May
12th
2014
do any of you ever have to force yourself to write? · 11:23pm May 12th, 2014
Because that's the problem I'm having right now. I legitimately want to sit down and write something, anything, but... I just don't. It's like it's getting to the point where I like the idea of writing more than I do actually writing. And that scares me. Writing has been my one and only thing in life that I'm actually good at, and if I lose my desire to do that... Then what do I have?
Someone please... Can you help me?
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CanterlotGuardian · 502 views
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I wish I knew.
Dude, take as much time as you need. That's step 1.
Works...every time...
Step 2 is to look for things that inspire you, whether it be big or small.
Step 3, keep that piece of inspiration nearby so you can look at it and remember what you plan to write.
That's what I do.
Bra, that's me everyday.
(Also, I'm pressed down a little with story reviews so...)
Hmm... ya know, what helps me sometimes is writing out the outline and the explanations between each major point. After that you could just write it out with ease. Hope that helps.
2106226
that's the problem. it's like nothing inspires me anymore. I hit on something decent when I was on the American Zoetrope site, and that led to me writing Equestrian Zoetrope, but... Nothing since then. I fucking hate it.
I actually have the same problem often. It usually leads to late updates.
I like writing, love it even, and the comments I get are always encouraging.
It's not even that I find writing hard, but actually sitting down and getting started always leaves me getting distracted. If I ever find a true method to end this, you'll be the first I tell.
But for the moment, it seems we're in the same boat.
All the time. I consider myself to be a very creative person, I used to write things all the time, but now I just procrastinate constantly. I told myself I'd actually work on a fic today, but have spent exactly 0/0/0 minutes/seconds/hours on it.
You may notice I haven't published anything...
If you're having a problem, just head to a coffee shop or something, take some paper and pens, get a drink, sit and write.
I guarantee with nothing else to do at all, and with the objective of writing, you'll get something done.
2106232 Well then, I got fuckin nothin...
I'm having that problem right now, usually I sit down and listen to some music and let my mind go free. Eventually I get a small idea of a story and then I latch on to it and try to expand on it. I also try to listen to music based on what kind of story I want to write, so slow music for a sad story up-beat music for a happy or funny story, etc.
Hope this helps.
Normally I don't have to, it usually comes easy for me. But once in a while (like this last chapter of a fic I'm working on), I really struggled, and it took me about three weeks to pump out 10K words, something that I usually can do practically overnight. So yeah, I feel your pain.
OK... Speaking as a professional artist (I go to school for music stuff and sometimes have to force myself to finish a song, composition, or something else creative) I've found that it helps sometimes to write in a way you haven't yet. Like, if I'm having problems writing a song, I'll write a short story first, or help a colleague in poni-world edit a story... Something that takes me away from my own head, since the inside of my brain tends to be the reason I can't write songs.
I guess what I'm trying to say is: Try to isolate why you're having problems actually writing. Is it some kind of issue with the plots you're going for? Is it an emotional thing? Is it feelings of self-worth?
If it's a mechanics issue, read and/or volunteer to proof someone else's work. Noticing how other people do mechanics, or how other people pace their plots can help you find your personal problems and fix it. If it's an emotional thing, write something low-key, unemotional ... Like, review an album you like. You don't even have to show it to anyone.
It's stuff like that -- Identifying the hang-up and doing something that will take me away from or fix the hang-up, that allows me to provide creative material of a quality I can be proud of, even when I'm positive I can't.
Hope that's at least a little bit helpful, and best of luck with the wayward muse.
2106246 Hey, that's what I do too!
Only, I barely get as much as I want too. 
On the computer, yes. On paper, nope not really.
Everyday I force myself to write. Because if I don't. I never write. Sometimes I look at my computer screen and think "what should I write."
That is the worst thing you could ever do. Don't think what should I write. Just write. Even if it doesn't make sense, just start writing something. If you have an idea, write it down. If you don't just make something up. Maybe it will rock, maybe it will suck. The point is, you are writing. And even if you just end up deleting it, the point is you got your groove. Once you get started, I find it very hard to stop. You just get into it, you get pumped! You're ready to write that 7000 page essay you always dreamed of.
Bottom line, force yourself to write. Even if it is just crap. Force yourself to write.
Other things you could try, listening to music. And not just music. Music that fits the story or scene or whatever you want to write about. Writing reviews for other people's stories is another great way to get your groove. Taking a relaxing shower. Taking a drink of your favorite (non-alcoholic) beverage.
