How do you keep writing fun?

[Cartman94]

As the title asks. How do you keep writing fun?

I want to write something new, but I just don't have any fun doing so. I have written about 9 stories, the last one was probably a little over a year ago, and it always felt fun when I sat behind my screen typing the words. Granted, it wasn't always a walk in the park, I had moments when I had to get away from it, but generally, I've always enjoyed my time writing.

But now, when I try to write, it just feels like a chore and I don't make any progress. I just stare at my screen, arguing with myself in my head about what I want to write until I just give up.


Like I said, I took a long break, hoping it would help but it didn't really. I have an old idea and a couple of new ones for stories in my head. I know what they would be about and how they would go, but from the moment I sit behind my computer the words disappear and I just stare at my screen.

So I was wondering if some of you have had the same problem and what did you do about it because I can't find an answer.

I want to write and I so want it to be fun again. Thanks in advance.

 

[sr71plt]

I keep it fun by not squeezing the life and voice out of the work by reviewing it over and over and over again. And I only sit down to write when that's what all my systems want me to be doing. I wrote on demand for a living (and under the time gun--"analyze the coup that happened today in 300 words for the president's brief tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m.). That's not fun, so I don't do that writing anymore.

 

[HeyAll]

Write something that you really want to write about. Don't just write for the sake of writing. Write when you've got an idea that makes you think, "wow, that's a good one."

 

[Desiretobedesir]

..........

 

[GoldenCojones]

Change it up

Try writing something you've never written before. Think of something over the top, outrageous, or silly and write that. Or take Hemingway's advice and write one true sentence.

I'm not a poet, but once, when I had avoided writing for several weeks, I started back by writing a poem. The poem sucked and I threw it away, but it got me writing again. Usually writing is fun as soon as I get that first sentence or paragraph out of the way.

Good luck.

 

[oggbashan]

I write something very different.

It used to be fifty-word stories, but the readers' expectations of my fifty-worders now mean that I have to work as hard on each of them as a three Lit-page story.

My experiments can be a shock to some e.g. Getting Nude With Chairman Mao, or Breathless Stargazing, but I enjoyed writing them.

I had most enjoyment out of The Worst Chain Story Ever Ch.01. That story wrote itself because I just didn't care what the readers would think. With that title it was obvious that none of the Authors' Hangout collaborators would be serious about the Chain Story.

The next most enjoyable was another chain story: The Literotica Olympics. I came late to that chain and decided to make my contribution very different from the others.

Challenge yourself to write out of your safety zone. It might end up as a dreadful story that you never publish, but doing something odd can get you to enjoy writing again.

 

[GforGraham]

Walk away, stop trying to write. Find something else to do. I have tried various things to keep occupied, currently I am writing about what I can only dream of. Next year could be something else.
By doiing other things you could find new inspiration for new stories and writing, or find something that you enjoy doing. Either way you are the winner.

 

[le_kitty]

As the title asks. How do you keep writing fun?

I want to write something new, but I just don't have any fun doing so. I have written about 9 stories, the last one was probably a little over a year ago, and it always felt fun when I sat behind my screen typing the words. Granted, it wasn't always a walk in the park, I had moments when I had to get away from it, but generally, I've always enjoyed my time writing.

But now, when I try to write, it just feels like a chore and I don't make any progress. I just stare at my screen, arguing with myself in my head about what I want to write until I just give up.


Like I said, I took a long break, hoping it would help but it didn't really. I have an old idea and a couple of new ones for stories in my head. I know what they would be about and how they would go, but from the moment I sit behind my computer the words disappear and I just stare at my screen.

So I was wondering if some of you have had the same problem and what did you do about it because I can't find an answer.

I want to write and I so want it to be fun again. Thanks in advance.

Yes, walk away. If it's for fun, then you have utterly no obligation to do it. Your dichotomy is interesting though, and one I can understand. I've never had that conundrum for writing though, because nobody ever put constraint on me or told me I was doing it incorrectly, or gave me the impression that it wasn't good enough, if anything, when it mattered, support had been enormously positive. So... I think the question is why do you want to write if you don't have any fun? To me it sounds like, it was fun, and you remember the feeling that it was fun, and that's what you want out of writing. The act matters less than the feeling? Or the act of writing gave you something special and you want it back, I guess just a constant feedback loop.

