Barricades and Blockages

[PancaKe]

Raaah. I'm just venting about writers block right now.

I hate it when you get to a particular point in the story that you've been building up to, and then you just can't write. You can't think of the next words to say, you can't think of the next thing to happen, and often I feel like I'm really stretching what happens in order to make the story more and more epic. But, alas I just fail cos I'm so uncreative.

Raah.

We all feel like this don't we?

Vent your writers frustration below.

[classy_cat18]

I really hate it when you get far into a story, and then you're like, "This doesn't make sense. I could've done it another way!" And you've done so many twists and turns that it doesn't even make sense anymore!

[Mew Master]

Hence why Werewolf is on it's third planned re-write and diversion from the original storyline. In which many changes have been made that I feel make it a better version of what it could have been into what it is now.

That's the thing when you're writing. You may get through it, but at a certain point you realize that your style and descriptive sense have changed and then as you're reading through your work you can notice mistakes and inconsistencies that take away from your work, and so you go back and continue to work on them.

I really need to work on Chapter Five. I'm at a pivotal moment in the writing and it still needs work! Hopefully I can get it out before too long. Cause let's face it, we all want some werewolfy goodness.

[PancaKe]

I think the thing is you need to write through writers blocks, with the mentality that its easier to edit what is written rather than what is not.

[Mew Master]

The thing is, and I find this the most annoying, if you can't bring yourself to write anything, even if you force it, it makes the sensation of writting, of bringing a story forth, more work than pleasure.

Sure, you can force yourself to write through a writer's block, but then is it any fun anymore?

[Crystal Tears]

I’m completely and totally stuck in Kingdom Heartless lol. I’m 50 – 60 percent done the chapter but I look at it and go “Oh piss off…”

It sucks, considering I liked the story and I have crap planned after where I am. I stuck writing random stuff in the meantime as I try and break through the block. I’ve been entertaining myself in the mean time with one-shot fanfics and such that keep me amused.

Plus you know; I have a new video game. Doesn’t help at all, tomorrow.. Err, today is a game day too.. He he he…


I agree with PancaKe, I think you need to write through it. Every time I look at KHless, I try to write SOMETHING (wooo the one or two words XD). Yeah it’s forcing it, but once you break it down you’ll get the satisfaction that you fought it off. Though I understand where you coming from Denny, I’ve been there. Where forcing yourself to write becomes a hassle and you just want to wait.

*disappears*

[DivineAll]

I'll just straight up confess it right now. The reason why I haven't posted chapter two of Salem Judgment yet is because I'm still not satisfied on how the case will be resolved. I know I can get it done, but after literally months of thought, I still haven't come up with a conclusion to the case that satisfies my personal standards. I guess it's true what they say: "You're your own worst critic."

[PancaKe]

I think I know what you mean DivineAll. Like, I think coming up with endings, or consequences to things is SO difficult. And then, when you come up with a good conclusion to one little event, how do you then outdo that for the next one? I mean, I almost feel sorry for JK Rowling when she released number seven of the harry potters. One to six were so epic, especially numbers four and five, that how could she possibly make a whole book of epic events such as that? Gosh. She set herself up for a tough challenge!

[Mew Master]

PanCake: I think a way to look at it is like this: Consider that you're playing an RPG with a bunch of friends. Your characters just got done bringing down a terrible evil. It's not the last one, and it wasn't the first. Sometimes some small victories can be just as important to the characters (and readers) as defeating a dragon or Goblin horde. There's no reason to continually increase the Epicness of every event.

Sometimes, the small stuff matters. Specially for Char Devo.

[PancaKe]

That's true. But at the same time, you expect that the ending of a book will be the most climactic part of the story. Hmm I could make a reference to sex... but I wouldn't actually know what its like so never mind

[Mew Master]

A suggestion (and it's really sad) skim through a lot of harlequin romance novels, since most of them are meant for women's version of erotica anyway, for an idea of how to portray sex or an idea of sex without getting overly explicit.

Yes. I know it's sad that I know that.

For the 'epicness' at the end of a story, I know what you mean, but at the other hand, who's to say that the little things can't be epic in their own way.

