This is me to a T. Although having said that, this last bout of the writing bug I had was quite different, and there was an air of confidence that I've never known before. I learned a lot over the last few months and felt as though a number of things 'clicked' into place, in terms of the writing process. Usually my enthusiasm peters out in much the way you describe, and even though this bout has ended in much the same way, namely me giving up, it wasn't because I lost enthusiasm, it was because I lost hope. The more I write, and the more I read about other people's struggles with the process, the more I realise the simple ability to even finish a coherent novel has very little to do with artistic ability. It takes a very strong mind, iron determination, and unquestionable belief in your ability. Whether that belief is misplaced is beside the point, because in my opinion a bad writer who sees a novel through to the end - rewrites and edits included - has a far stronger mind and better chance of success than a good writer who continually gives up.
You don't have to write every damn day, after al writers are people too and sometimes we want to do other things as well. You could try and schedule a few days a week for writing and in those days make sure you don't leave the computer or let anything distract you until you've written your quota, whether it's one page, 1000 words or one scene. For me, it's always difficult at first, before I've warmed up but once I get started and get into my story and the words seem to flow, I almost have to force myself to stop. I Think you've just got a case of procrastinating and the problem is, when you never get into that wonderful state where you're totally absorbed by your story, eventually the enthusiasm fades. It's like a relationship, you have to work at it, day by day, in order to keep the love alive. That enthusiasm is nothing you can take for granted, or that will magically emerge if you just wait, rather the opposite. Writing a novel is a daunting task and it's normal to feel overwhelmed from time to time, but if you just keep at it, the enthusiasm will come back.
You're right. Losing hope may even be a better description than enthusiasm. I haven't lost that hope yet, and refuse to give up, but lately when I'll sit down it just doesn't come. I'm going to try out skipping over to better developed points in my story and see if I can work these out. First though, I'll try to get my time management together like Delrohir and Tesoro said. I think that at this moment I have forced the whole writing thing upon myself in a way that doesn't make it fun anymore and takes away a lot of the magic for me. And while at first writing does indeed seem like artistic ability, I figured out that the only artistic things that come out of it come because of back-breaking labour (figuratively speaking, ofcourse) Agh..don't worry about me though folks. I love the kind and constructive replies you have all given me. Instead of wallowing over my situation your help has given me some valuable insights on how to re-energize myself for the task ahead. After all, this writing is awesome and not worth giving up on. Greatly appreciate it. Sorry if this comment seems a bit unordered and chaotic, its early in here and I need some coffee.
I feel bad for you, @Greenwood , because it sounds as if you're really trying. You're definitely not a procrastinator. In fact, you've kept on keeping on even when things aren't working for you. However, I'm also sensing that you've added 'I must write' to the long list of stuff you need to do during the day. You end up trying to do it when you're exhausted, and should actually be in your bed. So you're just putting even more pressure on yourself, which is complicating the issue. Is there some way you could re-work your frame of mind so that your writing becomes your refuge from the sturm and drang of 'life' rather than just another life goal you must meet? Perhaps you're trying to do it too often. It's a total fallacy that you must write 'every day.' You can write any time that suits your schedule best. Maybe limit it to weekends only, but make sure you GET that time on weekends. Let other people know you have something to do that can't be mucked with. (You don't need to tell people you're writing. If you do, they will also start putting pressure on you. When can I read it? Aren't you done yet? When is it going to be published? What is it 'about?' Etc.) You do have to be proactive to get your time to write. Insist upon it. Look at it as your rest time, the part of the week you most look forward to, the bit that will kill you if you miss it. And don't be apologetic about taking it. You're living a full life at present, and you do need time to yourself. If you told somebody that you were going fishing, or golfing, or you want to watch a particular TV series, or whatever your leisure activity might be, you would be allowed your hobby. This is no different. Make it your time. And make it something you look forward to. It's the quiet time itself, not the product, that counts. In other words, don't beat yourself about the shoulders if you spend a couple of hours writing on the weekend and it doesn't work out. It's taking that time that's important. Once you relax about your product and allow it to find its own way to excellence, your enthusiasm will probably return.
