hitting a brick wall

[ChipC]

I have been working on a script for about a year now. I had finished it (or so I thought) in December and after receiving some very good feedback that basically said it's a great story, but it wasn't finished, I started it over from page 1. The things that needed to be fixed wasn't anything I could just tweak up here and there, it really needed an overhaul. The driving force has always been that it is a fascinating story that I am passionate about, and have been for several years. Anyone who has read it has said the same thing. The problem is that I've come to this place where I can't even brainstorm this story anymore. It's like the thought of thinking about makes me rather chew on glass. I think I'm just thinking way too deep into it, thought I had a pretty good beginning, middle, and end, but now I'm questioning everything and I'm not sure why. It kinda pisses me off as I love this story. It's just kind of become bitter-sweet. It's difficult for me to put it aside to work on something else for awhile, which may be what I really need to be doing.

Now I'm sure I'm the only writer in the world and through all of history that has ever dealt with this, so ya'll might have to do some speculating as to what may be going and how I yank my keister out of it! Anyone wants to help yank, feel free.

chip

[lucidimage]

With the amount of time and energy you have poured into this script and the feelings of depression you get everytime you sit down to write despite knowing that you actually love this story...

Take a break from the script. Start a new one. Surely you have another concept or two lined up. Give yourself a few months to dump yourself into another story, different characters. Your brain probably needs the break from the monotony of working on the same script for such an extended period of time.

Return when you feel refreshed, with new eyes and a mind that no longer feels burdened by the idea of continuing the story.

You already know you need to do it.

[Terrance Mulloy]

Originally Posted by lucidimage

Take a break from the script. Start a new one.

That's sound advice.

Go read a few scripts. Read a book. Go watch a movie. Start another script. Just leave it for a few weeks.

You'll come back with a fresh pair of eyes, and an even fresher perspective.

[EvilRbt]

Originally Posted by Terrance Mulloy

Go read a few scripts. Read a book. Go watch a movie. Start another script. Just leave it for a few weeks.

You'll come back with a fresh pair of eyes, and an even fresher perspective.

What he said. You won't find better advice.

[FADE IN]

Originally Posted by lucidimage

With the amount of time and energy you have poured into this script and the feelings of depression you get everytime you sit down to write despite knowing that you actually love this story...

Take a break from the script. Start a new one. Surely you have another concept or two lined up. Give yourself a few months to dump yourself into another story, different characters. Your brain probably needs the break from the monotony of working on the same script for such an extended period of time.

Return when you feel refreshed, with new eyes and a mind that no longer feels burdened by the idea of continuing the story.

You already know you need to do it.

I'd second this motion and strongly so.

Your brain has turned to mush on this thing and it needs a break in the worst way. Give it that break, which I'd expect to be several weeks to two months. Refuse to think about it, get it completely off your mind. Be content knowing you will return to it when the time's right. Jump into other things, take a vacation trip somewhere, read that book you've wanted to read, see places you've wanted to see, visit old pals.

While you're doing these things your intuition will be working on the script and when it has finished its work it'll send you back to it with renewed vigor (if not a vengeance) and wonderful ideas for what it needs.

It's all in a day's work.

[Joaneasley]

Just make sure you keep a hard copy in a safe place and make sure your computer draft is backed up. That way, if you don't come back to it for a long time, you will still have access to it even if your current computer dies in the meantime. I'm speaking as someone who has gone back to rewrite old scripts from several computers ago.

Working on other scripts will make you a better writer. Sometime in the future, you will have the distance you need to look at this troublesome script with fresh eyes, and your experiences with other scripts will give you more of a handle on how to fix the problems.

[cynicide]

I agree with what everyone's saying; take a break from this. You don't want to get so burned out on the script that you can't imagine ever coming back to it, and you don't want to waste a month trying to force yourself to work on this, making no progress, and then giving up.

[ChipC]

Excellent advice from everyone, thanks! I think I pretty much knew the answer to this before I click 'post' but I get kind of weird about leaving things undone and starting something else, even if only temporarily. Something I gotta get over.

Thanks again!
chip

[FADE IN]

Originally Posted by ChipC

Excellent advice from everyone, thanks! I think I pretty much knew the answer to this before I click 'post' but I get kind of weird about leaving things undone and starting something else, even if only temporarily. Something I gotta get over.

Thanks again!
chip

We are indeed conditioned and trained to not leave things undone, a facet of the Puritan work ethic I suppose. I remember in grammar school getting busted for staring out the window and "not doing anything," yet I was daydreaming about places and things far away and exploring them. Not doing anything? I think not!

It's old programming we have to break down now that we're adults and able to make good rational decsions about the way we're going to live in the world. Until this occrs it can be bothersome as hell.

Let us know how this all turns out for you, and best of luck with it!

[maralyn]

yea, I guess, either distract yourself with another script, or maybe even bring in a co-writer.