How to Overcome Writer’s Block as a Screenwriter
If you’ve ever experienced a crippling, frustrating case of writer’s block, you’ll know that it can seriously affect your work. Some writers struggle with writer’s block for days, weeks, or even months on end, finding it impossible to get anything down on paper.
While writer’s block may feel impossible to conquer, there are some ways you can make a real difference and spark some creativity as a screenwriter. Here are twelve tips on how to get over writer’s block.
What is Writer's Block?
If you’ve ever experienced writer’s block, you’ll know exactly what it is. It is a condition that primarily affects writers and makes it feel impossible to write anything. For some, writer’s block can feel like a mental fog, in which characters and stories are blurred and indistinct. For others, the mind can feel like a total blank. The experience of writing nothing for days on end can be nothing short of humiliating and painful.
As a screenwriter, you’re probably used to scribbling down lines, scenes, and stories quickly. When writer’s block strikes, you may start to feel helpless and stuck. You may think that you’ll never get through this period of inactivity. However, we’ve compiled some tips on how to overcome writer’s block that have worked for other writers in the past.
What Causes Writer’s Block?
There have been several studies on what causes writer’s block. People have suggested everything from fear to laziness as the root cause for the condition. The cause of writer’s block is different for everyone. Figuring out why you’re struggling to get the words out on paper may help you to find a solution.
For instance, if you’re feeling crippled by high personal standards, you may benefit from a more playful, less serious approach to your work. Or, if you are struggling due to a lack of structure, you may benefit from a strict routine and a series of screenwriting exercises. You may even be struggling with getting started. If you find yourself Googling how to write a screenplay, this might be your problem.
Because there are so many different causes of writer’s block for screenwriters, there are also plenty of solutions that can work. Try different methods to overcome your writer’s block to find a solution that works for you.
Tips on How to Overcome Writer’s Block
1. Keep a Dream Journal
Take a note out of famous writer Graham Greene’s book and start a dream journal. This famous method of combating writer’s block was used by the writer as a means of tackling writer’s block. Eventually, he published his dream diaries and used them to rediscover his creativity and keep writing.
Our dreams represent our subconscious at work. Even those who consider themselves to be “uncreative” people can have wild, colourful dreams involving all sorts of fantastical stories, settings, and characters. By keeping a journal of your dreams, you will find it easier to remember and connect with these dreams. You may find that this connection with your subconscious creativity gives you a creative boost during the day, and inspires you to approach your screenplay with a fresh pair of eyes.
2. Go for a Walk
If you find yourself staring at a blank screen for minutes or even hours on end, get up out of your chair, and get out into the outdoors. By taking a break from your workplace, you’ll stop yourself from obsessing over your work and your lack of inspiration.
Writing is a lonely, isolated job – by simply going for a walk, you’ll see a little bit of the world and you may just spark some creativity. Try to keep your mind off of your project while you’re outside. Take in what you see and hear outside and return to your desk with an empty, refreshed mind.
3. Do Some Exercise
Writer’s block can be surprisingly draining. The longer you sit and try to work without success, the more mental energy you’ll expend. The more your energy levels dwindle, the harder it will be to write. It’s a classic example of a downward spiral.
The best way to reinvigorate yourself is to get up and get moving. Doing some exercise will help you to approach your work with energy and vigour. Try to do some strenuous exercise that completely takes your focus and concentration. By spending half an hour doing some intensive exercise, you’ll effectively hit the reset button in your brain.
4. Play
Screenplays are all about characters and stories. If you’re struggling to create these characters and stories, it can be incredibly helpful to do some good old fashioned playing. If you have children, or friends with children, you may find it inspiring to play with them and their toys.
Children are excellent at playing make believe games. They make up countless intricate stories amongst themselves and with their toys – and never suffer from writer’s block in the process! Getting playful with children will help you to rediscover your own creative powers and approach your screenplay from a less precious and more playful perspective.
