An Introduction and a question(s)!

[LabyrinthineMind]

Hello everyone, just would like to say hello and introduce myself to this community of screenwriters.

I'm just a housewife with aspirations, but I've done a bit of writing for awhile now (for my own) and gotten down some ideas on paper.

I have not yet completed a script :( On paper anyway, of course the story(ies!) are done in my head... but I just manifest all sorts of reasons to not sit down and finish.


Most of my problem lies in the conflict and creating obstacles in the middle of the story. To me, it just seems like adding fluff and less real content. I suppose this could signal that my story is not robust enough, however, I don't believe that to be true.


I am also hesitant to talk about precise ideas on such an open forum - is that too much paranoia?

Basically I just need to learn to overcome the hurdle of letting writing become habit-forming. I think and think and think so much about it my brain hurts, but sitting down at a keyboard to actually create... it's devastatingly terrifying.

So, I hope this helps. Then again, forums just tend to divert our attentions even more :)

[icerose]

Welcome and nice to meet you. I am a stay-at-home mom myself.

As for your story, I suggest getting it all down on paper and worry about the rest later. That stuff is for the revision process. Worrying about those things will only keep you from finishing it on paper.

Good luck!

Sara

[scripter1]

Welcome to the boards.
I do hope that you will find some help here and be able to progress in your work.

Sometimes it just takes a while to find the method that works for you.
Maybe you haven't come up with an idea that means enough to you, personally. You may enjoy the thought of writing and enjoy the thrill of new ideas but none of them really resonate yet.

My suggestion to you would be to keep an idea journal. Write everything down on paper, with ink, by hand, the old fashioned way. For some reason that always helps me. I do all my brainstorming on paper before I ever try to type anything.
Keep taking notes until you come up with something you MUST work on, and then develop that further.

Or maybe you need to learn the craft more? Get some good books.
I'm reading "The Writer's Journey" by Vogler. It's all about the mythos of heros and how different stories are formed by the journey the protag takes.
Also check out http:/wwwscriptsecrets.net and check out Bill Martell's tip of the day.
He posts articles every day on a huge varity of topics. I find them very inspiring.

About fluff and not having conflict or obstacles, and paranoia.
There really isn't a way for us to help you out unless we know some basics of the story. Share with us a bit more and we'll be able to give you more detailed advice.
Really, we all have our own stories we are working on that mean a great deal to us. It is unlikely that we would want to take over yours. Even so, there is no guarantee that we will write it better then you. Hand out the same idea to ten writers and you will get ten vastly different stories.

I really think Bill's tips will help you out quite a bit.

Again, welcome to the boards and loads of luck to you.

[NikeeGoddess]

Most of my problem lies in the conflict and creating obstacles in the middle of the story. To me, it just seems like adding fluff and less real content. I suppose this could signal that my story is not robust enough, however, I don't believe that to be true.



for this particular problem, i recommend two books you should invest in: Anatomy of a Screenplay (which is technical about 2nd act obstacles) & Robert McKee's, Story (which explains the process of the 3-act structure in exhaustive detail).

no reason to be paranoid about your ideas. we're all too busy with out own. however, it's nice to have some validation on their worthiness so...babble on!

remember to "write what you know" - i just watched Showtime's Weeds the other night and i must say - that's the kind of stuff a suburban housewife should be writing. i loved it!

[LabyrinthineMind]

Thank you for your responses!

It's good to hear about the ideas. I guess I figure that our ideas are the only real creative thing we have, so I tend to guard them jealously. (Even though they may or may not be any good and/or unique/original! I am realistic.)

I have that Story book, and have read it. I have also taken an Online course through Gotham Writer's Workshop for Screenwriting and got excellent feedback and a little kick in the keister about writing. The actual modus operandi of writing isn't really an issue for me, the technicality of it... it's the commitment. The habitualness. The /promise to myself/ of following through that I am having trouble with.

I find it fascinating that people get a picture of what my life must be becuase I mentioned I'm a housewife. The 'write what you know' aspect of your response... because honestly, I'm not at all keen on the suburban lifestyle, I have wide and varied interests outside kids and wallpaper designs. I have outside interests enough to not even /care/ about the fact that I don't like to talk about kids and wallpaper designs. There are plenty of women out there doing that already, and writing about it, I'd rather go for the stuff I'm interested in, the stuff I know ;)

Believe it or not, it's not about kids and wallpaper!

