I think Kevan's got something there.  Someone!  Go write it!

I've always considered the term "writer's block" to be antonymous to what it really is -- an inability to write not because you can't think of anything to write, but because you can't focus on one thing in particular.  I'm never at a loss for ideas...but I get writer's block all the time because when I try to concentrate on one thing, too many other things interrupt my thought process as if vying for space.  

So, what I do is just start free-styling; writing about nothing in particular.  No need to feel embarrassed or self-conscious about whatever nonsense spills out of you because no one else is going to read it.  But, by writing about whatever crosses your mind, you'll find yourself actually just filtering ideas and before long you'll find yourself writing a story (not always the one you wanted to write) just from having exorcised your distractions by writing about them.

Works for me, anyway.

If you think you can open up a software package and begin writing a screenplay right off the bat then you'll be making as big mistake and probably end up staring at a blank screen with a flashing cursor..

Plan, plan, and plan again.. Read and research ain't a bad idea too..

Some people are Forest People, according to Charles Deemer, these types tend to be very creative and write from their hearts. They dive in and go for it with a basic idea of what they want and use discovery of what they want during the writing process.. Later, during re-writes Forest People will correct and edit until they fine tune their original idea..

Tree People, on the other hand, plan the heck out of a project, research, plan, make notes. They also write a synposis, a treatment, have a loglone and a tagline before they write their screenplay. In fact, Tree People know exactly where the story and what their characters are going to do and say before they even write a single word.. All because, they plan before hand.. When Tree People write their screenplay everything slots onto place within the 3 ACT structure..

All said and done by Charles Deemer in his excellent book

Screenwright
The Craft of Screenwriting
by Charles Deemer

Link about the book here:
http://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-screenwrite/m-1139164026/

Check it out...

Lately I've been getting killed by writer's block... I hate it, and it should go die somewhere far away. I'll use some of this advice people have been posting.

I often have problems with writer's block, but hey, as James N. Frey said in one of his "Damn Good Novels", people who get bugged down by writer's block can only be called one thing...CHICKEN! Don't hate me, I'm just relaying what he said! LOL!

Quoted from Stephen Wegmann I also try to treat writing like a job - but I also know that sometimes ideas just won't come.  That's why I keep a journal of plots and loglines and characters from various stories so I can just work on something else until I can return to my original idea ready to write.   Try to write everyday even if it does come out like crap, because you'll be writing twice as bad if you wait a month, or a week even.

Great advice Stephen. I've written it down and stuck it on my notice board. Cheers.

Thanks, Takeshi.  I hate writer's block.  The last script I wrote was last summer.  I outlined the hell out of it and wrote it in 6 days and it came out pretty fantastic.  I've had nothing since then.  I'm still looking for the best idea to work on - that's the only downside to having so many ideas you want to write.

Last night I was flipping through the Handbook for Writers and Editors.
I just love some of those sample paragraphs and sentences they use for you to pick parts of speech from, e.g., Thankfully, his relatives were not only distant but also unsociable. Before I studied grammar, I was quite sane. LOL.
  
Anyway, last night I came across a beauty that's relevant this thread.

I'm a strong believer in "free writing", by which I mean writing straight onto the page without stopping. To do this you have to silence the critic within you who tells you your ideas are no good and your sentences are poorly constructed. If you take notice of that, you'll never get a sentence written as you'll cross out every word and try again and again until you can't be bothered any more. But if you ignore that voice and just write, something magical might happen in your head and on the page. You can bring the critic back later to improve the piece, if necessary.

I searched everywhere and couldn't find a thread so here it goes. I have terrible writers block. I try to write but I just stop. I can' think about anything new and get frusterated. Anyways how to get out of it? I need it. I want my screenplay finished before the end of the year.

Of course I've taken breaks and relaxed but, I can't get a even flow going. I write about a sentence or two than can' think. Lets hear some of your stories and how ou got out of writers block.



Moderator note: I've merged your thread into the pre-existing one.

-Zavier

a lot of times when this happens to me its because i've lost interest in the story i am trying to tell or - i've hit a roadblock... either with a plot point - or i just have no idea of how to write the scene im trying to write.

sometimes you just have to force yourself to write through it... even if it sucks and come back to it later and fix it. feedback and collaberation helps too.

To me, you can't force an idea. Otherwise it won't be the very best you could come up with and it will just be filler.

What I do is work on one several creenplays basically. I usually concentrate moreso on one that I think I have enough ideas and willing to work on. If I don't have enough material to finish it, I put it off to the side until I do. I keep notes about several different ideas until I can find a place for them, or can gather enough up to where I could start piecing them together. If it takes a while, I'd rather the end result be something I can be proud of rather than just another full length story I wrote,but sucks.

