this is a weird one, but maybe you could try writing in a different word processor? Sometimes I'll get stuck and just switch what I'm writing in, and something'll go (of course, for my part this is usually schoolwork as opposed to fanfic. with fanfic I just get up and leave. Heh). Or just switching font and size, even. I'll go from ms word to wordpad to notepad, even, if I'm super stuck. If I've gotten to notepad things are pretty bad.
And, an oldie but goodie, watch footage if you're looking for fanfic inspiration! ...mind, that never really worked for me. I get too enthralled in the actual boys to want to make fictional never accurate enough versions. But ymmv.
and read your old feedback! that's a huge one, I think.
I agree! But you seem to have broken the ice, and comments are here, so I am much obliged to you for that. :D
No, you know, that's actually a pretty good idea. I completely switched my writing format once (changing fonts and size, making paragraphs, etc) and that really helped for a while. Maybe I should do that again, it's been a couple of years.
Hah! I've resorted to Notepad a couple of times as well, when I just wanna write a quick ficlet or whatever. Not the coolest word processor in the world, that one.
Yeah, footage. I usually do the same thing you do. Although footage actually helped me get a better grip on Howie once upon of time, so maybe -- yay, these are great ideas, Bri! I shall try them all out. Thank you!
Also, dude, completely random, but do you know what Iawtc (or something to that effect) stands for? I'm seeing it everywhere! And I think I saw you use it awhile ago.
omg, way to not say what the acronym stands for. i agree with this comment. [facepalm]. I actually used the acronym as the explanation. am not what one would call 'brilliant'.
writing slumps suck so much b/c they're such a downer.
i dont know about you, but i do a lot of my writing by hand, and i love buying new pens, so whenever i have a really hard time writing, i go out and get a super cool one....
They really are. Not quite as bad as writer's block, though, so at least that's something.
Oh man, I hardly ever do writing by hand. My hand can't keep up with the words in my head. *LOL* But I think this goes hand in hand with what boomingvoice said above, to try a new word processor. Apparently change is a good thing. :) Thank you muchly for the advice. ♥
You're totally right, to some extent, but I just hate writing when my heart's not in it. It makes the writing sloppy and discourages me completely. It's different for everyone, of course, but I don't think it works for me.
That's why I don't wind up doing it most times--because I'm afraid that feeling will discourage me. Something I've discovered, though--it's never lasted past four whole pages. If I can type up four pages of TOTAL SHIT without giving up, the fear and 'omg this sucks' starts to fade and my writer's block dissipates. But seldom do I make it that far. :)
jumping in from nowhere...nic, what happens if I want to read the stuff in wakethemuse but don't want to participate!? alas, 100 words a day from me is too much, but I enjoy watching others work.
Yeah, just free write. Free write absolute crap, it doesn't matter, because you'll always find something good in it. Writing is work and you just have to push yourself - I mean, I'm sure your mind doesn't go totally blank, that rarely happens to anyone, so just write WHATEVER. Even if you can't think of anything, write about how you can't think of anything and why.
Or, try writing for a new ship. That generally helps me get out of my slump :)
Oh, oh, something else occured to me. Sometimes when I can't write, I'll browse around for pictures - usually of people I don't know, like fashion shoots here: foto_decadent. Fashion photoshoots have REALLY interesting set ups and scenery and occasionally, expressions. I just see something that is visually what I would LOVE to describe, save it, and try just doing that :)
I also bought one of those Moleskine notebooks, I don't know if you've seen them - they're black leather and come in two sizes. On the back they say something like, the legendary notebook of Hemingway, Chatwin, Picasso. It's NEAT. Smells good, the paper is nice, and I just use it for free write :)
I tend to get the urge to write when I read other ships that I like, by other writers. Although the characters involved have different personalities and backgrounds, that and the author's style make me brainstorm about the ship I want to write as of current. :)
Ooh, that's interesting. I have been reading a lot lately, though, so I don't think that helps me much. Great writing can definitely inspire, though, I've had that happen several times. Ugh. Stupid dry spell.
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this is a weird one, but maybe you could try writing in a different word processor? Sometimes I'll get stuck and just switch what I'm writing in, and something'll go (of course, for my part this is usually schoolwork as opposed to fanfic. with fanfic I just get up and leave. Heh). Or just switching font and size, even. I'll go from ms word to wordpad to notepad, even, if I'm super stuck. If I've gotten to notepad things are pretty bad.
And, an oldie but goodie, watch footage if you're looking for fanfic inspiration! ...mind, that never really worked for me. I get too enthralled in the actual boys to want to make fictional never accurate enough versions. But ymmv.
and read your old feedback! that's a huge one, I think.
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No, you know, that's actually a pretty good idea. I completely switched my writing format once (changing fonts and size, making paragraphs, etc) and that really helped for a while. Maybe I should do that again, it's been a couple of years.
Hah! I've resorted to Notepad a couple of times as well, when I just wanna write a quick ficlet or whatever. Not the coolest word processor in the world, that one.
Yeah, footage. I usually do the same thing you do. Although footage actually helped me get a better grip on Howie once upon of time, so maybe -- yay, these are great ideas, Bri! I shall try them all out. Thank you!
Also, dude, completely random, but do you know what Iawtc (or something to that effect) stands for? I'm seeing it everywhere! And I think I saw you use it awhile ago.
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i dont know about you, but i do a lot of my writing by hand, and i love buying new pens, so whenever i have a really hard time writing, i go out and get a super cool one....
...or something along those lines :D
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Oh man, I hardly ever do writing by hand. My hand can't keep up with the words in my head. *LOL* But I think this goes hand in hand with what boomingvoice said above, to try a new word processor. Apparently change is a good thing. :) Thank you muchly for the advice. ♥
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Best way to do it is to DO it, that's all I can say. Do it every day.
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You're totally right, to some extent, but I just hate writing when my heart's not in it. It makes the writing sloppy and discourages me completely. It's different for everyone, of course, but I don't think it works for me.
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Yeah, just free write. Free write absolute crap, it doesn't matter, because you'll always find something good in it. Writing is work and you just have to push yourself - I mean, I'm sure your mind doesn't go totally blank, that rarely happens to anyone, so just write WHATEVER. Even if you can't think of anything, write about how you can't think of anything and why.
Or, try writing for a new ship. That generally helps me get out of my slump :)
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I also bought one of those Moleskine notebooks, I don't know if you've seen them - they're black leather and come in two sizes. On the back they say something like, the legendary notebook of Hemingway, Chatwin, Picasso. It's NEAT. Smells good, the paper is nice, and I just use it for free write :)
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