Hello all, how are we all? I am currently working on a couple of short film ideas, trying to find time to really sit down and work on it (as my film journalism and book promotion takes a lot of time) Does anyone have any writing block tips? Or time balancing tips? I just don't want to let the ideas sit on a dusty shelf in my mind This is really more of a courtesy discussion so I can get talking to people. I'm learning to netwokring and talk! I hope you are all well :)
Screenwriting : Hello by Sarah Louise Cook
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Are you asking how to choose which project to devote to? That's a tricky problem. You have to choose which one is more important in your mind. Sometimes it's also, which one can you finish first. Or you have to figure out which one matters more. Sometimes it's do a little here on one project, do a little there on another. Eventually they'll all get done.
Hi, Sarah! I have a great writing block tip: Instead of shooting for perfection the first time around, give yourself permission to write crap. Don't worry about the quality, just spit out the scene. Then, go clean the kitchen, go for a bike ride, whatever and come back to your scene with fresh eyes. By that time, you've likely thought about it enough to come in and begin elevating the quality. Most writers are perfectionists and perfectionism kills creativity. So sit down and write a crappy scene. You've got plenty of time and opportunities to elevate the quality to something phenomenal as you go along. - Lisa
Join a local screenwriters group. Part of the deal with screenwriting groups is reads each other's material and helping each other get better. If there's nothing near you, there are online groups.
With regard to balancing, the common characteristic I have observed among writers who have day jobs is lack of sleep... :)
Thanks for the advice guys! I managed to write a little today. That is, creative because I write faction articles all the time :) This advice really helps :)
Hi Sarah, writers block's biggest enemy is a writer not really knowing their characters fully enough. A writer needs to do what the pros do and really embark on 'who' the character is, really dive in and make it up, so you will know what their proper dialogue and behavior would be. The other is of course, why things don't get done - people don't spend the needed time. Fortunately writing does take time and the more time at one sitting you invest the sooner and better your product is going to be manifested. A couple of other choices to getting your shorts written are 1) get mentoring (that really, really gets it done faster and on a set time schedule and you shorten your learning curve by weeks and months), and 2) hire someone to write it for you. To your passion and success, Lena Banks http://www.ThinkTankInk.com
As crazy as it sounds the one thing that helps me write is drawing! Or at least trying to. haha. I'm not an artist but I find when I draw it frees up my writing.
Talk to people. I get ideas just through conversation. Talk to your parents or grandparents about their experiences in life. Something will trigger an idea.
Set a page count and make sure you achieve it, even if it's a single page. I once wrote a screenplay for someone in a month, around a full-time job and family obligations--through the holiday season. Three pages a day as soon as I woke up. In thirty days it was finished. I do the same with fiction (1,000 words a day). You'll get accustomed to whatever your goal is and be able to knock it out.
I really like all these ideas and with all your help, I've finally got my arse into gear to write something creative! :)