Well first of all, welcome back Darkthought! Have you had any inspiration come to you since coming back to the forum? Or even since making this post? I am very new to the writing world. Other then the journals I've kept since I was young, and the few stories I wrote through out high school. I haven't really produced much. Is it the ideas that aren't flowing? Or are you staring at a blank page with not even a wonder of where to start? Sometimes the first step to breaking out of a slump is to just start. Right now. Right here. Write. It doesn't have to be a story, it doesn't even have to make sense. Just start working the brain juice again. Maybe take part in the Role Playing section on here. Write about not being able to write? Get it out of your system, whatever the trigger was for your words disappearing forget about it. Focus on now, on getting back into something you love. Perhaps you'll write nothing for the first few days, but you'll get back into it. Look at the world around you, there is inspiration everywhere if we choose to see it. If you're longing for it, its in there. Just don't give up. We're all here for you
If your motive is to create things, you could re-frame the acts of reading and writing by studying literary theory and literary theory-ish stuff. I suggest the following books: 1. Failure, a Writer's Life by Joe Milutis 2. A Samuel Beckett Novel, or three. 3. Intensive Science and Virtual Philosophy by Manuel DeLanda 4. An Introductory Guide to Cultural Theory and Popular Culture by John Storey 5. Prometheus Rising by Robert Anton Wilson And the following Youtube videos: 1. Introduction to the Theory of Literature with Paul H. Fry 2. Deleuze on Cinema 3. Rob Ager's The Ludovico Lie 4. John Berger's Ways of Seeing 5. Matthew Barney's Cremaster Cycle, part 3 in particular
I had a time when I stopped. I had gotten terribly discouraged as a young adult, then things got in the way, and some pretty faces distracted me, etc. The terrible part is wanted to write, needed to, like when you need to breathe and and you gasp for air, but I didn't. Instead of physically dying (or did I? I could be under your bed. I maybe a figure in a white sheet in your hallway, but not the "I-hate-people-I don't-understand-" sort of white sheet. Rest easy.) , instead of physically dying, the fluidic creative space part of me felt like it was dying. I'm not one of those of people that think that if you miss a few days of writing, it can impair that ability forever. However, it helps to do it everyday. I got back into the swing of things gradually. First, I wrote a small and creative hate letter to an in law, sort of a "Chicken Soup for the Soul" type of thing for me. Then I started writing short terrible parodies of Nicholas Sparks works involving stray and pedigree cats to a friend on Facebook. This helped a lot, as silly as it sounds. Then I flipped through 50 Shades of Grey and I knew then, it was time to come back. Start small, a paragraph a day, two maybe. You feel the need to write more as you get immersed more and more, day after day. You can do this, I promise
Welcome back, you still have a gift for words, you can tell in your post. I think everyone goes through that at some page. For me I wrote everyday from age 12 to 24 and then stopped for nearly ten years. We make excuses, we get busy we have other things to do. Than I asked myself: How many of those "busy days" were spent in front of the TV or any other thing that didn't feel productive. We get complacent in laziness. I got tired of watching bad stories unfold on TV and reminded myself I could do better, I started up again honestly... by picking up a book and reading I realized that in all those years i read maybe only a handful of books. In the years I spent writing on the other hand. I would read one or two books a week! I recommend one way to help break the cycle is by reading! and falling in love with the craft by observing it from someone else's perspective, you will start going "Oh you could have written it this way that way ect." And write write write it doesn't matter if its good or not just do it eventually it will feel second nature again. You got this!
Sounds exactly like me... hopefully you don't follow the same pattern. If you do, you will write frantically for a period while the bug is in you, but then enthusiasm and ability will peter out before you finish anything, and you'll stop writing for years until you get infected again. This pattern will continue and you'll never produce anything of worth. Creative writing is a horrid disease with no known cure. But, hey, look on the bright side. You're not me.
I seem to have lost my mojo. I've tried the usual (music/walks/baking/etc) but it doesn't seem to want to come back. I know where I'm going, I know what has to happen, I just can't seem to get it out of my head and onto the page. That being said, I'm at the part of book two where I need to start finishing off the individual scenes and fi them all together with filler-glue and finish the parts I've left until last because other parts seemed more interesting. Hmmm - that makes my book sound pretty awful! Any ideas how I can get it back? (my mojo)
Sherbet lemons, or mints, or whatever tiny treats make your brain and taste-buds go "Ooooh!" For every five hundred words you write, treat yourself with a tiny treat. Or, if that doesn't work, the reverse route of starving yourself until you see results may work. The thing I've noticed about losing that loving feeling for writing we all know and love is that it comes back once you actually get writing. I'll be sitting at my desk for three hours, forcing myself to spew forth garbage I'm just going to have to cut later while constantly changing the playlist I'm listening to 'cause gods know the mood just ain't right, and it'll all be a rather shitty time. Then, next thing I know, it's another two hours later, the music has long since stopped playing, and I've got some actual writing done. Force yourself to sit there for however long it takes. Write and write, even if you hate the words that end up on the screen. Push on through, forget about finding your mojo because it'll find you. Or, you know, start drinking copious amounts of alcohol and go all old-school writer. Whatever works! Good luck!
I have too many people (kids) relying on me (lifts and cooking) to have alcohol although the bottle of Mojito on my desk is looking very tempting ... That being said, I think she (the muse with my mojo) might be on her way back as I've just done 452 words in just under an hour. They are a little trashy and raw, and missing vital emotions and movement but the bones are there and things are moving in the right direction - onwards! Many thanks, I think I will try the treats. x
As sucky of an answer as it is, I really find the only way to get back into writing is to just start writing. It's not easy, especially when you've got over a year's inertia of not-writing to overcome (*ahem*), but in order to start writing again, you have to start writing again. Sure, there's an argument to be made that you shouldn't force yourself and anything you write while forcing yourself will be junk, but I don't necessarily agree completely. I've often surprised myself that way. But if you hope to finish something, you need the discipline to see it through to the end. It's tough, and it sucks sometimes, but if it were easy we'd all be finished and published.
