How to deal with writer’s block/too lazy to work on the details?
I have a problem I usually encounter when I try to write a story or a screenplay… It’s like a form of writer’s block where you’ve got most of the story in your head, you’ve got the basic structure laid out, but you get so bogged down when it comes to researching and connecting the details to the main story points that you tend to put writing off until you’re not feeling lazy to do it.
Anyone else get this? How can I get past that “laziness” phase?
- platinum steve
Tags: Screenplay, Story Points, Writer S Block
January 1st, 2009 at 5:31 am
i dont write those things.. i write lyrics and poetry and i will have the same problem…. and i will have a perfect start and writing faster than i can think then all the suddeen nothing but scribbled out lines over and over cuz nothing “goes”
Things i do to help with this- take a break and watch some tv or listen to some music…. get a snack etc….
dont think about it at all ( kind of hard sometimes) then go back to it.. if nothing comes then i put it away and come back to it at a later date…. i will find things i started writing months earlier and finnish them right up. I think it is a lil diff than a story or screenplay.. but it is the same basic concept
good luck
January 3rd, 2009 at 8:41 am
thank god for tecnoligy and buy a dictaphone and talk your little head off works for me
January 3rd, 2009 at 2:27 pm
if it bothers u that much, just do the research first.
January 6th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Then I work on plot points and think about dialogue
January 10th, 2009 at 2:57 am
Writers block and too lazy are too different things. I can tell you what to do about writers block but not about laziness. There isnt much one can do about laziness unless they decide to devote themselves to something. You have to decide if you are lazy or blocked. If you are blocked, I can offer my solution. If you are lazy, I have no solution.
For Writers Block, This is the method I teach to students
1) Put the book aside and read - at least two books - Classics.
2) Brainstorm on paper - anything no matter how silly it sounds. Fill a notebook with ideas if you want - just come up with lots.
3) Write the ideas on file cards one per card. Sit down at a table and start shuffling them around trying to create a story from them. Keep moving them - dont be afraid for it to sound silly.
4) Make an outline from those cards when you find something interesting.
5) Try to write a very very short story from that outline. Then write several more very very short stories from the cards. See which one lends itself to a longer work
6) Start doing character studies and analysis - back to the file cards. Write down anything you know about your characters - adjectives, habits, appearance, likes and dislikes, occupation, age, anything. Look in magazines and catalogs and cut out pics that resemble the character as you see them in your mind.
7) Back to the table. Start pushing the character cards around - see who rubs who and how — Who likes who? Who hates who? Main character to main character - then main character to secondary character - then secondary character to secondary character. This will help you come up with subplots
Back to your outline. Plug in the subplots.
9) Come up with a kick tail first sentece that will draw your readers into the story.
10) Start writing.
It works for my students. Just make sure you dont skip the two classics - that is the inspiration that unblocks and inspires you. If you are still blocked, move onto something else. I have about 4 books on disks - started but it just wasnt the right time to write them for me. One goes back to when my 20 yr old son was a baby. Maybe I will finish it one day, maybe not. So far the mood hasnt struck me. And it is a great idea - never been done. Im just not ready for it yet. No shame in leaving something aside.
Good luck. Pax - C.
January 11th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Try adding some structure to your writing habits. Keep a notebook handy to jot notes in when ever the thought hits you…try doing some snap-shot paragraphs to get you going. Set a firm “writing time” and stick to it.
January 14th, 2009 at 8:23 am
Ok, so I kind of get the same thing. I start out by just writing down the points I know I understand… Not really outlining, because that makes it worse, but just stream of conscious writing. Then I tackle it one scene or problem at a time. (I usually go by chapter) everything at that point can slide easily into place and I haven’t lost the original plot or the creativity. If it’s a boy meets girl thing, I start with that…the boy meeting the girl, even if it’s not the start of the story. Then I work around that point until it all fills out.
January 16th, 2009 at 1:09 am
You need to just write what you’re thinking. Its called free writing I think, just write whats in your head and forget about the minor details until you are ready to polish it up. If you wait too long many of the fleeting thoughts may vanish and those could have been the coolest ideas. You’re not lazy, your just trying to do too much all at once. Go back to the basics, remember when writing was fun - and just have some fun.
January 18th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Set yourself a goal and exercises discipline. Use a voice recorder to pin down your thoughts. Focus on your goal. It is easy to hide behind any block, but it doesn’t always work……
January 20th, 2009 at 1:32 am
A dubious task imposes a wrestling match upon its master. Should the taskmaster find themselves angry or irrational from the wrestling, it is best to walk away from the task long enough to calm down and re-establish their focus. In the instance of freelance writing , this luxury may be exercised liberally in the interest of producing a finished work free from the apparent angst and torment of an unduly pressured author.
Of course, some individuals prefer to operate under those conditions and thrive in them. Which environment appeals to you is arbitrary.
January 20th, 2009 at 8:27 am
Visit and try out the exercises. Try to write one paragraph at first and then increase the amount gradually. Once you get into the habit the process of writing becomes easier. You can also try this: Once you get to your desk close your eyes and picture yourself writing the story and at last adding The End. This process helps a lot when you feel lazy.
January 20th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Just do it. Just write something.
January 21st, 2009 at 8:56 pm
When I get writer’s block I always put on music to help me focus. Then I start out by writing down all my ideas and then going back and filling in all the little details. Writing out the dialogue first also helps me.