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SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board    Discussion of...    Getting to know you, getting to know all about you...  ›  Writing, easy? Moderators: Administrator
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  Author    Writing, easy?  (currently 2897 views)
James McClung
Posted: June 11th, 2007, 10:53pm Report to Moderator
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Writing is easy. Sometimes I don't feel like doing it but 90% of the time, I enjoy it. The other 10% is discipline. The mind gets scattered sometimes, which is when you need to think about getting your priorities straight. Sometimes writing is one you're neglecting. And, like I said, sometimes I just don't feel like doing it. The bottom line is I like writing and if you're doing something you like, it should be easy.


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chism
Posted: June 12th, 2007, 1:14am Report to Moderator
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I used to love writing, now it's just horrible and frustrating. There was a time a few years ago where I felt kind of wrong if I didn't write at least a little bit every day. Now I go weeks and months without writing a single word, and that suits me just fine. It's a horrible, frustrating, endlessly annoying process that 90% of the time ends with me getting drunk and passing out.

Every once in a while though, I find it easy and sort of relaxing, of course that is the exception. Most of the time I just don't bother.


Matt.
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alffy
Posted: June 12th, 2007, 7:32am Report to Moderator
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I'm with Matt here, I can go ages just sitting in front of my laptop doing sweet FA.  Sometimes it just come to me but other times it just flows.  I use to try and force myself but ending up writing complete nonesense jibberish and deleting it.  Now I just write when it feels right and if it doesn't, then fine.


Check out my scripts...if you want to, no pressure.

You can find my scripts here
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tomson
Posted: June 12th, 2007, 8:27am Report to Moderator
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Quoted from chism
It's a horrible, frustrating, endlessly annoying process that 90% of the time ends with me getting drunk and passing out.


I've actually read somewhere that writers as a group are some of the most depressed people and also have the highest incidence (?) of being bi-polar. Not saying you are Matt, but your post made me think of that.

I usually have more ideas than I can possibly write. May not be original, unique or great, but at least I don't seem to have trouble coming up with ideas. I did however suffer a block last month where I ended up struggling forever with just a measly short short. First time ever that has happened and it was horrible, like pulling your own teeth out. If writing was like that all the time, I would probably quit.
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Mr.Z
Posted: June 12th, 2007, 9:19am Report to Moderator
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Quoted from tomson
I've actually read somewhere that writers as a group are some of the most depressed people and also have the highest incidence (?) of being bi-polar.


Read it too. Kind of makes sense. People with problems to deal with reality are more likely to have well trained fantasy muscles.


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Old Time Wesley
Posted: June 12th, 2007, 9:26am Report to Moderator
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In the mid 90's when I came home from school I was always excited and happy every night to write my book because it was the one thing that made me happy at the time.

I would like to have those feelings for writing again but it just doesn't happen.

Now all I have is half assed comments and that nervous feeling when you put up a script cause you're unsure if it will be enjoyed.


Practice safe lunch: Use a condiment.
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electricsatori
Posted: June 12th, 2007, 9:38am Report to Moderator
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There are always stories that come as though a fount had been opened. Ideas and characters blazing through your skull until it splits and births a hiccupping little beast. My feelings are this - if writing is arduous or a struggle and every word feels like a brick then you're not writing the story you should.

I recently had a massive breakthrough working on a script called Crocodile Tears. In it, I subject the MC to absurd amounts of tragedy and manipulation. The turning point in the story came when I began to really love the character and sympathize with him.
It was then that I realized the characters are just reacting to the environment to create the plot.

Love your characters and they will love you back.
Your main focus should be showing the character, knowing the character, unearthing tidbits about them to reveal the archetypes of humanity, and most importantly, yourself.



DUST AND ROSES - (Western) 7 Pages

SUNDAY IS THE WORST DAY TO DIE OF THE PLAGUE - (Drama) 12 Pages

THE GHOST OF JOHN (Horror) 94 Pages
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Gaara
Posted: June 12th, 2007, 9:59am Report to Moderator
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I admit I am also the kind of person who writes only when the mood takes me.  I have tried to force myself to write about anything and everything, as many people have said you must do. However I find that it does not help me in anyway...in fact forcing myself to write only makes the writer's block harder to get over.


check out episodes 1 - 3 of Mister D.
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Helio
Posted: June 12th, 2007, 10:08am Report to Moderator
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Better to die with vodka than with tedium!

