This week's Answer: Avoiding
The Big "O"
Jim, first, look at the bright side.
At least you don’t have to write an incomplete
screenplay. Those
are harder to sell. And,
another plus is that you have the general story.
It always helps to have a story, either general or
not so general. Do you see how far ahead you are already?
You’re practically there.
All you have to now is write a few pages (like a
hundred or more). And
a week is really a long time.
It can be a lifetime.
For a fly. Here’s
another idea. Take
the “b” from “job” and bring in a “y.”
What do you end up with?
yoj. I
mean, “joy.” Change
your thinking from your screenwriting being a joy to it
being a oyj. I
mean, “joy.”
To avoid the big “O”
(“overwhelm.” What
were you thinking?), I find it’s always best to do
everything you can to NOT be overwhelmed.
Deep, don’t ya think?
The best way to do that is to not force your
ideas, your dialogue, your scenes, your structure, your
theme, your anything, but, instead, let the
storyline (we used to call it “the plot”), the images,
the words, your character’s needs and limitations, your
changing paces and tones, your everything, show
itself to you. When you’re anxious, pressured, worried, the tendency is to
tense up, which causes your connection to your creative
soul to be blocked, which doesn’t allow for those
wonderful ideas to come through.
Actually, when you have a deadline, that’s the
time to be the most relaxed.
When you relax, regardless of the closeness of a
deadline, you’re telling yourself that you’re trusting
“the process.”
When those teensy weensy guys and gals who run around in
your subconscious and are the gate keepers to the doorways
to your creativity get wind of how relaxed you are,
they’ll all relax and feel very trusted and their
self-esteem will soar and they’ll work hard for you and
do all they can to show you their appreciation by making
sure the very best ideas come to you for your screenplay.
I know this may sound a bit farfetched, but it’s
all been scientifically proven.
How else do you think such great screenplays have
been written? Well,
I’d like to write more, but I have a deadline, which is
making me a little anxious.
And I haven’t heard from my little
men and women all day.
DcH
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