Is there a term for the opposite of writer's block?

I haven't had the WB since I started writing (knock, knock) but have noticed that over the last few months I have the opposite problem. I have too many ideas that I want to work on and the newest is always the most exciting so I work on that one - doing preliminary work on story, plot, characters, etc. - and then a new idea comes and I start all over again. So my problem is that I never get any of my larger projects done. Shorts are nice and I enjoy the challenge of presenting a problem and solving it quickly but I would really like to complete some feature length scripts. I just don't have the time because I am compelled to work on my new stuff all the time.

How does everybody else do it?

James

I can relate to that one.

It probably is writer's block, however, 'cos ultimately nothing is getting done!

Andrew

James,
I am where you are. Too manye ideas, too little time. The first script I wrote was a full length. The way I did it was to write scenes down as I thought of them and carried them with me in my briefcase. As new ideas came up, I did the same. It kept me interested in that one script untill I was done with it. The I put it down and left it alone because I was burned out of the charactors.

I then got back to a couple of other ideas. When I returned to my first script, I was interested in it again.

With shorts though, I have like 5 going on right now alone. But with a full length starting, I put it all on the back burner and focus on that one.

But I havent been writing long, so this may not even be a good idea. It's simple how I do it.

Shawn....><

James. I have a similar problem. As novice screenwriter I am anxious to develop one of my many ideas into a feature script. However, for one reason or another, I develop an idea and put it down in my idea pile as being too talky, too dark, and just not sure I want to take it further. My solution is to �ladder up,� i.e. develop stories of increasing length until I get to feature length. If I can�t write a decent shorter story first, all is lost for a writing a feature. Sorry, I meant to respond to your question, not go on about my problem

Back to your point, of having too many ideas that interfere with your main writing project, that�s okay. It�s just our brains way of telling us two things: 1) your project has become work rather than challenging or 2) your brain likes the new ideas better than your project.  Also, have you hit the 70 page wall? It�s a type of WB I know many writer�s hit.

Both of these points suggest you need a break from your project. Set up a rotating schedule, working on shorts and your project. I let my projects set for at least two weeks upon completion of the story or a major component. That might help. Or develop ideas only after you�ve had a week for it to percolate in your head or on paper.  After I look at my list I often wonder what the hell I was thinking.

Or man up (gasp!), and stick with your project. Try your script from a different direction. Write a list of ideas to look forward to. It helps to know something exciting is waiting ahead.

Enough rambling.

Gary

The first thing I ever wrote was a feature and it took me over a year to complete and even then I wasn't completely happy with it.  I've since wrote quite a few shorts, probably not as many as I should have but I've recently extended a few of these shorts into features.  One is now complete and a further one is well on the way.  I found that if I write a 20 - 30 page short I can easily extend it, if the stories strong enough.  This eliminates the daunting feeling of writing a 90 page feature of the bat.  Works for me anyway.

I call it writerrhea.

Yeah, I didn't expect any magic how-to's for focusing, but it's good to know others have it too.

My vote is to coin Cornetto's "writerrhea".

James