Writer's Block - creative writing advice and tips - screenwriters screenwriting writers creativity

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Steps to maximize your productivity and creativity and combat writer's block:
1) Figure out your “WHY?”
2) Get a calendar.
3) Decide how many days you will spend learning screenwriting and researching and the exact day you will start WRITING. Mark it on the calendar.
4) Determine your goal for that day's writing session.
5) Use the “5 Second Rule.” When it's time to write, don't get distracted. Count 5,4,3,2,1 - sit in the chair and start.
6) Breathwork:
If you need to calm down because your mind is scattered, do 1-3 “Physiological sighs.”
a) Inhale through the nose
b) Then inhale even more through the nose
c) Exhale through the mouth
If you need more energy (this is the modified version. Link to full Wim Hof exercise below):
a) Inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth 5 times
b) Big inhale through the nose, big exhale through the mouth
c) Hold for as long as you can
d) Inhale through the nose
e) Hold for 10
f) Exhale
7) Ritual - have something you do before writing each day to anchor your brain to the task.
8) FOCUS@WILL - sign up for the free trial, choose your style of music, energy level and set a timer for your session. To get the one-week free trial: focusatwill.go...
9) Breaks - when you need a break, get up, walk around and look out a window if you can
10) Recognize your efforts - reward yourself with an X or gold star on your calendar when you meet your daily goal.
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Guided Wim Hof Method Breathing
• Guided Wim Hof Method ...
Change Your Brain: Neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman | Rich Roll Podcast
• Change Your Brain: Neu...
Guided Wim Hof Method Breathing
• Guided Wim Hof Method ...
Click to get my free and paid video classes to help you write your best screenplay:
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How to Overcome Writer's Block Once and For All

[@IMDABROWN]

Oh how I miss videos from you.

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

I'm glad to be back!

[@ColHanko]

This channel helped me finish my first screenplay and now I’m actually getting it turned into an indie movie! Thank you so much, you truly have changed my life forever 👍

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

That's amazing and inspirational!! So happy for you!

[@elenageorgiou7640]

I am also currently writing my first screenplay thanks to this wonderful, gifted lady!!

[@leonpakzad4042]

To be honest I wrote a whole script by two things, First canstanly watching your videos to keep myself updated about techniques of writing. I watched some of them more than twenty times and second, listening to a piece of music all the time through writing. I was able to sell my script to a movie production company here in Istanbul. Thank you for all the information that you share with us.

[@ajaxfrancis1586]

So glad you're back. I could never pay attention in class growing up, but the way you teach really captivates. You're also very encouraging, unlike others on KZbin that pretty much say "this is how you do it, but you're never going to make it". Dude, I'm already coming in unsure. I need less of that not more. Thanks Word Dancer, we all appreciate your work very much.

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Wow, thank you!

[@eldestchild6983]

So true! She's amazing!

[@mudiagaoneil1384]

I've missed you, Word Dancer!

[@kelvingoma5383]

This channel is my ritual

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

:)

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Tell me in the comments - what are your writing rituals and tricks for getting more work done?

[@sck-2658]

Watch writing videos until I get guilty for not writing lol

[@dataglasses]

I keep writing .. no matter how bad, but I do get it done, then I rewrite until i feel it is working. I know I am getting better ... because I know when it's getting better.

[@joeveneklase711]

Music in the background. Celtic, American Indian flutes. 432 Hz sleep music

[@joeveneklase711]

Celtic and American Indian flute music, my parents music from the 50’s and 60’s and whale music. Have I missed something? You haven’t posted in a while on here, right? Where have you been?

[@miaveranika30]

Eat, sleep

[@jibrijibri4548]

Your videos are so helpful.

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Glad you like them!

[@NamastayGangstaArt]

Word dancer is back!!!!!!!!

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

:)

[@mimaonfire]

I write early mornings on days that I don't have to work. I get out of bed, make a coffee and just start working. If I get on social media or do anything else, I am already distracted. I also find music (usually meditation, relaxation music) helps keep me balanced and focused, especially if there's any noise or outside distractions as I try to work. Great video! Will share it on my social media.

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Love that!

[@severussnape9327]

that was a long long break man! I mostly need to be pepped up when starting to write. I guess.

