How to deal with writer's block/too lazy to work on the details?

Question

I have a problem I usually encounter when I try to write a story or a screenplay... It's like a form of writer's block where you've got most of the story in your head, you've got the basic structure laid out, but you get so bogged down when it comes to researching and connecting the details to the main story points that you tend to put writing off until you're not feeling lazy to do it.

Anyone else get this? How can I get past that "laziness" phase?

Answer 1

Then I work on plot points and think about dialogue

Answer 2

Ok, so I kind of get the same thing. I start out by just writing down the points I know I understand... Not really outlining, because that makes it worse, but just stream of conscious writing. Then I tackle it one scene or problem at a time. (I usually go by chapter) everything at that point can slide easily into place and I haven't lost the original plot or the creativity. If it's a boy meets girl thing, I start with that...the boy meeting the girl, even if it's not the start of the story. Then I work around that point until it all fills out.

Answer 3

i dont write those things.. i write lyrics and poetry and i will have the same problem.... and i will have a perfect start and writing faster than i can think then all the suddeen nothing but scribbled out lines over and over cuz nothing "goes"
Things i do to help with this- take a break and watch some tv or listen to some music.... get a snack etc....
dont think about it at all ( kind of hard sometimes) then go back to it.. if nothing comes then i put it away and come back to it at a later date.... i will find things i started writing months earlier and finnish them right up. I think it is a lil diff than a story or screenplay.. but it is the same basic concept
good luck

Answer 4

You need to just write what you're thinking. Its called free writing I think, just write whats in your head and forget about the minor details until you are ready to polish it up. If you wait too long many of the fleeting thoughts may vanish and those could have been the coolest ideas. You're not lazy, your just trying to do too much all at once. Go back to the basics, remember when writing was fun - and just have some fun.

Answer 5

thoroughly agreed. i can't count huge form what proportion circumstances i've got written some pages, went lower back and edited, written some extra, circulate lower back and edit. while i'm finally finished, i will edit lower back. by ability of the time my e book is thoroughly executed, the editor could have a puzzling time 'finding' errors. It kills me while human beings write, no care as to how badly their tale is as long as that is on paper and a threat that it could make a speedy dollar. particular, that is an editors job to repair errors yet i could otherwise be general because of fact the author who replaced into sturdy sufficient to placed up in the previous hitting the editors workplace for a 2nd hand. no longer in basic terms does the laziness come from leaving errors yet I even have this pal who's been writing a different. He in basic terms began writing once I presented him to it. Ever so frequently i could study a number of his pages till I hit the tip the place he replaced into nevertheless writing. He stopped. For weeks at a time he'd brag approximately how sturdy the unconventional is going and blatantly lie. He wanted to get printed and consistent with probability make some money yet i assume the television and mall are extra substantial. particular, each and every author desires a ruin yet a real author can't relatively take a ruin. I might desire to come again in no extra desirable than an entire day. Then there are people who ask for innovations. My god, in case you are able to no longer arise with an basic concept on your individual, you mustn't be writing. What can furnish the nerve to ask for different persons's imaginations to conjure up an concept for you. How puzzling is it to take a couple of minutes and think of for your self? locate an notion to strengthen your ideas. do no longer ask others to do the creativity for you. Writing is my existence and right here some human beings make a mockery of it by ability of bragging it as a fondness yet they might under no circumstances devote to it. =/ It particularly does irk me. a minimum of have the decency to inform the certainty, you recognize what I mean? I thoroughly agree and understand your aggravation.

Answer 6

Visit www.creativewritingprompts.com and try out the exercises. Try to write one paragraph at first and then increase the amount gradually. Once you get into the habit the process of writing becomes easier. You can also try this: Once you get to your desk close your eyes and picture yourself writing the story and at last adding The End. This process helps a lot when you feel lazy.

Answer 7

When I get writer's block I always put on music to help me focus. Then I start out by writing down all my ideas and then going back and filling in all the little details. Writing out the dialogue first also helps me.

Answer 8

A dubious task imposes a wrestling match upon its master. Should the taskmaster find themselves angry or irrational from the wrestling, it is best to walk away from the task long enough to calm down and re-establish their focus. In the instance of freelance writing , this luxury may be exercised liberally in the interest of producing a finished work free from the apparent angst and torment of an unduly pressured author.

Of course, some individuals prefer to operate under those conditions and thrive in them. Which environment appeals to you is arbitrary.

Answer 9

Writers block and too lazy are too different things. I can tell you what to do about writers block but not about laziness. There isnt much one can do about laziness unless they decide to devote themselves to something. You have to decide if you are lazy or blocked. If you are blocked, I can offer my solution. If you are lazy, I have no solution.

For Writers Block, This is the method I teach to students

1) Put the book aside and read - at least two books - Classics.

2) Brainstorm on paper - anything no matter how silly it sounds. Fill a notebook with ideas if you want - just come up with lots.

3) Write the ideas on file cards one per card. Sit down at a table and start shuffling them around trying to create a story from them. Keep moving them - dont be afraid for it to sound silly.

4) Make an outline from those cards when you find something interesting.

5) Try to write a very very short story from that outline. Then write several more very very short stories from the cards. See which one lends itself to a longer work

6) Start doing character studies and analysis - back to the file cards. Write down anything you know about your characters - adjectives, habits, appearance, likes and dislikes, occupation, age, anything. Look in magazines and catalogs and cut out pics that resemble the character as you see them in your mind.

7) Back to the table. Start pushing the character cards around - see who rubs who and how -- Who likes who? Who hates who? Main character to main character - then main character to secondary character - then secondary character to secondary character. This will help you come up with subplots

8) Back to your outline. Plug in the subplots.

9) Come up with a kick tail first sentece that will draw your readers into the story.

10) Start writing.

It works for my students. Just make sure you dont skip the two classics - that is the inspiration that unblocks and inspires you. If you are still blocked, move onto something else. I have about 4 books on disks - started but it just wasnt the right time to write them for me. One goes back to when my 20 yr old son was a baby. Maybe I will finish it one day, maybe not. So far the mood hasnt struck me. And it is a great idea - never been done. Im just not ready for it yet. No shame in leaving something aside.

Good luck. Pax - C.

Answer 10

Try adding some structure to your writing habits. Keep a notebook handy to jot notes in when ever the thought hits you...try doing some snap-shot paragraphs to get you going. Set a firm "writing time" and stick to it.