Hello, everyone. My name is Scott, and I’m reaching out for advice from fellow screenwriters. I hope this isn’t a silly question, but I’ve been struggling with something specific.
I have a condition called Aphantasia, which means I can’t mentally visualize. I can’t “see” the scenes or characters I’m writing in my mind, so I often worry about whether my work is coming together cohesively. I’ve had people tell me my ideas are strong, but it’s still really challenging to write when you can’t mentally picture anything.
Does anyone here have Aphantasia? If so, how do you approach writing when you can’t visualize? I’d love to hear any strategies or tips.
Thanks in advance for your help!
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Hi, Scott Lewis. It's not a silly question. Have you thought about writing your script, then working with another writer to make it more visual?
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I don't have this condition so I can only really offer some speculation here. Have you thought about doing image searches while you're writing? For example, if you want to set a scene in an alley you could do a search for "alley" and find one you like the best and use it to describe the scene. Or a specific emotion. Could be a use for an AI art generator as well, you can input a setting, add a feeling you want to invoke in it and it can pump out examples for you.
I think as long as you can plot your story out logically, then it will be easy to follow and I don't think you'll need to visualize anything specific to do that.
But best of luck and happy writing!
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Make the most of it and just start writing! Remember, our biggest crutch in creativity is our own doubts. Once you’re finished, take a step back and evaluate the piece as a whole, either on your own or with input from other writers.
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Hi Scott Lewis, I never visualize, I empty and trust what comes to me.
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Get someone to go over your script real time and suggest edits to make it more visual. I've done that long distance with whats app or zoom. That way you get inside the mind of the helper. I could do that for you. It may kick start a new way of writing.
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Sign a contract before you partner with strangers to write with you. GL!
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One possibility is that you make friends with your local group of no-budget filmmakers. The more you help them, the more useful comments on your script they will give you.
A more ambitious alternative is that you create no-budget films yourself. If you are not comfortable with directing, you can use pencil2d or some other trivial animation freeware. Or do as I once did, create one doll for each character.
And of course, you may simply ask those you network with for help. "I am willing to give you comments on your script if you do the same for me." Has given me plenty of useful comments.
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Scott Lewis I don't have that challenge, but rather the opposite. Ha! The visual scenes come to fast and furious, and I end up with a kaleidoscope. But either way, story boarding with sketched scenes helps. Also, I search Google images for locations, settings, historical references, and characters. I haven't tried this yet, but a super successful screenwriter, Jonathon E. Stewart, touts AI "Claude 3.5 Sonnet" for help laying out stories (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOO-ffR-IAE&ab_channel=LEADR)