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@anne_the_noob14

Thanks!

Yeah, I know what you mean. I still find it funny how much we miss our characters. XD

Yay! Glad to hear your driving is going well!

I’ll definitely be praying. <3

 

@evelyn

Ooh, hmm. Well, I’m sure it’s different for others, but I think a huge reason I was struggling so much to come up with ideas was that I wasn’t reading. I barely read anything for enjoyment all summer, and my creativity suffered for it. As I heard someone put it recently, we don’t come up with entirely new ideas, we smash old ideas together. Our imaginations need to be fed. I’ve found that, as I’ve made time for reading again (both new stories and old favorites), my love for stories in general has been rekindled and I start longing for my own.

Also, a brainstorming buddy helps a ton. I can’t stress that enough. Many times I get so bogged down in my own brain that I start hating all my ideas. Telling them to someone else and having the affirmation of, “Hey, I like that!” often gives me the courage I need to keep developing that idea. Not to mention the fact that they often have really amazing suggestions. 😛

And finally, breaks. Breaks are amazing! At first, I was really resistant to taking breaks (like I couldn’t be me without writing…which is another idea I had to free myself from), but once I started doing it, wow, they sure do work. Just giving myself permission not to write for a week really erases the pressure. I realized I was subconsciously holding to the idea that I had to write every day—and beating myself up when I didn’t. Then writing became a chore…which suffocates creativity. So now I’ll force myself to take a break until I want to write so badly that I forget I meant to take a break. XD

Also, like Livi said, pictures! I don’t have Pinterest, but I still try to find pictures of my characters, and that inspires me a lot. Someday I want to start making collages.

Good luck picking your next WIP! I’m sure that as you explore your ideas more, one will stand out to you and beg to be written.

Wow, a poem a day must be difficult. I’ve been trying to write a short snippet every day this month (based off a one-word prompt). Some of them are really short, though (a couple sentences), and don’t have much thought put into them.

 

@elisha-starquill

It definitely is! I don’t really have great tips for perfectionism right now, unfortunately; I’m still learning and still struggling with it a lot. It’s something I’ve had to address on a much deeper level than just writing. Practically speaking, when it comes to writing my draft, it has helped to shift my focus to the word count rather than the quality (yay Camp NaNo!). Having someone keep me accountable to not edit has helped a ton. Also, sometimes it helps to “defy” the perfectionism in some way. Skipping sections, putting stuff in in brackets, making up names on the spot, telling, allowing huge inconsistencies—and then staring it in the face and saying, “I don’t care, I’ll fix it later.” That helps, in an odd way. xD

I totally understand the stressful school business. *glances at all my unfinished projects with looming deadlines* It’s definitely hard to find time and energy to write, so I’m glad you’ve been able to do a little! (Aren’t showers the best for brainstorming?) And I’d be happy to read your first few chapters!

That’s an awesome idea! I love flash fiction, and I miss our old guild lessons when we used to share snippets. I would love to try that.

 

I’ll be sure to let you both know when I start my blog. 😀