So, I have a question for screenwriters. Is there a point you get to, when you're writing something totally brilliant - practically writes itself, inspiration at all hours of the night and day - where you go, "What the hell is even this steaming pile of expletive. I hate all of this and everything, and anything good in it is already someone elses movie. I can't look Final Draft in the eye ever again."?
Do I just need a break? It was brilliant this morning and for the past month. But at about 5pm today I hit a wall. Hard.
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It sounds like you need a break. There's a point when you're so deep in writer mode that your mind is vulnerable to all sorts of negative thoughts, and for me at least that's a good cue to come up for air and do something other than write until it passes.
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Thank you! I think I needed to hear that from someone outside my head. Time for a cup of tea and a conversation with people I haven't imagined.
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I've been there, Freyja Seren (she/her). Yeah, take a break. Or ignore it and keep writing. I do both.
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Oh pushing through is a good idea, Maurice Vaughan. I really do need to exercise my ability to shut down the self-deprecation. Thank you!
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You're welcome, Freyja Seren (she/her), happy resting~
You're welcome, Freyja Seren (she/her).
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Hey Freyja Seren (she/her) You've just described one of the most universal experiences in screenwriting - the creative crash that hits seemingly out of nowhere. Yes, this happens to virtually every writer, and yes, you absolutely need a break.
What's actually happening:
You've been running on creative adrenaline for a month, which is unsustainable. Your brain has depleted its reserves of enthusiasm, perspective, and problem-solving capacity. The 5pm wall isn't a referendum on your script's quality - it's your mind telling you it needs recovery time before it can properly evaluate what you've created.
The comparison trap:
"Everything good is already someone else's movie" is creative exhaustion talking, not reality. When you're mentally drained, your internal critic becomes vicious and irrational. Every project feels derivative when you're too tired to recognize what makes yours distinctive.
What to do right now:
Step away from the script completely for at least 48-72 hours. Don't read it, don't think about it, don't try to "fix" anything. Do activities completely unrelated to screenwriting - exercise, spend time with people, consume media in different formats, sleep properly. Your subconscious will keep processing the story while your conscious mind rests.
When you return:
After genuine time away, you'll likely discover your script sits somewhere between "totally brilliant" and "steaming pile." Both extremes are distorted perspectives caused by proximity and exhaustion. Most working writers find their best material emerges through cycles of intense creation followed by detached revision - you can't do both simultaneously.
This is normal:
Professional screenwriters build recovery time into their process specifically because these crashes are inevitable. The fact that you had a month of sustained inspiration before hitting the wall is actually impressive endurance.
Take the break guilt-free. Your script will still be there, and you'll see it more clearly after rest.
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I've never had this happen to me. Well, maybe I have, but I'm just taking it in my stride and looking for ways to improve the writing. Recently, I wrote a synopsis and sent it to a neural network for analysis. The neural network said it was a bunch of basic shit for a bad computer game. In response, I explained the concept, metaphors, and received a better feedback. However, I also received helpful tips on improving the writing, and I'm currently rewriting the synopsis. The first draft of a writing piece is never perfect; it needs to be rewritten multiple times. Ideally, about three to five times.
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we all go through it. give yourself some grace. take a breath. read a book or take a stroll…give the screenplay a break and come back with fresh eyes.
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The previous replies all say what I would have, but I'll add this: don't be too hard on yourself when that wall is hit. You're already farther ahead and many others who wish they were writing and never do it. Give yourself grace, take a break, and come back stronger. You've got this.
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Pat Alexander Thank you, that breakdown is about perfect! Helps to know I'm not the only one.
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every time
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Get a human eye to look at it. I can. Asked for an add.