Screenwriting : Do you have a special writing outfit? by Shawn M. Smith

Complete with Bat-A-Rang and utility belt.

I don't wear a certain type of clothing. But my TV/film viewing habits change according to the genre I'm writing for - I must have the largest rom-com DVD collection ever.

I find I have to get in the zone, the feel of the material... even not shave when it's serious, shave when it's restaurant time, etc, so yes... definitely lol all part of the process... I live the writing as best as I can, get into the state. That cap must help you, so it's good. :)

A ball cap, typically barely resting on my head.

Shawn, Great question! I'm usually wearing pajamas with a chair attached to my ass. It never occurred to me to dress up! Now I'm thinking I should try a special outfit to get into character as "the writer of my script" ala Shakespeare in Love, Adaptation, The Hours, or Stranger Than Fiction. The possibilities are endless! I do, like Sarah, immerse myself in the genre and subject matter with my viewing and reading. I might even prepare a special soundtrack that the film would have, to inspire me. That works s pretty well. I think people should post their "writer pictures," will you be the first? Write on, Angelique

That would be a great idea. Where could we do that? Or would we merely post as our new photo?

Never thought of this either

I'm with Angelique -- I think we should all start thinking about writing outfits! I'm thinking Hugh Hefner-like smoking jacket maybe?!

Used to be you could meet Hefner and Torme merely by sitting in the middle of the UCLA theater when Howard Hawks was showing

I'm such a bum. My boxers and a cup of coffee lol.

No special outfits, as long I am comfortable, Cool in the Summer, Warm in the Winter, and Relaxed. Usually Sweat Pants, Or Shorts and a T-Shirt. As as they are comfortable clean and I can relax.

Jammies. That way I can roll out of bed and be "on the job."

Nude. Nudish.

i put my scarf on my feet if I'm writing from home , but at office i wear no shoes , no matter the whether i find my self removing the shoes first before i start to concentrate . then i will writing as I 'm leaning both of then below the table lid , its crazy , but i did it even think its a habit before this question , lol , cheers every one here .

I wear as little as possible. Maybe I should try wearing one of those white tropical suit-and-tie get-ups like you have in your photo. You're giving people the impressions that we Floridians actually wear suits and ties ;)

@Randall, that's a photo from my wedding, which we had in upstate New York. Definitely not representative of my time in Florida, which has included lots of shorts. @Catherine, I have lots of coffee. Or Monster Energy Drink. Depends on the time of day.

cool

I got in the habit of wearing oversized T Shirts and gym shorts when I write but not otherwise. I mainly tend to put on headphones and blare music so I can block out everything but my thoughts.

Today, it's shorts with red hot flaming chili peppers and a Gators tanktop

I think ..... Normally your mind escape your body ( and your clothes) inventing a (designing) the story, You can be at the beach, or drinking tea with Yetis in Tibet, once you start your voyage into the story, you lose all communications with your own body except the way to put the story down. to finalize the story into a working script it's moor a job to do,been moor professional at that point helps with the boring details.

I have a large hoodie that I usually wear. When I get into the meat of my story, I put the hood on and pull it down to my eyes so I can only see my laptop screen and everything else is blocked out because SQUIRREL!

My "focus" T-shirt is one that says "Careful, or you'll end up in my novel." And yes...t-shirts, shorts and sandals are the uniform of choice here in Florida :)

I write naked ... in public places, Starbucks and such. : )

So you're "that guy." I think a little manscaping is in order, and I can't help cringing at the thought of vente half-caf latte spill to the lap - it's the stuff of nightmares.

Whatever works. I have my rituals which do not involve any particular clothes. Mine include pacing on my balcony, chain smoking, and doing all the lines I am working on sotto voce .

I have a black flat cap I wear backwards kinda like Sam L. Jackson. It makes me feel like a big shot director.

Footie onesie pajamas. :-P

A few years ago I was invited to participate in a Google event in one of their San Francisco offices. Those invited were kids from Bay Area Junior High Schools as well as men and women from various sectors of the work force. I was assigned the job of representing 'creative writers'. My only instruction was to wear my usual work clothes. There were firemen and women, policemen and women, nurses, doctors in smocks, insurance salesmen, bankers and even a politician or two. Every 'worker' seemed to be represented. What did I wear? Baggy Levies, a sweatshirt with an ink stain and hiking boots. Just like at home.

I have a ballcap with "Writer" stitched across it! For years, my "office" was my lap, BUT, if I wore the ballcap, everyone kept it to a dull roar and didn't expect social niceties. Still works, and it sort of keeps my head in the game! :)

It's pretty awesome that you've had such great feedback. The wool cap helps me get in the mood for this piece, which is set in the Adirondacks in the Fall. Thank goodness for central air or I would sweat like mad in this Florida heat.

I recently found I'm more productive if I get up and "dress to the shoes." I know that Johnny Depp-or J.D. as I like to call him-seems to appreciate it. Who'd a thunk a beta fish would care?

thanks for connecting and adding me to your network - congrats on the job

It is great that certain clothing inspires people to write.

I can't really get into my writing until i've showered and dressed. I can't have 'things I need to do today' hanging over my head while i'm trying to concentrate.

Am I the only writer in the world who just feels the urge to write, without the need for a comfort blanket, throne, string quartet, antique typewriter, milk bath, or solar eclipse? I worry about attaching oneself creatively to an object, environments, or routine. What if you can't fulfil that need one day?

In some interview, Susannah Grant (ERIN BROCKOVICH) said she writes naked. I tried this once, and Starbucks kicked me out.

CJ has a point about it being best not to acquire any outside/physical props as a strategy to write. I once knew an artist (quite famous) Puck, who did some of his work whilst in a Natzi concentration camp. He swopped rations for paper and made sketches, now shown in art galleries all over Europe. People may try to take everything, but luckily art is "hard wired" .

All I need is my favorite ball cap to wear. What inspires me to write is a story bursting from my brain that wants to leak onto the page. Drip by drip until a compelling story is told. I hold myself back at times and need to break the written bonds of expression to fully go balls to the wall! We put up our own barriers and at times, convincing outselves we need certain items to write is just a block we do to ourselves. Wrap yourself in the story and write!