Writer's Block

James Gunn wrote on a Q&A with fans that he 'does not believe in writers block' that you must simply 'write past it.' I must say I disagree, however, I've only written two screenplays, what do I know. I do get stuck when I'm writing, and I blame writers block, I'm writing this post now, as I'm struggling with an Idea of mine.

This happens, which makes this happen, so therefore this should happen. Logical, that's what writing is circumstances coming together creating new situations; but, sometimes something goes wrong and it just doesn't make sense. Yes this happened, and then that happened, but my character wouldn't do this, so this doesn't make sense.

It's like an equation, everything should add together, and give you a new equation to give you the end, the answer. The smallest hiccup, like a wrong number, can derail your work. Then you spend days going back over you work, writing out your beats, where, where did I go wrong?

This is where most of the time, I give up with my scripts, scrap it, if its not making sense, its never going to make sense. This is and I know it, the wrong attitude, but in my head I can hear a voice saying don't settle with an idea, they'll be better ideas. So I write off my work, and this is where James Gunn's advice comes in handy. After all he writes Marvel films and seems to be doing well so maybe I should listen to his advice.

Keep writing, it could be the worse writing you've ever done, but it could surprise you. By carrying on writing, you keep your story alive, when it's on its knees. Its better to keep it alive, rather then having to put a bullet in its head.

So after this post, I intend to try again and push my idea further. It could turn into complete gold or rubbish, but among the rubbish I could find treasure, a life raft, where I can drag my idea to safety and together we paddle for the hopeful shore.

Till next time, Terry. x

Life Beyond Facebook

I'll be honest with you, I love Facebook, I like being able to see the history. All those post and stupid messages me and my friends exchanged. I'd check Facebook every twenty minutes or so, reading peoples status laughing at how poorly their life sounds, we all do it. However, I also hate it, hate the way that its killed a real conversation, you've all seen it/ been it, that guy/gal, out at Nandos, struggling to speak to you friend/ date because there sat scrawling through pointless post. You want to wave your arms and say; 'hey life's happening over here.'

 I personally always resisted the temptation of looking at my phone when out, I hate the idea of coming across as social networking obsessed, waiting till my date was in the toilet, before whipping my phone out and checking my updates. I sat down last week and did my weekly life assessment, this is where I end up over thinking the smallest things.

  As I sat and reassessed my life, I realised, my life was on the small white device in my hand, my phone. From my friends on Facebook, to the celebrities I follow on twitter, to my pathetic attempts of dating on tinder and plenty of fish, precious photos on Instagram,  and my attempts to get work on shitty Linkedin.

   I looked at my phone, not lovingly like I once did, but in fear, like a Gremlin from the film 'Gremlins' (Dante,1984), a drain on my life, eating away,demanding more and more personal information, and I stuffed the details of my life into its gob, and it depressed me.

  I then spent a night removing my social accounts, I kept Instagram, I love having my photos on there (@terryhall17 if you want to follow). So now I am Facebook-less, I am one of those cool mysterious dudes who, when someone asks 'You on Facebook?' I can raise an eyebrow and give a smug smiled 'No, sorry.' Who is this mysterious man? People will ask, how will I know if he is or isn't single? They will cry as they wonder, what are his favourite films? and Where does he work?

 Maybe they could ask me, in person? Crazy I concept, I know, but you must admit it sounds a lot nicer then, having to click on a profile, scroll through their page, only to not be interested in them because they don't match your film taste.

 How am I living without Facebook? Well I'll be honest, with it being the summer break from uni, its hard, I have however been writing and reading more, and watching the Sherlock Holmes films. Despite the boredom, I am genuinely happier, Social networking felt like such a drain on my life, and what for? Do any of my witty and hilarious status updates matter now?

  I may return to Facebook but for now I'm far happier without it.

Till next time, Terry. X

Slightly More Motivational Then I Intended.

So that is it then, I've decided to become a screenwriter. Right now, at this moment of time I have written a grand total of 2 scripts. A fifteen minute drama that I co-wrote with some class mates at University, and a 30 minute spec script for a television drama called Haunted. I must say even though I know 2 scripts is not a lot, it feels like an achievement to say I have written just one.

 I thought writing the scripts would be the hardest part of writing. I however have learn't that writing is only a small part of the process, rewriting is where the action is. I now look at my Haunted script and tears beginning to brew from my eyes and I ask; 'why, why, oh why aren't you good?'

This isn't just me doubting myself, its after having received feedback. I find it touching that people want to read my scripts and share their thoughts on it, and it helps, I have begun to notice my stupid mistakes. I then take these notes and prepare to rewrite, and I'm struggling, my story doesn't work any more. Why is this character saying that and why is she doing this?

 As I struggle to make sense of my own work, I can't help but ask, why a screenwriter? I have other skills, I've been studying television and radio production, there are many areas I can go on to. Writing screenplays is it a reachable goal? Will I ever be able to sell a spec script? 2 scripts in and I am ready to call myself a screenwriter, is it all a bit premature?

At this moment in time it feels like I'm at the foot of mount Kilimanjaro, wondering if I should, if I can, take that first step. Why not me? People have done it before me, people will do it after me.

So this is me, taking the first step.

If you're reading this, and are wondering to yourself;  'am I reaching for the stars?' Unsure whether you're ever going to be able to grasp them?

You're not alone.