First, forgive yourself for the lost time. Trust me, it'll save you the anxiety of "OMG YOU DIDN'T WRITE FOR AAAGEESS!!!" like mine did. Forgive yourself and start anew. Today marks the first day of your new writing life. Second, think of something that interests you, that fascinates you. Doesn't have to be huge, it can be something small like a scene. Maybe you saw an old man and a small girl fishing by the lake at sunset. Think about what they must be discussing, how they're related to each other (it can be anything up to and included 'convoluted time travel that resulted in the old man now taking care of what turned out to be his mom when she was a child', anything.) What are they doing? Thirdly, let the creativity flow. Don't worry about whether it makes any sense, that comes later. Just let them do whatever it is they're doing, say whatever it is they're saying. Fourthly, DO NOT DELETE ANY OF THEM!! I can't stress this enough, do NOT under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES delete any of them. You'll want to be able to view your progress, see where you're screwing up and need to improve on. Fifthly, reward yourself with something good after you've finished a writing segment for a day. Maybe it's videogames, maybe it's sports, maybe it's...whatever you like. Reward yourself. Humans really like that sort of stuff, rewards. It encourages them to want to keep performing that action to get the prize. So don't forget to reward yourself at the end of a writing segment. Good luck, and have fun!
I have a theory that the reason why people who want to write, don't write, is because they can't write. If you told me you'd give me your supermodel wife for a night if I could lift a car, I would go to the back of the car (of your choice), I'd squat real low, get my hands on the bumper, and ...then what? Do I come back to you and your hypothetical disappointed wife and say, "Look, man, I don't know what happened. The car just wouldn't lift!" ? Or do I go back in time, train to lift a car (steroids, protein, professional coaching, starting with smaller objects), so that I am capable of doing it at the appointed time? I think to most people, words, when in a creative writing context, are like cars. It's because we don't learn creative writing. How we "train," for it, really needs to be the subject of another thread or several threads on this forum, but I really think it's time we deepen our appreciation for the hard labor that is learning to write, and not just sitting down and trying to throw a novel onto the screen.
I stopped for a while. Then I was reminded of writing and realised I hadn't written ANYTHING for a year. That got me going again. OP: If you are here posting, that's probably a lot of the battle. What is working for me is writing shorter pieces. As I get the positive of finishing things.
I agree, 123456789. But I also don't know of any way to "train" as a creative writer besides writing (and reading.) Maybe we should start a new thread? Maybe an MFA in Creative Writing-themed thread for those of us with little or no formal education?
I have a super - easy fix for you that you may, or may not like. Roleplay - It's the mother and father of all creativity. Try to pick a world and situation that fits what you wish to write about. I was a dungeon master, and I never felt like I had any short for words, editing and grammar are my own nemesis. Goodluck with your writing block.
Stop thinking that you "want" to write. It either happens or it does not. Your imagination is still there, and I doubt you had turned that off for that long a time. And you don't have to "forgive" yourself either. Really Spend some time with our story, with your MC, try to get inside the people in your story. Maybe it didn't feel "real" to you? Because if the characters are 3D, lifelike, they insist on telling their story - and then you will sit down to write again. Trust me And if it does not, heck, don't you have anything other to do in your life? Funny things, lovable things, scary things? These experiences also demand their time! *virtualheadshaking* I hope this does not come over bossy, but I tend to have a temper whenever I hear someone say "I want to do... ". You either do or you don't. Don't pine for greener pastures. Maybe comes from falling into the same trap until I figured out where the trapdoor was And the things you do are the ones you really, really want to do! They should be appreciated! It's your life!
Isn't the whole forum just that? Just do a search and you'll find whatever you need to know. In abbundance!
I'm in this rut now. I just don't know what to write about; plus, life is crazy right now. Sometimes, listening to classical music helps because in some cases, I do need music to help me concentrate. I have to alternate between complete silence and music. It cannot be upbeat or have lyrics in the song-instant distraction. I mainly listen to the classical/neo-classical sounds of David Garrett. I love listening to him play his violin. It's like I can hear his soul through his instrument (I actually can!) Or maybe you can try reading a novel that is closely related to what you want to write about or are writing about. Again, I did (I should start back doing) with my first novel's draft. I am/was rereading V.C. Andrew's Orphans books to help inspire me. Getting out of the house might also help.
