Beating head against wall.... · 10:51pm Sep 4th, 2012
Whack.
Whack.
Whack.
Whack.
Whack.
Whack.
Hold on...
Whack.
Whack.
Whack.
There we go. *nurses an ice pack against his head* Honestly, considering the lack of stuff up there, it hurts alot less then you think.
Hello mares and stallions of all ages. Dawnscroll here, and I need some advice, so I have a question for you all.
What do you people do to get the creative juices flowing? What do you do to get motivated? Get pumped? Excited? What makes the keyboards click and the graphite crack for you?
Cause honestly... I'm feeling kinda... I dunno. Blegh these past few days. Like, EVERYTHING I want to write is... up here, you know? *points his now bumpy head* Its there. I'm no yanking your strings here people, I do know what the heck I'd doing for the next chapter of Slice of Life and YES, there is a new Fanfic coming up... though I must be out of my mind for starting a new one when I can't even finish this trainwreck of a story.
Ugh, point is, I know what to do, what to write. I have a TON of jokes that aren't references, and I know how write the new chapter and the first few for the new story. But.. whenever I sit down at a computer lately its been... I dunno. Ill write for a bit and just... turn off the computer. Walk away. Its not in lately me for some reason.
Cause I mean... what? Its been a MONTH since I last updated. People are doing like 3k chapter updates everyday and I can't finish one bloody chapter, or a bunch of smaller chaps for a new story?
Whats wrong with me and what can I do to fix it? Like, do any of you guys know any quick fixes to get me pysched, motivated, and screaming YEAH, LET'S WRITE THIS AND MAKE THE FANS LAUGH!
Honestly, no idea is a bad one.
Thanks,
Dawn
(PS. Mouse is still at large.)
I watch a new reveal/ game trailer such as assassins creed 3. Don't know why but it makes my imagination more vivid.
watch a mindfuck type of movie. i wouldnt have passed AP english without clockwork orange or the machinist
what I do is chat with my friend who writes a lot, and we start just bouncing ideas off each other until something sticks
Hmm, I've been in this type of situation before. Sometimes, I'm able to muscle through and get a new chapter out, even if it doesn't feel like it meets my standards. Other times... I do what you're doing. Worrying about not updating more than working.
Lately, I've found that having someone looking over your shoulder can help. Whether it's actually someone looking over your shoulder or someone in the doc while you work, having that extra set of eyes can get you to push through anything.
Or, a good conversation over IM can get the fingers twitching for the keyboard. I'm collaborating with another author on a project and having a second mind to bounce ideas off of helps keep the motivation going.
Try these out and see how it works out!
And kick that mouse out of your house!
You might want to get that head checked too...
I wish I could help, but I am stuck in a similar rut (though with dialogue instead). However. I do my best writing when jamming out to music.
high quality noise cancelling headphones + two steps from hell. Dest thing possible when planning what my players and characters will go for in many D&D and variou tabletop RPG as a gamemaster.
>People are doing like 3k chapter updates everyday
These people are either putting no thought into he overall direction of their story and simply writing a plot which shoots of in some direction at top speed, ignoring the problems of he greater story arc, or are working as fast as they possibly can and discarding even the pretext of editing and revision, or are simply devoting their lives to the 24/7 production of ponistories. In any of these cases, I would be strongly hesitant to judge my work against theirs.
As for inspiration: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FORCE IT. Trying to force your creativitly gland to churn out more inspired juices when it is clearly not in the mood is the surest way I know of to blow a lymph duct. I've found that if I'm running into a wall with my current project du jour, I'll let it sit for a while and put some time in on one of my many other unfinished projects. Later I'll come back to the first one with a clear head and hopefully a fresh perspective. Just try not to get caught up in a situation where you're bouncing around between a dozen unfinished projects.
Watch some really epic old movies.
Personal favourites include Mortal Kombat, Cube (and sequels) and Blazing Saddles.
Or anything starring Keanu Reeves.
Music.
Often, I find that if I go out and mow the lawn or take a lap -or three- around the block, I have the opportunity to mentally 'reset' for a while. Usually by the time I get back in, the words are flowing from my fingertips. Hope that helps.
And don't feel bad, I haven't updated my main story for two months now. Maybe I should take my own advice... XD
I listen to music, watch videos... That kinda stuff inspires me. It's where half of my idiotic, yet genius ideas come from.
So, are you still in need of my services with the flame-thrower? Or should I put the suit back in with the skeletons in my closet?
Personally I listen to some kickass music and then try to think up a random scene for the story that flows with music and see afterwards how it fits with what I've already got down.
