I really need to get writing again

[dbskyler]

It's been so long since I've written anything, I'm not sure how long it's been. Well, actually, that's not entirely true, as I did end up writing a short little piece of crack!fic for the last fic_rush round. But other than that, it's been, um, well . . . awhile.

I blame it on a couple of things. First, I've been away on trips for a lot of the summer. Which was a lot of fun, but not exactly conducive to writing. Second, I've been spending time on RL things. Which has been annoying, but also necessary. But probably the biggest issue is that I have been feeling completely uninspired for a long time now. Which is also the hardest thing to fix. How do I get myself inspired again?

I have two WIPs going: first, a fic promised to justice_turtle (who has been incredibly nice and patient) for his help_japan donation; and second, my "yes, believe it or not I am still working on that" chronic WIP "Turn Again."

Then there's my claim at 50ficlets. I haven't done anything for the claim since, um, December 19, 2010. Plus, the owner of the comm has just asked people with inactive claims -- a category for which I certainly qualify -- to get active again, or drop their claim. If I were sensible, I would just drop the claim, but I've realized that I don't want to. I'd rather continue, because even though my pace has been laughably slow (I've only written 8 of the 50 prompts), I've been very happy with some of the fics that have come out of that, and I want to see what will come out next. Besides, who said writing fanfic was about being sensible?

Now if I could only get inspired . . .

Comments

[pitry.livejournal.com]

Sensibility is for the weak! That's what I always say...

I wish I had some inspiration tips. My best one is to get yourself immersed in what you want to write. For example, if you're looking for more SJ ficlets, go watch some of the old Sarah Jane episodes again, or SJA.
Maybe even try rewatching SJA? This is the kind of thing that usually works for me!

Well, that and lack of real life stress.. *hugs*

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

get yourself immersed in what you want to write

This is what usually works for me, too, so I really ought to do it! I love your SJA suggestion.

*hugs back*

[derekmetaltron.livejournal.com]

I know you feel - in my case I have a hundred and one distractions for writing yet I do have stories I'd like to carry on which are half written or new ones to devise. Your Sarah Jane stuff for 50 ficlets is brilliant so please do start them up again if you can! :)

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

Aw, thanks. I do want to try to start them up again, especially as I haven't lost interest in writing them. It's more like I have to get the engine primed or something to get going.

[justice-turtle.livejournal.com]

Do you find freewriting at all helpful for fiction? I've written some terrible dreck while "priming the pump", so to speak, but I often find that if I determine to write a given amount - 50 words minimum every other day¹, 30 minutes, work out a specific plot point, whatever - then eventually I start settling into that writing headspace whenever I have a free moment.

I need to get back into my drabble series, myself; I can't recall what stopped me (starting school, maybe?), but I had a Scotty drabble almost finished. *goes hunting for it*

1: I can't seem to write every day. Doesn't happen; it's too much pushing, I guess. But every other day works well for me.

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

No, actually, I haven't had success with freewriting. But maybe I haven't tried enough / in the right way. I probably should force myself to sit down and write more often; usually I wait until I feel like writing, which is great when I'm in the mood, but not-so-good all the other times.

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

Have you tried writeordie.com? I've a friend who uses it every now and again and she really finds it helpful.

And I agree about immersing yourself in whatever fandom it is you want to write.

And yes, I AM still faithfully waiting for the rest of 'Turn Again'!

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

I don't like writeordie. It doesn't mesh with my writing style, because I self-edit so much when I write and that site doesn't let you pause. I can't write with all that stuff going on! (Also, the "kamikaze" mode is INSANE. I accidentally erase enough of my own words without a writing site doing it for me!)

I just watched some SJA, which is what I thought I was in the mood to watch, but it was *really* hard to see Lis Sladen. I know it's been months, but I realized that I haven't really watched any of her work since her death. I also realized that the last thing I wrote was my tribute fic, "Rainy Days and Sundays." I do want to get back into writing, but I might not be quite ready to tackle Sarah again yet. Although I think it would be good for me if I could manage it.

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

I tried write or die once - and never went back because I couldn't stand it either. Like you, I self-edit as I write, so I totally understand!

*hugs* I know what you mean - I've got Lis' movie 'Gulliver in Lilliput' waiting to be watched. I *really* want to see it, but I can't face it at the moment. I've basically decided to wait until the final season of SJA has aired (which'll be starting soon-ish).

In the meantime, I've opened up a Word document with the temporary title of Five+Martha! (Although I'm in so much pain I'm not sure how much I'll get written...)

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

I know exactly what you mean -- I really want to see the final season of SJA, but I'm not sure if I can face it!

While I was watching SJA, I kept finding myself looking for signs of illness in Lis' face -- Not Good. So I think I will try to watch some SJS Classic Who next. Hmm, perhaps some Mandragora Helix would be good?

I've opened up a Word document with the temporary title of Five+Martha!

WHOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

*nods*

Oh, Classic!Sarah may well help...

LOL Don't get too excited - I've only written three sentences so far. (Am going to get some breakfast and take my meds, and hope that helps!)

[thisbluespirit]

Why are you asking? Clearly, you need to be writing Five and Martha! (As there are none, we can use as many as possible.)

Sorry. Seriously, I'm sad that it's not being easy for you to write at the moment, but I'm thrilled that you're going to be trying. I was only thinking the other day that it had been ages and ages.

As for 50ficlets, I think the owner was tidying rather than anything else. S/he seemed much sorrier to lose people than otherwise - just checking that the claims were still wanted. As long as yours is, it doesn't sound like a problem. (Actually, I dropped my claim - I found out that I much prefer writing longer things - when I'm well enough to write - for one thing. But the mod said I'm still welcome to pick it back up if I want. And then yesterday I actually watched Press Gang and sketched out two possible ficlets in my notebook, although I can't do the sharpness needed for PG yet. Maybe you should abandon your claim - seemed to inspire me... Ish. ;-D)

Normally, I tend to try a meme, or do a drabble for dw100 or something, but I know you tend to work very differently to me. (There was a meme that went round where you choose fandoms & wrote 4 50 word fics based on a random line of a poem - that really worked very well for me when I tried it. Also JJ's title generator drabble one.)

Watching/reading whatever the fandom is sounds like a good idea, anyway!

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

Clearly, you need to be writing Five and Martha!

Yes, of course! Clearly, everyone needs to be. :D

Yes, I think (hope) that the 50ficlets mod will allow me to keep my claim even though it's inactive at the moment. It'd be great if I could manage another ficlet this month, but if I can't, I'll ask to keep it anyway and see what happens.