I used to be that way when i was younger, not anymore. It seems like our position seems reversed lol. I hope you can find the inspiration to write again!
It happens to everyone! I'm just coming back to writing after a very long illness, and the first thing I've done after, as many have advised, forgiven myself for not writing, is to read. I've reread my old finished work, reread my WIP to get back into my characters voices, read the news, read new book and discussed stories and reading with my friends and family. I know I should always be reading when I'm writing and hopefully this will kick things off right: I'm getting ideas, that's for sure. I hear that one shouldn't edit, that one should just write. Just dump it out of your brain and look back later. I'll voice the unpopular here and say that this doesn't work for me. If I've been gone a long time and am just starting up again, and what I write is very rough, I get discouraged. I start polishing right away, really get into the rhythm of my work the way I like to sound and feel, rather than writing something "just to get it written". That's what notes are for--unpopular, I know, but hey, I can't be totally alone in this, right? Speaking more generally, my biggest advice is to do what feels right for you, when you're kicking the rust off the wheels.
This may be something that's been posted about before, so forgive me if it has! I'm just interested to see how other people are motivated by the career they choose to persue. For me, I'd like to think that one day I will be an accomplished scriptwriter and director. I love true stories, history mostly. This keeps me going, since I get so sucked in by the topic. For example, I like to wonder what people was thinking and why they did things, throughout history - it keeps it interesting and I find I don't suffer from writers block as much as others, because I know the story and there's always more to discover and learn. What are your thoughts?
I really do not care if I publish my text or not, I have characters up in my head that want to share a story with me. I write their story because I have sort of fallen in love with their society and way of looking at the world. It comforts me, scares me, intrigues me... moving about in a dream, observer/possessor, the moments of relaxing and being told a funny story. I'd like to keep memories of it, so I write by their instruction and guidance. They quarrel a bit, but it is all in good fun. It is nothing about money or fame for me... I already have a good life.
Like @Inks, I write because I love my characters and their world. Being a part of it makes me happy, and gives a profound sense of fulfillment when I paint the picture accurately. And, perhaps more importantly, if I didn't write any of it down it would all die with me when I go. It's not necessarily that I want to leave a legacy to be remembered by, I just feel like I owe these characters and their world a permanent physical record for everything they've done for me.
I am motivated by a desire to use the power of words to change peoples' lives. The written word has changed my life very profoundly, and I want to help give others that experience. I also love entertaining people, so it works out really well.
The response on this thread so far, is just incredible. I love everyone's way of thinking. I see so much passion and it's such a hard thing to find these days. It's nice to see people who aren't after money all the time, they just do what they love. I'm not really driven by money, I would just like to see my creations come to life and have pride. I'd like my family to be proud of my works one day and proud of how far I've come.
Sorry. Ignore my other comment. I was just kidding before. I'm in it for the women and cash. Most of all, the persona of a writer, and being complimented for my intelligence. That's what writing is all about, guys.
I like stories. It's basically that simple for me. Regardless of medium--whether I'm writing a song/album, designing a video game (thank the flying spaghetti monster for RPG Maker), or writing prose, I just enjoy coming up with a story. Whether I have an intriguing concept, a particular plot point, or just a rough idea for a character, I like to explore what that one thing might turn into. It helps that I enjoy experiencing stories (though I imagine that's true for most people), also regardless of medium. It's why I read, watch movies/TV, play video games, and even sometimes why I listen to music. Storytelling is, I think, a very intrinsic part of the human experience.
Because people need to hear what I have to say. I am possibly the most important voice of the modern age.
This right here. I maybe find one book I like out of every 10. And none that are exactly what I want to read, so I have to write them. And it's a huge pain in the butt. I wish someone else would do the work so I could just sit back and enjoy.
Money. Writing is a lot of work, and I'm pretty lazy. If I wasn't getting paid, I doubt I'd do it. I'd still imagine the stories, probably, but write them down and polish them? Hell, no.