The most you could do if you're feeling stuck, is try not to think about it, and try to work on another idea. Listen to music that influences you or goes with the theme of the piece, or watch movies in the style of what you want, or other movies you get highly influenced by. Ideas will come in time, it's just a matter of how patient you are. That's my two cents.

Read scripts or watch movies to gain inspiration.

Or stop forcing yourself and relax from the story.  Ideas may come when you least expect it.

Now I am not sure you are engaged in a project or trying to get one started and do not know where to start or what to write. You have it there but won't come out. It is almost horribly reminiscent of those dreaded school essays isn't it. Now this is entirely up to you and many of your friends are right really, just write but I can hear you scream, what can I write Perriwinkle ..... Right, if you are considering a project. I don't know whether you are a struggling amateur like I am with a few things published. If so, good for yoiu, that is a gradual advance.  Tell me to mind my dammed business but how flush are you?  I mean how prepared are you to make an investment for your self? Are you prepared to spend some money for a start? This I add is not everyone's cup of tea and you may not be keen but there is a marvellous piece of software you can buy called New Novelist. Write to Ms Sally Green, Creativity Software, 12-50 Kingsgate Road, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey W1W 7SU.  Incidentally, if you want to sit on your hands, not literally, dear heavens of course but there is a new one coming out shortly, New Novelist 2. Once you get it, download it, whichever you buy, you may or may not have a serial/code to fill in, my third one was so easy, it was laughable, nothing to do but download. Once in, you can plan, stage by stage then take it one at a time. It might seem long and laborious but once you start, I am afraid to tell you such terrible news, you won't be able to stop - in short, you will be addicted and sadly no cure, not even cold Turkey unless you take a week's holiday and that might be purgatory. No, joking really, it is a lot of fun but build up some snack food supplies, need to keep your strength up, come up for air though, you will need it!!! Web site is http://www.newnovelist.com .  Another worth considering is Rob Walton's Write It Now, http://www.writeitnow.com , email:writeitnow@ravensheadservices.com. However if you cannot think of what to start next, and while it is true you should just write, even if it is that silly rhyme about quick brown foxes and that palava, I recommend something a little different. First, most important, get yourself a nice little notebook from your local stationery or supermarket.  Also buy yourself a large ringbinder. Surprised, you won't be, I can assure you.  Now by the time you have finished setting this idea diary up, you will be inundated. Jot it down as you go along.  Get some dividers while you are there as well or if you have some at home that are ready for recycling[used again for this project] Do you have Powerpoint or even word for that matter, OK.  Make it a pleasure to use, design a nice lable for its front and the dividers[12] for each month of the year. Label them appropriately, use Word and Clip Art. Stick them on the dividers or slip them into plastic sleeves, there, you have it. Sorry I cannot do a Blue Peter, here is one I have done before but I am sure you get the gist of it.  Collect enough ideas for stories etc for each month of the year. If your handwriting is anything like mine, a little challenging to read at the best of times after a few days/weeks, set up a file for ideas. Set up a page, label it in the month you are in then type the ideas out. Keep on doing it, before long, you will have more ideas than you honestly know what to do with. There is one company that deals with such concepts, ideas that is but this is a little less expensive. Use abbreviations for characters, ie. W[Woman] WF[Woman Friend. M[Male] MF.Male Friend, A. Antagonist, AF...... Look in the papers, listen to the news, read, that is another thing. I am reading John Buchan and I nearly always have a seed of something from his books. Reading cannot be too greatly emphasised.  Good luck and I hope this has helped you even if I have been a little too flippant. The important thing is do not tear your hair out.  Regards, Perrywinkle

What exactly are you working on because I have a vague idea that I can quickly solve your problem - the chances are that you need to do some research or you are floundering around a bit because you need a wee bit of guidance.  I recently for the third time lucky, reinstalled Write Ambition Screenwriting software and now getting the idea. I would not say it is easy. I had to print out the manual into hard copy then read through it, highlighting important areas.  I am also at some point going to have a go on some free software I downloaded the other day.  Perhaps some theory reading might be helpful like Dummies, you could do worse and who knows, it might benefit if you take some vital notes in the process, particularly if you take it out of the library.After all, it is only for your benefit after all. You are not going to sell it,just guidance.  What books have you got at home, if they are thrillers, you could adapt one but it is recommended you read them three times, noting down the scenes. There are so many that could be put to film. Read your newspapers and take cuttings that could be converted into a film.  Good luck to you and hope you will overcome this problem. We have all been there and it is just knowing what action is required to cure the malady.