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Definitely a long break! We'll see if others need peps too.

[@NamastayGangstaArt]

We miss you word dancer! 😢

[@badandy9716]

When I hit writers block, I try to distract myself until a good idea hits, then binge write. . . Time to employ these new methods. Thanks for sharing!

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

You got this!

[@mistoolau]

Oh my god she's back. Sound the alarms she's back. This calls for a feast!

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

I like the feast idea!

[@HR-in1dm]

@@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144 thank God you’re back! I literally just found your channel the day before you uploaded this and was sad to see it was nine months since the last vid. I’m so happy that you still upload videos, I just subscribed 😁

[@phoebea]

Yay, a new video! You have been missed, Word Dancer! Thank you for the tips. My ritual is to hug a pillow or stuffed animal while brainstorming for 5 minutes before writing. I then read the previous paragraph (or last couple of lines) to find my place and then I write, write, write! When I get writer's block, I also like to walk around outside. If I need new ideas, I go to the second floor of a mall and watch people walking around below. I imagine what they could be saying to each other or their backstory. If I'm with a friend, we pick a "character" to watch and try to say what we think would be in character for the person to say. I've found imagining a background story for a stranger gets the creative juices flowing. Ex. I imagine a gaggle of serial killer grandmas sitting at Starbucks. Or, a teen about to tell his friends that he has cancer at the food court. Silly things like that.

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

I love the stuffed animal! Reading previous material is a great idea too.

[@phubalanarumugam8943]

Thank you. Very helpful. Changed the way I am thinking.

[@yummyklown9226]

Please make more videos!

[@nathanterry8558]

Amazing coincidence that I was thinking just the other day how long it had been since I’d seen one of your videos. Always a pleasure to hear what wisdom you have to offer. I look forward to trying both breathing exercises, and am especially curious to learn which category I align with. Certain characteristics on both sides describe me. However, it could be the result of the mental exhaustion you mentioned. Thanks again!

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

I think a LOT of people are "tired and wired."

[@evelynhaliga4513]

I am trying to join one of your courses but I am bad with email stuff . Is there any other way that I can enroll I don't want to end up enrolling in some other course .

[@arabellajane5290]

Your videos are so inspiring! Because of you, I am going to attempt to write my first screenplay at 16 years old!

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

You can do it! YEAH!

[@arabellajane5290]

@@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144 Thank you!!!

[@lindybb]

This is so helpful! Thank you. ❤

[@joshuakilroy7599]

I found this video to be surprisingly helpful. Thanks. Hope there are more videos coming soon.

[@miracleisaiah2444]

Thank you word Dancer, though I've been writing for some times now but haven't gotten to complete any all because of "the writers block", anytime I get to that point different thoughts comes to my head, my brain starts talking out which makes me have a rethink, if writing is actually what I should do, but deep inside I know I want to write because theres this joy I always have anytime I write. And I guess that's one of my WHY, thanks again I'll definitely try the breathing exercises.

[@walterrlong]

Word Dancer's back!

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Yeah!! :)

[@anujchoudhary1973]

5,4,3,2,1...I took the course 'Beginning Screenwriting Made Easy' few months ago. After that wrote bunch of ideas and that was that. One good thing from that course was that I keep a diary now and note down whenever I get any idea. I've seen most of the videos on your channel. Good to see that you have posted after so many months. This was the video I was probably looking for. I have a full time job and write in the evening whenever I manage to do it :) Please upload more frequently if its possible. Kindly let me know if you conduct or would like to conduct online workshops. I would be the first one to join.

[@Anthony_Orji]

Mind sharing how I can also access the course?

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

All my courses are here: www.screenwritingcoursesonline.com

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Love that this is the video you needed! I am trying to post more videos:)

[@evelynhaliga4513]

I can't get into the course link 😭 it's not letting me. Can you check and see what's wrong. it's saying that it's not available

[@ShreyVille]

You are a life saver!

[@stevesalyer6261]

YOU ARE MY GURU!!! Finished a multi-episide series that I'm in the process of marketing to studios in Thailand... my first writing project in 2 decades!! I would never have finished it without your channel!! 🙂 Will keep you posted on the progress of the project!! 👍🏼

[@reginanemo640]

Welcome back!

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Thanks!!

