I'm at an impasse. · 10:52pm Jul 10th, 2016
So, just getting my mind out here for all of you, since it focuses on writing in general.
You probably see me saying that I'm trying to write, things will be out soon, and so on, and it's true, I really am trying hard. The problem is that I'm getting no where, and I am starting to see that in my reviews, and overall in my writing. I can barely write one hundred words a month compared to those 1k one-shots I used to be able to write in an hour. I'm afraid I'm getting real close to not being able to write at all, and that all I will exist on this site for is to just talk to followers and friends. I may blog actively, but it's mostly about drama, about the site's many problems, or about myself and friends. That doesn't generate content does it?
The reason for this is that I don't watch the show. My reviews are weak because I haven't watched the show since the premiere episode of season 4, so some of my comments come off as fanon and not canon, and while I know base canon traits of the characters from what I have watched, they are not enough to ensure quality content. This proves that you can't write something that you haven't watched. And that is why it's also affecting my writing, because I do not keep up with the new content. I try to get into it but I keep getting pulled out of it. I really don't want to try and force something that I don't like watching anymore.
It's sad, really. Not sure what I can do. Have I moved on? Nah, I've stuck around for the fandom I guess, but as some people have said, don't write for something that you don't have the knowledge for.
It really speaks volumes.
Any advice?
I feel the same with writing. Sometimes I get inspired and write, but lately nothing.
In my case, you should try and write 'sad' and 'tragedy' stories.
And make sure that your content is efficiently well explained until the end.
That way, even if you have fanon, or are following the canon story, then it won't matter because you will provide the readers "content" that they will appreciate : character development, story telling, action description, use of a rich vocabulary.
In my case, since French is already rich as it is (it is my first language), I mostly write in that language, then I try to translate it.
Or even better, create a file where you will have your ideas checked, backed. Where everything will make since from point A to point Z.
And when you are done, you could simply start writing.
I hope I wasn't to confusing for you.
P.S : I just so happen to see your post when I wanted to view a random Blog on this site. No offense, you will just be surprised to have a comment in less than thirty(30) minutes from your actual post.
Watch the show, dork!
4082678
I tried!
I watch season one over and in two episodes, I was already disinterested.
Should I try season four in an attempt to get interested in the new canon?
4082657
That's true, I could do--
Wait a minute.
i.gyazo.com/f722a5b2543309f207a098a972b4f848.png
Damn it. I do that already too! And I'm stuck on how to write those.
That timing. I'm glad you clicked on my post!
4082630
I'm really inspired to write though. I can still get ideas that are well-formed and extremely organized, but the problem is that I they fizzle out a few minutes into writing them. And that's a problem, since I can barely climb the word count as it is.
4082770
Ok... I haven't see the two stories to which the screenshots were provided.
All the remaining stories that I can actually see are marked as 'complete'.
So, there is little I can say on this matter.
However, if could have access to one of those stories in progress, and if I find them quite good enough, I might just be able to give you a few ideas about what you could write in the future.
I might not be grand, nevertheless, it is at least a start.
How does that sounds to you ?
4082817
Ah, that's because I had to remove them due to someone essentially stealing my content.
And sure, once I re-release them, you'll be able to view them! Thanks!
Once upon a time, I took a break.
And that break from writing has caused me so many problems with my writing. I have about five different college rule books filled with fiction, nonfiction, and fanfictions all written as a hobby. Looking back now, I wrote oh so fucking much. At the time, I didn't really care what I was writing so long as it entertained me. I didn't think anyone would care to look at them.
I showed my English teacher one of my books a couple of years ago. She took notice of one of my stories, said that it was the best one out of the book, and said that I should start expanding on that story. I'd never done that before; I had cute little ideas that I plastered onto paper in one piece, and never added to it again. That's when my hobby became a chore to me.
I remember staying up late some nights, working on that Harry Potter inspired story. After rummaging through my storage, I found that book just now and counting the word count from the first chapter has come out to about 8,000 words. The rest of the chapters had similar lengths.
My success in writing that long ass monstrosity I call 'my first book?' I didn't take breaks.
And now I take so many breaks from writing for newer hobbies, like video games and helping with heavy duty chores like replacing the screen on my back porch, I have the same problem as you; I can still get ideas that are well-formed and extremely organized, but the problem is that I they fizzle out a few minutes into writing them.
My best advice to give you is to start out how I did with writing out small little one hundred word ideas and slowly accumulating a good amount of them. I loved to write science fiction and fantasy, and those ideas all came together to form my first book. Write what comes to mind, and then when you're ready, bring it all together to create one large cesspool of ideas that came from your mind.
MAN this got long fast.
tldr; start with small excerpts, and then when you're comfortable, work on one big idea.
Screw canon and anything that happened in the show since you stopped watching. If you're like me, you write what you would like to read. If it don't interest me, I don't write it, and in the end, even given a contest with a prompt, I write because I have an idea to develop that is interesting to me. If that's from season one or two, so be it.
So I suggest you do the same. Write down your interests. What piques your curiosity, what keeps you awake at night. And then project these issues into the Equestrian setting. And if you can't, then discuss it with others. And if you still can't, then maybe you need to write in a different context. If the MLP context had dried up for you, then maybe you should consider moving on to something else. You can still participate in the community and keep up the friendships you made here without being an author or reviewer. All of that is entirely up to you. The only advice I have is that to be happy a person has to follow their passions.
I'm right with you; I haven't drafted a single sentence in months. My depression is kicking my ass and I feel so badly that I'm letting all these stories linger unfinished.
I've still yet to watch the most recent two seasons of the show - mostly because people are commenting now on things I've done that they aren't canon, and it's just discouraging me and hurting my feelings.
4082770
The show gets better and better. Force yourself to binge watch a season at a time.
Maybe rather then trying to pick up where you left off on the show, you could just pick out one or two of the really good episodes you haven't watched and see if they get you more into the show again at all. Of course, the trouble is that "really good" is gonna vary a lot depending on who you ask, 'cause everypony has different tastes. I personally really liked "Amending Fences", season 5, episode 12, and I think it was pretty well liked.
Season six had a bit of a surprise in that there was an episode about Spike that had a bunch of dragons in it that turned out to be pretty good, too, "Gauntlet of Fire". I thought it was gonna be bad. It was fun, though.
--Sweetie Belle