A good way to get rid of writer's block for me is to think of a general concept or characteristic that I find fascinating. For instance, insanity or perseverance. Then I tend to think of a setting for that concept or characteristic. Then I try to think of interesting relationship dynamics for those things, and then I have most of the story. I don't always put these things in writing, but it's a good exercise to get yourself out of the mire.
Have you tried free writing before your writing session? I do a free writing exercise for 10 minutes before I work on my manuscript. It helps release the creative mind (or muse) and mute the internal editor. In my folder, I have a file called "freewrite.(title of manuscript).txt" What I do specifically is type whatever is in my head. It could be about what I did that day, what the word of the day is, etc. But halfway through, I start to free write about what I need to do or what has to happen in my story. If there's a problem with the story, I write it out as if I'm talking to myself. So essentially it is self-talk, but it's on paper (txt file that is). If you're doing this, however, DO NOT hit backspace or correct any typos. Also, adhere to the 10 minute limit. You can stop prematurely if you feel you're ready to write.
I have different tricks I use. One is to go back to the strongest chapters or best samples of my writing. Rereading them usually sparks my creative juices.
One of the best pieces of advice I've gotten in writing is "give yourself permission to write bad." In other words, if you can, force your way through the scenes you need to write - even if it's bad, even if it goes very slow. (This goes with one of the other major axioms I've picked up - "Butt in chair, hands on keyboard." - which means that writing can't happen unless you have your computer on, your internet off, and are staring at a word processor...that hurts to do sometimes if nothing is coming out, but usually something comes out if you're stare at a blank page for long enough). Bad writing is better than not writing - it moves you through your story AND it keeps you in rhythm. It gets you onward to better scenes, it can be revised later - and half the time it turns out not to be as bad as you thought anyway. Personally I think half of what I've written in the last week is utter trash - I can see the glaring problems with it and the underlying problems it exposes in the larger narrative. But I wrote it anyway. And if you're writing filler scenes - the hard stuff that didn't come out the first time - writing bad is probably something that's going to happen anyway. The first attempt at "hard scenes" like that are always going to suck...but you have to write them before you edit out the suckitude. I'm not trying to be all meta and say "the best way to start writing is to write" - I get how that's annoying. But in my experience, the best thing to do for hard scenes is to force yourself to stare at a blank page until some form of frustrated brain-vomit ends up written on said page. At least brain-vomit can be edited.
Thanks for all your advice - bum is in chair and fingers are on the keys. Things are coming back to me, I'm writing the sprouts and mushroom scenes (the bits you leave to the end and then feed to the dog sat under the table ...) Hopefully, my muse will fully return so that I can turn these bits into the same Italian Chicken as the rest of the story!
I certainly have. I used to write A LOT in my teens and early twenties. Then something happened, very much like what you describe and I just ... stopped. It didn't appeal to me any longer. I spent at least 10 years not writing, until one day in june 2010. It was a combination of living in a place with no tv, no internet and very little to do in the evenings when I came home from work. That in combination with a book I read sparked something inside of me and I decided that I wanted to write for others, not just myself anymore. That made the whole journey so much more... meaningful, I guess. It suddenly felt like I had a purpose with it, which I didn't have before. I haven't stopped since. Sure, I've been through periods of very scarce writing, but I don't stress about it. Eventually It comes back
After university I pretty much lost interest for a long while. Aside from doing an overload of courses - graduated nearly 1 1/2 years early, thank you dad no pressure right - I also published a small non-fiction on a subject that is dear to me [and which I am bumbling through now as a more advanced reprint]. I took off and went traveling - UK, Norway, Spain, etc. pretty much went hopscotching all over for about 7 months then spent 3 years with my uncle [and as he is a singer for a band then with his family - the band is pretty much family friends really] in Europe. Definitely helped. Not because I was lazing about skirting responsibility - speaking the native language, I not only threw myself into the [old] culture that is part of my family but worked when I was in Europe. The only thing I can suggest is find a hobby to do. If I can't motivate myself to start writing - even poetry which is my fall back when I am really no-writing - I either take up painting or go find a quiet place to take some sketches / photographs. "Redirecting" your brain instead of fritting over an inability to write would probably help rather than "pressuring" yourself to pick up the pen and start writing - or well I guess hitting the keys on the keyboard.
Take a look at your old work. Hopefully you'll read it and think "damn, I was good. This makes me want to write more!" in which case, get your ass in gear and prove to yourself you still have it. Or you may think "Christ, I was terrible!" in which case, get your ass in gear and prove how good you are now. Finding new readers is usually rewarding. They can give you good constructive criticism, or an ego boost.
