Listen to interviews like this one. Thank you, Carole Kirschner, for nudging this admittedly fearful person into getting unstuck. You just described me to a T -- and in doing so, helped me to realize someone understands me, and I'm not alone in the stuck way I feel. Thanks, AGAIN Film Courage ❤💯
If you're writing on a keyboard and get stuck, switch to pen and paper until you get stuck again, then switch back to the keyboard. Rinse and repeat. It really, really works.
When she speaks about taking 10 minutes to focus and do something, I sort of do this in my own way. While watching TV I’ll get up during the commercial breaks which are usually 2 to 3 minutes long and go do a chore or a task. It could be something as simple as taking the clothes out of the dryer and folding them quickly, taking the clean dishes out of the dishwasher and putting them back in the cupboards, cleaning the toilet, or making the bed. Get my drift? It really does work, and the upside is you don’t have to sit through all those mind-numbing TV commercials. You can even use the commercial breaks to mute the sound on your TV and read a couple pages from a book that you’re trying to finish. Be creative!
I stopped writing after seeing what happened on October 7th in Israel. It has taken all my attention and energy. I worry for Israel and our culture. It has only been in the last few days that I have started writing again, and it feels good. I still have the same worries, but we all have to move forward eventually and have faith. Your interviews help, of course.
I spend my time with doing lots of hobbies: biking, reading, watching youtube, webinars. And, sometimes while I'm out and about on a bike ride or even at work, I'll get inspired to write something and take ten minutes out of my day and write some lyrics or some jokes.
your channel and interviews have been a massive inspiration to me over the last couple years. Its been like going to filmschool for free. So thanks to that influence, I've recently started taking the time to post some of my own stuff on my channel. I would honestly love it if someone at your channel checked some of it out. In any case, keep up the great work!
Madam Carole is true in what she says. Undoubtedly, it is the superior relationship that is super significant in all walks of life including writers' progress. Added to that FOLLOWUP is the key thing Good follow up can even convert rejected opportunities to fruition Many have been rejected many times but their persistent efforts to rebuild relationship and rigorously follow up have catapulted them to pinnacle of glory and success
Good ideas. I allocate time each day to watch helpful videos. I have identified a category of video in my notifications that I call "procrastination videos". Things that might be fine for the evening as entertainment or to chill out, but are too tempting to click on when in the list. My solution is to turn off notifications for these channels and only check them out during downtime.
I'm stuck because I don't know what my goal (with writing) is. I don't know what I'm trying to say nor why, but I sense in spite of it all that there's still something to be said. I am willing to try again. How can you figure out your goal?
@kayskreed Could u possibly be putting too much pressure on yourself, that what you write must be significant or worthwhile enough to merit your time and effort? From my experience and what I’ve read about professional writers, unless you are commissioned to do a specific project, you don’t start out with the question, “what do I want to say”. Seeds of countless ideas, collected from your experiences and things you’ve seen and read and heard, are in you. The strongest ideas that resonate with you, sometimes subconsciously, will manifest itself, and you will be compelled to plant it, water it, and see how it grows. Still unsure what to write? Ask yourself, what books or movies do you gravitate to the most? That’s where your passion lies.
@@pensandbrushes3855 Hi and thanks for replying. I've definitely always struggled with taking myself too seriously. That's just part of my character I suppose. I've been taking a lot of notes for the past few months. There are recurrent patterns, themes and ideas that I can't seem to shake off. I've given it several attempts, planting and watering these 'seeds', but no plant emerges from that. I have a dozen pots now. So, naturally, I ask myself "What am I doing? Am I doing this right?" In terms of books and movies, I have a decently long list in mind. Although I've mostly been drawn to Sci-fi, I can attest that the LOTR is my favourite story of all time in spite of it being fantasy. Its themes like love, friendship (or fellowship), sacrifice, grief and loss, hope beyond hope, that made it resonate among others. Other themes that come to mind are those found in the more metaphysical and existential sub-genres like cyberpunk, e.g. "What does it mean to be human? What does it mean to be alive? What is meaning and purpose?" and so on. Generally it is the premise, science/magic and world-building that piques my curiosity, but the emotional story and characters at its centre (assuming it is there) that ropes me in completely. Anyway, I appreciate the comment. I'll have to let it stew for a bit.