I do have nearly 20 pages done on my current screenplay, that has languished for months upon months... I could put that up on the critique boards for inspection? (10 pages only of course, I read the rules :) )

[scripter1]

Do you mind if I call you that?
If so, you know,.............
too bad, cuz I'm too darn lazy to write your whole name out everytime. :)

I'm a housewife too but I don't write about kids, minivans, and wallpaper.
I write about horses, and camping, and other countries I'd love to go visit. I write about what it's like to not belong, or the need to be unique in some way, or trying to fix a problem with the world we live in. I write about doing the right thing when I'd rather do the fun thing. I write about the choices we make and how they affect our lives and impact others.

"Writing what you know" means writing about things that interest you.
With the wonderful world of the Internet you can find out all kinds of stuff.
Research what excites you and then write about it.

AHHHHh! So it's not the writing of it that gets you, it's the actual sitting down and WRITING the darn thing. Clacking those keys.
Well, first get a story that just moves you. Something that will explode inside your head if you don't give it life.
Then set up a time and place for writing. Someplace that is YOUR space, with things around you that give you encouragment.
Then stick to your guns.
"This MY writing space and MY writing time!!!!!! If you aren't bleeding or dying LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!"

If it means enough to you you'll make it happen.
Where there is a will there is way.

We can help you with the way. We can answer questions, give you some quidance, help you along.
BUT we can't give you the will to write.
That comes from inside you.

[dpaterso]

Welcome, it's a small world, I'm a housewife with aspirations too! Hoping you find something useful here.

-Derek
Derek's Web Page - stories, screenplays, novels, insanity. (http://hometown.aol.co.uk/DPaterson57/scripts.htm)

[StephieM]

"The actual modus operandi of writing isn't really an issue for me, the technicality of it... it's the commitment. The habitualness. The /promise to myself/ of following through that I am having trouble with."

Welcome Labyrinth,

It seems you and I have the same problem. :) I have the same trouble with conflict and can't seem to finish a script. I've been doing something that seems to help. I wrote down all my scenes on index cards-just the slugline and a short idea of the scene's purpose. Everyday I take one or two scenes and just write them, not worrying about wether or not the dialogue is cheesy, or the descriptions are crappy, or wether or not it's too long. I just write them. Then I take what I wrote and staple it to the index card. Next day I move on to more scenes. Yesterday I just kind of schemed over the scenes I finished and highlighted the things I wanted to change. When I'm finished with every scene I will start my rewrite, focusing on the things I highlighted. My main problem was trying to start from the begining and work all the way to finish. I'd get caught up on making everything perfect and wouldn't get very far. This works for me because this way I can allow myself to be spontaneous, rather than sticking to my rule where everything must be done in order. And I'm not constantly looking over my work to see how far along I've come. Doing it this way, I have most of my script done (The first words on paper part anyway), and it's giving me a whole lot more confidence. Just looking at the stack of scenes on my table gets me excited. I'm finally going to finish a script! That's a good feeling to have.

Everyone is different, what works for me might not work for you, but hope it helps.

Steph

[LabyrinthineMind]

You know, it feels nice knowing that I am not the only one in this boat. I have this awkward feeling that it stems from a general sense of undeserving that women feel about themselves. I certainly feel like I'm a charlatan half the time, that even though I've the chops, I'm poking my nose into places I don't belong.

You're so right when you say it's all inside. I wonder where my will went for this. My children are not that young. They go to school all day (though summer vacation is still going on right now) so I can find the time. I choose to fill it up instead with every other possible reason to not do anything about it. I think I feel comfortable with this general self-hatred of my complacency.

I will find reasons out of the cracks of concrete 3 miles away on a sidewalk for why I can't start writing on any particular day. Bah.

I suppose I'll find the werewithal to post my first 10 pages later on today. You guys can take a look at it and tell me what you think (about my idea at the very least).

[sspunisher]

Greetings From the North Americas,

Hello Lab.

I was in the same boat as you a couple of months ago. I'd recommend a couple of things. Take a look at our Critique Board. It helps train your eye to bad writing habits, etc. Also helps you avoid some newbie Screenwriting mistakes.

As for sharing your work in the open, that's a toughy.

I'm a secretive one myself, but after making one post, I'd definitely recommend posting your work and let others look it over. Now I guess it depends on what you want to reveal and what you want to keep concealed about your story. But if you at all can find a way to post anything that you feel comfortable posting, then rest assured, you'll be glad you did.

Not to mention any names (cough cough), but some people are horrible at taking criticism. But if you're one of the sane people who sees the critiques as a positive and constructive way to make your script "public friendly," then you'll be glad you made the post. Good luck.