[Crystal Tears]

who's to say that the little things can't be epic in their own way.

The readers actually.

As much as you love your own story and have this perceived notion your writing for yourself, people always want readers. You want someone else to see just how epic your story is, for them to see it as a story worth hearing. As much as little things mean for character development, readers also want the big fantastic battle against the Dark Lord or the evil AI controlling all the robots.

People like a happy ending; they also ADORE a big ending with fireworks.

Contributes to a writer’s block, as people have been saying. How do you top the last epic scene you did? It becomes a struggle as the readers keep expecting more. Then they tend to criticize if you don’t, saying nothing really happened in the chapter or they found it a bit boring.

I’m not saying that small scene where say… Drako realizes he’s an orphan isn’t epic, but it’ll be comparably smaller to the massive fight he had with some demon lord two chapters beforehand.

Of course, it’s also the writer’s fault. We get caught up in the idea we HAVE to keep bringing this epic scenes and plot twists. We want praise and review, so we try to get them the easiest way. So when we can’t think of something to top the last epic thing, we get stuck until we either decide to rewrite or somehow get an even more impressive idea.

It’s a vicious, vicious cycle. One that has many benefits if you can pull it off, unfortunately, the penalty for not coming up with an idea fast enough or good enough is the hated writer’s block (this also links into being one's own worst critic).


Guh, tangent. Sorry~ :3

P.S If you think I'm wrong, how many of us have become upset when we didn't get replies to our fics? The readers truly decide what happens, one way or another.

[Mew Master]

The readers actually.

I disagree. And I'll explain in a bit.

As much as you love your own story and have this perceived notion your writing for yourself, people always want readers.

While this may be true in some sense, this isn't true in all cases. When I write, I'm not thinking to myself as my fingers dance across the keyboard in a flurry of motion and passion: I wonder if my readers will like this plot twist. or Hope they don't mind if I kill a character off. I know I don't think that. I write the story for the sake of the story (which is why I think English class was a bore and kinda pointless by deriving all sorts of odd meanings from Shakespeare and other works).

You want someone else to see just how epic your story is, for them to see it as a story worth hearing. As much as little things mean for character development, readers also want the big fantastic battle against the Dark Lord or the evil AI controlling all the robots.

I'm deriving my POV on this tangent from playing Table Top games so much. Without the little things that lead to the characters, they come across as two-dimensional and shallow, without much to make them rememberable. Yes the end is nigh, but small conflicts give the larger one more depth.

Contributes to a writer’s block, as people have been saying. How do you top the last epic scene you did? It becomes a struggle as the readers keep expecting more. Then they tend to criticize if you don’t, saying nothing really happened in the chapter or they found it a bit boring.

I’m not saying that small scene where say… Drako realizes he’s an orphan isn’t epic, but it’ll be comparably smaller to the massive fight he had with some demon lord two chapters beforehand.

Much of the time, while there may be nothing to top the "Epic battle of bad-assery", building up on how the characters were affected by the battle, the aftermath, the dark paths of our minds that remain often untraveled, is certainly chapter-worthy.

Of course, it’s also the writer’s fault. We get caught up in the idea we HAVE to keep bringing this epic scenes and plot twists. We want praise and review, so we try to get them the easiest way. So when we can’t think of something to top the last epic thing, we get stuck until we either decide to rewrite or somehow get an even more impressive idea.

If I write a chapter that's pure character development, the readers better deal with it. My story, my rules! >XD

It’s a vicious, vicious cycle. One that has many benefits if you can pull it off, unfortunately, the penalty for not coming up with an idea fast enough or good enough is the hated writer’s block (this also links into being one's own worst critic).

Yes, I am my own worst critic. Often I'm not thinking of "will the reader's like this" it's more "Does this make sense to me?"

[PancaKe]

I have to say I agree with a lot of what CT is saying.

It's as simple as why do we feel that some series had good endings, and other series had really let down endings?

Ie, Heroes. I thought Season 1 ended rather poorly considering all the build up, and the previous epic battles. In comparison, for a grand finale, it wasn't very grand.

