How do you get inspired/motivated?

[MzDeviancy]

I've seen this thread done a couple of times when I wasn't having this problem, but now I can't find it. So I'm just gonna pose the question again: what do you do when you don't feel inspired/motivated? I mean, I not only have tons of ideas, I also have stories that have already been started sitting around; I want to write, but when I go to work on any of my stories the most I can seem to manage is going over what I've already written and fixing small things. The thing is, I don't feel like it's getting any better, and it's been weeks now.

 

[BlackSnake]

I've seen this thread done a couple of times when I wasn't having this problem, but now I can't find it. So I'm just gonna pose the question again: what do you do when you don't feel inspired/motivated? I mean, I not only have tons of ideas, I also have stories that have already been started sitting around; I want to write, but when I go to work on any of my stories the most I can seem to manage is going over what I've already written and fixing small things. The thing is, I don't feel like it's getting any better, and it's been weeks now.

Fear!​

Write out the ideas. It sounds like you are trying to make it perfect. Guess what? It won't be. Write the story like you were telling it to your best friend. Someone you won't laugh and giggle when you pernounce "specific" like "pacific". Show your sencerity. If it sounds like you believe it, then the person listening will be leave it. It's story telling. The rising and lowering of your voice is the rhythm. Use it to draw the reader in "Daah dam. Daah dam. Daah dam!"

 

[AsylumSeeker]

For me it takes an idea to inspire me. Mine come in waves. I may start a half dozen stories while the idea is fresh, then lose focus. For me, I step away from it. After RIPPLES 03 I lost that spark and didn't submit for probably 2 months (guessing, but it felt like a year). Then I got prolific, submitting RIPPLES 4 and (as yet to be approved) 5 within days of each other. During that lull I stopped visiting Lit and did other things. When I least expected it ideas began to spring up.

I think you will find as many different "solutions" as you will writers. The trick is finding your own. I'm just thankful that my day job doesn't pay by the written word - LOL - I'd go hungry some days/weeks.

 

[matriarch]

Lately, I simply don't.

 

[neonlyte]

Inspiration comes in all guises. I'm lucky enough to have a life I can shift, shape and bend to my writing mood. When I'm inspired to write everything else gets dropped.

 

[BlackSnake]

Inspiration comes in all guises. I'm lucky enough to have a life I can shift, shape and bend to my writing mood. When I'm inspired to write everything else gets dropped.

You're lucky. I have to write while I'm doing something else. I have no block of free time. I just plug up the laptop, pull up word, and type out the story in between working on another computer.

 

[Guest]

I've seen this thread done a couple of times when I wasn't having this problem, but now I can't find it. So I'm just gonna pose the question again: what do you do when you don't feel inspired/motivated? I mean, I not only have tons of ideas, I also have stories that have already been started sitting around; I want to write, but when I go to work on any of my stories the most I can seem to manage is going over what I've already written and fixing small things. The thing is, I don't feel like it's getting any better, and it's been weeks now.

If it's just a matter of no energy to push forward or your interest is wandering despite the flood of ideas, switch off to another activity. Read for a week, especially stuff that is far different from what you write. Watch movies -- again, that are unrelated to what you write. Go to a museum. Cook something. Get a pad of newsprint and crayons and scribble for a while. Steal the kids' Legos or buy your own Play-Doh set. Knit, sew, build something from wood, paint -- whatever else you like to do. Just do things that aren not specific to what you write.

Think of it all as "creative muscles". Sometimes we work one set too much and they get tired, so it's time to switch off and use another part of the creative brain. Just doing something else for a while can provide a change of perspective, new ways of thinking, or just refreshment. Even doing laundry, if you make the writing a reward after completing it, can be inspirational.

Not everyone can do the "sit at the desk and write everyday" thing, and many who do only write for an hour or two before doing other things. Variety can be inspiring, and most anything that interests you, occupies you, or distracts you happily can be a tool to reinspire writing. and make you fairly itch to get back to the desk.

The funny part about all this is (at least for me) you'll find you have a bunch of new ideas, new viewpoints on older ideas, new eyes to look at old stories -- there's nothing like taking a break. Sometimes you need a vacation from the writing in order to keep yourself interested in it.

 

[cloudy]

I run every day, and if there's not a pressing problem on my mind, I tell myself a story while I run. It passes the time, if nothing else, because my route gets boring.

It doesn't always result in a story, but it has helped to get ideas percolating.

 

[Aurora Black]

Whatever you do, don't force it. It will come back to you in its own time.

 

[3113]

Mal and Aurora have the right of it.

