Screenwriting : How Do You Overcome Writer's Block? by Vonnie Davis

Just read how important having a story "spine" (outline) is to avoiding writer's block.

The story is told in a linear direction, but the process doesn't have to be. If there's a part that you're stuck on, work on a different area of the story. Your mind will deal with the blockage subconsciously while you tend to the portions that are clear to you. It's a nice way to keep the pen moving, so to speak.

I've lately taken to doing a set of crunches and elevated knuckle pushups every time I get writers block. Usually clears my head. Plus it helps keep the cholesterol level down.

not ment to be funny but has anybody written a book on writer`s block . now theres an idea !

Research Research Research is what Robert McKee recommends and I have found that to be important for me in working out the kinks and the directions. Sometimes my blocks are inadequate information of a lack of understanding of a character and exploring other characters helps me make sense of where I am going with it. Also 'Artist's Dates' are recommended by Julia Cameron who has nurtured artists of different sorts. Julia Cameron also talks about writing stream of consciousness to work through the kinks. Taking a walk is a common tact. Writing and writing through the block is what some say works. There are definitely books that discuss the subject and blog articles.

I write about it. Just whatever is in my head goes down on paper. Most is gibberish, a lot has gone in my poetry portfolio.

I go do something else- and during that something else mode- I usually receive a 'trigger' that spins my mind back to where I got writer's block ... Hope this helps XXX

I talk through some things with friends who like to talk about the genres i am working on and/or like craft and storytelling. I have a friend who loves Sci Fi and Fantasy and another friend who does podcasts who likes more raw, real, human stories. I may run things by one or the other from time to time. Or I take a break and call a friend, do the dishes, etc... It depends on how blocked I am too. If it is a block in the midst of a larger project I am focused on, or if I am just totally stuck. One thing that some people do is focus on another part of the screenplay as it doesn't have to be linear. I come and chat on places like this or read someone else's screenplay and give feedback and that sometimes will get the juices flowing. There is a river I like to walk by sometimes and a park that is closer that I walk to sometimes and walk around the track - sometimes alone, sometimes with a friend or neighbor. I may work on a character concept further, or may move to another screenplay where I am not blocked if I am blocked on one and not the other. Some writers have a project that sits for years even a decade or more sometimes on a back burner and then comes to the front. Sometimes I switch genres in my watching and that gives me a break and some perspective. Sometimes I am not so much blocked as 'burnt out' and need a break to recharge or just to get the restlessness out. Wandering images on pinterest can be inspiring sometimes because it is image based. Sometimes wandering google images can help too. It is probably good to look at where you are specifically blocked - and where you are lacking inspiration - ie. if you lack inspiration for the story, but have a good character that is one thing. If you have a good character and a good story, but lack insight on a scene, that is another. Are you missing a b story? Sometimes screenwriting software can help you outline things - Contour for example or Save the Cat software. Both of those a friend uses who is pro and cranks out a decent amount of material. He uses them for different reasons. They help with the outline and structuring elements and then that does a lot of the work for him or gives him a context to see what he is missing and what he has going on. Sometimes it may be a lack of freedom just to write and see what comes out - a sense of excessive perfectionism. I am starting to work with some magnet boards recently to help me organize some images and thoughts for different things to keep me inspired and focused in a somewhat organic way - allowing for chaos and structure to coexist in the creative process.

I just keep writing. Can't get the block if you never stop writing.

Like everything in the world, our brain needs warmup before putting down words on the page. Just write something small unrelated to current project for few minutes and get all the creative juice flowing. Once you warmed up there is no Writer's block. And also avoid distractions ( Easier said then done:D)

copy out longhand a page or two of someone else's writing, ie from a good book.

regular exercise and writing routine. 'inspiration needs to find you working' Picasso (i think)

also read the logline again, 10x. then write a trailer or a radio ad for the movie. or best, make the poster, and stick it on the wall.

When I have it.. it means that I have too much on my mind.. so I relax.. and get away from distraction for a few days or a week.. then my brain is back to clicking...I also make it a habit not to read anyone else's books that are on my topics... I do not see or read other people's work that have a similar topic because it clogs my brain from my own creativity.. Watching movies and TV shows do not clog my own creativity, because when I do, I mainly look at how the editing and special effects were done. Of course I see the plot as well.. but many plots are similar. It is staying away from fiction books, that helps me... So what do I read? Programming books, math, accounting, science, politics, true stories about billionaires and how they got that way, the bible, and things like that. When I do this, this keeps my creative side very fresh with my own and ready to go.