And the same for Full Metal Panic, although I'm not sure how many are familiar with FMP.

[mattbcl]

Thread revival!

I was planning on staying up all night tonight to go on a writing binge. In my post-teen years, I'd find myself a day or two off work and purchase Mountain Dew (or some other sufficient substitute falling under the categories of "heavily caffeinated" and "legal") by the truckload, then sequester myself in a room and write to my heart's content. I wouldn't emerge for at least 30 hours; my eyes would be bleeding, my fingers would be sore, I'd have a bladder bloated out roughly the size of Normandy, and you could see my eardrums throbbing out past my lobes. But damn it, I'd have WRITTEN THINGS.

I've prepared myself for this evening. I got a pair of Dew 2-liters (one classic, one White Out) and a supplementary case (Supernova), and I've already chugged one of the 2-liters. I'm at the crux of a plotline right now, the center of the high-wire act, where I can produce some of the stuff I've been waiting for.

But not a single word has been forthcoming. And I've been sitting here for 3 hours, waiting patiently. Maybe a little too patiently.

My girlfriend suggested I get a couple hours' sleep so I can rejuvenate a little. I tend to agree. But God, it's disappointing.

[Becky]

Thread revival!

But not a single word has been forthcoming. And I've been sitting here for 3 hours, waiting patiently. Maybe a little too patiently.

My girlfriend suggested I get a couple hours' sleep so I can rejuvenate a little. I tend to agree. But God, it's disappointing.

Sleep is good advice!

I'm at a similar position with a journal article I'm trying to finish up. Just have to get it out. Maybe just start writing ideas and thoughts down, and see if the inspiration comes as you work?

And then I'd like to finish another article where I've already got most of my results, but it's taking the time to write them up and then go back and make edits to make sure it sounds coherent. I usually set deadlines for myself, but I don't know if that works as well with creative writing.

[Gavin Luper]

Thread revival!

I was planning on staying up all night tonight to go on a writing binge. In my post-teen years, I'd find myself a day or two off work and purchase Mountain Dew (or some other sufficient substitute falling under the categories of "heavily caffeinated" and "legal") by the truckload, then sequester myself in a room and write to my heart's content. I wouldn't emerge for at least 30 hours; my eyes would be bleeding, my fingers would be sore, I'd have a bladder bloated out roughly the size of Normandy, and you could see my eardrums throbbing out past my lobes. But damn it, I'd have WRITTEN THINGS.

I've prepared myself for this evening. I got a pair of Dew 2-liters (one classic, one White Out) and a supplementary case (Supernova), and I've already chugged one of the 2-liters. I'm at the crux of a plotline right now, the center of the high-wire act, where I can produce some of the stuff I've been waiting for.

But not a single word has been forthcoming. And I've been sitting here for 3 hours, waiting patiently. Maybe a little too patiently.

My girlfriend suggested I get a couple hours' sleep so I can rejuvenate a little. I tend to agree. But God, it's disappointing.

Dude. You know what I was thinking while I was reading this post? That you're quite a good writer. Your description of your own writing habits and trials and tribulations actually reads very engagingly and creatively ... so, whatever is happening on the page of the story you want to write, take heart at least that you still have a way with words. Now they just need to get into a story instead of a TPM post! ^_^

I also agree with the others - sleep is good advice!

Becky - what are you studying?

Denny - congrats on the MA!

[Hikari of Dark Rose]

I'm realatively new writing on my own, but sometimes i find that writing little side peices (or future parts of the story that wont leave my head at that moment) helps me to get in the writing kick.

there used to be a list i had on my favorites list (gone now, but if anyone knows which one I'm thinking of, link please?) it was 25 or so every day scenes to build character development, those helped alot as well.

[mattbcl]

Last year I set forth a deadline of 1 page every 24 hours. Oddly enough, it worked for me. This year, though, I don't have a deadline like that at all. No benchmarks and I guess I'm not writing. Sheesh.

[Mew Master]

Out of curiosity, what Journal? I've been Published in the Geologic Curator,a nd My Masters just got done last month.

[Becky]

Congrats on the MA, Mew Master! Geology research? Neat! Are you still involved with that research?