There are some writers who can sit down and write every day (or so they'll tell you) like clockwork. But most writers, I've found, have ebbs and flows. The writing part of the brain gets tired, like an overworked muscle or, perhaps, more aptly, like a body that's done all it can and now needs food and drink and rest if you want it to do more.

And you need to give it a break, refuel it. Sometimes that break will only need a couple of days. Sometimes...sometimes it takes a while. Weeks or months. It's frustrating, but if that's the way it works, that's the way it works.

In addition, writers are prone to depression--again, at least most of the writers I know. And there's no doing much of anything if you're depressed. So you might think about whether you're feeling and thinking just fine, or whether you're depressed.

Either way--get exercise, read, veg-out in front of the television, go to movies, go to parties. Feed and refuel the brain, let it rest. And consider this: when the desire to write comes back, you won't be able to do anything but write. That's the trade-off. We don't work 9-5 with weekends and holidays off. We work anytime, anywhere for as long as we must/can. This is why we often have the need to take long breaks inbetween--all those weekends, holidays and late-nights that we slaved over something...that all adds up into this stretch.

Don't feel gulity. Don't push it. It'll come back when it's ready. And don't worry about tweaking and editing and fixing what you've already written. You need to do that anyway, so do it. Polish things up till it's time to get around to finishing them.

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

Mal and Aurora have the right of it.

There are some writers who can sit down and write every day (or so they'll tell you) like clockwork. But most writers, I've found, have ebbs and flows. The writing part of the brain gets tired, like an overworked muscle or, perhaps, more aptly, like a body that's done all it can and now needs food and drink and rest if you want it to do more.

And you need to give it a break, refuel it. Sometimes that break will only need a couple of days. Sometimes...sometimes it takes a while. Weeks or months. It's frustrating, but if that's the way it works, that's the way it works.

In addition, writers are prone to depression--again, at least most of the writers I know. And there's no doing much of anything if you're depressed. So you might think about whether you're feeling and thinking just fine, or whether you're depressed.

Either way--get exercise, read, veg-out in front of the television, go to movies, go to parties. Feed and refuel the brain, let it rest. And consider this: when the desire to write comes back, you won't be able to do anything but write. That's the trade-off. We don't work 9-5 with weekends and holidays off. We work anytime, anywhere for as long as we must/can. This is why we often have the need to take long breaks inbetween--all those weekends, holidays and late-nights that we slaved over something...that all adds up into this stretch.

Don't feel gulity. Don't push it. It'll come back when it's ready. And don't worry about tweaking and editing and fixing what you've already written. You need to do that anyway, so do it. Polish things up till it's time to get around to finishing them.

Thanks. I'm in the same boat as Dev the past few days...since Saturday...when I was actually doing well. But it helps to know that others have been there. And that's useful advice, folks.

 

[scheherazade_79]

Lately, I simply don't.

You should. I like your stories

 

[FallingToFly]

1. Outline.
2. Make a soundtrack for the story (my CD collection is full of things titled "Rachel's Mix Vol. 1" and "Shadow of the Storm" and "Metal Sex Mix")
3. When all else fails, enlist friends.
4. When that fails, enlist those who aren't friends. Sometimes they're more honest than those who love you, because they don't care about your feelings.

And for me personally, when all that fails, I show people where I am and invite them to throw suggestions at me as to where to go. Best thing I ever did was swap stories with a friend of mine, who proceeded to finish mine, while I finished heres, and then we posted them as collaborations. worked out beautifully for both of us.

 

[impressive]

In addition, writers are prone to depression--again, at least most of the writers I know. And there's no doing much of anything if you're depressed.

That's when I write poetry.


As for the writer's block/malaise, I recently (like almost 3 weeks ago) gave myself a 500 word/day quota (minimum). Now -- 10,000 words later -- I'm finding it much simpler to get into "writing mode" each day.

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

1. Outline.
2. Make a soundtrack for the story (my CD collection is full of things titled "Rachel's Mix Vol. 1" and "Shadow of the Storm" and "Metal Sex Mix")
3. When all else fails, enlist friends.
4. When that fails, enlist those who aren't friends. Sometimes they're more honest than those who love you, because they don't care about your feelings.

And for me personally, when all that fails, I show people where I am and invite them to throw suggestions at me as to where to go. Best thing I ever did was swap stories with a friend of mine, who proceeded to finish mine, while I finished heres, and then we posted them as collaborations. worked out beautifully for both of us.

All good ideas. Very cool.

 

[Aurora Black]

That's when I write poetry.

Ditto.