[@SoCreate]

Great tips!

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tinastone3772]

Oh boy, you got me on the action v's motion. Once I go down the rabbit hole of research it can be days or weeks before I find my way back out and I've done zero writing during that time. I am a member of an online writing group, where, thankfully on Mondays we post our goals, and on Fridays, we post what we have accomplished. This gives me accountability to my friends and fellow writers to come back at the end of the week and add checkmarks to the goals I completed.

[@Surfthestorm]

This was super helpful! Trying to write my first screenplay ever and keep getting stuck and been putting it off forever!!!

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

I'm so glad!

[@patrickfranks2734]

Wow! Good Valuable Information.

[@nikkinicole7886]

yay!! ur back. i missed u.

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Nice to be back!

[@cloyanyango6812]

Hi, I'm an aspiring screenwriter with a number of movie ideas but the big deal is I can't afford a laptop. I've tried putting pen on paper but it's tiresome and I feel like giving up. watching your videos has been a great source of inspiration and I'd really appreciate it if would help me . Thanks and I'm from Kenya.

[@rubyred2226]

Major writers block lately here! Im so glad you uploaded this specific topic. Thank you so much!

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Glad it was helpful!

[@candidmoments4720]

Very useful info here for free❤️❤️ Thank you

[@Trinity-pd5yz]

Welcome back 😀🥳❤

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Thanks!

[@producedproductions]

You are amazing 👏🏼👏🏼

[@nerdcave6797]

this is the video i need

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

YEAH!

[@fariborznarimani8891]

Thanks for the video which I found very useful as usual. I am really glad and excited to see you again. I know it is too much to ask you to be with us more often via your videos,but Ijust want to tell you how glad I am when I see a new video from you.

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Thank you! 😃

[@stiankallhovd7041]

*Welcome back!* 😊 You touch upon so many interesting things here, and I recognize all the effort you've put into this. For me, I definitely think answering the "why" is the most important. I know I'm writing a very untraditional screenplay, and many who swear by conventional rules might tell me this isn't doable (last year, I paid for a double script consultance -- I never even got around to reading the second note!). *But I strongly believe* in the story I want to tell. And the few people I've talked to online, some writers themselves, seem to find it interesting. So I think it's worth the effort! *P.S.* I'm now re-outlining the entire script, believing there's an even better story to be told with many of the same characters. Here's a basic logline of the new version (based on the same script you read the beginning of). This applies to what might be a series (trilogy?) of movies: *LOGLINE* Four young women desire to spread their philosophy of the soul throughout society, wanting to promote emotional wellness among the populace. When they learn of the existence of spirits, they get dragged into a battle of what is to become the fate of humanity in the afterlife: *Which vision of the afterlife will best enable healing, justice and happiness?* *Genres:* Drama / Fantasy / Action * * * I hope you'll take your own advice, and find the video-making process a reward on its own! 😁

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

lol - It's tough to find time to make vids, but I am totally learning to just have fun with it:)

[@timpepper1775]

Another great video. Another good brain exercise to help with writing is playing chess and for coming up with ideas I think meditation helps. For getting work done I think a good philosphy to remember is beware of your thoughts because they become your actions and beware of your actions because they become your destiny. One thing I get out of that philosphy is you can't allow yourself to mentally break so if you set aside two hours a night that you're going to write you can't even allow yourself to begin to play with the idea that you aren't going to get any writing done.

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Great advice!

[@irawo8142]

Your channel have been helpful in my scripting career. Learnt a lot from your page. I have a request, is it possible for you to make a video on how to write sitcom/ webseries ? Thanks.

[@christianverschaeren5813]

Glad you’re back. ❤️

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Thanks!

[@sharkk2016]

I thought you had forgotten your KZbin password 😄

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

LOL!

[@joeveneklase711]

Watching your videos after having finished my first draft.

[@xianthegaian4060]

Wow how unexpected, thanks for this and I hope you upload more often.

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

More to come!

[@vividcinemaentertainment483]

I got it , I got it .

[@SuperSheliz]

Arghhh! I miss you!

