Advice

Hi.

I don't know where to start. This week hasn't been my week because I'm just wrecking my brains out where to start. I feel like something is stopping me from developing an idea for a storyline. I can think of my past experience but I don't know how to expand. For example, by looking outside from my window, I can see a pigeon out there on my neighbour's roof but can not come up with a story idea. Know what I mean?

Advice is much appreciated!

Thanks.

Thanks guys and girls for understanding me!

dpaterso said:

Tough one to answer. A writer is supposed to come up with his own ideas, that's part of the job spec. Just wondering... are you hungry? Hungry enough to climb out the window and try to catch that pigeon on your neighbour's roof, I mean. In the pouring rain. Over slick roof tiles and guttering. With the hard pavement 30 feet below. Close your eyes and see it. Lift your head and feel the rain on your face. Your fingers, stiff with cold, unwilling to respond. You shiver, chilled to the bone. Too late to turn back now. And that damn pigeon is watching your every move. Not to mention your neighbour, peeking out through the blinds, certain you're after his wife. Whatever the story is, find it.

Or there's always http://www.seventhsanctum.com/index-writ.php

Welcome to the forum.

-Derek

Click to expand...

Thank you.

I actually like that site! (It is so bookmarked!). It helps a lot. On the otherhand, I can see where you are coming from of describing about the pigeon.

alleycat said:

Let your mind "relax" (so to speak) . . . think of the possibilities.

For example, seeing a pigeon on a roof.

That could be the germ of an idea where a homing pigeon is carrying a secret message for a Nazi spy in England during WWII. The pigeon is injured and stops at the nearest roast . . . which just happens to be owned by a young boy. Nobody believes the boy when he tells them about the message . . . so he goes on a journey to find the spy himself. (Okay, I didn't say it was a great idea.)

Or . . . the pigeon could inspire an idea for a movie called The Pigeon (IS there a movie with that title?). Only this pigeon is the intended victim of a couple of bumbling con men. As the two try to con the "pigeon" that have a number of misadventures and the pigeon alway manages to get the best of them (think of an Adam Sandler-like movie).

Or . . . (I could do twenty of these.)

Just think of a story you'd like to see up on the big screen, something you haven't seen before. What kind of movies do you like? SF? Mystery? Romance? What is familiar, yet fresh? What of your experience could you bring to a story?

Click to expand...

Thank you.

Liking the ideas! I see what you are saying and it must be the most easier part of thinking so much ideas. I just got to be very creative!

zagoraz said:

It may help to get out of the house and do some people watching. Listen in on conversations at restaurants or in line at the bank. Observe people and their behavior. You never know when that idea will pop into your head. You really can't force it so there's no point in stressing about it.

Better to spend two months finding the perfect idea than five minutes picking the worst and ultimately spending six months to a year of your life writing a script that isn't worth writing.

Having said that, since this is your first script -- write what you know. Just finish a draft. It doesn't matter what it's about. It will feel good just to finish one. Then put it down and read it again in a month. Then stick it in your sock drawer after you realize how bad it is.

Then start over. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Click to expand...

Oh, definately. I have been doing that for a while. I recently went to London by train and coming on the way back, I had a notepad and recorded the sounds and writing them down. I can still remember actually by reading the notepad I've still got. I took pictures inside of the train and during the journey. Thank you for the tips!

whistlelock said:

I have several pieces of advice. Apply them as you see fit:

1. Never trust a naked bus driver.
2. Don't bring home squooshed bread. it just pisses people off.
3. Marry rich.
4. Never have sex with someone that has a tattoo of a spider, scorpion, or leaping panther.


that about covers everything.


good luck.

Click to expand...

LOL. Clearly understood!

KCpotatohead said:

Don't forget to write down your ideas no matter how small or at what time of the day they come to you. Jot them down and later look over them. This way you don't forget any ideas.

Kev.

Click to expand...

Yes, indeedo, advice taken. I have been doing that, esp when I catch the bus to town. Thank you.

icerose said:

I find most of my ideas come when I'm not trying to come up with them.

Start doing writing exercises. Pick a topic. Silence. Wind. Traffic. Anything. And write. Doesn't have to be in script format either. Just start writing. You need to warm up, stretch, and exersize your writing muscles. You're trying to head straight into the heavy lifting.

Next, if you can't come up with random ideas, start doing what ifs. What if that man reading the newspaper was a hitman. What if that secretary was undercover. What if your neighbor was married before and something terrible had happened. What if that robin is really electronic. And see where it goes.

Then learn to follow through.

Talk to others about your ideas, someone you trust and who is receptive. You need a solid sounding board you can bounce your ideas off, and get them to start flowing.

Start writing it. Even if its just a few small paragraphs. Whether you're mechanical or organic in your writing process, just keep at it.

Good luck.

Click to expand...

Brill. I remember I did this in my English class for an exam. We were given the word "Playground". I came up with so much ideas. I will try that because I haven't done that for a while! Thanks!

NicoleMD said:

And remember to ask yourself "What if..."



Mmmmm...Tastes like chicken.

Click to expand...

Deffo!

DanielD said:

To Vigilant.
Just two things.

1. WRITE.WRITE.WRITE.

AND

2. READ.READ.READ.

Also, as mentioned above, observe everything that's happening around you.

Coming up with story ideas is the easy part, making those ideas into a great story(Screenplay) is something much more difficult.
Create a nice quite environment for yourself, around your PC or your typewriter(Or use a note pad).
Once you have an idea, allow it to ferment a little, get a feel for it visually ect.
Then, start writing.
Don't worry about format and structure at first, not until you have an understanding of them, these can be polished up once you get your initial idea on paper.
If you think too technically, you'll probably lose your original idea.
With Screenwriting , you will find it is similar to other disciplines(The more you practice the better you become).
And as for great advice, you've come to the right place, as the folks on this site are most helpful.
Daniel.

Click to expand...

Thanks! I've started to do that right now.

Joe270 said:

That pigeon is an evil omen. Its appearance starts the paint melting off the walls. The typewriter melts. The world folds into itself as if. . .

Sorry, I just finished S.King's latest.

Okay, to my genre. The pigeon is armed, heavily armed, and is launching an airborne assault . . .

You get the idea. Run with it.

Click to expand...

lol. Thanks.

jonpiper said:

OK, if you can't find a story in the pigeon, look beyond the bird, in the attic, up in the sky, everywhere. Why does that kid raise pigeons? Who is that kid? The one with the BB gun. One thing leads to another.

Click to expand...

I see. Thank you.

Thanks all! I have taken in all the advice, and it has boosted my ideas!