Hey Karen and David :) I just felt like sharing some questions I'd love to see discussed in future interviews. It'll be totally up to you whether to ask them or not. As I've touched upon earlier, I'm working on a big budget fantasy script, but have some concerns about pitching it because it seems that Hollywood these days are more concerned with action scenes and visual effects for these kinds of movies than with telling an emotional and thought-provoking story. So here are the questions I'd like to see talked about: 1: Big budget fantasy / superhero movies these days seem to center more on visual effects and action scenes than telling emotional and thought-provoking stories about the heroes, villains and side characters in these movies. How can screenwriters who want to tell meaningful stories within the fantasy genre trust that the big studios will honor the dramatic elements of the original story rather than to turn the script into a visual spectacle that loses its thematic substance? (Examples of superhero movies that pulled of drama really well: The Dark Knight trilogy movies.) 2: Is it possible that in the next ten years we could see the rise of a seventh studio with a clear vision for storytelling that is able to compete with the Big Six in the big budget market? 3: Is it likely that a smaller production company would be willing to acquire the rights to a big budget movie, but outsource post-production work (visual effects) to a bigger studio, such as Warner Bros, which in such a scenario would be under contract by the smaller producer and not hold any intellectual rights to the script? To wrap up, it's not with a light heart I bear such mistrust against the big studios. I wish I could believe in them.
It’s stupid but that’s why I go to Starbucks. There’s less distractions and if I just spent 4$ on a cup of coffee I feel obliged to get something done.
What helps you get unstuck?
Listen to interviews like this one.
Thank you, Carole Kirschner, for nudging this admittedly fearful person into getting unstuck. You just described me to a T -- and in doing so, helped me to realize someone understands me, and I'm not alone in the stuck way I feel. Thanks, AGAIN Film Courage ❤💯
If you're writing on a keyboard and get stuck, switch to pen and paper until you get stuck again, then switch back to the keyboard. Rinse and repeat. It really, really works.
When she speaks about taking 10 minutes to focus and do something, I sort of do this in my own way. While watching TV I’ll get up during the commercial breaks which are usually 2 to 3 minutes long and go do a chore or a task. It could be something as simple as taking the clothes out of the dryer and folding them quickly, taking the clean dishes out of the dishwasher and putting them back in the cupboards, cleaning the toilet, or making the bed. Get my drift? It really does work, and the upside is you don’t have to sit through all those mind-numbing TV commercials. You can even use the commercial breaks to mute the sound on your TV and read a couple pages from a book that you’re trying to finish. Be creative!
Been stuck many times. A lot of great advice here... what always helped get me out of being stuck was disconnecting from media for a good while.
I stopped writing after seeing what happened on October 7th in Israel. It has taken all my attention and energy. I worry for Israel and our culture. It has only been in the last few days that I have started writing again, and it feels good. I still have the same worries, but we all have to move forward eventually and have faith. Your interviews help, of course.
I spend my time with doing lots of hobbies: biking, reading, watching youtube, webinars. And, sometimes while I'm out and about on a bike ride or even at work, I'll get inspired to write something and take ten minutes out of my day and write some lyrics or some jokes.
Great video and informative love it
Glad you enjoyed it!
your channel and interviews have been a massive inspiration to me over the last couple years. Its been like going to filmschool for free. So thanks to that influence, I've recently started taking the time to post some of my own stuff on my channel.
I would honestly love it if someone at your channel checked some of it out.
In any case, keep up the great work!
I love this
Madam Carole is true in what she says.
Undoubtedly, it is the superior relationship that is super significant in all walks of life including writers' progress.
Added to that FOLLOWUP is the key thing
Good follow up can even convert rejected opportunities to fruition
Many have been rejected many times but their persistent efforts to rebuild relationship and rigorously follow up have catapulted them to pinnacle of glory and success
Thank you!