I'll PM you with details if you're interested on the article. Since it'll be under review, I don't want that to be easily traceable information to my identity.

[Mew Master]

It's actually an MS, not MA.

[mattbcl]

GL - It'd be wonderful if the writing would flow out into my work rather than a TPM post, but if it's proving to be engaging here, perhaps what I need to do is start here and then work my way into the stories. I think part of my problem is that most of the day, I can't really apply any creative thinking. My job is extraordinarily monotonous and I deal with greedy, persnickety assassins of joy and conscious thought in the form of customers, co-workers, and employers. Occasionally I become one of those malcontents myself, and I avoid looking in a mirror when I get home on days like that. I'm heavily considering finding myself a new job; even now, part of me aches for the day when I'll be able to dump my current uniforms in a burn barrel and douse them with lighter fluid, then toss a lit match over my shoulder and walk away while donning a pair of sunglasses like I'm David Caruso.

But in the meantime, maybe I should just be spending more time here. I was able to write for at least a little while after both venting and sleeping off my frustrations. 2 pages is hardly a record for me (I think my final chapter of the original rendition of Against All Odds, which was 15 pages, took me only about 36 hours) but it's at least a beginning. Perhaps TPM is what I need to open myself up to more creativity.

After all, where else am I going to see a thread asking if one of its respected members is a fat f***?

[Gavin Luper]

GL - It'd be wonderful if the writing would flow out into my work rather than a TPM post, but if it's proving to be engaging here, perhaps what I need to do is start here and then work my way into the stories. I think part of my problem is that most of the day, I can't really apply any creative thinking. My job is extraordinarily monotonous and I deal with greedy, persnickety assassins of joy and conscious thought in the form of customers, co-workers, and employers. Occasionally I become one of those malcontents myself, and I avoid looking in a mirror when I get home on days like that. I'm heavily considering finding myself a new job; even now, part of me aches for the day when I'll be able to dump my current uniforms in a burn barrel and douse them with lighter fluid, then toss a lit match over my shoulder and walk away while donning a pair of sunglasses like I'm David Caruso.

But in the meantime, maybe I should just be spending more time here. I was able to write for at least a little while after both venting and sleeping off my frustrations. 2 pages is hardly a record for me (I think my final chapter of the original rendition of Against All Odds, which was 15 pages, took me only about 36 hours) but it's at least a beginning. Perhaps TPM is what I need to open myself up to more creativity.

After all, where else am I going to see a thread asking if one of its respected members is a fat f***?

Hahaha - true - TPM is a unique place ... Well, hopefully it helps to open you up creatively. I agree that a shitty, non-creative job doesn't help either - I'm about to look for another job myself so I empathise man.

Denny - My bad. I swear Becky said MA so I just thought that was code for Masters. ^_^ Anyway, congrats.

[Mew Master]

My MS trumps her MA. Which she's still working on I think.

[Gavin Luper]

My MS trumps her MA. Which she's still working on I think.

Uh-oh. Arts versus Science debate approaching, I fear!

[Mew Master]

bah. Don't get so melodramatic. Both are better than sports.

[ChobiChibi]

bah. Don't get so melodramatic. Both are better than sports.

Becki likes this

I went to a Uni where 60% of the students were doing something sporty. It's just blah.

Anyway, I think I said somewhere before that the monotony of my job actually helps my creative thinking. Not so much at the moment because I'm fed up of seeing the same place every single day, but hopefully it'll pass.

[Gavin Luper]

Denny - Okay, I'll step back from the melodrama. ^_^

Becki - As in the monotony gives you enough time to daydream and come up with plot ideas, etc?

And hey, let's not knock sports. I admit I've always been much more of a writery person than sporty but I do enjoy working out, playing sports with mates and watching footy. Nothing wrong with it!

[ChobiChibi]

Yeah, pretty much what you said. Monotony= daydream time. Just at the moment I'm so fed up that the daydreaming isn't really happening. I also blame a looming exam and stock take for this ><

[Mew Master]

Not when your countries higher levels of acadamia spend more money on the athletic divisions than actual education.

