Introduce Yourself : Stuck trying to write second screenplay by Joel Henderson

Joel Henderson

Stuck trying to write second screenplay

Any advice for a screenwriting newbie trying to break out of writer's block?

Herculano Espinoza

Write bios for your characters maybe that will help

Joel Henderson

Thanks Herculano! I'll definitely try that

Lisa Vandiver

Good luck. I have the same issues as well and changing from an Author perspective to a screenwriter perspective.

Joel Henderson

Thanks so much Lisa and James!

Philip Sedgwick

Watch movies, especially those NOT in the genre you're writing.

Angela VanZandt Bumpass

Observe people around you. Read the news. Read old news. Have life experiences. Interview interesting people for sparks of ideas. I have the opposite problem. Ideas and concepts pop into my head all day long and I do not have the time to write them all. That in a way, is worse.

Jayendra Pareek

Talk about your story with someone you trust and talk in details. You'll understand whats holding you back.

James Welday

My process is to figure out my ending first, then work backward to that result in a coherent and plausible way. Follow your character's motivation: he or she has a goal, and must either attain that goal or fail trying. I truly hope this helps. If you need any further help, please let me know.

Chaun Lee

Hi Joel! I was discussing writer's block with someone today. I like to move to something else for a bit or pause to give the story/script time to breathe. But, I try to begin writing a script with an outline as a guide. This wasn't always the case, though. But, even with an outline, I sometimes get writer's block. The ideas for dialogue and better imagery usually come if I step away and analyze the story a little more. It might be worth trying if nothing else is working...

Jenny Rauch

I agree with Aray. When you can’t write, read! Especially in the beginning. You’ll absorb so much from reading great scripts.

Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Joel Henderson. Great to connect with you. Sometimes when I have writer's block, I write scenes that I know won't be used. Doing this helps me get ready to write my scripts.

J R O'Hara

Creating an outline before starting the script always helps me. Then I plow my way through the first draft. As the wise man said "Writing is rewriting".

Joel Henderson

Thanks so much everyone for your ideas! It really means a lot!

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Joel Henderson. What genre is your script?

Jethro Randell

Find this weird but going for walks or long bus rides help get me out the block. Sorta turn the brain on auto pilot and let it figure itself out. Some people say showers are good for that, but I never had that epiphany there.

Other topics in Introduce Yourself:

register for stage 32 Register / Log In