Oh yes...The ol' writer's block
Well the best advice that I have for you is to loosen up first. Watch videos, play video games, read, rape your ears with triple-enhanced bass-filled wubtrot, participate in a high-stakes gamble tournament, get chased by Johnny Law, or take some hallucinogens and record the highlights of your high.
Ignore the last three...only of you want to.
Looks like that you're job is pushing you to hard. Normally I get ideas whenever I get to bed. Right as I tuck in, ideas start to pop into my head.
Buck you, brain. I want sleep not ideas.
So after finding a way to loosen up, start a brainstorm. Walk around where you live. Walking always helps me think.
Start keeping a small list of ideas in your pocket or something so you can't forget them, if they ever pop up.
Or watch some crackpot, meth-fueld anime show that shits inyour face with the most random ideas ever. They're usually dramatic and stupid enough to hypnotize you with some pretty catchy ideas.
That's all really. I'm sorry if I didn't help much
Follow these steps:
1) Read some Terry Pratchett.
2) Drink tea.
3) Work yourself into a rage by watching Fox News.
4) Read more Terry Pratchett.
5) Browse FiMFiction for really BAD fanfics. Read one.
6) Read a really GOOD fanfic- like, say, Anthropology; Paradise; My Choices: Twisted Tales Through Time, or something like that.
7) Go for a walk. Or just chill in your backyard or something.
8) Write.
Probably seems pretty silly, but this WILL make you want to write. It sure works for me. I'm trying to FINISH the fanfiction I'm writing before I post it anywhere, and I swear following these steps always makes me want to sit down and write.
You're probably dubious. That's pretty understandable. But TRY IT. Please. If it motivates you, everyone wins!
336442 that's not the issue he has. He said he knows exactly what to write but doesn't really have the motivation to physically do it. I've been there.
your story is not a trainwreck. It was one of the first fics i read, and is still by far the single best fic i have ever read. References or non-references, its the funniest thing ever.
I either just don't write for a good long time (varies, but something to the extent of a couple days-week(s))
This usually works in that I will suddenly know I want to do for no particular reason
If that doesn't work, then I sit down and play a game or read an amazing story. Picking up a book helps, because then I know how to write again and just get on with pouring out words that shouldn't even be hibernating...wait wat?
ANWAYS...just take your sweet time with it. Usually works out in the end...don't hold me to that
Extra: I love Slice of Life...why you have to hurt feels! FEELS!!!
I don't really have anything to suggest about you're writing problem besides maybe take a break, and then go back to it... music sometimes helps... I dunno. The most experience I really have with creative writing is essays for school.
As far as your mouse problem goes, I still recommend turning the music up, and just drive it out of your apartment with sheer noise.
Bang your head against the keyboard, not the wall. There may be a few* spelling errors, but it's better than not getting started at all.
* approximately 100%
I'd just like to take this opportunity to say that your fic inspired my fic.
That said, I'm in exactly the same position
I wish I had something to add, but right now, I'm just leeching off the ideas already posted. Gonna try getting my editor on the GDoc, will let you know how it works 
I read, gives me knew ideas and more applications for old ones.
Snickers bar.
No wait, that's how to get rid of a mouse....
I usually talk to the wall. Or you could talk to toy ponies, either works.
337253
*new
I wish I can help but I'm reviewer not a story teller. So I hope you find a way.
Set a time with someone else that it needs to be done, like with an editor or something. Then when the day comes where your editor is expecting it to be ready...let that procrastination energy kick in! dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/shrug_Luna_apple.png
listen to music or a montage both work
I feel your pain.
Read other stories. I find inspiration all the time while reading others' stories. Mind you, not plagiarism, but just word structure, flow etc. etc.
My suggestion is to watch pony eat cereal and just stop giving a buck for a day... go do something... new and interesting. play some games hat fortress and the like just don't even try to write for a day. That's what i do for my 4-5k word assignments i have to write for uni and stuff. That's just my two bits though... you'll get there if you want to :) all the best
Lacks of motivation are best cured with some music.
What music works for you is up to you, but while listening, just imagine the events of the story unfolding.
And finally, if all that doesn't work....force it.
Sometimes you just need to break the plug on your brain by force.
I am an observer. I like to sit back and look at how things work. Most of my creativity is with the physical but I try to blend that with the fictional. I say look at how the things in real life flow and what makes them tick. I take one thing and run with it until I have everything I need. Currently that is involving a gumshoe detective FIM style.
Well... I go 24+ hours without sleep and run on pure adrenaline. For some reason, this makes me more creative. I unno.
Classic Rock. You're welcome.