rossbondreturns
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Post by rossbondreturns on Mar 7, 2008 0:24:15 GMT -5
As usual writers block hits at the most inopportune of moments- right after I begin to get on a roll! Anyhow writers block can be easily defeated- with the help of others. This is where you come in. This thread is for anyone with writers block to get help before it's too late. You need to provide three things when seeking Writers Block Help- those are- - General Setup
- State Your Problem
- Have an open mind and be ready to thank those that help you.
General SetupIn my T5 script I'm getting into much needed back story of characters. At the moment I'm exploring the back stories of Tenoy: Commander of the L.A. Resistance and General Connor: The Big Cheese. Once again...this is needed but- ProblemIt's going on far too long! As much as it's needed the story needs to advance forward because A Freaking Lot of territory has to be covered in this script. At this rate the finished product will be WAY WAY too long! I need to either consolidate or combine or something the plotpoints. If you can help please please please let me know. My name is Ross- I am a Writer. And- I have Writers Block....Help....Mmmmeeeeeeeeee-
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Post by Erika on Mar 7, 2008 0:43:27 GMT -5
Yes Darth Writer's Block is my good friend also...he usually comes to visit and brings along his REALLY annoying friend Darth Burn Out. They like to grab a beer and bag of Cheetos and take up residence on my couch and bum out in front of my brain and keep flipping channels away from my Fanfics, leaving them lonely and unfinished.
Both of them usually come to visit whenever I'm needing to write some huge action sequence. I used to write copious amounts of STAR WARS fanfic and always managed to get Writer's Block whenever I was about to write a space battle. God I hated writing those things. Light saber battles? Not a problem. Hand to hand combat? Not a problem either. Saying what directions and what weapons are coming online in ships - which direction they're banking - BLECK! NOT FUN! Not being a techno-geekette always caused me to get all insecure about writing.
What to do to get over them? Well I personally do my best story thinking when I'm out in my pool paddling around with no one to distract me - usually my brain goes on fanfic vacations and I'll wander back to stories I've dumped and start mulling through where I left off and what should happen next.
Sometimes it works to skip the chapter you're on and move to the next one and then come back to the one that you got stuck on in the first place. Filling in holes is easier once you've written what comes after it.
OR I'll write a few one-shots just so that I feel the victory of accomplishing writing something that centers around the characters that I'm stuck on and usually that will get me inspired to get over my hump area of writing.
Anyways - I'm rambling....
So Ross - you're stuck in a long set-up stage huh? Any way that you can just chop it out by changing it to narrative/flashback sequences? When writing a script 1 page = 1 minute on screen so if you write 50 pages you've got nearly an hour w/ not much going on. That's just not going to work.
I keep thinking of the last damned HARRY POTTER book, JK had about 200 pages smack in the middle of the book that could've been condensed into 1 chapter if she'd just had Harry contemplating what went on in the past 2 months - if she did that we might've actually gotten a REAL ending *grumbles* Sometimes a well places FF is needed to get things moving.
If there's no real action and the scenes are slowing things down - throw it out or breeze past it. Chances are if you're bored with it the reader will be too.
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rossbondreturns
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Post by rossbondreturns on Mar 7, 2008 0:55:19 GMT -5
Well the problem is.....I'm not bored by it.
And in reality it's only a few minutes but it seems to be taking FOREVER.
I think it might just be that after the initial Slam Bang action sequence introduction...I've had to have this more slow carachter stuff...now I KNOW that the screen will be filled with VIOLENT action but it seems to be slow at the moment.
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Post by Derek Reese on Mar 7, 2008 1:02:49 GMT -5
Just going out on a limb here and guessing its expositional dialogue, that pushes the story forward?
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rossbondreturns
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Post by rossbondreturns on Mar 7, 2008 1:14:56 GMT -5
Yes...and ironically it is told in flashback-
A Flashback to Sarahs Last days on earth.
And John Connor going off the grid.
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Post by Derek Reese on Mar 7, 2008 1:30:34 GMT -5
Do you have it sequenced out in your mind or you trying to figure out the connection between the two?
I mean you can do it pretty fluidly through simple transitional visual sequences, without the dialogue at all except for maybe setting it up and going from there. Or do the simple dream sequence approach (cliched I know but it works).
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rossbondreturns
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Post by rossbondreturns on Mar 7, 2008 1:39:38 GMT -5
Did the dream sequence in T4 and didn't want a repeat.
I have it sequenced in fact if you want I can send you the file and spoil you stupid...but the dialouge is important. Exceedingly. I've already chosen to consolidate one of my mor impressive pieces of backstory detailing how many Skynet like program were going on worldwide. And making it silent with a serie of quick cuts of information.
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Post by Derek Reese on Mar 7, 2008 1:44:29 GMT -5
I gotcha and believe me, I do understand the situation.
So you're basically going through the discussion of exposition route to connect the pieces via verbal and visual flashbacks essentially.
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rossbondreturns
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Post by rossbondreturns on Mar 7, 2008 1:50:31 GMT -5
Yeah...The maddening part is.....I suppose I can finish the Connor flashback.....have some more War Battle Stuff...then The Origin of the Skynets.....then More Battles and The Building of Skynets Latest model....then More battles....and the T-800's arrive......more battles...and the T-X Shows up....and we have a Big Madass Finale.
But I had planned to have all the exposition out of the way....early-
Please note...the above description of the script is very basic and in no ways indicative of the depth of said script and its story.
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Post by Derek Reese on Mar 7, 2008 3:39:05 GMT -5
Believe me I already understand. There's no need for huge details. Just enough to get you past a writer's block.
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rossbondreturns
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Post by rossbondreturns on Mar 7, 2008 4:01:59 GMT -5
TENOY My Boss...Waverly wants to talk to John in person. Sarah smiles enough to show her teeth this time- SARAH That is between you and him. He's been bought up not to trust you folks, since you wouldn't trust us. TENOY Touche.
INT. SECURE WARD TENOY I looked out of the room then because I felt a pair of eyes on me. And there you were- you little Tree Monkey. And before I knew it you were on your motorcycle and away. JOHN Little Tree Monkey....ohhhkayyyy. Anyway yeah I remember seeing you that day. You looked different with your hair down.
The secure Ward stuf is in the Future War...the other stuff is the flashback. I try and pop back and forth...and I only technically have one more bit of flashback I have to put in there now and that is-
Tenoy the FBI Agent saves John from the clutches of Dr. Silberman by laying him out with a Motorcycle helmet to the head...and then helping John up...if he'll trust that she's not gonna slap cuffs on him.
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Post by Derek Reese on Mar 7, 2008 4:10:12 GMT -5
Looks like a smooth transition to me and honestly it works.
Liking it thus far. Don't want to be too spoiled in advance.
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rossbondreturns
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Post by rossbondreturns on Mar 7, 2008 4:17:30 GMT -5
You know I'm glad I made this thread...cause I think I'm through this bout...and this thread'll be here for the next one lol
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Post by Derek Reese on Mar 7, 2008 4:20:26 GMT -5
Well, I'm all for giving a hand, where I can.
Just don't have the software to view the script and in all fairness I do want to enjoy your script, when its done entirely hence why I'm not asking straight out to see what you have as it is.
I can't get "little tree monkey" out of my mind now lol.
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rossbondreturns
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Post by rossbondreturns on Mar 7, 2008 4:34:14 GMT -5
LOL nor can I it's my Fave Tenoy line...I'll be firing you a PM
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