When The Tank Is Empty

[Djmac1031]

I've had Writer's Block before; started a story but couldn't finish it. Eventually I found my way through it.

This feels different. I have no fresh ideas. Oh sure, I have a folder filled with started stories never finished. And I hate all of them.

No, not true. I dont HATE them. I just have no idea what to do with them.

The tank feels empty, the well, truly dry. Pick a metaphor lol.

Not sure what else to do except wait it out, see if inspiration eventually comes around again. I sure had plenty early on when I first started.

I thought maybe writing a "simple" sex story without a complicated plot might help, and so I restarted an old unfinished story about a maintenance guy working on a college campus that gets flashed/ teased by a young student while he's working in her dorm room.

Should be right up my alley. And yet i cant seem to progress on it, let alone finish it. Because i dont see a point to the story.

She flashes him. He gets horny. Maybe they fuck. Then what? What's the resolution? They magically fall in love? ugh.

He just leaves and they go on with their lives?

I have another unfinished story, almost 4k words in, a out a college guy who meets a girl at a party, they hit it off but when he asks her out she tells him she's gay.

They go to the movies anyway just as friends and strike up a good friendship.

But now what? He's attracted to her, sure, but understands she's not involved to men. And I'm not writing a Magic Penis story where somehow he's the only man capable of turning her.

So again, I'm not really sure what the point of the fucking thing is. I think I had a direction for it at one point, something about maybe a mutual masturbation experience. But what happens after that? They just stay friends? The end?

I know I'm rambling, and I'm not necessarily looking for answers. Nor "ideas" on how to finish those stories. I only mentioned them to provide examples of where my head currently is.

I know there's no easy answer, no simple solution. I cant force myself to write something if I'm not feeling it.

Just venting i suppose.

 

[THBGato]

They go to the movies anyway just as friends and strike up a good friendship.

But now what? He's attracted to her, sure, but understands she's not involved to men. And I'm not writing a Magic Penis story where somehow he's the only man capable of turning her.

So again, I'm not really sure what the point of the fucking thing is. I think I had a direction for it at one point, something about maybe a mutual masturbation experience. But what happens after that? They just stay friends? The end?

They both decide the fancy the girl who is working the ticket booth and who sports a bi-flag pin on her t-shirt. So they start up a friendly competition to see who can get her on a date first. Then things escalate.

If it was me, the girl would win

Hope you get your mojo back soon.

 

[iwatchus]

It seems like part of your issue is that you want more of a story than they meet, they get horny, they fuck. Have you tried writing something completely non erotic(or at least mostly not )erotic)?

I take a break and read a lot more when I am feeling dry.

Hang in there.

 

[MelissaBaby]

I thought maybe writing a "simple" sex story without a complicated plot might help, and so I restarted an old unfinished story about a maintenance guy working on a college campus that gets flashed/ teased by a young student while he's working in her dorm room.

Should be right up my alley. And yet i cant seem to progress on it, let alone finish it. Because i dont see a point to the story.

She flashes him. He gets horny. Maybe they fuck. Then what? What's the resolution? They magically fall in love? ugh.

He just leaves and they go on with their lives?

Ten years later, he goes to see a new doctor. The nurse tells him to undress, the doctor will be in soon.

A few minutes later, he's sitting on the table naked and the doctor comes in. It's the girl from the dorm.

 

[FrancesScott]

It seems to me that you want to write stories, not just artificial excuses for sex. So maybe start with a story, a high-level plot, some characters who interest you. If there is room for sex in it, then it could work on Literotica. If not, then go with it being non-explicit and find somewhere else.

It seems your old ideas are basically “let’s create a hot situation” but when you revisit them you’re like “what are the character motivations, what do they learn about themselves in the end?”

It’s not easy to write stories that are hot sexually, and yet have believable characters, and an interesting plot, with arcs and personal development. Maybe stop trying to do both at the same time, and focus on one or the other.