Changing your environment, even just for a day, brings new types of input and stimulation, which in turn stimulates creativity and inspiration. Works for me every time. http://lifehacker.com/5979758/why-you-should-work-from-a-coffee-shop-eve...

I've tried taking time off but it didn't help that much. And, maybe I should take a pad and pencil to a coffee shop to write. But, I just read that writer's block means you haven't stuck to your throughline (protagonist's goal), or you haven't stuck enough clothespins (events) to your clothesline (story)..

I could be wrong and I apologize in advance if I am, but I don't think you're suffering from writer's block. It sounds to me like you're have story structure issues. If you've hit a point in your story where you're having a hard time moving on, I would recommend taking what you have and creating a new outline or "beat sheet" based on it's key points. It may help you find the holes that are holding you back. I hope this helps.

My rule is that I cannot go to bed without at least writing one sentence in my current project. Of course, that usually means I add a page or so once I get started, but yes... there are nights where I add one sentence right before shutting off the lights and letting the dogs in. My progress is often slow, but it keeps me moving forward.

I just dive write in and, pretty much what Greg said in his first sentence, "...writing at least once sentence..."

I go for a walk or take a shower. About 80% of the time that brings on an idea.

Sad to say I suffer more from writers flood as opposed to block

Don't "write".. Just keep talking and record everything with a voice recorder.. Then write/type it yourself or get someone to listen to the recording and type it for you... I often face this problem, as the speed of writing and thinking do not match. I used to ask one of my friends to "write" with pen and paper, whatever I "speak", and then used to literally speak out everything including action lines, dialogues, location, time etc etc.. Try this and see if it works... All the best!

Thanks all of you. Ali, the future buzz link said a lot of what the others here said. Thanks.

Give yourself permission to "write badly". I know that sounds silly, but you need to stop worrying about it being any good. The fact is that that is usually the main reason for a block. So stop worrying about it. Just write--even if it's crap--because if you're actually talented, you'll enjoy yourself and the results really won't be bad at all.. At the very least, the results will give you a foundation to improve upon.

Quote: "give yourself permission to "write badly" I love it !! and ir's true ....... I write allot of poetry and it comes like a dripping tap for the most ...and is all due to me not caring what others think of my writing- not caring about looking good !!

Years ago a friend mentioned a book with the concept 'A Sh*&&y First Draft' where the basic concept was just to get things out the first time and then go back over, and not to put so much pressure on the first run of things. I don't tend to work that way thus far. I go in fits and starts of outlines, character concepts, and other things that I have around layering in a sort of chaos, but even there I try to just let each element come out and work into a sort of foundation. There is an adage - I think it is Chinese which says "Out of chaos comes order." I think sometimes we have to let the chaotic elements out and then go through and refine them.

I know you may have heard this before, but it also helps to set regular writing hours and keep them--just like a regular job. Combine that with the mantra I stated earlier--"I give myself permission to write badly"--and you'll be on your way to writing good material regularly.

True, David. I always say, "Anything worth doing is worth doing lousy--because if you worry about doing it perfectly, you may freeze-up & never get it done." Stop worrying about making it perfect. Just write the first draft from your heart and enjoy the chaos. The rewrites will then come from your head.

I was talking to another writer at one point who talked about how their work often will reveal the themes as they write vs. having the themes planned in. I tend to have that happen to some degree as I outline, but so far consciously plan it in. Maybe that will happen more organically for me later or maybe it just works differently depending on the writer. I do a lot of my work in outlines before I get to writing.

Start another script...

look to other stress factors you may be dealing w/ that may be the catalyst of the block. That works for me.

smoke some weed. unless that's what's causing the block;)

Outlining. Block usually comes from not knowing where to go next.

For me, I have to agree with one guru, that I need to do more research and make a viable outline for my throughline (protagonist's goal).

I awoke to a dream this morning, the opening scenes of the rewrite on Roswell the Beginning. Sometimes ya can;t force it, just gotta wait for the flash of inspiration.

Sometimes I write a detailed backstory on a separate project or character. It keeps the juices flowing..

i go for a walk, or take a long weekend. If it won't produce it won't produce. trying to force it to merely deepens and prolongs it.