But now, when I try to write, it just feels like a chore and I don't make any progress. I just stare at my screen, arguing with myself in my head about what I want to write until I just give up.

When something feels like a chore to me, it's because there are expectations that I have to meet, and that I have some fear that I won't be able to meet them, or it won't be good enough. All those things put a damper on my creativity and that's the rub, without that kind of free flow, we're stuck. We think too much. Walking away is good and painful at the same time, because it's something you love, but it's somehow been turned against you, or rather we've allowed it to be turned against ourselves. But it allows you to do the thinking, or rather non-thinking, that matters. I've also taken a long break from my other work, and in that time found myself wriggling back into the process of writing. I have to be back at uni soon and I'm still dreading it. But... writing has told me that there is an audience for everything. Improvement is a continuous thing, and if our work is shit, doesn't matter, it can improve. Talent is only the start and it's never enough. Sometimes what we need is encouragement, and adults as much as kids. Once we've developed a level of confidence in ourselves, then we can handle the criticisms.

Anyway, I went off on a tangent. But I am saying that there is obviously something holding you back, if you figure out what it is, you might be able to work past it. Obviously you care a lot, but the best inspiration comes when you don't care, when you allow those things to fall away and simply have at it. Thinking too much is your enemy.

Not sure if that helped, but good luck!

 

[someoneyouknow]

Your body works in rhythms. There will be times you're full of energy and words and inspiration and you madly type away.

Then, maybe a week or so later, it's gone and you wonder, what happened?

I'm working on 3 different stories (one the final part of a series) plus what I hope to be a real book and I'm finding my inspiration coming in spurts. I'll work on one chapter of one story for a few days then stop.

A few days later I'll work on a different story, then maybe the book for a time, then to a different story and maybe back to the first story.

Just like eating the same food every day gets boring and tastes bland, your body, particularly your mind, needs something to stimulate it. Go do something else completely unrelated and you will suddenly come up with grand ideas on what to write.

 

[JagFarlane]

As the title asks. How do you keep writing fun?

I want to write something new, but I just don't have any fun doing so. I have written about 9 stories, the last one was probably a little over a year ago, and it always felt fun when I sat behind my screen typing the words. Granted, it wasn't always a walk in the park, I had moments when I had to get away from it, but generally, I've always enjoyed my time writing.

But now, when I try to write, it just feels like a chore and I don't make any progress. I just stare at my screen, arguing with myself in my head about what I want to write until I just give up.


Like I said, I took a long break, hoping it would help but it didn't really. I have an old idea and a couple of new ones for stories in my head. I know what they would be about and how they would go, but from the moment I sit behind my computer the words disappear and I just stare at my screen.

So I was wondering if some of you have had the same problem and what did you do about it because I can't find an answer.

I want to write and I so want it to be fun again. Thanks in advance.

You ever wonder why people like to throw around that quote (which isn't real but it works) about how you should write drunk and edit sober? Your problem is part of the reason, short answer is you're getting in the way. Too tense, too much pressure. I generally don't sit at the computer and figure out the story as I type, it's already there, worked out while I do other things. Shower, sitting drinking coffee, making dinner, splitting firewood, waiting for the fire to catch, I work out the story. Less stress, if I feel stressed I pay more attention to what I'm doing, otherwise I just let if flow and work itself out. The characters will tell you what they want.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I write what I like to read. I like to tell stories about people, places and stuff. Plus I don't feel compelled to write. I write when I want. If I feel a little blocked, I skip a day or two or ten days. No hurry, no worry. The only problem I see is if I die before I have completed all the stories I have planned.

 

[rjordan]

As the title asks. How do you keep writing fun?

I want to write something new, but I just don't have any fun doing so.

There's your answer. It's not fun. It doesn't affect anyone else but you. Nobody is paying you. So don't do it.

I spent 40 years writing for magazines and other pubs for automotive and motorcycle clients. I was told what to write, how may words and when it was due. The fun part was getting a check that paid my mortgage and other bills.

