way to turn it into something you can use. S R Clark, you said you had one iffy review that questioned your plot? Did they give you any feed back that was worthwhile to use? Any critique that told you what didn't work and why? Because if this person just came out and said "Ugh, this isn't strong at all!" and doesn't bother to offer anything beyond that which can be used - CONGRATS! You don't have to listen to a word they say!

Now, let's say that this person knows what they're talking about, but maybe they just don't have the time to get back to you with detailed notes. Okay, that's understandable, and it's something we can work with. So start small, work on something that isn't so big or bold. When I was in a similar situation I started writing little stories for kids. Simple stuff. Beginning. Middle. End. Ta-da! Done piece. After a few of these I managed to pull together a few of them, and some I really liked. So I built them out a little more after I did a bit more reading on the subject I was having issues with.

Since you're struggling with plot and structure maybe this book will help. I know it's helped me in the past! -> https://www.amazon.com/Story-Structure-Architect-Situations-Compelling/d...

Good luck! I believe in you!!!

Writer's block can at times have a very real physical source, and at times can have a very real mental source. Sometimes the writer's own limited abilities are the cause, too.

Just yesterday, RB posted a link to overcoming writer's block in his blog, and hopefully you'll benefit from it. Here's the link and best of luck.

https://www.stage32.com/blog/Coffee-and-Content-Michael-Caine-on-Acting-...

I find a good way to get over writers block is cut out writing for a couple days. if the weather's nice, go on a hike, get out of the city, and into the country-side..or climb a mountain or something. Or go to a movie --sometimes when I see a movie say Black Panther, or Zootopia, or something in theaters that I like, it gets my creative juices flowing again.

Thank you guys so much for all the help, Martyn- all sound advice and definitely points I will follow, I have been skimming over script structures that are similar to what I am trying to accomplish for motivation and I definitely need to up my networking game within the TV community . Carrie- you can preach to me on your soap box anytime and your 100 percent right, part of my issue is I am insecure and very worried I wont get it exactly right the first time. my mind floods with too many ideas and I don't know which ones are the good ones and which are the bad...The whole 'you only got one chance to make a good impression' rides on my mind all the time. The review was paid, my fourth review and it was his only major complaint, he basically said the show was incredibly appealing but I paced the main plot too sluggishly. I have stepped away, took a break for two days and I am now starting to work on other episodes, the other episodes I don't have issue with ,its the pilot so maybe if I complete them I can reproach the pilot with clear mind. Bill- thank you so much for the link it did help! And just to say to everyone again thank you so much for your help on this and the best of luck to each of you on your projects-S.

Didn't read all the comments so I hope no one said this already. My advice is always multi task. That way you keep the momentum going and the process too. That's just me...

SR: regarding structure and pacing....I find it the most helpful when I have a script in my lap, and am watching it on television, and can see how quickly and efficiently the story moves when I can break it down like that. That might help you, too. LA Screenwriter has a great selection of television scripts if you're interested. Here's the link, and best of luck!

http://www.la-screenwriter.com/script-index/television-scripts/