Jeremy Sony's Lounge Discussions

Good question. Over coming writers block. Mint tea for starters. Don't think about the end only the chapter at hand. Carry a tape recorder every where you go. Inspiration is in hand in a sec and can be gone just as fast. Think of things you would do and things you would not do. and lots and lots of notes connecting every thing together. Think in detail and you will never run out of writing material. have a good one.

TAKE A SHOWER, WATER IS A GREAT MEDIUM!

What's worked for me: 1: Start with a complete outline. 3 acts, with enough points per act to make a story. If the story changes, update and complete the outline to the new story before you move on. 2: There are times you'll be stuck with a scene. You can see parts of the scene in your head, but don't have all the points of it yet. Drop a placeholder and move on. - FIGHT SCENE!! FINISH LATER - - WALTER FINDS THE THING - Whatever you have to do to keep swimming. Writers are sharks. If we stop, we're done. Do what you must to keep going. 3: Don't fight the scene. There was a scene I was trying to write as a scene in an Italian restaurant. I rewrote that scene 4 times a day for a week. It just wasn't working out. Ever day was pulling teeth to get the scene down, and I really wanted the setting to be this Italian restaurant. The lead did... The supporting character did.. The waitress... The other table... Someone from the bathroom... Nothing. I hate it, rewrite. As soon as I changed the setting to a casino, the scene was done. It was perfect. There's my 2cents. Do with them what you will. /cheers

The outline gets me back on track, but like Rick said, sometimes you gotta rewrite parts of the outline ' if the scene comes out more delicious than on the outline.

Many times "writer's block" is just fear and insecurity manifesting itself in a way that we don't realize. If we don't write it, we can never be criticized or rejected, so we procrastinate like we don't want to walk out on that gangplank. I have never found avoiding the work a good way to breakthrough that creative block. There are so many reasons to stop writing when it becomes difficult. Trust me, I know just having gone through this myself. The great Stephen Pressfield calls it resistance and I talk about that in my article: http://scriptcat.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/does-procrastination-resistance/ And you can also go back to the creative well and come up dry—what happens then? It's like a vicious circle, anxiety working on fact your writing is NOT working, you can't SEE the scenes in your head, and you are NOT writing: http://scriptcat.wordpress.com/2011/10/21/what-happens-when-you-go-back-...

Spec script page count does indeed matter - you just read that from a reader.

I didn't say anyone was stupid. I said that what they were saying makes them look stupid. Even now the context is being changed to suit. Within context, we were talking about how different screenwriting software applications will format to different page lengths. Clearly, even if this is happening, it isn't going to be by much... certainly not enough to have such a drastic effect on page count that it will get thrown in the bin.

I suppose it's silly of me to expect people to think for themselves without needing lengthy explanations.

I've ben hired a few times in a work-for-hire and one option, three different producers. All have asked me for the "final draft document" (FDX) including one who always asks me to make it an FDR - that makes the FDX my Final Draft 9 makes into a version that will work for him because he still uses Final Draft 7. The only time I'm asked for the PDF version is before they are happy with the script. When they want the "final draft" they do ask for it IN Final Draft. They need the final draft version to make the production script for the script supervisor etc. and it is easier to have the same program they use. So when you go pro, go Final Draft.

And now that I've seen the thread was started 5years ago (!!) and has dissolved into this...I'll be getting back to work. Lesson learned, find more relaxing ways to take a break than wasting time here LOL!

At least use an app that can export to .fdx.

Thanks from the UK, Jeremy. Brilliant idea, website is easy to follow. I'm sure all the good karma will flow back to you, my friend!

Cool website. Does it have an RSS feed?

Great website. Many thanks :)

Great idea and quite a job pulling all this together I'm sure. Wonderful resource.

Tanks - swell - the play's the ting

Just joined Stage32, so you've probably had your table read by now. How did it go? Were you putting together your own reading or was this a theater tackling your play?

Hey Jeremy. No theater involvement. It was for me to come up with some more rewrites. It was a great read and the Q&A with the actors really helped. After a few days reflecting on their questions, I decided to add a character, move the start of act 2 back, and add 30 pages of script. Have you had a play hit the boards yet? What's your experience with submissions to festivals and competitions?

Vincent - Most any play of mine I've seen on stage was through a festival or competition. I submit mostly to 10-min or one-act festivals. It helped me built a resume for when I applied to grad school. I think working with theaters on smaller festivals is a good way to network, meet potential collaborators, and build good will. I started submissioncalendar.com to help playwrights connect with new work development opportunities. All best.