Anyway, those are things I do when I need to force myself to write. Let me know if it helps.
Sometimes I do. Now more than ever, I have a lot on my plate. I'm editing a HUGE story for a friend and I'm dedicate to someone else too, for editing--except I'm on standby and i never know when I'll catch a break. And so, I feel as if I can never stop working, and that scares me a bit too.
But yeah, MBfS is right. Don't feel as if you're pressed or on a deadline or anything [unless you really are]. Take your time for any perfect opportunity that may come to you, and in that while, you may find yourself inspired even more by your thoughts of what you want to write, to where, when the actual time you want to write comes, ideas will come to you with no problem at all! :D
Or...that's how I work anyway. I also don't know if that makes any sense, but yeah. Music and movies and stuff can help inspire you too if you need any. They can give you ideas of a concept you can base something off of.
Yes.
Well, not have to (nobody's paying me for this, and in fact nobody cares if I finish anything at all), and it doesn't usually work as well as writing from inspiration, but I've found if I can put on the right music and concentrate, I can force-write. It generally comes in the form of a) expanding on an idea I've already started to write but didn't finish, and trying to do something with that; or b) when starting something new, trying to fit ideas together, throwing out one piece or another and putting in something else, until you get something that works.
It works sometimes. I'm using it to try to get myself up to 1000+ words a day for the sake of practice and doing something productive with my spare time.
I also have to add that it's usually not a good idea to wait for inspiration to strike on a fic you've already started. The longer you don't work on it, the harder it is to start on it again (edit: Unless you're the world's best outliner and note-taker). Don't force-write for your followers, but if you want to see a longer work completed, force-write for yourself.
That's all from the peanut gallery.
Jump on the bandwagon and write a Tirek fic.
p.s.
Force Write
You tap into your Jedi powers, causing a nearby pen to write down whatever is on your mind! Warning: Pen writes indiscriminately. Have paper on every surface, just to be safe.
Components: Gesture, 1 pen (not consumed)
Ability cost: 16 Force
Target: Self, 1 pen
I've got one thing to help you...
When you reach a block, find a sturdy pole and vault over it, write something stupid, just write whatever comes to mind. Just throw whatever you want on the wall and see what sticks.
Sometimes you might need to lower the bar and just have a little fun.
Try writing a collab! They open your mind and writing gears a bit, and they're fun to do! Id offer my services, if i weren't so sudden-inspirational
~Dash The Stampede
The best advice I can give would be to take some time to think about what exactly made you fall in love with writing to begin with. Go back and read some of what brought you in, look over your old work to find what brought that spark out in you.
One of two things will most likely happen, you'll either dive back in with a passion you never knew you had, or you'll realize that it's just no longer what you love. Either way, that's all the advice I have, and I hope things work out for you man
You are good at lots of things. One of the most important is that you are good at being a friend.
As far as the whole writing thing goes, I have no idea what to say, as I haven't written more than 400 words in 4 months.
Masturbate
If you already have the idea ready, and it still doesn't get to your paper?
I myself like to listen to some music while writing. preferably Pi tunes are up at any and all times. I just need to choose the mood of music to fine tune the set.
As it were, is there anything in particular that has happened, something that push your Muse the wrong way?
i have same issue i get distracted to much
Depends, I sometimes hold a gun to my head and scream at myself to write, pretty deep stuff
At a certain point, especially if you've been away for a while, it becomes very difficult to get back to the writing you want to do. If you already have all of the Google dock, Microsoft word page, pen and paper, or whatever you use to write, there and you've already titled it, I would advise doing something really active but something that uses your brain as well (my personal choice is to spar with my Kenjutsu partner). For me, using my brain, but not the creative side, really helps me get back to my writing with minimal procrastination.
As a side note, I suppose doing puzzles or something would work as well but I think doing something active to accompany it helps.
Literally the exact thing that is happening to me.
Some days I just wish my friends would come over and bitch slap me into actually sitting down and getting it done, but alas no such luck here...
I've found three kinds of writer's block:
Blank page fear (you look at a fresh document and just can't get started)
Solution: Begin writing nonsense, even just random words. Eventually your brain will be forced to start making sense if only to not go insane
Difficult Passage (that one scene that just won't come together)
Solution: skip it. Write about what happens afterward. Sometimes you can skip a scene entirely, and sometimes dealing with the consequences will help you go back and backfill later. But find some part of the writing that you can do... feeling like you've done something constructive will often help break this block.