5. Minimise Distractions
The modern world is filled with distractions that affect our working habits and our ability to focus on the task at hand. If you’re suffering from writer’s block, it may be tempting to switch windows on your laptop and get lost on your Instagram or Twitter feed for hours on end. These technological distractions will make it incredibly difficult for you to focus and force yourself to get something down on paper. Plus, they’ll probably not do much for your artistic creativity.
When you sit down to write, do everything you can to minimise these distractions. Turn off your phone, set up blocks on certain websites, turn off your notifications, and so on. Do what you need to do to make your work environment free from distraction.
6. Read
Getting lost in someone else’s story may help you to see your own project from a new perspective. Step away from your screen, pick up a book, and let yourself forget about your agonising struggle with your own script. Sometimes, taking a mental break to another fictional universe can trigger something in your mind and give you the idea you were searching for.
7. Discover Something New
Find inspiration for another art form. Discover something brand new that ignites your creativity and imagination. This could be anything from a new musical genre, a visual artist, or even a recipe. Step away from wiring and explore another artist’s work that you haven’t yet come across.
Spend some time exploring new works of art and take them in without judgement. This is a great way to energise your mind and flush out stale, uninteresting ideas.
8. Find a New Writing Location
Where you do your work can make a huge difference on your creativity and energy levels. If you spend weeks and months staring at the same four walls struggling to come up with ideas, your workspace may actually be stifling your creativity and imagination.
Working in a new setting has been shown to have a positive impact on your ability to focus and create new work. If you can’t relocate to the garden, balcony, or park, try rearranging your workspace to give yourself something new to look at.
9. Try Writing in Another Form
If you’re feeling stumped by your screenplay, try doing some writing in another form. Give your screenplay a rest for a day or two and switch to prose or even poetry. This way, you’ll rediscover your creative impulses and regain some confidence in your talent as a writer.
You could even try screenwriting exercises like writing about your characters in the third person, or try writing a journal entry from their perspective. Getting into your characters’ heads will give you the fresh perspective on your project you might have needed. This will help you to discover new things about your characters from a creative place rather than an analytical place. Many writers find this method helps them to jump back into writing their screenplay with renewed enthusiasm and energy.
10. Enlist the Help of Some Actors
Of all of the roles in the film industry, screenwriting is probably one of the loneliest. Most other people in the industry collaborate and bounce ideas off each other in the creation of a film. And there’s no reason why you shouldn’t do the same.
Enlist the help of some actors to workshop your idea and script in its present state. If you have friends who are actors, get together and discuss your idea. Read the script as it is. Let the actors do some improvisations around the characters and the scenario. The collaborative approach to writing will give you tons of new ideas about directions the story could take and you may find the project has a whole new lease of life.
11. Create a Screenwriting Routine
As a screenwriter, you have to be your own boss. This means holding yourself accountable for your productivity and output. The best way to actually get stuff done is to establish a daily routine. Get up at a specific time, eat breakfast, and so on.
The habits of screenwriters will vary from person to person. Everyone’s routine will be different, however, having a routine of some kind is imperative if you want to make the most of your time. When you struggle with writer’s block, this routine will help you to force your way through the “fog” and out the other side.
12. Unless You’re Ready to Write, Step Away from the Computer
Don’t fall into the trap of sitting and staring at a blank document for hours on end. This can put you into a mental spiral that is even harder to get out of. If the words just aren’t coming after an hour or two, get up and do something else in your home. Have a shower, clean the kitchen, reorganise your closet – anything to keep your eyes off the blank screen.
Doing something mundane will give you a chance to think about your script dilemma without feeling the pressure to write anything down. More often than not, something will click, and you’ll rush back to your desk to get it down.
Final Thoughts on Squashing Writer’s Block for Screenwriters
Even if you manage to get over writer’s block once, don’t be surprised if it decides to make a reappearance in the future. Almost every writer will struggle with some level of writer’s block during their career. Try to establish a writing routine and figure out which “tricks” work for you. Acknowledge writer’s block when it appears, and don’t hesitate to step away from your laptop and your desk to find inspiration elsewhere.