mistressofmuses (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
mistressofmuses) wrote2022-08-25 10:18 pm
mistressofmuses) wrote2022-08-25 10:18 pm
The "well of inspiration" is running low...
Stiiiiiill not sure how to fix my time management issues. I really need things to simply stop taking time. That would fix it.
-
I haven't exactly picked or figured out a new writing project, ha. I did the tentative outline for my zine fic, and... didn't have another plan for the month. It seems like I should take advantage of the opportunity to write something original, since I don't really have a fic project I want to move on to at the moment anyway... but nothing is super grabbing hold of me right now.
In taking a look at my "story idea" documents [a pair of word documents, one for original fic and one for fanfic, that have made migrations from computer to computer since high school, and include ideas that date back to middle school!] I did come to one slightly sad conclusion...
I really don't have nearly as many ideas for things as I used to. :/
I added a couple ideas back in 2020... and one this year (except it's really just a retooling of one of my older ones.) The worry that the "idea well" is going to run dry isn't really a serious one; it's one a lot of people mention going through, and that it's never really permanent. And to be fair, even if I DIDN'T ever have another brand new shiny idea for a story, I'd never reach the end of the ones I already have written down.
Not really sure where I'm going with it, beyond just a kind of wistful sadness. I miss when I felt like creative stuff came to me super easily, even though at the time I never managed to stick with writing any of it down! I also used to get very passionately invested in the ideas themselves, which also hasn't happened much for... six or seven years, now? But it used to be that once a particular idea took hold, I'd be thinking about it constantly, and I miss how much fun I found that!
Objectively, I think it's mostly that I don't have much quiet time. At previous jobs, it passed the time while I was doing dishes or mopping or walking from one part of the building to another. Back when I was a student, it was walking to and from classes. As a teen it was wandering around my backyard for hours every evening.
Now... I have an office job, which provides less of the mindless mild physicality that encouraged the daydreaming before. On days off, free time tends to be spent with Alex, which means conversation, not introspection, ha.
So... all of it is fine and makes sense, but the lack of new ideas and inspiration for things is still kind of a bummer. Then again, the world is *gestures broadly*, and I don't feel like I'm the only person complaining about a lack of creative vibes, ha.
Maybe I should try to really enjoy some more media. I've been struggling to get through my current book, I haven't played a video game on my own in months... Other than The Sandman, I haven't been deeply into a show or movie for a while, even. But maybe trying to get more into some OTHER people's interesting fiction will give me some inspiration for my own.
-
I haven't exactly picked or figured out a new writing project, ha. I did the tentative outline for my zine fic, and... didn't have another plan for the month. It seems like I should take advantage of the opportunity to write something original, since I don't really have a fic project I want to move on to at the moment anyway... but nothing is super grabbing hold of me right now.
In taking a look at my "story idea" documents [a pair of word documents, one for original fic and one for fanfic, that have made migrations from computer to computer since high school, and include ideas that date back to middle school!] I did come to one slightly sad conclusion...
I really don't have nearly as many ideas for things as I used to. :/
I added a couple ideas back in 2020... and one this year (except it's really just a retooling of one of my older ones.) The worry that the "idea well" is going to run dry isn't really a serious one; it's one a lot of people mention going through, and that it's never really permanent. And to be fair, even if I DIDN'T ever have another brand new shiny idea for a story, I'd never reach the end of the ones I already have written down.
Not really sure where I'm going with it, beyond just a kind of wistful sadness. I miss when I felt like creative stuff came to me super easily, even though at the time I never managed to stick with writing any of it down! I also used to get very passionately invested in the ideas themselves, which also hasn't happened much for... six or seven years, now? But it used to be that once a particular idea took hold, I'd be thinking about it constantly, and I miss how much fun I found that!
Objectively, I think it's mostly that I don't have much quiet time. At previous jobs, it passed the time while I was doing dishes or mopping or walking from one part of the building to another. Back when I was a student, it was walking to and from classes. As a teen it was wandering around my backyard for hours every evening.
Now... I have an office job, which provides less of the mindless mild physicality that encouraged the daydreaming before. On days off, free time tends to be spent with Alex, which means conversation, not introspection, ha.
So... all of it is fine and makes sense, but the lack of new ideas and inspiration for things is still kind of a bummer. Then again, the world is *gestures broadly*, and I don't feel like I'm the only person complaining about a lack of creative vibes, ha.
Maybe I should try to really enjoy some more media. I've been struggling to get through my current book, I haven't played a video game on my own in months... Other than The Sandman, I haven't been deeply into a show or movie for a while, even. But maybe trying to get more into some OTHER people's interesting fiction will give me some inspiration for my own.
no subject
Yeah, it can be a challenge. Writers need to recharge. Sometimes re-doing a theme or idea that you've had more time to reflect on isn't bad. I know I have certain theme I come back to constantly. I joke about my 'snowed in' fic problem, but it's just a subject of 'these characters just need to be isolated from larger society for a while' that I do over and over... It's ten thousand times more obvious to me than my readers tho... assuming they even read more than one thing of mine.
no subject
I have absolutely noticed some recurring themes in the ideas that stick out to me, haha. Similar relationship dynamics that come up repeatedly, or self-discovery themes... It feels... telling, but you're probably right, it's likely less obvious to potential readers than it is to me!
But also, if those themes appeal to a reader, it's not bad to explore them in multiple ways!
no subject
That gave me a chuckle.
It sucks that LIFE gets in the way of creativity. There's so much to DO and so little time to do it all in.
no subject
I do wish that life didn't seem like such a drain on creativity. It's hard to be creatively inspired when there's just so MUCH that needs doing so constantly, and so much of it so draining in its own right.
no subject
It's a really difficult, frustrating combo. :( I sympathize mightily.
But maybe trying to get more into some OTHER people's interesting fiction will give me some inspiration for my own.
Hey, if you ever want to check out Guardian, say the word. ^_-
no subject
I may do that! I've seen tidbits that do make it sound very interesting! I've got quite a backlog of stuff to work through, but that one might get added to the list!
no subject
Yeah. ;_;
I may do that! I've seen tidbits that do make it sound very interesting! I've got quite a backlog of stuff to work through, but that one might get added to the list!
^_^ It has some unavoidable weaknesses due to its budget and the Chinese censorship rules, but what it does well it does AMAZINGLY well. It's also gotten harder to find recently (>.<), but access can be arranged if it's ever needed.
I definitely feel you about the backlog! The lists are never-ending.
no subject