Too much energy, too little time.

[Hiroku]

Arg, I can't stand this. Every so often I get incredibly inspired and I want to write a dozen roleplays, and write a story, and why is no one else on I want to write write write right now!

And then the flare dies and I'm like.... cruuuuuudmuffins, I have seven roleplays going and I am at a writer's block again which will last for another six months or a couple years.

I can't stand it. I have been going for something like a year without feeling really inspired to write, and suddenly I am overflowing with passion to roleplay and write my stories, but I can't seem to decide on what to write.

I want to write about Salamander Johnson, but after a few paragraphs I don't really know what I am doing. I ought to google some plot ideas and create an endgame, but usually, or I used to usually, just write and write for pages before getting stuck and then getting back to it at a later time.

I want to write like I used to, except less badly.I used to take ideas and run with them, even complete them as short stories, now if it's not poetry(my weird not quite poetry-poetry) I can't get even a full page in. DX What is happening to me in my old age?

I've lost my touch, I need to read some good adventure books, My sister even has plenty of my kind of books, but, blah, I don't feel like reading the way I used to. Don't get me wrong, if I find a good book and start reading I can love it, but I won't always snatch it up to read every opportunity I get. Or I will foolishly read it after I've taken my night meds, so the next time I read it I have no idea where I am. DX

I could also use some good manga. Need to get to a bookstore... one of these days...

I just want my old inspiration back, the inspiration that was with me all the time.

[Deleted]

Don't go to manga for inspiration. Lol. Think of real life people you know and what they would do. Have characters with a twinge of a mean spirit and yet a sweet side to them. Design characters off real life things and struggles that you have too. It makes writing a breeze and writers bloc is rare. Doesn't matter where I find myself I can always come up with something to say. Sometimes it takes a post or two to get somewhere or have it make more sense with the plot but it does get there. Something is better than nothing and as long as you keep that in mind it works. Then, don't dismiss the crazy ideas. Just write them. Role playing is for fun and sometimes the crazy ideas are the best. They inspire a person to try more things and you get caught in something contagious. Anyway that is my solution to those sort of problems. Hope it helps.

[Hiroku]

I guess you're right about manga. The Japanese have a bad habit of rehashing plots and characters rather shamelessly. Sometimes it inspires me though when I think, "I could do this better."

Trouble with real life people is I don't know many aside from family and my one or two friends. II tried putting Salamander in a situation with my nephews as characters. I laughed at myself and then Harald the five-year-old rushed over to see what was so funny. I tried reading the piece to him but he didn't get it.
--------------

“Why are you using the big stick to lift the wagon?”

“Because reasons.” Salamander replied as he heaved. The five-year-old's father worked at placing in the new wheel.

“Um, I mean... what reasons?” the little maverick replied.

“Well, I'm not strong enough to lift it on my own, so pushing my weight down on the stick is easier than lifting the wagon, because the stick does all the lifting.” he panted, gritting his teeth.

“Why are you not strong enough?”

Gads did the “Why” questions never end?

“The wagon's much larger than I am, and heavier.”

“Oh like because it has to carry so much stuff?”

“Yeah.”

“Why does your horse poo? Because... um.., it's kind of stinky...”

Oh gods, they were back to the poo again. Salamander could not recall a time the term “poo” had been used so much in a single conversation. First it was the kid's youngest brother needing to be changed, then Salamander's horse had done his business and it had sparked the topic to continue, “Kid, we had this conversation.”

“Haraldus, don't bother us, go be with Mommy and your brothers,” The father came to the rescue.

“But... I kind'a don't want be. 'cause Bjorn is very stinky because of poo in his diaper.”

“Haraldus Magnus,” his father said in a commanding voice. Haraldus sulkily went to be with the others, but not before bargaining, “I'll just go for a minute, okay? Just a minute.”

[Deleted]

Well there is one problem with continually watching or subjecting yourself to something that you can do better than. Unfortunately if you watch and read poorly written scripts you will begin to fashion much of your own writing the same way. Always read something that is fascinating and written in a scholarly method. Go back to the science of writing and you will do fine.

As for the issue of not having enough live subjects to base the writing on, just put yourself in the situation and think critically about it. A solution doesn't have to be outstanding, or magical. Typically a great solution and what made Sherlock Holmes so famous was the simplicity. The beautiful thing about simplicity is that in a complicated situation often times we look for twists and elaborate plans. An answer that about smacks you in the face is rather pleasing and thrilling all at the same time. It doesn't always have to the simple answer but if you place yourself in that situation there will be a lot of inspiration.

For example : The fearless version of me would dash into the house fire and save the baby. Hero mentality is likely to set in and this person could be a jerk or actually good hearted : A version of me terrified of fire would stand outside and cry because I'm too damn cowardly to go back in. I'd wait for the firemen to get there or someone else to go in. Opens the door for the guilt ridden character that is determined to be more than what they perceive of themselves : Then I could be the bystander. My choices are to watch or pass by and pretend that all is well on Thursday night. This memory might stay with me for whatever significant thing stuck out. A roof caving in and screams sounding. Fireman running through the flames. Seeing the ruin the next morning cause I was in bed at home. When I see the ruins there could be a crucifix or a partially burned book. What would these things mean to me and why?

So when you have created a character you already know if they are prone to fear or what things strike fear into their hearts. Everyone has a point at which they become afraid and the reasons are often very personal. If you know your character it will be easy to gauge their reaction based on the circumstance. Some characters are more likely to be spaz balls and create a bit of drama everywhere with their loud mouths, but when is there something they take seriously enough to shut up? Good writing is based on knowing your character. No reason to throw it all out there right away. Let the readers discover your character for themselves as they go along. You don't have to explain every little detail though. If a reader can find some controversy (not inconsistency) in your character the better. Allow the reader to figure out why they think your character is afraid of the fire? Is it a memory that it sparked or was it fear of losing a home or items of comfort? Do they fear starting over? Not all motives are good in any person. Even the nice people will have an alternative motive at some point and that will spark needed controversy. Are they examining the ruins to search for valuables that may not have been destroyed, or are they truly sorry for what they see?

Hopefully that sort of made more sense about real people and circumstances. You don't have to witness a host of things. Just use your imagination and a bit of logic. Personally I think that there is far more logic put into a good story and character than pure imagination. There is no such thing as pure imagination. Every imaginative thought had a base somewhere of experience, or witnessing. So therefore the only imaginative part is how you decided to manipulate the situation to suite your purpose for a story.

[Hiroku]

Ah, thanks. I will keep that in mind.