Screenwriting : Burnout Sucks. Get Some Rest. by Maurice Vaughan

Amen to that, Maurice!

It still takes a lot of practice when writing for a living, Mike Childress, but our bodies will only let us push them so hard.

Hi Mike, awesome, it's like a hobby to me too. I like drawing as well

We need to take breaks or we will burn out Maurice Vaughan Breaks helps us to be more creative and I love to do different things! I worked thirteenth years without holidays because of my own company, and meditation was my renew. Today I don’t give up on my breaks, they are vital for me! Thanks for bringing this subject! it’s so important to be aware of it!

I'm still new to this (under a year) but my way to self-throttle my output is that I tend to only write one or two scenes a night. (I have a day job, so all my writing is after work and on weekends). So I write the scene from 8PM-10PM. Then I go to bed thinking about the next scene, turn it over in my mind all the next day, so that when 8PM rolls back around, I'm ready to hit the ground running and refreshed.

If I was a full time professional screenwriter though, I definitely think doing it for a living changes the mental side of it, since now your work is on a deadline, or the level of polish is expected, people are counting on you, etc. Good topic!

You're welcome, Sandra Isabel Correia. Holidays are another thing I struggle with when it comes to taking breaks, but I'm getting better at it.

I like that, Patrick "PK" Koepke. Writing a scene at night, then going to bed thinking about the next scene. It's kinda like a brainstorm cliffhanger.

We need them Maurice Vaughan and I am happy you are getting better on it :))

You can program yourself to resolve story issues in your dreams. Its fairly easy, but takes some practice. However, burnout does really suck. I find it best not to try and push yourself through stressful barriers, but to step back and do something else for a few days and come back to it. (If I remember to.)

Stepping back and doing something else helps me beat burnout, stress, and writer's block, Mike Clarke. Have you thought about marking it on a calendar, setting a notification on your phone, or emailing yourself a note so you remember?

Hi Mike, storyboards, that's a lot of work

We all deserve a break in between writing. As long you stay productive.

Hey, Jason Boyer. I agree that we all deserve a break in between writing. I wouldn’t say we need to stay productive though. I meant resting as in letting your body rest/sleeping.

Maurice Vaughan. Yes absolutely. I'd me a hot mess if I didn't have lists and reminders. :) The trick is remembering to set a reminder.

THIS!!!!

Excellent post, Maurice Vaughan. And remember, what might work for one, might not work for you. Your life, your rules. Protect your mental health at all cost.

You're right, Richard "RB" Botto. Whatever works for each person.

Hey Maurice , I have the opposite problem. I find it difficult to get enough writing done .

I didn't know you needed sleep, lol. Great post and advice.

After i finish a script, i always give myself a week to not think about anything creative. i call it my "zombie week" where i won't even look back at the script or think about it until i let my mind recover a bit. always works for me!

I feel that way. But I know I have to clear my head and take a break for sure.

Hey, Marie Hatten. I know what you mean. Did you read this blog? "How To Find Time To Write A Screenplay (Even With A Full Time Job)" www.stage32.com/blog/how-to-find-time-to-write-a-screenplay-even-with-a-...

Thanks, Jill Godley. Yep, I sleep from 4:15 to 4:30 every morning. That's it. :D

I do zombie weeks, Pat Alexander. Sometimes it's only a day or two. I'm getting better at taking longer zombie weeks though.

What kinda things do you do to clear your head, John C. Bounds?

Pat Alexander, I do the exact same thing. Sometimes 2 weeks. With distance comes perspective.

Maurice Vaughan I do a bit of meditation. I play my guitar, read and go hiking.

I went hiking once in high school, John C. Bounds. It was relaxing. What kind of guitar do you play?

I read, watch a movie, catch up on other chores or to do things on my list, anything but write until the urge hits me again and I'm off and running again.

Hey, John Snell. What do you read?

But, just so I'm clear, Maurice Vaughan, what's a zombie week?

It's basically a week you take off from a project, John Snell. I think Pat Alexander might've came up with the term "zombie week." I didn't have a name for it until I saw his comment.

Hi Maurice Vaughan, my bad it looks like I mixed up the comments. Either way thanks I learned something new today! I like mostly mysteries, or crime novels, such as back in the day the old Mack Bolan series.

I do my best writing when I'm napping.

I have to admit I'm feeling that right now.

Maurice Vaughan I have two Alverez acoustics.

I often find myself saying, "enough (writing/brainstorming/outlining) for today…" at like 11pm, then get a stream of ideas taking a leak before bed.

You're welcome, John Snell. Mystery is one of my favorite genres. I don't think I've heard of the Mack Bolan series. I'll check it out. Thanks.

I do too sometimes, Philip David Lee. Thinking of things for my scripts while I sleep.

Hope you were able to get some sleep, Bill Albert.

I just looked up Alverez acoustics, John C. Bounds. They're beautiful guitars.

I know what you mean, Michael Dzurak. And sometimes I get ideas right after I shut down my laptop.

Last night, we had a Stage 32 Happy Hour/Summit Meeting with some of our top managers and agents and this discussion came up. One of the managers mentioned that she has implemented mental health check ins with her writers to assure that they are not putting too much pressure on themselves. Incredibly smart. Not surprisingly, many of her clients have become more productive.

Thanks for sharing, Richard "RB" Botto. Mental health check ins with writers sounds like a fantastic idea! And others could do the same thing. Producers checking in with writers, writers checking in with directors, actors checking in with cinematographers, and so on.

I love hearing that, Richard "RB" Botto! We need more of that in this industry, at minimum to remind us perfectionists that it's ok to slow down and that our teams and collaborators want us to thrive, not just get the job done.

Yeah, check out the Mack Bolan series, Muarice Vaughan, If you're into action I think you might like it! I couldn't get enough when I was growing up! Also, called "The Executioner".

Ok, I will, John Snell. I'm definitely into Action. It's one of my favorite genres to watch and write. Thanks again.

Agreed, Ashley Renee Smith. Literally just spoke to another rep today who says he does something similar. Smart on every level.

I do mental health check ins with CEOs, Entrepreneurs, in the beginning of the group sessions and at the end to check also their feelings after the peer to peer session! The results before and after are amazing Richard "RB" Botto ! The productivity grows and results are more successful! I am happy that Filmmaking Industry does that also!

You're welcome, Maurice Vaughan!

Excellent advice and comments from you all.

Thanks, Pamela Jaye Smith.

Very thoughtful and empathetic, Sandra Isabel Correia