There probably isn’t a single screenwriter in Hollywood who isn’t working quietly on his or her masterpiece behind the scenes, hoping for a big break that might come someday. There’s a big difference, though, between Woody Allen and the average working screenwriter. If you’re fortunate enough to be employed as a writer in the film industry, you know that one of the most important qualifications is simply having the ability to get things done and meet deadlines.
The problem, though, is that sometimes the words might not seem to flow quite as easily as you would like. Every writer experiences a case of writer’s block from time to time, and you’re going to find some help on this page. If you’re staring at a blank screen and aren’t sure how to get started with your project, here are some things that you can try. These are the methods that some of the industry’s top screenwriters use to cure their writer’s block.
Write Anything That Comes to Mind
If you need to write something and find that the words just don’t seem to be coming, one of the best ways to solve the problem is just by writing anything that comes to mind and fixing it later. In other words, you should just start writing and see what happens. You might end up producing something that isn’t usable at all, but that won’t really matter because you’re bound to come up with at least one good idea that’s worth exploring. Some people call this the “write first, edit later” strategy. The point is to simply come up with as much bulk content as possible with the hope that at least some of it will be worth developing further.
Step Out for a Smoke
Anecdotal evidence suggests that professional writers have a higher likelihood of being smokers compared to other career paths – so if you’re a screenwriter who also happens to be a smoker, you definitely aren’t alone. Famous writers who were also smokers include John Steinbeck, Erskine Caldwell, T.S. Eliot, Ayn Rand, Mark Twain, Ian Fleming and many others. We’re not here to judge, but it’s worth noting that all of those authors died from smoking-related causes. So, although nicotine can certainly stimulate the brain and may potentially help you cure your writer’s block, you might want to consider the non-stinky option and see what’s available at your local vape shop.
Try an Oblique Strategy
If you’ve never heard of Oblique Strategies, here’s a suggestion that could actually end up changing your life. In 1975, music producer Brian Eno teamed up with artist Peter Schmidt teamed up to create a deck of cards, each with its own short suggestion designed to help people get through rough spots in creative projects. For example, the message on one card is “discard an axiom,” and another card says, “work at a different speed.” The way to use Oblique Strategies is simple. When you’re feeling stuck on a screenplay, you’ll simply pull a card from the deck at random and do what it says. If the strategy doesn’t seem to apply to your situation, pull another card. Unfortunately, the physical Oblique Strategies cards have been out of print for some time and are now fairly expensive. However, people have created web-based versions that you can use for free.
Eliminate Distractions
Distractions are the bane of every writer, and some are definitely more prone to distraction than others. Douglas Adams rather famously would rather do just about anything other than write and practically had to be forced by his publisher to fulfill his contracts. Adams, by the way, liked the “write first, edit later” strategy that we described above. If you’re the type of writer who becomes distracted easily, though, you can definitely assume that you won’t get anything done unless you can manage to eliminate the things that draw your attention away from your work.
Many word-processing applications such as Microsoft Word have distraction-free modes that you can use to block out your computer’s taskbar, preventing notifications and other apps from stealing your attention. You should definitely try it if you’re easily distracted. Don’t forget that your phone can also take you away from your work; resist the temptation to check your messages and social media feeds when you’re trying to get work done. If there are certain time-wasting websites that you just can’t stay away from when you should be writing, consider blocking those sites in your home router during working hours.
Change Something About the Way You Work
If you find yourself stuck when writing, maybe the problem is that you’ve followed the same patterns for so long that you’ve gotten yourself into a rut – so change something about how you work and see what happens. For example, you can try writing with a different tool like a typewriter, or you can simply download a new word-processing application for your computer. You can also try writing in a different location or at a different time of the day. One of the best things about writing is that you can do it anywhere and anytime – so take advantage of that benefit and see what happens.
Go Out and Observe the World
If you’re having trouble getting started on a screenplay, maybe the problem is that you’re struggling to come up with even the tiniest germ of an idea that you can use. In that case, even “write first, edit later” isn’t going to work for you because you don’t have anything to say yet. When you encounter the deepest, darkest form of writer’s block, it’s time to step away from the computer for a while and infuse your mind with new ideas. Go outside and observe the world for a while. Watch people on the street and make up stories about what they might be doing. You’re almost certain to see something that leaves you feeling inspired – and if that doesn’t happen, at least you’ll get some fresh air. Sometimes, clearing your head can really do wonders if you’re not sure what to write. Then you will be ready to submit to some of the best screenwriting contests.
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