 

[yowser]

I don't know if 'reading about writing' does anything for you, but I am almost finished with the book The Emotional Craft of Fiction by Donald Maass. A lot of these sorts of 'guides' are formulaic or overly prescriptive, but this one is superior. Amongst other things it includes exercises to work through (usually questions about your characters) that I found exceptionally useful. If you are looking for ways to bring your cast to life (which may help with the story-telling) this might be worth a look.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

Got it, D. Just recovering from that. I’m not going to force anything more than I have, but here’s wishing you good luck and a speedy return to creative normal.

 

[Crunchito]

I have another unfinished story, almost 4k words in, a out a college guy who meets a girl at a party, they hit it off but when he asks her out she tells him she's gay.

They go to the movies anyway just as friends and strike up a good friendship.

But now what? He's attracted to her, sure, but understands she's not involved to men. And I'm not writing a Magic Penis story where somehow he's the only man capable of turning her.

They're friends, they can share war stories where they tell each other juicy, very explicit details about their hookups with girls X and Y; wich gets them both turned on, and they could maybe get themselves off either by the phone or in person; just no contact.

She can help him with tips about girls while he's useful to her for other life stuff. Maybe hook her up with girls he knows.

They can team up to share girls in trios, or have foursomes or group sex where they watch and bang everybody, just not each other. You can even spice that up with trans and bicuriosity if that suits you.

So much potential. The key here would be to keep it realistic and keep them separate, as in he can be hot for her, since he's a horndog and cant help it; but keep it platonic and "safe" , where he can take that energy and use it with other girls while he thinks of her or whatever. The big rule would be: They never get to touch each other or or even try, except maybe she spontaneously grabs his dick during a threesome and drives it into the other chick's mouth, butt, etc. But not to get him off herself. They can joke about it later, but never ever hook up.

 

[RejectReality]

That's the bloody norm for me. I had a highly productive period from mid March to early May, which is one of the longer ones. ( Not that it's evident here, because most of it is in a story that needs 2 more chapters to conclude ) And now I got jack squat.

I just have to wait for something to hit me. Sometimes it's an epiphany on a stalled story. Sometimes it's a brand new idea. I flip through cover mock-ups, WIPs, title documents, etc. every so often, waiting for something to happen. If nothing sparks, I boot up another old CRPG. It's the only solution. Fighting it makes it worse. Once I hit a spark, I usually go through a spate of knocking out new stories, finishing old ones, and starting the next round of stories that will sit and wait when I crash again.

Feast and Famine has been my reality for years now. I've been through Might and Magic VI-VIII and 3 chapters of the Neverwinter Nights OC now. Still nothing.

 

[StillStunned]

If the tank is empty, I doubt any advice about plotting or writing will help. You need to recover.

Writing is draining. It's energising, but for every second that you're in the flow and the words are appearing on screen like magic, you're going to need time to recover.

What's worked for me is going for long walks, listening to audiobooks - fiction and nonfiction - and just not forcing myself to write. There are times when forcing yourself is the best thing, for instance to get past a block, but if you're drained that's not going to help.

You've overcultivated the soil. You've overgrazed the meadow. Time to let nature step in and work its restorative cure.

Good luck, and take care of yourself first and foremost. The writing will still be there in a month, or six months, or a year.

 

[lovecraft68]

I've had Writer's Block before; started a story but couldn't finish it. Eventually I found my way through it.

This feels different. I have no fresh ideas. Oh sure, I have a folder filled with started stories never finished. And I hate all of them.

No, not true. I dont HATE them. I just have no idea what to do with them.

The tank feels empty, the well, truly dry. Pick a metaphor lol.

Not sure what else to do except wait it out, see if inspiration eventually comes around again. I sure had plenty early on when I first started.

I thought maybe writing a "simple" sex story without a complicated plot might help, and so I restarted an old unfinished story about a maintenance guy working on a college campus that gets flashed/ teased by a young student while he's working in her dorm room.

Should be right up my alley. And yet i cant seem to progress on it, let alone finish it. Because i dont see a point to the story.

