how to combat writers block
notes on the screenwriting process
Hi Friends,
Man, this past week was brutal for writing. I’ve been working on an outline for a feature (one I PROMISED myself I’d finish by now) and yet… here we are. What’s more meta than writing about writer’s block while actually being in the thick of it?
That said, I’m writing this down as a reminder to myself and for anyone else out there suffering from writers block. Here’s what helped me push through last time I was in this headspace.
Also! This post is apart of a series where I talk a bit more about my screenwriting process. Everyone writes differently, but I spent a lot of last year experimenting and refining what that looks like for me.
You can read more about my screenwriting process where I have all the articles organized into a table of contents: want to write a feature screenplay? start here!
In my last post about my screenwriting process, how to finish a first draft, I talked a bit about how I always try to write fast, and I wanted to go more into that today.
We’ve all been there — staring at a blank page, feeling the creeping dread of writer’s block. For me, it usually comes from perfectionism. The fear of writing something bad can be paralyzing. It’s so, SO hard when when you’re stuck on something you need to finish, and there’s no one else telling you what to do. The burden of breaking through writer’s block falls entirely on you.
That scares me- but what scares me even more is the thought of working on something for so long that it never sees the light of day.
I thought I’d share a few tricks I’ve found helpful when it comes to pushing through creative blocks. These aren’t new ideas by any means, but I’ve found that it’s what works for me.
“Don't think. Thinking is the enemy of creativity. It's self-conscious, and anything self-conscious is lousy. You can't try to do things. You simply must do things.”
- Ray Bradbury
1. Recognize the Fear
If you’re struggling to finish a draft, or even start one, there’s a good chance fear is at the root of it. Fear of writing something bad. Fear of it not living up to your expectations. Fear that it’s not “good enough”…
The thing is — a first draft isn’t supposed to be good. It’s called a vomit draft for a reason. I often think about Will.i.am’s interview on creativity and manifestation, where he compares creativity to farming. Just like manure helps crops grow, the messy parts of the creative process are what nourish great ideas.
2. Set a Deadline
I swear by deadlines- it’s the only thing that pushes me to get a draft done! Submissions for labs or fellowships are great, but if those aren’t an option, try emailing a friend and telling them you’ll send them something by a specific date. Suddenly, you have accountability.
Break it down further with mini-deadlines — one page by tonight, a rough outline by the end of the week. This keeps the task from feeling overwhelming and forces you to move forward.
3. Embrace the 80/20 Rule
When your draft feels about 80% there, move on. Seriously. That last 20% can be a black hole of endless tinkering. Remember this is at the very beginning of the writing phase- I keep telling myself that I’m probably going to have at least 20 passes before I can call it “finished”.
Think of it like painting — block in the general shapes first. The details come later. Sometimes, I’ll share a rough scriptment with my writers’ group instead of waiting to polish it on my own. It’s terrifying, but progress beats perfection every time.
4. Find an Accountability Buddy
If you’re struggling to stay motivated, having an accountability buddy is super helpful. I do this consistently with a couple of colleagues, and it has helped so much. We check in each session- sometimes we will do writing sprints and write 30 minutes at a time then do check ins, other times it can be more casual. Just having someone else working alongside you even virtually can be a game-changer.
5. Don’t Fear the Blank Page
The blank page is brutal. I get really overwhelmed and anxious by a blank page! One trick that has helped me is to change up the format. Write in the notes app, type in an email draft, or grab a notebook and write by hand. I like to have two pages up side by side on my computer, I don’t know why. Shifting mediums can trick your brain into relaxing.
Also, you don’t have to write in order. If a scene intimidates you, skip it. If I’m stuck I’ll just write “I’m not exactly sure what goes here, but maybe XYZ” and come back later. It’s all about momentum.
Final Thoughts
Writing is hard! Honestly, sometimes it feels like I’m constantly trying to gaslight myself into doing something my brain just doesn’t want to do. Don’t get me wrong, it’s incredible when you hit that flow state, but sometimes it just doesn’t happen. When that’s the case, here are some tricks that have helped:
• Feeling sleepy? It might be your brain working overtime. Or it might be avoidance. Take a short break, then push through.
• Overthinking dialogue? Just write the intent, eg. “They fight. She leaves.” And then just move on.
• Scared of bad writing? Remember the startup mantra: Fail fast, fail often. The goal isn’t to avoid mistakes — it’s to learn from them. The idea is to not be too precious with your ideas.
If any of these tips resonate with you, or if you have your own tricks for breaking through writer’s block, I’d love to hear them!
Good luck, and happy writing.
Love,
Gisella x
what i’m consuming 🍰
Ok. This interview with Miley Cyrus from the New York Times was amazing for two reasons:
Lulu Garcia-Navarro was probably the best interviewer I’ve seen in a long time. Her questions were thoughtful, she carried the conversation effortlessly, and she was incredibly empathetic and you could tell that Miley clearly felt safe enough to open up.
Miley completely won me over. Granted, I’ve listened to her music, but never heard her speak before. But in this interview she comes across as so intelligent, self-aware, driven, and deeply committed to her artistry. It gave me a whole new level of respect for her.
who i am
Hi, I’m Gisella! I’m a repped screenwriter based in Seattle. I directed a feature-length documentary and most recently, my pilot Body Brokers was on the 2024 Blacklist Latine List. Follow me on my journey to get my first screenplay green lit 💚
Staring at a blank page is REAL! Great advice <3