Writer's Block: The Movie-Like Mind

BinaryEye101 · Post by **BinaryEye101** » 19 Nov 2017, 19:52

Working on a book can be difficult, but viewing the actions of your characters can be even more complicated. As a suggestion to new authors around the globe, try the "movie view". The "Movie View" or "Movie Mind" as many prefer to call it, is the idea of putting yourself in your own personal theater and watching your book as though it were a movie. The actions of the characters, the perceptions, the points of view, all come from what you would experience in this "movie mind". I often tend to use this mindset when I write, even as an "invisible" author, in order to put myself in the place of the characters of my story. In replacing a character in your story, or even acting as the narrator, based on how your novel shall work, it depends on how you feel at the time. What character will you take over, or in the sense..."experience", based on the emotional values you are holding and how you can use them to manipulate your perceptions. As an example: If I am calm and I simply want to escape from a boring moment in a commonplace job, I would situate myself on a chair and turn my mind to other matters. Turning my mind away likely looks more of the term "zoning out" or "blank stare" to others around me, as they have expressed when they have interrupted my moments of "movie mind". I do believe that other authors around the globe have experienced this style of thinking, and would love to comment on their experiences with it as well.

vaz222 · Post by **vaz222** » 20 Nov 2017, 23:22

Actually, yes! I have always been accused of "zoning out" far too often but it's actually what you just described! Great advice!

RooLynn521 · Post by **RooLynn521** » 04 Dec 2017, 18:54

I do this for literally every scene I write. If its something funny, I may accidentally laugh out loud, earning myself a spew of confused stares. If it's sad, my husband will ask me if I'm okay. People who are close to me have learned to leave me be when I do this.

scullen · Post by **scullen** » 09 Dec 2017, 04:18

I don't think I'd be able to write at all without falling into "Movie Mind". Sometimes I have the tendency to zone out like you said and fall into it at inopportune times, but I can't help it when an idea hits me! It's also a great cure for writer's block, trying to picture what happens next, as long as I don't get too caught up in it. Although I don't only look at it as viewing my words on the big screen, sometimes I'm actually in[/] the movie myself. For me that's the easiest way to get into one of my character's voices. I sort of act out what they're doing to ensure I'm writing them true to the person I've described them as and written them to be before. It's a strange habit if anyone ever catches you do it, but it's really helped me with my writing and making my character's different from one another.

bmkelle · Post by **bmkelle** » 08 Jan 2018, 20:56

I'm in a situation where I've had writers block for a while. I try to just go through and re-read it but can't seem to get any farther. I know where I want it to go but I can't get it there. Help!

Whippet · Post by **Whippet** » 16 Jan 2018, 13:10

Wow. So glad you shared this. I do this at times, but only when I'm stuck. I never decided to do it, it's simply a natural reaction to being blocked. Now I've read this I can see it's a strong tool to use at any point in the writing of a story... Can't get too carried away, but I can imagine finding it much easier to plot a novel or short story once using this technique consciously.

Grateful for this post!

corneliusnjoki · Post by **corneliusnjoki** » 06 Feb 2018, 04:41

hae this is such great information as some writers have problems with flowing with the story the way its supposed to flow, so with such information one can be able to paint a clear picture about the scenes in the story

Camille Turner · Post by **Camille Turner** » 03 Mar 2018, 10:37

Doing writing prompts is a huge help to me when I get writer's block. Getting the creative juices flowing without focusing on the piece giving me problems is a great solution for me.

Van112 · Post by **Van112** » 22 Mar 2018, 08:11

Thank you for this one. I have a story that has been on pending for quite a time now because i seemed to have lost track of the things i want to put in as twists. I don't know what to write now. I will definitely try this one out.

Hannah Mo · Post by **Hannah Mo** » 15 May 2018, 10:06

I love using Movie Mind to write as it is easier to get it out on paper. I find it is much more fun as well!

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 30 May 2018, 05:48

I think it is good advice to any author. I have done it without thinking and it helps to add reality to the story. Thank you for the advice

Morgan Jones · Post by **Morgan Jones** » 12 Jun 2018, 02:45

That's exactly what I do! I didn't know there was a title to it. To me, that's the only way I could connect with my characters on an emotional level without over doing it.