On Writing : Writer’s block by Banafsheh Esmailzadeh

Preparation. For me, it's a simple question of fidelity to the fundamentals and a clear intention. If I'm stuck, it's because I've let my ego get in the way of what actually works. When I'm leaning on my habits and the fundamentals of dramatic structure, the script writes itself... so long as I know what movie I'm writing!

Good stuff Tennyson Stead, preparation is indeed a great way to combat the dreaded block. I’ve been slowly catching up on it for my novel and hope the block lifts soon haha

Hi, Banafsheh Esmailzadeh. I had a nice weekend. Hope you did too. I deal with writer’s block by making myself write, writing random scenes, and outlining new scripts to get into the writing flow. Sometimes I just take a break/do something I enjoy, then I go back to the script later and the writing flows.

RB put out a blog last month about what to do when you experience writer’s block: www.stage32.com/blog/coffee-content-what-to-do-when-you-experience-write...

Tom Schaefer I like that, sounds like meditating and even achieving nirvana.

Maurice Vaughan thank you, I did, and thanks for the link! I've learned to respect my blocks, if I try to write through them I often end up removing everything I wrote during editing since it doesn't sound right xD been letting life happen and consuming media in the meantime and of course brainstorming which story ideas that would've become novels would be suited for scripts (perhaps unsurprisingly it's more and more of them lol). Novels take a lot of creative energy for me to do so it's no wonder the block is probably three years old now ^^;

You're welcome, Banafsheh Esmailzadeh. Yeah, sometimes it does more harm than help forcing yourself to write. And sometimes writer's block is just exhaustion.

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh Hi Banafsheh, I’m with RB on this. (See the quote below). It’s not so much a block as the stress that comes when your writing goes in the wrong direction and you are left not knowing how to resolve the problem.

When I need to clear my mind, I listen to jazz music: Coltrane, Davis, Tyner and my newly found jazz musicians in Bebe and Braetsch. Somehow it works, not sure how, but maybe it’s the free-play of instruments that allows me to refocus and centre my mind and imagination.

“But here’s the thing… I don't really believe in writer’s block. What I believe is that the stress of the creative process, allows you to paint yourself into a corner.”

Maurice Vaughan yes exactly, my novel is part of my life's work which routinely challenges me. Following the block I've been going even slower than a snail's pace when I do write for it, the exhaustion is that bad ^^;

Geoff Hall that is true, it can also result from not even knowing what the right or wrong direction even is lol in my case I know what the direction is but the words are still not ready to come together. The spirit is there though as are the notes for the direction ahead so it's not like I'm completely lost haha

In my opinion, renewing your inspiration is the best way to get through writers block. All new experiences help you look at your life and your art at a new angle. Anything from new books, and films, or a taking new hiking trail can really open up those creative channels.

You're absolutely right David Michael Kelly, I'm of that mind too, that you should live life and let things happen, as well as explore new avenues and see what hits and what doesn't. Were it not for this block I probably wouldn't be here trying screenwriting :)

I just take my time and try to find inspiration. I do things that I like, and I just take my time and try to find inspiration. I do things that I like; I can go somewhere, read, or watch something, and sooner or later, that inspiration comes. But there are situations when I can't just sit and wait for inspiration. When I have deadlines, I can't say to the professor that I need more time, so I push myself and do my best to finish the task. Not always I can do it, and in such situations, https://edubirdie.com/assignment-help provides me fast assistance, and I've never missed any deadline. I think it's good that you can now use such help because writing is complicated, and I think that everyone understands how hard it can be.

If I feel I'm 'blocked', I look back to find where I turned left instead of right, taking my story into the wrong direction, or if I like the direction I'm heading in when blocked, there's usually a simple tweak earlier on that releases the tension and away we go.

I try to identify exactly what is "blocking" me. Then I tackle it by brainstorming all the ways I can think of to get out of the problem. Systematic. So if I don't know where a plot should go, I try to brainstorm every possibility I can think of for where the plot should go. Maybe I need to introduce a twist, a new character, or re-examine another character's motivations... something like that. I find this approach eliminates writer's block for me.

"Writer's Block" is self-induced. I wouldn't go so far as to say it is a mental condition, but your brain really does play an important role. Self-doubt, depression, stress, anxiety, fear - they all play a part in stopping the flow of creativity.

For me, taking a step back, getting out in nature, going for a walk, being in solitude, just taking a breath and taking in your surroundings and realizing it's not that big a deal in the grand scheme of things helps a lot.

Almost everything all are saying in this thread (especially Tom Schaefer's and probably RB's though I haven't listened to that yet) is similar to something I was told recently that works in my language and makes such clean sense -- "there's no such thing as writer's block (as with soooo much in our life); just get out of your own way. Get out of the way -- listen to your breath, get real basic. And then start listening." Easy enough, hahahahaha. :)

I often feel that when I get Writer’s Block, it’s either because I didn’t properly prepare enough to be secure in the full arc of the story or I’m so overwhelmed by outside stressors that it’s affecting my focus while writing. I have to step back, do something that gets my mind off of things whether that’s cleaning, reading, going for a walk, blasting music and dancing around my apartment, even taking a shower to clear my head. When I come back, if I’m still having a hard time, then I go back to my notes and outline to identify the potential problem and put the work in to find a solution. That may require changing the outline, reworking the previous scene, or rewriting the scene that I got stuck on from a different perspective.

I tend to have multiple projects going at any one time. I'm blocked on one? I'll switch to another. Lately it's been a book, a script, and usually an article (or articles).

If you ever need to switch focus to a new article, Mary Helen Norris, I’m here to help you out. Lol! Happy to help you work through that writer’s block. =)

Hey Banafsheh Esmailzadeh, it's been a huge help for me to recognize that "Writer's Block" can be broken down two issues: (1) Page Fright: anxiety over what to put on the page, uncertainty, imposter syndrome, or (2) Idea Constipation: an absence of ideas. Once you know which one of those you're facing, you can start to take real action. If you're in the US or UK and use Audible, I wrote a book with 5 strategies for overcoming Writer's Block and I'd be happy to share a code with you to download it for free. Just send me a message. (That goes for anyone on here, btw.)

Page Fright - I like that term. And imposter syndrome is huge.

For me, stepping away and not thinking about writing helps to clear my mind. A lot of my best ideas come when I'm exercising. It's like a Zen meditation.

I've never had writer's block. Listen to the characters talking and just write what they say and do. Divorce yourself from interfering with their authentic voices. Hope that helps.