Great video. Excellent suggestions. I need to have this video play automatically once a week. Thanks, Film Courage.
Good ideas. I allocate time each day to watch helpful videos. I have identified a category of video in my notifications that I call "procrastination videos". Things that might be fine for the evening as entertainment or to chill out, but are too tempting to click on when in the list. My solution is to turn off notifications for these channels and only check them out during downtime.
I'm stuck because I don't know what my goal (with writing) is. I don't know what I'm trying to say nor why, but I sense in spite of it all that there's still something to be said. I am willing to try again. How can you figure out your goal?
@kayskreed Could u possibly be putting too much pressure on yourself, that what you write must be significant or worthwhile enough to merit your time and effort? From my experience and what I’ve read about professional writers, unless you are commissioned to do a specific project, you don’t start out with the question, “what do I want to say”. Seeds of countless ideas, collected from your experiences and things you’ve seen and read and heard, are in you. The strongest ideas that resonate with you, sometimes subconsciously, will manifest itself, and you will be compelled to plant it, water it, and see how it grows. Still unsure what to write? Ask yourself, what books or movies do you gravitate to the most? That’s where your passion lies.
@@pensandbrushes3855 Hi and thanks for replying. I've definitely always struggled with taking myself too seriously. That's just part of my character I suppose. I've been taking a lot of notes for the past few months. There are recurrent patterns, themes and ideas that I can't seem to shake off. I've given it several attempts, planting and watering these 'seeds', but no plant emerges from that. I have a dozen pots now. So, naturally, I ask myself "What am I doing? Am I doing this right?"
In terms of books and movies, I have a decently long list in mind. Although I've mostly been drawn to Sci-fi, I can attest that the LOTR is my favourite story of all time in spite of it being fantasy. Its themes like love, friendship (or fellowship), sacrifice, grief and loss, hope beyond hope, that made it resonate among others. Other themes that come to mind are those found in the more metaphysical and existential sub-genres like cyberpunk, e.g. "What does it mean to be human? What does it mean to be alive? What is meaning and purpose?" and so on.
Generally it is the premise, science/magic and world-building that piques my curiosity, but the emotional story and characters at its centre (assuming it is there) that ropes me in completely.
Anyway, I appreciate the comment. I'll have to let it stew for a bit.
your goals need to be aligned, this needs to be done early on
take a break, reread a few pages, then keep writing -- don't stop
Hey Karen and David :) I just felt like sharing some questions I'd love to see discussed in future interviews. It'll be totally up to you whether to ask them or not.
As I've touched upon earlier, I'm working on a big budget fantasy script, but have some concerns about pitching it because it seems that Hollywood these days are more concerned with action scenes and visual effects for these kinds of movies than with telling an emotional and thought-provoking story.
So here are the questions I'd like to see talked about:
1: Big budget fantasy / superhero movies these days seem to center more on visual effects and action scenes than telling emotional and thought-provoking stories about the heroes, villains and side characters in these movies. How can screenwriters who want to tell meaningful stories within the fantasy genre trust that the big studios will honor the dramatic elements of the original story rather than to turn the script into a visual spectacle that loses its thematic substance? (Examples of superhero movies that pulled of drama really well: The Dark Knight trilogy movies.)
2: Is it possible that in the next ten years we could see the rise of a seventh studio with a clear vision for storytelling that is able to compete with the Big Six in the big budget market?
3: Is it likely that a smaller production company would be willing to acquire the rights to a big budget movie, but outsource post-production work (visual effects) to a bigger studio, such as Warner Bros, which in such a scenario would be under contract by the smaller producer and not hold any intellectual rights to the script?
To wrap up, it's not with a light heart I bear such mistrust against the big studios. I wish I could believe in them.
Keep writing, or focus on another story🎉, think about what your trying to say
It’s stupid but that’s why I go to Starbucks. There’s less distractions and if I just spent 4$ on a cup of coffee I feel obliged to get something done.
1:29 I thought writer's block was simply not knowing what to write...