If that fails... ask the characters why they don't like the scene. Sometimes you're making your characters do things that subconsciously you know they'd handle differently given a choice.
Explore those alternate solutions... you might find a better way of writing the scene, and if not, you can at least figure out how to shape events so they make sense happening the way you want to write them.
Total failure to launch (you just can't even sit down to write)
... let me know if you find a solution to this one... it's kicking my ass right now
I'm having the same problem. I've written very little since NaNoWriMO back in November. Every time I get inspired, it dies away quickly, often before I get anything substantial done. Sorry I can't be of much help. Just know that you're not alone.
Yes, except I don't force myself, I just wait for the doldrums to pass.
Im in the same situation man... I just can't write anything worth wild
Writing tends to become a pretty habitual task. That usually is good, but sometimes it causes a block. Try to change something. There's this rule saying that whatever is given to you can be taken away, what also counts for inspiration. Try to change some smaller things, do them differently. Take a walk or something. If you stay in one perspective too long it's no wonder it greys out. Stop searching inspiration and be the inspiration. Right, that sentence isn't helpful at all. It sounds great nevertheless.
I don't know if what I'm about to offer is going to help you, but I hope it does (even if it's just in some small way.)
1. Let the story ride shotgun.
Even if you are in a situation (work, school, etc.) where writing is impossible at the moment, just brainstorm while completing your tasks. I've found that letting my mind wander while working brings ideas to light. Just take in everyday information that you would normally ignore and see if it can be turned into an idea. I'm not saying you should constantly obsess over your story idea, just keep it tucked in the back of your mind.
2. Inspire before writing.
It's always good to get creative juices flowing and what better way to do that than to sit down and let something inspire you? Be it a book, a movie, or a video game, inspiration is everywhere. You can see how other people approach and create things, keeping mental notes on how some methods can be applied to what you're trying to make (i.e., "I never thought of structuring a sentence like that before.") Thinking outside the box is hard to do sometimes, so absorb information from outside the box when you can.
3. Change it up.
This one can actually be practiced simultaneously with the previous tidbit of advice. Change up something with your inspirational or writing routine. Be it a walk, or something as simple as writing in a different location. I used to do a lot writing in my bedroom, but recently I feel like it's stifling my creativity. Sitting on the steps of my back door during the afternoon has helped immensely. Nothing like some fresh air to clear the head, right?
4. Do other things.
Sitting down and forcing myself to work on something I'm stumped on rarely works for me. If I'm having trouble with a story, I'll move on to something else and usually I'll be much more creative in that venture. Taking a break allows you time to think about where you're going with a story and weeds out a lot of garbage. Coming back to a story after finishing something else allows me to see it in a new light and make appropriate changes.
5. Set aside time to actually write.
Pretty self explanatory.
Well, that's all I've got. I hope it helps in some way! Good luck!
Just now came to check fimfiction and say this.
Yes. Without a doubt. I honestly don't write much, and I blame procrastination and the fact that I have to be in a mood to really get down and write a good story.
Also, I am so jelly on how practically everyone who follows you comments on your blog posts. I think most of my followers are dead.
2106556 GENIUS!
2106401 try to will yourself through the wall?
Depends on the situation and personal state of mood at the time.
For me, it usually varies on a whim. Sometimes I may be inclined to write a decent sum of around 1000-1500 to even up to 3000 words if I am really into it. Most of the time though I can only squeeze around 200 to 500 on a normal day if I am lucky. It really depends on who the writer is and how they work so to speak.
One of the things I noticed is that you have to strike a balance between getting into the mood to write something and actually writing something in the first place. My usual advice in regards to your situation would be not to force yourself to write if you do not feel up in the mood for it. If you can, find some place, thing and/or time that will allow you to focus your muse's energy. If that fails, just chip away at your project bit by bit. It may prove to be a long and arduous process, but eventually you should strike gold at some point. This advice also applies to other similar creative outlets, such as music, movie directing and what have you.
If that fails, then I would suggest you take a long break from writing poni words. Forcing yourself to write in the extreme usually seems to result in a writer leaving the fandom at some point in time, due to exhausting all their creative passion and energy in the fandom itself. Instead, allow yourself to slowly recuperate over time, focusing on either creating original work or other fandoms to tie you over in the meantime. Take a hobby of some sort. Maybe it will give you some inspiration if you are lucky.
The key thing here is don't force yourself to write pony words too often, lest you strip yourself of any passion for the fandom in the first place.
And that is my two cents for the day. Hope it has helped alleviate your problem to at least some degree.