Opposite of writer's block

Bentrandom

Bentrandom

Active member
Now, I've had writer's block before but I'd never had the opposite (possible name for it: Creative Overflow) happen to me until recently.
Generally, my process for a feature length script is concept, treatment, draft, draft 2-?, and final script. The peculiar thing that recently happened to me is that although I haven't deviated from the initial treatment to much I find each draft I re-write to take completely different paths. I am currently sitting on four full scripts that read like tangent universes. Same characters and same major events but each one reads like a totally different experience. The excruciating part of this is I actually like each version about the same and my collaboraters agree that they are all very good with no real winner.

Have any of you guys ever had this problem as well? I can say it is frustrating but still way better than being stuck with a bout of writer's block.
 
I have them all of the time.

The moment that I start writing, I really don't stop at all until I'm forced.

I also constantly change the path of a script when re-writing... and I've found out that it's a bad thiing. You never get anything solid and it creates too much to work with.

Solution: write down your new ideas for another time.

But yeah, I have that problem... you should see my collection of notebooks. =DDDD
 
Bentrandom said:
I am currently sitting on four full scripts that read like tangent universes. Same characters and same major events but each one reads like a totally different experience. The excruciating part of this is I actually like each version about the same and my collaboraters agree that they are all very good with no real winner.
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There's probably a winner in there. Or you could chop up each script and make one ultimate Frankenstein winner script. IT'S ALIVE, IT'S ALIVE!

I doubt you or your collaborators have enough distance from it all to give a clear headed opinion about what's a winner or not. Put them to rest and come back to them later, or seek consultation from an esteemed 3rd party.
 
That happens to me a lot...sort of. I'll be halfway through writing a script, and all of a sudden and idea for a new one blasts it's way into my head. The new idea always seems to be a lot better than the old, so I drop the previous project and go to the new one. This happens over and over, which eventually leads to me never being able to actually get to the productions stage. Any suggestions on how to help concentrate and stay with one project at the time?
 
Noct said:
There's probably a winner in there. Or you could chop up each script and make one ultimate Frankenstein winner script. IT'S ALIVE, IT'S ALIVE!
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Frankenscript? Hmmmm.

Actually, what happens to me is when I start a script I suddenly have ideas that seem better. Best thing to do: take a moment, jot down the ideas for later because as soon as you change to a better idea, yet another better idea comes up. A vicious cycle ensues and you never finish anything. Once you start ALWAYS push through till you finish. Then you can move on to another idea.
 
pinkkingdom said:
That happens to me a lot...sort of. I'll be halfway through writing a script, and all of a sudden and idea for a new one blasts it's way into my head. The new idea always seems to be a lot better than the old, so I drop the previous project and go to the new one. This happens over and over, which eventually leads to me never being able to actually get to the productions stage. Any suggestions on how to help concentrate and stay with one project at the time?
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I actually do. You get a monkey. Stay with me...You give the monkey a knife and some training. If the monkey sees you pulling out a notebook when you are at your computer he stabs you in the arm. If he sees you click to open up a New Document, he stabs you. If he sees you procrastinate, yup, he stabs you. It works, I'm gettnih stbbaded in hte rma rhigt onw.
 
adepew07 said:
I actually do. You get a monkey. Stay with me...You give the monkey a knife and some training. If the monkey sees you pulling out a notebook when you are at your computer he stabs you in the arm. If he sees you click to open up a New Document, he stabs you. If he sees you procrastinate, yup, he stabs you. It works, I'm gettnih stbbaded in hte rma rhigt onw.
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lol...wonderful idea. I'll keep my eye out for a monkey right now.
 
I have put the script(s) aside for now and started working on a couple of other completely different ideas. Hopefully when I come back to them I can pick the best one.
For that monkey idea... I think I'd end up killing the monkey and who wants to kill a poor monkey?
 
haha, I'm in the same boat right now, Bentrandom. And oddly enough, this happens to me fairly often. Once I get an idea going, I run with it and it leads me in four or five new directions. This can be a pain in the ass sometimes, but it also leaves you with plenty of options.
 
Well, I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one despised by those with the dreaded writer's block.
Although, so they don't club me to death, I will share my own secret of escaping writer's block, atleast for screenplay writers:
Adapt a book. A short, a novel, a graphic novel, whatever. Don't go in with the idea the script will ever be seen beyond your computer or small group of friends. It's just a tool to get your brain working back into the screenplay mode. Worst case scenario you scrap it once you start writing a new script. Best case, its an amazing adaptation, the original author loves it and wants to shop it for you. It hasn't failed me yet.
 
Bentrandom said:
I have put the script(s) aside for now and started working on a couple of other completely different ideas. Hopefully when I come back to them I can pick the best one.
For that monkey idea... I think I'd end up killing the monkey and who wants to kill a poor monkey?
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Have you ever seen Cannibal Holocaust? They chop a monkey's face off.
 
I have seen Cannibal Holocaust and yes they do indeed cut a monkey's face off. Poor chimp. The chick that gets skewered doesn't end up to well off either.
 
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