Once, I was in a large conference room with 30 automotive managers. My computer was connected to a large projection screen. I had drafted 50 pages of a document over the previous couple of days while these guys were flying in from all over the country. We were in the conference room to edit my draft on the fly while they read the screen and offered changes. At the end of the day, the document was forwarded to hundreds of dealers all over the U.S. with no further editing. No pressure or anything. Definitely no fucking fun.

If you aren't facing that, and your writing is not fun, take up golf or loose women.

rj

 

[Ewobbit]

Dude, don't take this the wrong way, but you need to lighten the fuck up.

Writing is just daydreaming with pen and paper.

Where you are most likely clogging up the works is you are worried about writing something down so that you can say you wrote it down. And of course it has to be good. Good enough that other people will say it's good. And maybe vote you an E. Because, of course, you are a no-talent waste of space and the part with the brains ran down your daddy's leg if you don't get voted AT LEAST a 4.5.... Pfffftttttttt.

I hate to be the one to suggest a brain enema, but no wonder you have decided you don't like to write if you are going to put that kind of pressure on yourself. I wouldn't want to work for your asshole boss either.

Keep it fucking simple. Give yourself permission to daydream. If you like the dream, post it. If you don't file it in file thirteen and dream another dream.

Edit; P.S., I bet my file 13 is bigger than your file 13.

 

[sr71plt]

You can also, as some have posted, give yourself permission just not to write. It isn't for everyone and there's no law you have to do it. Sometime in your life you may be compelled to do it and have fun doing it. Until then, go find something more fun to do.

 

[SamScribble]

As RJ sort of said: writing is not meant to be fun. It's hard work. Well, good writing is hard work anyway. If you're not prepared to sweat, take up tennis. Or chess. Or ....

 

[SecondCircle]

Eh, it's different for everyone. Don't try to force it. Don't let it feel like a job. Write a story when you feel you have a story to tell. The idea should be one that you enjoy first. After all, if you don't enjoy the fiction you're writing, why should anyone else?

I might also add what has worked for me to get back into the groove. Start small. Tiny snippets even. If sometime in the day you think of a cool piece of dialogue or a hot sex scene, just write it when you have to time. Don't worry with fleshing it out completely if you aren't ready for that. Set small attainable goals and meet them. A short story. A small scene. Maybe only a couple hundred words. See where it takes you.

And don't be afraid to just let it be for a while. Do some other stuff you enjoy. Go out and do you. Chances are you may just need a break or some air to breathe. Go enjoy a little life. Sometimes, when you clear your head and take a literary break, new ideas and inspiration jump out at you. Often our stories can come from the outside stimuli, our experiences with settings, characters, conversation, etc.

Best of luck.

 

[Hypoxia]

Fun? Eat, drink, puff, fuck, play, view, travel, etc. Fun fun fun.

Write? Because we must. Either we're paid for it or we're driven by inner forces to write.

Dr Johnson said, "Only a fool writes, if not for money." Are many fools here. Welcome.

 

[NOIRTRASH]

The thrill for me is exploring new worlds. Last night, for example, I read a long chapter about quantum physics and a construct called COMPLEMENTARITY. Niels Bohr created the term for the relationship between light waves and light particles. But wait! There's more! Einstein wasn't buying any of it, then Bohr went down another path by characterizing COMPLEMENTARITY as the relationship of thinking and acting. And that has writerly potential for how action and thought affect each other.

 

[ishtat]

Warning. Thread diversion. Neils Bohr was a genius at physics but wasn't crash hot at maths. He had to have a competent grad student handy to help him prove his insights.

Later in his career Bohr paid a visit to the Manhatten project. A couple of thorny problems were explained to him and he suggested "why not try xyz" Oppenheimer was astounded at Bohrs insight and if the big O thought he was smart he probably was.

Einstein famously included (wrongly) a fudge factor into some of his work on Bohr's QM. He later admitted he couldn't accept Bohr could be right when Bohr himself couldn't figure it.

I reckon Bohr was put on the planet to prove theories of intelligence and genius wrong.