She flashes him. He gets horny. Maybe they fuck. Then what? What's the resolution? They magically fall in love? ugh.

He just leaves and they go on with their lives?

I have another unfinished story, almost 4k words in, a out a college guy who meets a girl at a party, they hit it off but when he asks her out she tells him she's gay.

They go to the movies anyway just as friends and strike up a good friendship.

But now what? He's attracted to her, sure, but understands she's not involved to men. And I'm not writing a Magic Penis story where somehow he's the only man capable of turning her.

So again, I'm not really sure what the point of the fucking thing is. I think I had a direction for it at one point, something about maybe a mutual masturbation experience. But what happens after that? They just stay friends? The end?

I know I'm rambling, and I'm not necessarily looking for answers. Nor "ideas" on how to finish those stories. I only mentioned them to provide examples of where my head currently is.

I know there's no easy answer, no simple solution. I cant force myself to write something if I'm not feeling it.

Just venting i suppose.

I think many of us have been there and a lot of folks will give you various ideas of what you could do, but I've always felt the only thing that works is having the patience to let it come to you. Its not easy, but anything else is forcing it.

I recently went through a few months of barely writing. I'd only even try on the weekends and it was getting disturbingly easy to not write. I didn't panic, in a rare example of being patient-that and with all the drama of my wife's health issues I had other things to panic over- and a few weeks ago out of nowhere I was back on a story that over a month's time I'd managed 3k on and did 14k that weekend and finished it. I'm close to finishing my 5th e-book in the last two months. How did it come back? How is it suddenly effortless again?

I have no idea other than I didn't try chasing it, just trusted it would come back when it was ready.

I think its all we can do.

Hang in there and don't beat yourself up over it.

 

[AchtungNight]

I’m currently going through a similar situation writing wise. Just take a break, relax, until you’re through it. That’s all I can recommend.

 

[FrancesScott]

I've had Writer's Block before; started a story but couldn't finish it. Eventually I found my way through it.

Obvious question, what worked before, and have you tried that? Realizing you probably have of course.

 

[Djmac1031]

I appreciate everyone's thoughts.

Im not like, miserable or upset about it or anything. A little frustrated, maybe. I enjoy writing. Or at least, I used to.

Have you tried writing something completely non erotic(or at least mostly not )erotic)?

A good friend of mine has recommended the same thing. Maybe I'm too focused on excuses for people to fuck and not an actual story.

It seems to me that you want to write stories, not just artificial excuses for sex. So maybe start with a story, a high-level plot, some characters who interest you. If there is room for sex in it, then it could work on Literotica. If not, then go with it being non-explicit and find somewhere else.

Yeah again I've gotten that advice before. And it's good advice.

I think my problem there though is my limitations as a writer. And I fully admit i have them.

I'm good at writing short, simple little stories. But when I try to stretch my wings and build a bigger world, something complex and deep, I struggle.

I do have a couple ideas that MIGHT work for a non sex story but I feel like... I dunno, I'm not really good enough to write them. Or at least do them justice.

***

This isn't a pity party or anything BTW, im not looking for sympathy or pep talks about how I am "good enough." although obviously I do appreciate everyone's kind words and encouragement.

Just working through things I suppose.

 

[Voboy]

This is just part of the life cycle, for me. As I've thrown more stories out into the world, I've just frankly had fewer ideas for new ones. I used to worry about it, but experience has taught me it's more or less natural to how I write.

I find I tend to get most of my ideas in the fall and winter, so almost all my output happens then. If they're contest or event entries, I'll just sit on them until it's time to submit. The rest of the year? I often just feel blah about writing.

In fact, that's happening to me right now. I've got a good idea and a clear way forward, but I'll sit down and just... not feel like pouring words out. I could force it, and if there was a deadline I would. But instead, I'm just poking along 150 words at a time.

 

[StillStunned]

You never know if you're good enough until you try. For what it's worth, I think that non-erotica should be easier than erotica, for the simple reason that you're not constrained by the limitations of the genre.