[preyer]

hey, i'm *not* a housewife, though i aspire to be a househusband, and an idea popped into my head today about working women's problems, kinda like a supermom thing which always causes stress. coupled with a lacklustre relationship with her spouse, it drives her to cheat on him. okay, probably more 'lifetime' than normal, just occured to me earlier and thought i'd share.

i'm not usually shy about sharing my ideas because i'm basically a hack. i often give scant paragraphs about ideas knowing that if someone 'steals' it they won't be able to write it very well. i mean, if you have to steal from *me*, you're a worse hack than i am, right? lol. besides, i'd just move onto my next idea, anyway.

'wherewithal' is a great word i try to use as often as possible. makes me sound smarter than i really am. that's why i used to do so many crossword puzzles, because they just had so many great words in 'em to borrow.

not that i'm published, but one novel i did (well, i self-published that one) came out to be about 180 pages in the first draft. the inclusion of one side plot turned everything upside down and i wound-up with 410 pages and i don't feel as if it was useless filler at all. there are plenty of frameworks to serve as guides if you get stuck. pick a similar movie or style you like and see how the second act is handled there, i guess.

i'm convinced that one reason i really don't usually get stumped writing is because i throw all pretext of trying to be original out the window. my stories are very, ah, fluid, too. that is, i have certain things worked out in my current story, but it not being set in stone, i've decided to incorporate dante's nine levels of hell into a character and will probably consider stealing some storytelling from 'kung fu hustle,' of all things. don't consider it stealing as much as 're-imagining,' 'borrowing,' 'doing an homage,' 'expounding,' and/or 're-defining for a new audience.' if my testonerone is up that day or there's a sappy song playing, i could go off on a tangent.

i reckon at some point you'll actually have to start writing it. it's like excercise, the toughest thing to do is to start. :)

then again, maybe it helps not being a linear type of writer. i usually start off in the middle of the story somewhere and skip around. once i'm into it a few pages, i have a better handle on how i want things to simply begin. i'm also a big fan of arrangement. at least in fiction writing, there's a lot to be squeezed out of just how you arrange the story. i'm a newbie at scripts, so i'm going to be very interested in seeing how that translates.

are you like me in that you envision the scene in your head before you write it down, i mean like down to the last second of mental 'film'? to me, there are scenes that logically happen next. if you get stuck on what should happen next, you could read a book. personally, i'd rather watch a movie and get the same thing.

what genre are you writing?

well, good luck, anyway. :)

[LabyrinthineMind]

Sorry I forgot the H preyer. It wasn't a spelling error, it was a typo. I don't re-read before I hit submit :p

Notice how I haven't posted my pages yet though? I find all sorts of reasons... like my 8 year old daughter using that computer now...

What genre? That is a loaded question. Loads of them. However, this script that has the most meat to it would be Thriller/Suspense.

I've already decided to take a look at it today and post something. That's something at least. :p

[GonnaBeFamous]

I'm probably the only one here who immediately was able to start out spitting scripts before I barely knew what a script was (I was learning the format in the middle of my first script LOL). So I know how to get a fire under my belt and do it.(I'll probably finish 6 scripts in 7 months, 3 1/2 in my first 4 months already).

1) DOn't expect to be good at screenwriting for your first script or even possibly your 2nd script.
2)Negative thoughts are natural. You wouldn't believe the negative thoughts that entered my mind.
3) The middle of the story is always the hardest for me, this is the time I'm eager to quit
4) The first draft doesn't have to be perfect. I write the first draft and walk waay for a while to gain objectivity(about a month). I revise it later. Plan to spend months revising by taking weeks away at a time between polishes.
5) if you only do 3 pages a day you'll have a finished script in a month.
6) Read a screenplay book.
7) Outline the key points of the story.

[GonnaBeFamous]

For those suggesting to write Drama's
:Hammer:

[Enigma]

... all you have to do is sit down at your word processor and open up a vein. http://absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon7.gif If you don't bleed or starve to death, you'll do just fine.

[sspunisher]

Post deleted and moved to Absolute Write Water Cooler - GonnaBeFamous (http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17309)

[Optimus]

hmmI'm probably the only one here who immediately was able to start out spitting scripts before I barely knew what a script was (I was learning the format in the middle of my first script LOL). So I know how to get a fire under my belt and do it.(I'll probably finish 6 scripts in 7 months, 3 1/2 in my first 4 months already).

1) DOn't expect to be good at screenwriting for your first script or even possibly your 2nd script.
2)Negative thoughts are natural. You wouldn't believe the negative thoughts that entered my mind.
3) The middle of the story is always the hardest for me, this is the time I'm eager to quit
4) The first draft doesn't have to be perfect. I write the first draft and walk waay for a while to gain objectivity(about a month). I revise it later. Plan to spend months revising by taking weeks away at a time between polishes.
5) if you only do 3 pages a day you'll have a finished script in a month.
6) Read a screenplay book.
7) Outline the key points of the story.

