As screenwriters, developing compelling and multi-dimensional characters is crucial for creating engaging stories. However, the process can sometimes feel daunting, especially when faced with distractions and writer’s block. Enter the "Character Daydream," a five-minute meditation technique designed specifically for screenwriters. This innovative method helps writers focus, visualize, and develop their characters in a deep and meaningful way. In this blog, we’ll explore how this technique works and how it can enhance your character development process.
What is Meditation for Screenwriters?
The five-minute audio prompt called “Character Daydream” is based on several meditations I did with a private writing instructor and in several screenwriting classes. It’s a technique to help a writer focus on the details of a character they’re creating.
How to Meditate for Screenwriters
The music track mixed to the sound of being submerged underwater is designed to get the writer completely focused on the present and to zone out looming deadlines, bills and commitments that can distract a writer’s attention. Anyone who’s ever enjoyed scuba diving will know how focused your mind becomes when submerged underwater. It’s like your problems stay above the waterline.
The ability for a writer to get to this level of focus puts their mind into a stream of consciousness where the ideas can start flowing and the fingers can start typing.
Visualizing and Developing Character Details
As the daydream progresses outside of the water, the writer stands next to a character they’re developing or someone from their past life and observes minute details from their hair color, skin tone and fingernails. If the writer doesn’t have an idea of these traits, then while in the daydream, create something in the moment. Don’t lock yourself into thinking, “Oh that’s not right for the character or this doesn’t work.” This type of rigid thinking can cause a writer to freeze into writer’s block. Remember, what you write will be revised later. The idea is to give yourself material to work with that you can mold over several drafts.
Using the Daydream Technique at Different Stages of Development
This technique can be used at any stage of development for a character, but it’s mostly useful during the preliminary phase when a writer is still trying to grasp the psyche, motivations, fears, desires, and backstory of the person they are creating. Being in these meditations allows the writer to observe the character and experience their behavior.
Becoming the Character: Immersive Writing Experience
In fact, you can use this daydream technique to feel like you are the character and let you see and feel the world you’ve created through their eyes. This allows the writer to capture the character’s voice, behavior and reactions by walking in their shoes.
By closing your eyes and focusing entirely on your character, you want to try to go as deep as possible into your character’s development. Get into your subconscious mind where new ideas and perspectives reside. This is what David Lynch refers to in his book as, “Catching the big fish in one’s subconscious.”
Overcoming Writer’s Block with Character Daydream
If you ever feel bogged down in a deep state of writer’s block, try doing this character daydream to help you get back to your flow state as a writer. Remember, you’re not trying to produce your best ideas, you are just trying to get back to writing.
Complete the Character Daydream exercise below!
Conclusion
The "Character Daydream" meditation technique offers screenwriters a powerful tool for diving deep into their characters' worlds, overcoming writer’s block, and capturing authentic voices and behaviors. By immersing yourself in a state of focused daydreaming, you can explore your characters’ traits, motivations, and backstories with greater clarity and creativity. Whether you're at the beginning stages of character development or refining details in later drafts, this method can help you unlock new perspectives and ideas. Try incorporating this technique into your writing routine and watch your characters come to life in ways you never imagined. Experience the Character Daydream Exercise on YouTube and start transforming your screenwriting today.