[Hikari of Dark Rose]

is that really surprising though when sports bring them money and support?

my high school class held alot of bake sales to fund our prom and almost 3/4 of what we raised during those came from sales held at games, because more people showed up.

[Gavin Luper]

Hm, good point Denny. And I have to admit I did hate the fact that academic success, at my high school at least, was massively overshadowed by sporting success; that is, you could be the top of everything, but it wouldn't be recognised by the school or faculty even half as much as someone who could run fast. Bleh. That does still piss me off.

Hikari - good point also. Sports are more popular than writing or academic pursuits. It is sucky though. I see literary journals spring up in my city but I know they won't last long because people simply don't support those kind of pursuits. And invariably they fade away and go belly-up because nobody's really that interested.

It's an interesting comparison actually, when you compare the amount of money in the sports industry versus the money in book publishing and literature. I wonder if that subconsciously weighs on us as writers - are we more pessimistic about our craft because we believe that, even if we are successful, we will not really be particularly rich or famous?

[Shadow Wolf]

Hey, this is interesting.

I don't know.... I feel like the writers are not supported because we possess knowledge, and knowledge rules over power.

However, sports is considered a "distraction", so if you support "sports" you somehow control people's minds (give them money to distract themselves, and they reward you with their loyalty). You can't control a writer's mind because we search for the truth (we read, write, think, and clearly stand for what we believe in)

Of course, that's my opinion. (Maybe too harsh or too dramatic, but I somehow sense that.) ^_^;

[Gavin Luper]

Oh wow, deep!

Also I think this is the first time in ages that there's been a reply to a post while I'm still online. Yay for activity.

I agree that sports are seen as more of a distraction. I think sports are more diverting because they are social: you watch sports with a group of mates, the games are shown at pubs and in stadiums, etc.

Even as a writer I would rather give birth to a chair than watch some wankery writer sit in front of his laptop for three hours, umming and aaahing and eureka-ing and deleting words and getting distracted by forums and spilling lukewarm coffee. >.<

[Hikari of Dark Rose]

sports can communicate to all people is what i think it is. for some books are too wordy and complicated, but everyone can appreciate a goal scored with seconds on the clock (BIG hockey town)

another thing is that popular books get made into movies so people think "Oh I can just see that instead of reading" and in some cases like Lord of the rings, thats fine. but there are some (glares at Other Bolyen Girl and The Mist) that makeeither too many or the worst possible changes to the story and come out as bad, which then people are like "this is bad why would I want to read it now?"

[Shadow Wolf]

Gavin: True that! The most obvious proof of that is how my whole country united to receive NBA player J.J. Barea. People are sick of political issues and everything that can lead to differences. But in sports, they see something they can enjoy together; something to have in common.

BTW, that last part made me laugh for a while.

Hikari: "for some books to be wordy and complicated"...

Oh, how the passion for literature have banished.

*putting drama aside*

Yeah, movies are somehow of a shadow of books, because the purpose of the movies is to attract audience, and not to deliver the massage the author wants to convey. After all, directors need to earn money to keep producing movies, and the money is earned by attracting people to watch the movies.

[mattbcl]

GL - you just described me. I'm restraining an urge to explode with various obscenities at the realization of just how far I've fallen, that someone would actually go to the effort of describing what horrendously awful pains they'd rather endure than see one of my kind (socially inept and wanting people desperately to like him without really wanting to put forth any effort to that end) at work.

Alas...

[Gavin Luper]

GL - you just described me. I'm restraining an urge to explode with various obscenities at the realization of just how far I've fallen, that someone would actually go to the effort of describing what horrendously awful pains they'd rather endure than see one of my kind (socially inept and wanting people desperately to like him without really wanting to put forth any effort to that end) at work.

Alas...

My bad ^_^

I was kind of describing myself during NaNoWriMo, to be honest, so don't feel hard done by - we're all in the same boat really!!

[Mew Master]

Well, I'd like to state I've finally gotten over a block of my own. My Webcomic Magick has been worked on steadily for the last few days and hopefully I can get Chapter 2 done and uploaded before Mid July. Which will be awesome for my devoted fans... all 12 of them.