Gee, this sounds nearly identical to the things we've told YOU during the past week.

Someone's a fast regurgitator...uh...I mean..."learner."

[LabyrinthineMind]

Thanks for taking that out of my thread, I think :p

[Enigma]

... like my 8 year old daughter using that computer now...


Consider yourself lucky. About the only time I miss the kids is when I need help fixing the computer.

Mine loved wrecking my OS, then they'd reinstall it with a hug, to show they loved me. http://absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon7.gif

Oh, it'll get worse. My sister and her husband decided to "protect" their 13 year-old, but they had to ask him how to block certain sites. He did, in a flash, and then rushed outside to play baseball. Later, at dinner, he casually mentioned that if they ever need to know how to unblock it, that he'll be glad to show 'em how to do that too.

They surrendered, and removed the blocks.

Enjoy 'em while you got 'em.

[scripter1]

for a second to run to the bathroom only to return and find my 2 year old happily revising the last two hours worth of work.

JOHN
I've never been this turned on.
Your 845jkha97098w0-9t jit is
eiwuiut owoe9089089357 jkjf9u23^&*#()r!!!!!!

Followed by about 20 blank pages.

Honestly Laby,
Sounds like you need to get a little tougher.
Set up a writing time.
Stick to it!
Maybe you need to put the kids to bed earlier (ha ha ha ha ha) and then write at night.
Or get up earlier (ha ha ha ha ha) and write in the morning.

Is the 8 year old your youngest?
Well, then write while everyone is at school. Pick two or three days as your writing days and the others are for housework.
OR get your kids some type of game or activity they REALLY love and give that to them ONLY during writing time.
As long as they leave you alone they get to keep it.

Also you could "Pay" yourself. Get a jar and for every page you write give yourself a quarter.

I still think that once you've found that story you really have to write that this problem will resolve itself.

[LabyrinthineMind]

I still think that once you've found that story you really have to write that this problem will resolve itself.

You are probably right. To be perfectly honest what has kept me from it for the past 10 months was World of Warcraft. I played that instead of.. doing anything else.

Lots of personal changes later, I went completely off online games. I'm rather glad I did.

So, only 2 more weeks til school starts. I think I can wait it out.

As far as the story that needs to be written - I don't know. I am chock full of ideas that inspire me, but when it comes down to fleshing it out 100%, getting to the meat of the story... well, let's just say I'm a lazy intellectual.

I just need to kick my own arse and force myself to motivate, perpetually..... instead of the burst of a couple of weeks and then months of languishing under the harness of a new hobby.

Thanks for the responses. :)

[Enigma]

You are probably right. To be perfectly honest what has kept me from it for the past 10 months was World of Warcraft. I played that instead of.. doing anything else.

Lots of personal changes later, I went completely off online games. I'm rather glad I did.

So, only 2 more weeks til school starts. I think I can wait it out.

As far as the story that needs to be written - I don't know. I am chock full of ideas that inspire me, but when it comes down to fleshing it out 100%, getting to the meat of the story... well, let's just say I'm a lazy intellectual.

I just need to kick my own arse and force myself to motivate, perpetually..... instead of the burst of a couple of weeks and then months of languishing under the harness of a new hobby.

Thanks for the responses. :)

Notice how we've shortened your name?

The discussion that included using voice got me to thinking; thinking about getting a digital tape recorder and sending the recorded thoughts, notes, etc., to the computer.

No, I don't have a clue how to do it, but the guys at AumHa will. I'll ask and get back if there's any interest.

[dpaterso]

JOHN
I've never been this turned on.
Your 845jkha97098w0-9t jit is
eiwuiut owoe9089089357 jkjf9u23^&*#()r!!!!!!Just when it was getting as juicy as hell! Your what, dammit? Your what???

-Derek
Derek's Web Page - stories, screenplays, novels, insanity. (http://hometown.aol.co.uk/DPaterson57/scripts.htm)

[GonnaBeFamous]

Nice try opti. Ive been posting some of that kind of stuff since I've been here.

[Enigma]

Just when it was getting as juicy as hell! Your what, dammit? Your what???

-Derek
Derek's Web Page - stories, screenplays, novels, insanity. (http://hometown.aol.co.uk/DPaterson57/scripts.htm)
images/icons/icon7.gif
Yeah, she asked for that one. Funny.

[sspunisher]

Thanks for taking that out of my thread, I think :p

Whoops. Your welcome.

Sorry so slow to respond. This is the time of year where I start going into my anti-social hole. Between the NFL opener and Madden 06, there's not enough hours in the day. My gfs gana be pissed, because she knows exactly where she is on that priority list lol.

Go, Team, Go.
:Cheer: