There right now. It's tough getting out of the deeper ruts. Sometimes watching a movie will help me. Maybe I see a different plot and it might bring me out. unfortunately, I went and saw Fantasy Island. That made it worse.
Might try inventing a new character that you hate. Fashion them after an old teacher that hated your guts. Put them in your story for half a day and see where it takes you. I wrote a whole screenplay about my music teacher who expelled me from seventh-grade music class. Never could sing and certainly didn't after that. I took care of her many years later. When she found out who I was, she transferred., Imagine that.
Try to write something new and completely bonkers, that you wouldn't generally write. The goal is not to ever get sold or made, but who knows, might be so crazy someone might pick it up and find it (or you) interesting.
Write a short script or short story that you can finish easily, so you get a mental boost for finishing.
Get involved in someone else's short film, helping on set, even if it's just making coffee or assisting art department, or whatever gets you involved in a project. Even if you don't get paid, it's only a commitment of a couple of days, and will give you a boost for having helped something get made. Or if you can afford it, go the extra mile and make a short film yourself.
One other thing that might help, if you can. Travel and write while travelling. Stay in cheap places with just enough comfort to sleep at night, spend a few hours per day trying to write at a coffee shop, library, or some place you can work, then go out in the afternoon to visit the city you're in. You'll be out of your routine, and won't slack off in front of the tv or computer. Student accommodations often rent to non-students during breaks for very affordable prices (at least in Europe), so try that.
Or simply spend one day at one place you don't usually go in your daily routine, but inspires you. Go to the Zoo. Go to a Museum. Take a day off, and spend it at some place that will keep your mind busy for that entire day without thinking about work.
Vic - every writer. beginning or pro, has been there. Remember that nobody shoved you in that rut - you put yourself there. It's up to you to climb your way out. Professional writers (I assume that's what you have in mind) learn to recover (quickly they must). Look at this as a 'teachable/learning moment'.
The beauty of writer's block is that your brain is rebooting, reprocessing everything in, as well as your daily life. let it reprocess! let it reformat! Endorphins are being released to deal with depression, mental fatigue! let it reformat!! The key at this time is not to fret over writing that "next great script to sell". Just write short notes about your daily activities, family, kids. like, jot down what your kid did silly today, or what was the funniest moment between you and your significant other! Walk your dog, watch how he/she interacts with the world around it! and instantly, your writer's block is CURED! I cannot not state this any more important!
Here's my fav writer's block story... Andrew Stanton was burnt out, so he decided to spend time with his son, and was amazed at how his son was so enthralled with the world around them (seashells, rocks, fish on the beach)! this so inspired him, it led to writing the first draft "Finding Nemo" and the rest is history, my friend! let your brain reformat!!!
Case in point, I had writer's block for 3 days, decided to go to a Halloween party downtown French Quarters (my fav time of the year in New Orleans!!) I saw the cutest little girl dressed up as a witch /vampire. She made this very primal facial expression. I was like wow! So I went home an wrote a short screenplay based on her, titled" Night of the Shtriga" It placed in the 2 finals / 1 semi-final/ 2 quarterfinals of 6 screenplay contest(s).
What's helped me in the past is watching or reading something new. When I have writer's block my brain needs creative stimuli...So it's a great excuse to watch any films or shows I've been wanting to see. Going out for a long walk is another option. Basically just not giving into the pressure that I need to come up with ideas and write at that moment.
No, i mean sometimes i'll be stumped as to how to write a certain project but i always have new ideas. Sometimes they straight up come to me in my dreams. If you're out of ideas you're not thinking about enough things.
Vic - one thing I forgot to add. Create loglines! In one of my writing classes, we were instructed to write 20 loglines., ranging from romance, thrillers, to horror! This is a great exercise to break writer's block. Lots of great advice posted on here! Hope it helps you!
I never get writer's block. Are you currently blocked on a certain story? Or are you having trouble coming up with your next one? If you've started one and can't finish- doing character outlines can help- as well as just reading over and editing the work you've already done. If that doesn't work, your story probably doesn't have enough substance to begin with or you wouldn't have trouble. Set it aside and start something new. If I'm working on a story, I'll think about it every night as I go to sleep.
I find it best to take a break for 1 or 2 weeks and work on another project. You will come back refreshed and re-write what you did BETTER. Time and creation have a place. Good writers can get stuck in their stories. Great writers can write their way out.