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Who believe that most of our characters have something of us?
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electricsatori
Posted: June 12th, 2007, 10:12am Report to Moderator
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Quoted Text
However I find that it does not help me in anyway...in fact forcing myself to write only makes the writer's block harder to get over.


There are things you can do to break through writer's block.
An exercise I recommend that has worked well for me is stream-of-consciousness.
I'm sure you've heard of it, but I don't know if you know how invaluable it is.

It's a simple exercise.
1. Give yourself three minutes.
2. Once you start the time you must start writing.
3. Under no circumstance do you stop writing. Even if you are just writing the stupid things that pop into your head. Even if you are just writing I...I...I... over and over, you must not stop typing.

This exercise opens the floodgates and, most importantly, lets you feel comfortable putting pen to paper again.

Don't have anything to write about? Write about breakfast, who gives a f u c k? it's just an exercise.

Also, turning off the critical mind is good. If you feel yourself thinking "Aw, no one will like this." Or "That sounds like s h i t," that is when it is most important to continue writing. Don't let the critics in your head shout the loudest. Make your characters the wildest of the bunch bouncing through your brain and who cares whether anyone else likes em, they are your children, pour it all into them.


DUST AND ROSES - (Western) 7 Pages

SUNDAY IS THE WORST DAY TO DIE OF THE PLAGUE - (Drama) 12 Pages

THE GHOST OF JOHN (Horror) 94 Pages
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Gaara
Posted: June 12th, 2007, 10:18am Report to Moderator
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I had an itch on my face...so I scratched it

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One problem I really must get over is trying to please everyone.

e.g

I write a script and 2 people view it

Person A says he does not like a certain thing about the script...so I change it

Person B says he preferred it the other way...so I change it back

Person A says it would be a bit better if I added "such and such"...so I do

Person B says I should change my new addition slightly and move it to "wherever"...I do

and so on

This makes writing very hard and is something I really must learn to stop doing


check out episodes 1 - 3 of Mister D.
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Helio
Posted: June 12th, 2007, 10:33am Report to Moderator
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Better to die with vodka than with tedium!

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Hey Pumpkinhead, about what you said I act this way:

I write a script and 2 people view it

Person A says he does not like a certain thing about the script...so I just say I'll change it but won't

Person B says he preferred it the other way...so I just say I'll change it back and forget it

Person A says it would be a bit better if I added "such and such"...so I pretend to do it

Person B says I should change my new addition slightly and move it to "wherever"...I do on contrary and begin to write othe script!

and so on
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electricsatori
Posted: June 12th, 2007, 10:41am Report to Moderator
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P-head, that is 1000% the problem.
(heh heh, don't mean nothing by P-head)

I think it would behoove you to start with a solid foundation of story structure. Robert Mckee has an excellent book (you've probably heard of it), it's simply titled Story.

Beyond that, I think I can send you something that would help. It's the 'formula' that Hollywood uses. It is an outline for any standard 120 page script and shows all the key elements you should have in your plot and shows precisely where the Major and Minor Acts start. I know it sounds stupid, but trust me. This structure is based on sound literary theory.

Once you've mastered this structure then throw it out the window. I think that ultimately you can refine the elements of storytelling into a very simple formula.
Goal + Obstacles + Overcoming = Plot. Once you've got these you can twist them anyway you want and it doesn't matter how many people read it, they will get it.


DUST AND ROSES - (Western) 7 Pages

SUNDAY IS THE WORST DAY TO DIE OF THE PLAGUE - (Drama) 12 Pages

THE GHOST OF JOHN (Horror) 94 Pages
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Gaara
Posted: June 12th, 2007, 10:44am Report to Moderator
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I had an itch on my face...so I scratched it

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sure send it. I'll PM you my email if you want it.


check out episodes 1 - 3 of Mister D.
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electricsatori
Posted: June 12th, 2007, 10:54am Report to Moderator
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Ya, PM me and I'll send it to you. I can't do it right now because I'm at work and it's on my home computer.

If, for nothing else, you use it as a reference it will still help you understand story structure better.


DUST AND ROSES - (Western) 7 Pages

SUNDAY IS THE WORST DAY TO DIE OF THE PLAGUE - (Drama) 12 Pages

THE GHOST OF JOHN (Horror) 94 Pages
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