but we knew they'd try

[tea_and_ink]

Been feeling odd, lately. As if I had this well inside my head, this pit of ideas waving and revolting around, making themselves known, making me stop and stare. And then I grab my legal pad and... they're gone. I wanna write and, apparently I can, the ideas are there which is sort of fundamental for the craft, I think, but I don't seem to have the drive. Or something.

I'm intimidated by a legal pad.

Don't even wanna bother with the laptop.

But, this is a happy day because I am convinced that leaves are falling! Finally!

So, back to the original reason for this post (when in doubt, always ask your flist), does this lack of drive, as I have christened it, happen to you? If so, how do you handle it? Advices?

Comments

[1grl-revolution.livejournal.com]

I don't write, but I say, sit down with your pad and just write for 20 minutes- nonsense, whatever though comes into your mind... just to get the juices flowing. Sometimes all you need to do is just let your mind wander, sometimes you just need to sit down and focus for a while.

For me, when I am feeling creatively drained scrapbooking-wise, I find that sitting down and just playing with some of my supplies can get the ideas flowing. Or, I pick a favorite technique and start doing something with that. Another things I do is look at other people's work to find an idea that might inspire me- sometimes it's as simple as a colour combination...

[penandnotebook]

Yeah, you're right. It's like running water, open the faucet and it starts going.

I think my issue is not so much what to write, as much as it is how to go about it, I get these ideas and I can see the whole thing, not finished, but structured at least, so my guess is that the problem comes when getting started. I'm hoping once I do open the faucet something comes out.

Thank you so much for the advice!

[shopfront.livejournal.com]

It does, I highly doubt it's possible to be creatively driven at all times without going mad! For short failures in drive (we're talking one to three days, tops), I can usually find a cause. I'm too busy, too tired, have too many non-creative to-do's weighing on my mind, or my mental health has lost a little of it's shine. Or I'm just having a few bad days creatively, sometimes that just happens too, but usual there's an external stress making it worse. Those, I just wait out. Put the writing aside and work on something else that I need to do a few days from now, so that when the drive comes back I'll have the free time to write then.

For longer failures, I generally find I have to write myself through it. Just keep putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, even if what you're writing is boring, uninspired drivel. I don't recommend working on anything you're planning to post/publish unless you have a non-negotiable deadline, although I'm sure some people can craft uninspired yet worthy prose during these sorts of periods - think of it like Nano writing. You keep writing regularly for the word count, and never mind what you're actually putting on the page. I find it I put writing aside to wait out a longer down time, I eventually start to lose the drive to pick it back up and try again. It's like something gets a little rusty, and when the inspiration comes back I'm 'write' the stories in my mind or another medium, but develop an aversion to tackling the dreaded legal pad or laptop, because I let it intimidate me in the first place.

Just keep swimming in words until you rediscover that spark that gets the whole process churning over properly again. I generally find I'm suddenly invested in this horribly flat character I've been writing, or the loose plot thread or missing backstory is suddenly integral and fascinating and I desperately want to fix it. Once I've got that, it usually transfers over into my other writing with ease as well.

Good luck, however you decide to handle it! I hope you find your own best way to handle the block.

[penandnotebook]

No, I agree there, can you imagine? If you're too busy creating stuff, when would you live? It's probably a nefarious combination of factors that begun with lack of time to sit down and produce something, then I'd be too tired and then I'd just be out of ideas, and so a vicious cycle was born. Now though, it's mostly getting started what holds me back. ::headdesks::

That's a good idea, actually. Sit down and write x number of words per day, regardless of theme or quality, just for the oiling it provides to the engine. I'll try that, definitely.

Oh, the investment in characters. Man, do I love those moments. I'm currently having this bit of a torrid affair with the idea of a character I want to write. Maybe I´ll start there.

Thanks a lot. Surely this will help me get back on the horse. <3

[roguemouse.livejournal.com]

*pets* Poor you... it's bad enough when you don't have any ideas to write down. But when you've got loads of ideas and can't seem to write them down?... that sucks beyond all reason.
Add lack of time (from too much work) to that, and you'll get what I'm going through >_<

As for the lack of drive - I usually try to wait it out. I'm fortunate enough that all my best ideas stay in my head, so I don't have to write them down immediately. But if you don't like waiting, try to force yourself - write down at least a couple sentences. Or try putting on some inspiring music - the will to write should come back on it's own.

And believe me - wanting to write, but not being able to cause of lack of time, can be even more frustrating. At least with "no drive" you know it's not your fault - it's just your mind playing tricks on you ;)

LOVE YOU! MISS YOU!
M.

[penandnotebook]

Yeah, I'm thinking my problem is the getting started part of the process. Hopefully, once I beat my pad into submission, things will start flowing a little more easily. Or at all.

That's the plan, sit down and reach "x" word count daily, no matter the subject or quality of the product, just writing for the sakes of writing. Could be interesting, am actually looking forward to it.

MISS YOU TOO! We need to get together and chat some, I miss knowing about your life. And no, your LJ posts don't count, they're for public consumption, don't make me feel especial... ::blows kisses your way::

[roguemouse.livejournal.com]

It usually is the "getting started" part. I know from my own experience, that once I have the time and will to write and I gt down the first couple sentences, it usually goes smoothly after that (unless someone disturbs me - then every turns to shit and I can't continue).

I've tried that but I've never been the "commitment" type *winks*
But I hope it works for you ^^

I know. I'm really sorry. But it's not my fault my internet broke - again -, for good this time. But I'm getting a new laptop for my birthday (need names!!) and me and my roommate are getting cable/LAN internet, hopefully by the end of march. So, if all goes well, come april we can get back to chating more often. And maybe even start writing again - nothing motivates you better than another person breathing down your neck :D

LOVE YOU!
M.