 

[Desiremakesmeweak]

In the side of the large rock, Cartman, there is a little door, hardly to be seen be most of the world.

 

[Desiremakesmeweak]

I should be explicit.

We cannot pretend to be living in some kind of vacuum.

We are not disconnected from what is going on in the world of hard physical reality and how that world is impacting on the lives of people.

If you look at it in a somewhat staid and pragmatic way, the financial monolithic culture in which one 'class' received free money and bail-outs and so on, and all else receives nothing - then you have a society in which the striving for a real objective to be attained, has been removed as an actual template of thinking and behaving.

In this 'vogue' you might call it, then, the thrill of the risky chase is removed as a social construct that has genuine credibility in the public's eye. Of course then, people all 'feel flat' and lacking in inspiration.

Secondly, the State-deliberated violence and social malice and anti-intellectualism creates an undercurrent of fears and shadowy rationales for things. 'I can't go to Paris/Egypt/Turkey/?? - wherever...' There is violence and danger everywhere and logic and reasoning - AND ESPECIALLY WORDS - are no solution.

This is the paradigm.

And so how DO you maintain interest and the thrill and prospect for fun in a safe environment?

It is not easy by any means. That is why the craft of the writers is a sacred and a highly political one. You and your creativity which oftentimes has to be able to spring from a place made barren by selfish interests and criminal avarice - are all that stands between civilization and the lemmings about to go off the proverbial cliff.

What are going to do about it?

Give up? You can give up and go away; that is what Zarathustra did. Or like Nara-Narayana you can stay and fight.

 

[GoldenMaia]

just DO it ;P

Write something fun!

I mean, that seems silly but think about something you like and write about it. One thing leads to another and it snowballs into a big jumble of goodness.

You also have to sometimes write when it's not fun to push yourself to get better!

Honestly though, write for yourself and write what you like and give two big middle fingers up to people who say boo. What do they know anyway?

Listen to LaBeouf!

https://youtu.be/ZXsQAXx_ao0

 

[legerdemer]

Not original but it works for me: I give myself challenges. When I temporarily run out of that feeling of "HAVE to get it down on paper," I play games with myself, like writing from a different POV, writing something that would normally squick me out, or something that I find is hard in some way. The game keeps it fun and alive and the challenge gives me a goal.

And when I really don't feel like writing, I don't do it. I have to literally steal time away from other things to write - so it's much too easy to fill the time with every other thing in RL demanding attention. Luckily, inspiration frequently demands to be given voice, and gets too bitchy if I don't listen.

 

[lovecraft68]

I write what I feel like writing at the time. For me the moment it becomes "Okay, have to do a group story this week, then next its Lesbian, then BDSM.." it will lose its shine.

I write all those, but only when the feeling is upon me.

Personally I don't believe in the type of challenge I see some post here. Example "I really don't like incest or understand it, but I'm going to write one."

Why?

I'm not looking for an answer, that's just my take as in why would I write something I have no interest in? To see if I can? Time's too short for that and maybe it comes down to I don't have anything to prove to myself.

So I just simply write whatever the mood calls for and let it fly. Simple as that.

 

[Areala-chan]

When writing is no fun, stop writing and read. Read whatever you want! Don't confine yourself to Lit, go hit the local library, wander the stacks at the nearest bookstore, or put some topic that interests you in the search bar of Amazon and one-click-buy the fourth item down then read that when it arrives.

Go nuts. Find something utterly ridiculous that you cannot BELIEVE got published based on the premise (horror novels from the publisher Zebra are a godsend for me in this regard), and laugh your ass off while noting all its failures and realize, "Holy shit, even I am better than this!".

Pick up something that might make you cry. Pick up something that isn't meant for your age range. If you can do both in one book, even better!

After you've been reading for a while, you'll probably start to feel that itch again. And if you're meant to write, there will come a time when reading will still be fun, but it's the kind of fun that takes a back seat to the blast you're going to have sitting down in front of that keyboard and letting your imagination splurge all over that nice, pristine white screen.

That's what I do. Your mileage my vary.

*huggles*
Areala-chan