writing blathers and blahs.

[puella_nerdii]

Rise from the Ashes is over -- Faith made it to the finals, and I think I'm proud of what I did with her, even if I struggled with the last two rounds proper. (At least I came back with a vengeance in the finals, when I had access to a computer during them.) More tournament musing to come later, I think.

Have been poking at the House in My Head

Comments

[gileonnen]

Let me know if you find a way to tell stories of your own--because I've been feeling lately (for the past few years?) like I don't have any stories of my own that need to be told, like there's nothing in me that particularly needs or even wants to be said.

[puella_nerdii]

I will. *sigh* I might have an idea brewing, a way to attack a story I've wanted to tell for a while -- we'll see what comes to it, or if I can even stick with it long enough. I really hate feeling like this.

[gileonnen]

It's weird--once I have a story to tell (usually, someone else's story; there's a reason I'm constantly asking people for prompts), I've got no problem telling it. But they don't come from a meaningful place within me, and maybe they haven't for a long time.

[puella_nerdii]

I have a weird relationship with prompts. Sometimes they spark good things in me, and produce some of my best writing -- I used to be addicted to writing challenges, and for a long time I barely did any writing that wasn't challenge-associated, because they gave me some sense of structure, and I needed that. But sometimes I get unreasonably stubborn about prompts, especially ones that I've been given and dislike for whatever reason, and that stubbornness stops almost all of my writing cold, as I don't want to work on anything else until I've cleared prior obligations and feel horribly guilty for NOT doing everything and...yeah. Vicious cycle.

[byzantienne]

*hugs*

*lots*

I wish I had useful advice or commentary or something, but our working methods are so orthogonal, with this...

So *hugs*. Instead. not as good but I mean them. *smile*

[puella_nerdii]

I know you do. *hugs tight* The kinds of structure I sometimes need aren't the ones you use, I do know that much...gah, I need to be DOING something again. I need to be in New York, and acting, and using my brain a lot.

[byzantienne]

You write from such a more-emotional place than I do, too, which is something I love (and sometimes envy) about your work. But it does make all my discourse on theme and argument and design supremely unhelpful.

Also, I think we're all a little bit strung out on summer and how unstructured it is. I know I am, and I have structure, at least a little bit, with this program up here.

I want you in New York and acting and using your brain, too, especially because I get to see you then. (We should plan this weekend at some point.)

[puella_nerdii]

Yeah. I mean, I can articulate my process. I know how it works, and how I write. But I also know that a big component of it is that I do work in fits and starts and when the mood strikes, and usually that works, but sometimes it falls flat. Le fuck.

(We should. I am on AIM right now~)

[twistedsheets10]

*hugs*

I would recommend reading a favorite book or a new one. But I see you are already in a Gaiman binge, and that is good.

Have you tried doing little drabbly stuff? Just short little lines of ideas or scenes that come to your mind or something like that? Sometimes that helps out.

[puella_nerdii]

I am with the house in my head ficbits, and that's why I'm excited about the original fiction prompt tree thing -- hopefully just using my OCs, even for little pieces, will get me engaged with them again, and they might start suggesting stories to me.

[alliterations]

Are we sharing a brain?

At the end of my career in High School, we had to do something called a "Senior Project" and I wrote a book of short stories. I pulled a freaking masterpiece out of my butt during that, but ever since then I can't seem to write anything other than fanfiction.

Also, what you said about Gaiman is so true. Personally, I always add a dash of the paranormal into my stories just for that haunting effect. Then again, my author-muse is Salinger, and he's not really helping me right now. Perhaps I should try that drabble tree as well.

As for a cure, I never start stories with an idea, always with a character. Someone just pops up, says hello, and I am compelled to write their life. I'm not sure if you do the opposite, or not, but maybe you should focus on someONE rather than someTHING.

I don't know. Let's hope we can both get out of this rut.

[jinsai]

My own problem with writing involves getting it out of my head and onto text. I'm great at coming up with prompts and plot bunnies, but they never can make it from my brain to my fingers.

I very much understand your point on research. I love research, but when it stops becoming inspiring, and begins to hold you back, it's best to take a step back and breath.

Though, I do have to say that I'm not a huge fan of Gaiman's short stories over-all. Some I like, but in general, I prefer his novels, or his older Sandman stuff. That said, I do LOVE his novels.