Hello, flist! It's been a while! ^_~

[analineblue]

So I recently finished reading a book of short stories by an author I discovered really randomly - I basically picked up the book on a table at a bookstore because the title (This Cake Is for the Party) intrigued me, and ended up buying the book, and really enjoying it

Comments

[rensahannou]

That title is interesting, I can see why you got the book. It's cool that you ended up liking it!

I am signed up to so many writer blog email lists I'm afraid to even click on that link, haha. Congrats on doing the prompt! Prompts aren't really my thing but I have been making myself write 100 words every day this month. I've tried it before and didn't make it more than a few days, but so far so good this time.

100 words takes like, no time at all to write, really, but that's the point; it's a nice tiny little goal that won't stress me out, and I can feel like I accomplished something. Plus, my problem is pretty much always just getting started, so I usually go over the 100 words (although I have a bad habit of writing late at night so I have to stop so I can sleep). I think I've actually added about 4,000 words so far to the fic I'm working on :)

Good luck in your continued writing endeavors~ And Happy Valentine's Day! ♥

[analineblue]

Yeah, I like her style a lot :D I sometimes get lucky that way, with picking up books randomly, but you never know!

I like that 100 word idea, too! And a lot of times it's the just getting started part that's the hardest for me too. I convince myself that I don't have enough time, or that I'm not focused enough to write, or whatever, and then before I know it it's been weeks and I haven't written anything. >_> So with this, I'm hoping that with the whole time limit thing it'll be like you said with the 100-word challenge, an easy enough goal that will just get me started. Hopefully I can manage to stick with it!

Good luck with your writing, too and I hope you had a good Valentine's Day! ♥

[badly_knitted]

Happy Valentine's!

[analineblue]

Thank you! I hope you had a good one, too! <3

[badly_knitted]

All days are the same for me, but I did get a nice card!

[analineblue]

Cards are definitely a good thing! <3

[ghibli_chibi]

Good to have you back! I too have been away from LJ awhile but I'm hoping to get more regular blogging in this year too.

Also awesome to hear you've found a good source of inspiration. The way you went about finding this author just shows that it was meant to be :) I've been thinking a lot about my writing lately as well. I happen to like prompts every now and again. The right one can really get the juices flowing. I remember in HS when Mrs. Denney made us free write. It really was a great way to get passed all the ruts and get things a little more organized. Sometimes I miss those days when I had time to write but then I realize...at that time I really didn't have enough life experience to write about "anything" in any detail. Hehe. Have fun with the prompts! I'll have to look into them myself.

[analineblue]

Yeah, when you mentioned it in your email I had to sit down and think about when the last time was that I posted anything - and that sort of reminded me of how long it's been! *_*

It's funny, I've really never had any sort of structured experience with writing at all... I think that might be one reason why I have such a hard time with getting past writer's block, maybe? I think I need to try being more disciplined with myself. Get over this idea that I can only write when I have ideas, or when I'm really inspired, or when I'm in the mood, or when I have time, you know? Because I definitely agree that the more you write, no matter what it is, the easier it gets, so... Yeah, I'm really going to try to stick with it. If you like prompts then I'd definitely recommend these~ I've been pleasantly surprised by the result so far. I don't think I've actually ever just sat down to write for a set amount of time, without a strict goal in mind? I bet it could be something you'd enjoy, too~ ^_^

[seabroth]

There's a bunch of stuff like those "100 drabble prompts" that are the same idea, you're supposed to write one (for fanfiction) every day even if it's crap. I was also once part of a drabble community for Katekyo Hitman Reborn that had a drabble prompt once each week, then the winner chose the new prompt (although not many people participated each week).

I also think it's easier if you just throw out all sense of "it must be good" and just write random shit... then if you want you can fix it later. But a lot of times it still turns out surprisingly good.

[analineblue]

Yeah, I've played around with drabbles a bit in the past. They're not 100% my thing, but I do think sometimes they can be a good challenge. Have you ever tried one of those 50-themes in 50-sentences challenges? I haven't done one of those in a while, but I think they can be pretty interesting.

But yeah, I definitely agree that sometimes just writing the first random thing that comes into your mind without worrying about quality can be a good exercise. I'm a big fan of getting the bare bones of something down and filling the details in later... Nothing wrong with editing after the fact. :D

[seabroth]

i've looked at quite a few of prompt lj's but i usually like one prompt out of 300 it feels like... they always feel like really obvious or cliché prompts, so i never ended up doing any. it's not that i'm ever actually out of ideas, since i get a lot when i rewatch episodes, but i never have motivation enough to write

[analineblue]

I think SF is a tricky fandom for fanworks. I can't speak for other writers, but I know I definitely have a hard time keeping up with all the crazy, ridiculous things the series has thrown at us, just in terms of having a framework to write in that makes any kind of sense? XD

[tayles]

I keep meaning to find something with prompts to get back into writing, so thank you for the link! :)

*hugs*

[analineblue]

I hope the prompts work for you~ I've managed to do 3 days in a row, so I guess that's something? I do think it's helpful just to really make writing a habit, so... Yes. I hope you're able to make use of them too! <3

*hugs back* Miss you! ♥

[tayles]

They're pretty good prompts so far :) And it's helping me work towards one of my CBT goals (spend 10 mins a day writing instead of worrying, lol!).

*hugs* Miss you too! How are things? xx

[analineblue]

Oh good~ I'm glad you're finding them useful. I definitely have been looking at it in a similar way, as a way to encourage myself to spend 10 minutes on writing versus some other less useful task. :P (Worrying is a good one to do less of, for sure @_@)

But yeah, things are fine, aside from some work stresses due to people leaving, etc. (one of my bosses is retiring :/) and me being crap with dealing with change? But I'm sure it will all work out in the end. *_*

♥