Pamela Bolinder i don't know about you but sometimes when i'm stuck on a scene i'll write a rough outline for what happens in that scene and then jump to the next one. sometimes it helps to just go back in and fill in the gaps after you've gotten the rest of the dialogue and action fleshed out
I think we've all been there. While I wrote this article for photographers when they are in a rut, it can apply to any creative, including writers, as I am a screenwriter myself. It works. Hope this helps: https://sunbouncepro.com/photography-tips/10-photography-tips-to-get-your-brain-started/
To get inspiration, I watch documentaries or listen to music. Nothing inspires me more than the past with all its differences from here&now. Because I'm a nobody, I always consider the little folks involved in the BIG PICTURE. For example, when I read about the contest between DaVinci and Michelangelo, I wondered what it must have been like for the maids that had to wait on these geniuses. The story was about how they bribed the young maid to vote for their picture as the best, and how catering to the public taste (rather than elite sponsorship) might have come into being .... (A True Renaissance was published in 2016.) And thus the meritocracy of Florence shifted perspective: from above to below. Just a thought.
I just took a class that touched upon this. One tip was to separate creating vs evaluating. Another is creating a No critique zone in your home. Empower yourself. Connect good feelings and empowerment to writing.
I heard some advice that stuck with me. When you're blocked try and write the worst scenes possible. Make your goal to do some absolutely awful writing. It's a useful trick to get you back on track.
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There right now. It's tough getting out of the deeper ruts. Sometimes watching a movie will help me. Maybe I see a different plot and it might bring me out. unfortunately, I went and saw Fantasy Island. That made it worse.
I was reading an article that said this is the best time to write. It will build strength.
I start a new story. Then another and another. Finally found something worth writing. Then I finally went back to the one I was stuck in.
2 people like this
Might try inventing a new character that you hate. Fashion them after an old teacher that hated your guts. Put them in your story for half a day and see where it takes you. I wrote a whole screenplay about my music teacher who expelled me from seventh-grade music class. Never could sing and certainly didn't after that. I took care of her many years later. When she found out who I was, she transferred., Imagine that.
When you're feeling lowern' a snake's belly in a wagon rut, Just write your way out like a professional writer.
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I asked my cousin (a Newspaper reporter) about Writer’s block and she’s motivated by paychecks, food on table, paying bills. Writing is her job.
Same as my friend working at Starbucks. He has good and bad days making coffee, but he’s a professional.
Both rely on their craft & training when work is a slog.
Pull an old script up and rewrite it from page one.
Kill off one of your characters and see where it takes your thoughts.
Many a time, Vic. There's a new drug out there specifically for Screenwriter's block. Hope watching this video helps you. https://youtu.be/Us24jY6nHQU
Cool video!
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Write your way out.
Yep, been there.. I watch moves trailers, read the trades and look at shorts on youtube for inspiration. Geoff, great video share.
Go find a flea market and people watch...
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I agree with William Martell above... write your way out.
1 person likes this
Try to write something new and completely bonkers, that you wouldn't generally write. The goal is not to ever get sold or made, but who knows, might be so crazy someone might pick it up and find it (or you) interesting.
Write a short script or short story that you can finish easily, so you get a mental boost for finishing.
Get involved in someone else's short film, helping on set, even if it's just making coffee or assisting art department, or whatever gets you involved in a project. Even if you don't get paid, it's only a commitment of a couple of days, and will give you a boost for having helped something get made. Or if you can afford it, go the extra mile and make a short film yourself.
One other thing that might help, if you can. Travel and write while travelling. Stay in cheap places with just enough comfort to sleep at night, spend a few hours per day trying to write at a coffee shop, library, or some place you can work, then go out in the afternoon to visit the city you're in. You'll be out of your routine, and won't slack off in front of the tv or computer. Student accommodations often rent to non-students during breaks for very affordable prices (at least in Europe), so try that.
Or simply spend one day at one place you don't usually go in your daily routine, but inspires you. Go to the Zoo. Go to a Museum. Take a day off, and spend it at some place that will keep your mind busy for that entire day without thinking about work.
Hope you come off it soon!
1 person likes this
Vic - every writer. beginning or pro, has been there. Remember that nobody shoved you in that rut - you put yourself there. It's up to you to climb your way out. Professional writers (I assume that's what you have in mind) learn to recover (quickly they must). Look at this as a 'teachable/learning moment'.