The thing about erotica is that the sex scenes give you something to hang the story on. They become the backbone or the driving force. All you need to do is remove that, and decide what you want the backbone to be instead.

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

I stumble around Story Ideas snatching bits from each bunny and throw them in a drawer. You know what happens when bunny bits get together in the dark.

 

[Djmac1031]

You never know if you're good enough until you try.

I understand the sentiment. But I'm also a realist. Not pessimistic, just realistic.

If I were talented enough to actually write a novel I think I'd know it.

Thats not to say maybe I can't focus on non erotic short stories. That may be something I put some effort into at some point.

 

[Mrlighthouse]

I learnt a life lesson when i got published at 21. It's hard, always hard. Allow yourself space and care. Not every idea is a bad one when the is tank is empty.
Always be kind to yourself.

 

[StillStunned]

If I were talented enough to actually write a novel I think I'd know it.

Thats not to say maybe I can't focus on non erotic short stories. That may be something I put some effort into at some point.

Who said anything about a novel? You can create a complex world with rounded characters through the medium of short stories.

You've written connected fantasy stories before. You can do it without the sex too. Like I mentioned above, just find some other element to hang the story on.

The City of Scum setting (in my sig) is essentially not erotica, despite the sex scenes. They're dark fantasy stories mostly about pretty horrible people. You could try something like that, that isn't too much of a departure from what you've previously written.

This is, of course, only if and when you feel the energy to write again. Don't force it, and don't let anyone badger you into it.

 

[alohadave]

It seems to me that you want to write stories, not just artificial excuses for sex. So maybe start with a story, a high-level plot, some characters who interest you. If there is room for sex in it, then it could work on Literotica. If not, then go with it being non-explicit and find somewhere else.

It seems your old ideas are basically “let’s create a hot situation” but when you revisit them you’re like “what are the character motivations, what do they learn about themselves in the end?”

It’s not easy to write stories that are hot sexually, and yet have believable characters, and an interesting plot, with arcs and personal development. Maybe stop trying to do both at the same time, and focus on one or the other.

This is pretty much where I'm at, and as hard as writing sex scenes is, doing all the extra work of character building and setting the scene, and all that is daunting.

 

[TheWritingGroup]

I'm good at writing short, simple little stories. But when I try to stretch my wings and build a bigger world, something complex and deep, I struggle.

I do have a couple ideas that MIGHT work for a non sex story but I feel like... I dunno, I'm not really good enough to write them. Or at least do them justice.

Give yourself permission to write a bad story. It's my opinion that writing bad stories is how we learn to write better ones.

--Annie

 

[FrancesScott]

This is pretty much where I'm at, and as hard as writing sex scenes is, doing all the extra work of character building and setting the scene, and all that is daunting.

I write short stories which have explicit sex in them, and the sex may even be the point of the story. But - even then - I try to fill them with real, relatable characters, for whom the sex makes sense. I find that hook-ups like that are more arousing to me personally, and so will hopefully be to at least a sub-set of readers.

I also sometimes write erotic fiction which is pretty much plot driven and the actual sex may be only described in limited detail. AKA cut to parrots.

I no longer often find much enjoyment in writing just sex scenes without some setting to them.

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

All of this is at least partially why my limit for 'writing' and reading is sub-10K words. I don't have the attention span for longer, nor interest in 'world building'.

It's also why I killed off two whole families in retrospective epilogues ... so I couldn't go back and add more.

 

[Bamagan]

Sometimes, the answer to, "What then?" is simply, "It doesn't matter." A story about 'that one crazy time' that is completely at odds with the rest of a character's unremarkable life seems perfectly valid to me. A handful of such experiences, if even that, is all most people are going to get. You are maybe approaching your stories from a perspective of why an audience would care about them. If you can manage to capture the essence of why a seemingly simple scene becomes one of the most treasured memories of a character, I think the audience will sort itself out.