Lesson 2: HOW to never run out of good ideas

The worst feeling a writer can have is to sit down and stare at a blank paper, screen or note card. The dreaded writers block…

So how do we go about this?

First off, you don’t need an idea to start writing. There are many exercises (like the one I have for you) that you can do to practice.

Okay back to getting ideas and avoiding writers block forever...

What I've learned is that ideas cannot be forced. They are formed and found when you’re least expecting. And in some cases they "find you".

Every wonder why you think better in the shower? Maybe when you're doing the dishes, mowing the lawn or folding your laundry?

It's because these mundane repetitive tasks allow your mind to float away. You aren't concentrating on the here and now.

But let me back up before you start volunteering to do chores around the house. 

There is a very big step you have to do first. That is to prime the mind.

How do you properly prime the mind?

Well you have to sit down and tell yourself I want to write a movie. But what should my movie be about? Who should it be about? Why? How? When?

You may not have any answers. If you do that's great. Then continue priming.

I want to write a horror film because I saw Alien: Romulus and I thought that was cool.

It may take days but soon you will get an idea when you least expect it.

What if a Haunted House turns real and kills the people inside?

Okay now we are really priming the mind. We have a concept.

Soon these ideas build on each other and start to create a jumping off point for your next brainstorming session.

It's a funny thing with being creative. The more you try the harder it is. But the more you feed and prime your mind the more you realize you'll end up being more creative more often.

Simple phrases become things you want to write down and save for your script. Stories about family and friends become sub plots. And news headlines become twists and turns. 

The writer steals from everything and makes it their own.

BIG TIP:

You have two sides of your brain. The creative side and the inner critic. When inspiration finally hits (and this can take days) turn off the inner critic. Let the creative side flow through you until it has run out. Then you can evaluate what you have into a 1-2 sentence log line.

Writing Exercise 2

Part 1: This is where we build on today’s lesson (dreaming up your idea)

Prime the mind and brainstorm 5 log lines or simple movie idea descriptions of your own.

1-2 sentences to tell me what your film is about!

Drawing a blank? Pick 5 movies you like and write a log line for each one.

Part 2: Writing Assignment (Dialogue Work)

Write a dialogue scene with three characters where a dark secret is revealed.

The hitch: No one can ask a question.

Tip: Figure out your dark secret, location and who done it. Be specific.

ex.
After a robbery, a group of desperate thieves turn on the TV to LEARN of a murder at the 7/11 they held up
Dark Secret: Character 3 killed the clerk during the robbery
Location: The Safe House