Writing roadblocks

Steve Marroni · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 12:33 pm Post subject: Writing roadblocks

I was doing so well writing every day, and chugging along with my screenplay, then I got derailed.
I know this is just an excuse, but I hit a part of the script I hated, got stuck, and life interfered, and my writing and momentum has suffered.
When this happens to you, how do you get yourself back on track? How do you rediscover the joy and pleasure that got you started in this story that you lost somewhere along the way?
Thanks.

Steve

MyEvilTwin · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 1:06 pm Post subject:

I keep writing even though I hate the scene I'm working on. It may feel flat, lifeless – or worse, without conflict – I just push on. The next scene may be gold. Just write on and then either fix that scene in the next draft or cut it. But keep writing, because, even though that particular scene is awful, there may still be usable things in it, or it might give you an idea for a scene that achieves what you were trying to do in a better way.

Basically: Write on!

Bryan Reeves · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 1:15 pm Post subject:

Don't give in to the Editor/Critic! As ET wrote, keep writing.

In no particular order:

*I change medium, which is usually getting off a keyboard and going to pen and paper.

*A back story that feeds the scene where I get stuck.

*A list of actions.

*Just dialogue between characters. Free flow. What would they say, no matter how mundane.

*A new card for the scene. Change the emotional transformation, who brings the conflict...

*Set up a time limit or page number goal. "Ten more minutes" Three more pages."

We've all been there, just keep pushing.

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Hollywood crAZRick · Snarky Cat Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 1645

and, also, never forget to consider thematic twists and turns; when you get stuck, try to imagine conflict in the context of theme, which inspires character growth and change, even if it's a positively charged character's sudden urge to consider going 'against theme' for the scene, it's still possible to be a good and relevent character moment...

and at least you'd be writing, contributing something to your story, hopefully pressing on toward the next beat on the BS2

mostly tho, yep, just...

write on!
Cool

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Thor's Hammer · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 11:47 am Post subject:

I push through the card I'm on knowing it's shit and I know it's a vomit draft and will be completely changed anyway.

By the time I get past that card, I'm into the next and usually find myself back on track.

PUSH ON.

Steve Marroni · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 4:37 pm Post subject:

Thanks everybody. That was very helpful and inspiring.
I read through my 55 pages, and some of it was pretty darn good. And some of it was terrible.
This weekend, I'm redoing my Beat Sheet and 40 cards, keeping what works in the partial draft, and ditching the rest.
I just have to take it one card at a time.
Thanks.

Bryan Reeves · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 9:30 pm Post subject:

quade · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 10:10 pm Post subject:

Bryan Reeves · Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 1:13 pm Post subject:

Quade, if it's the story I think you're working on, take your time. My experience with the Aborigine story showed similar results with research. The more you dig and learn, the more story twists and opportunities present themselves. I'd love to just polish in re-write and give in to time.

I wish I knew the difference between having enough for a good story, and learning more for a great story.

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Thor's Hammer · Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 10:45 pm Post subject:

Personally, I think you write the story based on the research that got you there...first, so you get the basis of the beats and cards (structure) set. Then, do more research based on where your perceived weaknesses in the story are located, and work that new research into the second draft.

But you'll always face analysis paralysis if you stop and research, change, stop and research, and change, and never get that initial monkey of your back on the critical backbone of the story that made you want to do this to begin with.

But that's just me. Good luck!!

quade · Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 11:25 pm Post subject:

I have 40 hours (more or less) to kill this month while commuting via public transportation. I'm going to see how much of that I can convert into usefulness. Kind of hard to write on a moving platform, but I think I need to at least try to capture some of what I've been thinking lately.

And for extra difficulty bonus points (and because Final Draft STILL isn't available on the iPad), I think I'm going to just do this in plain text as a Fountain file.

Cue Tom Lehrer's MASOCHISM TANGO.

Joseph · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 2:21 am Post subject:

Researching is not one of my strongest points. I do it all on the net, searching for the information I need, and then cut and copy it to a word document. But I have no idea how to organize it to make it easier for me to extract the information I need to include in my writing.

I'd be interested to know how you guys approach this. And if there's a better way of researching besides surfing the net and opening a hundred links in the hope that it will have what you want to know.

I know interviewing is one of the better ways. But I have no experience with this, and I don't have the confidence to interview an expert on a subject, let alone tracking that person down.

Steve Marroni · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 1:08 pm Post subject:

I may be able to help out a little bit here. I'm a reporter in my day job, so interviewing is actually my strong suit.
My first bit of advice is that you can’t let shyness hold you back. I’m a naturally shy person, too, but when I have a reason to approach someone – like I want to interview them– that shyness just goes away.
Plus, you would be surprised at how approachable people can be – especially if you want to pick their brains about a subject that interests them. Just be honest. Tell them you’re a beginning screenwriter, and your movie is about a subject in which they have expertise. Tell them you want your movie to be as authentic as possible, and they’ll appreciate that.
For the screenplay I’m writing with now, for example, I interviewed a paranormal investigator, and he was happy I talked to him because he doesn’t like the way paranormal investigators are portrayed on television. He was happy to talk to me because I was looking for an accurate representation.
That said, I’m not writing a story for my newspaper here. This is for my screenplay, a work of fiction, and one that’s a comedy, to boot. While the best comedy is based in truth, there is a lot there in this movie that pokes fun at that profession. So, let the information you attain in your interview be a guide, and not a set-in-stone blue print.
When you do your actual interview, have a few questions in mind, or even written down on a sheet of paper, but don’t feel you have to stick to a script. Let your curiosity be your guide as you ask your questions. Often, their answers will bring up several more questions you want to ask.
Be loose and conversational. Interviewing is actually easier than a conversation because your subject is doing all the work. You’re just asking questions.
Plus, learning how to approach people for interviews now will only make it easier to pitch your screenplay down the road. It’s not a skill you learn overnight, but it is something that anyone can do. It just takes a little practice.
I hope that helps.
And thanks again, everyone, for all the great tips that got me back on track.
Write on!

Rachel T. · Ocelot Joined: 15 Jan 2008 Posts: 1912 Location: Michigan

Seconding the interviewing thing. People LOVE it when you imply they're an expert (which you do just by asking them questions), and they are usually more than willing to tell you anything you want to know.

As for the analysis paralysis, say you're writing a story about pirates in the 1700's. Obviously, you're going to need to do a lot of research. Besides the general reading about famous pirates of the time and society's views of them, and any other wormholes of interest that you're going to explore (and I firmly believe in going with whatever interests you there), when it comes time to write you're going to need probably three books: a very dry, technical book about ships of the period, their dimensions, and the names of all the bits and pieces; probably a "what daily life was like" type of book, detailing customs, taboos, manners, and dress in the area where your pirates operate; and one of your choice - something about that period that really fascinates you and relates to what drew you to the story in the first place. And that's probably it. Because when you finally sit your butt in the chair and write, you'll be surprised at how much of the other stuff you remember, and how much of it just isn't important to the story.

When I get writer's block I skip the scene and move on to the next one. I either don't need that scene or I figure out how to write it later.

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Mike Rinaldi · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 2:45 am Post subject:

My favorite screenwriting-related interview was with the FBI. Fun, funny, and informative.

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