Screenwriting : What do you recommend? by Roberto Dragonne

drugs

Great advice Kay Luke thanks. Dan MaxXx I'm not there yet, but thanks.

I've heard of writer's block, but I think when you do some honest analysis, it's the lack of an outline. You can't write if you don't know your story, or your characters. Start there and see where the problem really lies.

Write something else, watch films and talk to friends. This will shake free the log jam in your head.

go hiking !! de-stress, watch something on Netflix. Do Yoga or Meditation. there can be a multitude of things, the only thing you don't do is wite or think about it for some time.

The important thing is to keep writing. When I've got a good idea that I'm really excited about I write everyday. Some days I'll do pages of work that I'm proud of, some days I'll add a comma, but really just keep writing.

Dan MaxXx hahaha

I can't remember when last I had writer's block. I just keep powering through. The excitement to write is there so I find that more times than none, I'm craving more time to write, rather than not being able to produce the words. You've just got to keep at it, it disappears before you even realize. But, you can try watching a movie, listening music, spending a few in nature :)

Writer's block = I'm writing something I really don't like, so I stop myself from writing.

Go back and delete the last three pages. Bring in something totally unexpected, like a penguin. Or a new character. Or an old character. Or put the protagonist in a totally absurd setting. Always pause your writing on a "page cliffhanger", you don't know what's going to happen but its so interesting that you want to get back to it. When you write something fun and/or unexpected and have to stop, you can't wait to get back to write the next scene so that you can find out what happens next.

What Kay said. Push through and keep writing, even if it’s crap.

@Roberto I USED to do what others in thread mentioned, physical exercises from climbing mountains to arm raises with a beer as the weight. However after a Dan Brown masterclass (Da Vinci Code) I changed tactic. “Writers block. Just write.” Analysing this comment makes sense. Lets face it the only way we can ever stop writing is if our hands are cut off but its THE FEAR of writing crap on an off day that gets us most. Writers block is fear of mistakes but do the giant brain dump anyway and make those mistakes. Writing the wrong thing can be used as a learning curve towards writing the right thing. I HEAR EVERYONE SAY “OUTLINE”. However if its a day when nothing you can think of fits into the general outline, instead of winging script aimlessly, concentrate on the “SMALLER DETAILS.” A tip I got from David Baldacci the mystery and political thriller writer, is that some days the whole outline might be too much of an information overload to think about. On those days, push the outline away and write character based scenes, totally about interaction between characters. “Sweat the small details”.

Excellent Debbie Croysdale Thanks!

I usually take a walk or do something else not related to screenwriting

What Eoin O'Sullivan said. "Writer's block" is really a lack of preparation. By preparing fully and deeply, not only will you know exactly what to write next, but by being that familiar with the story, you'll know if it's something you even want to write - before actually starting to write.

A good single malt Scotch nitecap works for me...I'll deal with it tomorrow.

Doug Nelson you mention Single Malts. Here is a favour, Penderyn Myth a reasonably priced Single from Wales. Fell in love when I was there. I can get it here in Sydney. Worth hunting it down.

Write.

Let it sit. Write or research something else. Sometimes the story just doesn't work: wrong protag, no stakes, theme change, etc. Let it marinate while you keep busy on other projects.

Craig - I don't know that one. I mostly stick with the smokey ones from Islay Island.

I usually go for a walk and thing of any sinario that my characters can take.

I heard of a great idea, (which I haven't put into practice yet). The idea is that when your writing is flowing, to leave a scene unfinished at the end of your writing session. It means that the next day, you have a scene to finish and therefore won't have writers block. The concept is you will finish that unfinished scene and get into your writing groove.

Unplug. Go for a walk, take a swim, hit the gym, watch a movie, work on another project, talk to a fiend...

Exercise, music, just start writing on anything.

Well, it’s really fear, self-doubt, or procrastination, or exhaustion, or mental fatigue, and/or a lack of an approach that’s getting in your way. But whatever part of your project you are struggling with, can’t quite figure it out, perhaps just leave yourself a note—this scene needs to accomplish this—and move on. Keep writing. Come back to it later. Working on other parts of the same project may suddenly reveal the answer. That works for me when I’m stuck. Plus it helps to have a plan in place prior to starting. Others have already mentioned taking a break, going for a walk, doing something else, which is good to do too. Allow your subconscious to work its magic. And then: Ah ha! Light bulb! ;) Hope that helps!

Really, I think it’s a preparation issue. Does your script have an outline that details the protagonist’s action and mission? Have you written a treatment bases on that outline? Have you written two-page bios on all your protagonists, so you’re in touch with their motivations and context? Have you written out loglines for the action of each scene in the act you are in, so you know HOW the protagonist is completing their action? If you have done all of these things, then you already know what to write. Just write it, and deal with the quality control in rewrites once it’s written.