Hi everyone,
This may be longer than it needs to be, but please, bear with me.
Background: I took a major break from writing (and reading, unfortunately) around Fall 2015. Uni graduation was around the corner, and the stress of passing boards, finding a job, and literally everything in between were on the front steps of my mind. At the time, I made a decision to cut out a lot of things I considered "distractions." This included writing and reading. Two things I had enjoyed to the absolute fullest. But at the time, I thought that they had to go if I was going to be successful in my academics and future career.
I'm now at a point where I feel stable in my life, and ready to take writing head-on again. I've recently written tiny (and I mean, tiny) drabbles here and there, but nothing substantial has come out from them. It makes me wonder: Am I to just rely on inspiration? Am I just not creative enough to write a full-blown story? Am I forcing something that's not meant to be? Am I just not wanting it enough?
Before, it seemed easier. Granted, I never actually finished anything (I think my longest work was 25K words), but my ideas seemed to have been plentiful and I always found myself thinking of my stories and characters, painting them in my head, and breathing them to life on paper.
Now I can barely think of anything.
I've started reading again. Today I finished my first book in almost two years. And at the end of it, I found myself surprised at how happy it made me. Because of the story, firstly, and also because I actually did read it to the end. It just brought on an onslaught of emotions that I did not expect. So I'm going to try and continue reading, because reading this book made me realize just how much I do love reading and what it does for me.
With writing: I'm trying to write every day now, or every other day. Or whenever possible, honestly. But it's hard because I get discouraged. At my lack of ideas, my abilities, comparing my material to others. Comparing my journey to others.
So I'm asking for advice on how to move from this standstill point I'm at. Would you suggest I keep writing? I just feel so out of ideas, and when I try and buckle down, I just find myself staring at a blank page. Am I to just force myself to think of ideas? Shouldn't it be a little bit more natural?
Also, side question, I find it easier to think up characters before plot. Like the bare bones of a character. Nothing detailed. How would you suggest creating a plot from a character? Should I really do those character profiles and then move on from there?
Sorry for the length. I tried shortening it, but I couldn't. This feels more like a rant more than anything, but I honestly had to let this out. I just feel so lost. Also sorry if it seems all over the place.
If anyone has ever been in this situation or just has any suggestions on how to help remedy it, please feel free to respond. I would really appreciate it! Thank you all in advance.
-comrie
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