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

:)

[@charlescoan2756]

Thanks so much for all of your information. I am new to your channel. Already learned so much. Going to take one of your online classes. I like your take on keeping lines short , not too much thick with BS. Best Charles

[@xChikyx]

for the calendar I use the app Habits. for the rest, there are so many things that make so much sense, gotta apply everything to see if that helps me more :)

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@sillas813]

Hello, since it has been a long time since you haven't uploaded, I was wondering if you could make aa video on how to structure a tv show. I have been watching a lot of tv shows these days and still trying to figure out the character arcs structures and there is not much on the web about it. thank you, hope to see you back soon

[@alexmilan4496]

just finished my screenplay sweetie, you tryna get a glimpse of this greatness ?

[@classicalperformances8777]

how helpful, thank you so much!it's hard to get info clearly like this in my country. May I ask, if I want to write a 12-episode limited edition series, how do I go about it?Just writing the pilot, ( spec) or does it help if the entire series is written down?xx🙂

[@strikerguimaraes]

5, 4, 3, 2, 1... I know that by a different name.. it's called the state of consciousness. When you are used to one state of consciousness, due to the vibrational level of your spirit, so to say, you feel uncomfortable assuming the new state. That applies for any state .. even trance and dreaming states. The brain isn't the responsible for that, but it modifies itself according to beliefs and state of spirit of a person... The brain is more like a central nerve connecting spirit and body

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Interesting...

[@strikerguimaraes]

@@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144 I'm buying your formating course tho cuz you rock! Haha

[@aydeng.2845]

Hello thank you for all the great advice!! I have a quick question for you. I wrote a movie script based on a cartoon owned by Mattel toys. My question is how would I go about presenting it to them ??

[@ShingInAction]

Where have you been? I hope you are doing well.

[@standswithalean5413]

WD, When should I capitalize words?

[@lazvaldes2857]

Are you still active in this channel? Where could I find the script that won you the Nicholl prize?

[@100footsie]

Awesome vide, I've been working on my screenplay for over a year and although its coming along I believe these techniques will help me reach my goal. It's rough because it is my first and I work a full time job but it is slowly but surely coming along. By the way do you proof read spec scripts and if so what do you charge?

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Hey, Isaiah. I consult occasionally and happen to be available for the next couple weeks. You can see my services page here: screenwritingclassesonline.thinkific.com/pages/services

[@100footsie]

@@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144 Wow thank you soooo much!!!!!!!!

[@100footsie]

@@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144 Hey, I spoke to you a year ago about a script I wrote. I finished it and remembered you explaining how to enter a screenplay into certain contests. Or of your interested, I could email you. If you charge for your services let me know. Thanks again.

[@standswithalean5413]

WD, I need advice. May I ask questions? Does my script need to have elaborate scenes? Do my scenes need to be more than one page? Can I make each scene a single page?

[@nerdcave6797]

i just submitted a screenplay to the austin contest. my anxiety it thru the roof from doing so and now i can't focus on my next project

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Understandable to get anxious when waiting for feedback. But new projects will actually help that! Get many eggs in that basket:)

[@milanvisnjic6000]

Great advice as always! I enjoy watching your videos. I have one question... I am currently enhancing one feature screenplay which I wrote last year and I found out that the script contains the word "well" around 40 times. Is that too much? I think I saw from one of your videos that you criticized using such conjunctions so much. (My script has around 19500 words. )

[@milanvisnjic6000]

PS. the word well is also included in passages like " as well as" and "well, well..." But it is also used sometime as to start off a line ,,Well, you know what..." Is that stupid and should I decrease that a bit?

[@Batman-tk9jd]

Hi. If I am writing my first movie script do I need to put transations? Or this is the editors job? Thank you.

[@ksr3869]

🎉

[@lmichaeljustinm]

Please how can I format a video call? Like Skype.

[@JasperAI-ChatGPT]

Have any of you guys tried using an AI Copywriter to overcome your writers block?

[@dennisg7709]

And where have you been? Lol

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Busy :) But more videos will come in the next few months. One is already in the can.

[@marbellalive24live61]

Well, what happened to this girl? she died? The most recent video is from 2 years ago.😮

[@jayashreechakravarthy4949]

You can stop making my hand shake, Russia.

[@gamingbling3639]

If international citzen make a screenplay can selling in hollywood his production And must do propriete intellectual

[@Rubrick23.]

Do you help edit. Or read scripts?