Question: How to decompress after finishing a script?

In Open Forum, E.C. writes:

Writer’s inner psychology question: I find that when I near the end of writing a project I feel driven, and often times line edit for periods of time 12–16 hours for days on end. By the end of this time period I am extremely burned-out. SOOOO my question is, what is a healthy approach as how to handle final polishes, and de-gear after being deeply immersed in a story?

I’ve always found a bottle of Veuve Clicquot to be a most helpful way to unwind.

Okay, tongue firmly planted in cheek.
But it’s not a bad idea.

First off, you need to celebrate.
Writers have so few opportunities to do that.
When you finish a script…
Doesn’t that qualify as a chance to enjoy some revelrie?

Second, reconnect with your family.
You know…
Those shadowy figures who have been lurking at the edges of your consciousness…
For the last several months.
Reintroduce yourself to them.
Notice how your children have grown up…
Your mate has lost a few pounds.

Third, get out of the house.
Shut the door to your writing space…
And go outside.
You know, that place that’s the opposite of inside?
With that blinding yellow ball in the sky…
And those odd feathery things flitting above your head.

By the way, your front yard?
It’s a jungle.
Your neighbors are pissed.
Bust out the lawn mower and give it a trim.

But the single best thing you can do…
Is not read your script for at least two weeks.
Don’t re-read your script.
Don’t print out a copy.
Don’t open the script file.
Just shut it down and give it a rest.

After two weeks…
Then you can give your finished script a read…
Only don’t be surprised…
If you discover…
It’s not really finished.

As they say, “Writing is rewriting.”

Seriously if you’ve finished finished your script…
Go out and celebrate.
You deserve it.

How do you decompress after you finish writing a screennplay?


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