2 people like this
The beauty of writer's block is that your brain is rebooting, reprocessing everything in, as well as your daily life. let it reprocess! let it reformat! Endorphins are being released to deal with depression, mental fatigue! let it reformat!! The key at this time is not to fret over writing that "next great script to sell". Just write short notes about your daily activities, family, kids. like, jot down what your kid did silly today, or what was the funniest moment between you and your significant other! Walk your dog, watch how he/she interacts with the world around it! and instantly, your writer's block is CURED! I cannot not state this any more important!
Here's my fav writer's block story... Andrew Stanton was burnt out, so he decided to spend time with his son, and was amazed at how his son was so enthralled with the world around them (seashells, rocks, fish on the beach)! this so inspired him, it led to writing the first draft "Finding Nemo" and the rest is history, my friend! let your brain reformat!!!
1 person likes this
Case in point, I had writer's block for 3 days, decided to go to a Halloween party downtown French Quarters (my fav time of the year in New Orleans!!) I saw the cutest little girl dressed up as a witch /vampire. She made this very primal facial expression. I was like wow! So I went home an wrote a short screenplay based on her, titled" Night of the Shtriga" It placed in the 2 finals / 1 semi-final/ 2 quarterfinals of 6 screenplay contest(s).
@DD Some cool points you make. My take. Tomorrow is a blank page and we can make it anything we want it to be.
What's helped me in the past is watching or reading something new. When I have writer's block my brain needs creative stimuli...So it's a great excuse to watch any films or shows I've been wanting to see. Going out for a long walk is another option. Basically just not giving into the pressure that I need to come up with ideas and write at that moment.
No, i mean sometimes i'll be stumped as to how to write a certain project but i always have new ideas. Sometimes they straight up come to me in my dreams. If you're out of ideas you're not thinking about enough things.
1 person likes this
Vic - one thing I forgot to add. Create loglines! In one of my writing classes, we were instructed to write 20 loglines., ranging from romance, thrillers, to horror! This is a great exercise to break writer's block. Lots of great advice posted on here! Hope it helps you!
1 person likes this
I never get writer's block. Are you currently blocked on a certain story? Or are you having trouble coming up with your next one? If you've started one and can't finish- doing character outlines can help- as well as just reading over and editing the work you've already done. If that doesn't work, your story probably doesn't have enough substance to begin with or you wouldn't have trouble. Set it aside and start something new. If I'm working on a story, I'll think about it every night as I go to sleep.
I agree with Pamela. Write your way out of it.
1 person likes this
I find it best to take a break for 1 or 2 weeks and work on another project. You will come back refreshed and re-write what you did BETTER. Time and creation have a place. Good writers can get stuck in their stories. Great writers can write their way out.
1 person likes this
What's the worst thing not writing? Who's losing jobs?
Maybe a simple motivation is skipping meals for the days you fail to write.
Hunger motivated Joe Gillis, a struggling Screenwriter. Also killed him.
Look for inspiration around you.
Pamela Bolinder i don't know about you but sometimes when i'm stuck on a scene i'll write a rough outline for what happens in that scene and then jump to the next one. sometimes it helps to just go back in and fill in the gaps after you've gotten the rest of the dialogue and action fleshed out
1 person likes this
I think we've all been there. While I wrote this article for photographers when they are in a rut, it can apply to any creative, including writers, as I am a screenwriter myself. It works. Hope this helps: https://sunbouncepro.com/photography-tips/10-photography-tips-to-get-your-brain-started/
To get inspiration, I watch documentaries or listen to music. Nothing inspires me more than the past with all its differences from here&now. Because I'm a nobody, I always consider the little folks involved in the BIG PICTURE. For example, when I read about the contest between DaVinci and Michelangelo, I wondered what it must have been like for the maids that had to wait on these geniuses. The story was about how they bribed the young maid to vote for their picture as the best, and how catering to the public taste (rather than elite sponsorship) might have come into being .... (A True Renaissance was published in 2016.) And thus the meritocracy of Florence shifted perspective: from above to below. Just a thought.
1 person likes this
Figure out what gets your creative juices going and start doing that until you work it.
Go back to your original works. Be Ten again.
1 person likes this
I just took a class that touched upon this. One tip was to separate creating vs evaluating. Another is creating a No critique zone in your home. Empower yourself. Connect good feelings and empowerment to writing.
1 person likes this
I heard some advice that stuck with me. When you're blocked try and write the worst scenes possible. Make your goal to do some absolutely awful writing. It's a useful trick to get you back on track.