Writing and Stuff Redux

Redux means brought back, or revived. I never knew that. I feel like I’ve seen the word redux on a VHS box and never knew what it meant, only that it was associated with movies. Weird.
This is going to be a short entry. I got totally stuck on how to move the story forward in a pilot I’m working on, but just kept typing and stayed in the chair and thought of an idea that I’m satisfied with. One thing I can say after writing screenplays for so long is that now creative solutions that feel natural and authentic to the story come much faster whenever I get stuck. I can think of honest dialogue, find the small details in a narrative situation or setting to latch onto that can open up new pathways for the characters to take. And I may find out later such decisions may not be the most optimal or compelling choices, but that’s okay. At least I’m experimenting. At least I’m writing and participating in the process, instead of getting frustrated with myself, with getting stuck. You’re going to get stuck sometimes, and that’s okay.
It’s 3 a.m. I should go to bed. I’m still reading Gone Girl. I’ve been reading the script for weeks — sometimes I read these things very slowly because I really want to take them apart and see what works, how the writer pulled me into the story. I’ve read countless screenplays over the years thanks to the miracle of people putting them on the internet (for free!) to read. Their availability and the time I’ve had to really examine them has been essential to my development as a writer of screenplays.