Writing & Resolution Update

[rowyn]

I haven't talked about my NYR since March, it looks like. I've been scoring myself by the last posted benchmark, according to which I've been turning in a HORRIBLE performance since July.

Basically, I spent a weekend in early July working on a custom My Little Pony, got almost nowhere on it due to various complexities, and then decided I was sick of all creative activities ever. Drawing, writing, ponies, whatever, it's all BLAH.

I did not actually stop doing stuff, because I kept exercising about five days a week and if I'm going to exercise ANYWAY I might as well write something, right? Also, if I'm going to write anyway I might as well exercise. Yes, my brain really works like that. So I've been writing Delight and working on the weekly game while I exercise. But that's added up to about 2.5 hours of writing a week instead of the 4.5 I was theoretically shooting for. I am currently about 19 hours behind. In theory, I could devote a weekend to nothing but writing but HAHAHAHA no, I don't think that's happening. Also, I am pretty sure my rules don't allow me to fall behind.

*checks*

Yes, I can't fall behind. So I'm not behind. I've just missed the target for the last two months. Oops.

I am not sure what I should do about this. I don't really want to just lower my standards again, since I'm already spending what creative energies I have purely on fan-stuff.

I am thinking that this week I'll do the art card I owe tuftears, and maybe next week I'll try soliciting prompts to see if that'll get me interested in making stuff again.

Comments

[duane-kc.livejournal.com]

You're in a rut; you need to get out, do something different. I suggest coming to St. Louis Pirate Fest next weekend. :)

[rowyn]

That's .... a long drive. Eeeee!

[duane-kc.livejournal.com]

Longer for me than for you, I suspect. :) Let me know if you decide to come down, I can have tickets waiting for you at Front Gate.

[tuftears.livejournal.com]

Exercise is good, though! You don't want to miss your exercise targets, whereas writing is... while we love your writing, it's still a luxury rather than a necessity. };)

You could always reboot one of your series, maybe the problem is that you wrote yourself into a cul de sac and trying to figure a way out of it is draining your willpower? It's easier to write when you have an idea what's going to happen, as opposed to staring at your subconscious expectantly... And having your subconscious go "Gimme a few minutes! Almost... Okay, I got nothin'!"

[rowyn]

Yeah, Delight is a lot easier to write because I've still got ideas for this or that, and I'm not obsessed with connecting everything to one overarching plot which individual entries must advance.

Also, exercise and writing go hand-in-hand, so they're easy to maintain at a baseline. n.n

[tuftears.livejournal.com]

Delight would get bored halfway through the overarching plot, if not sooner, and run off to do something else! ^_^

[the-gneech.livejournal.com]

I'd suggest you do the best you can and don't sweat it. :) Like I said re: my own workouts after recovering from my back, sometimes just doing it at all is a victory.

Eventually, you'll get back into the groove and start kicking butt again.

-TG

[rowyn]

I guess I'm just tired of waiting so long between grooves. :/

[ladyperegrine.livejournal.com]

I think if it were me, I'd change the goal. It made sense in January, but for whatever reason it's not making sense now. I think holding yourself to something that you're not meeting because you're just not feeling it at all might be a form of (metaphoric) self-flagellation.

Also, as a completely different thought, maybe write something totally different and a bit out of your comfort zone? It sounds like you might be in a bit of a rut and need something new.

[rowyn]

Yes, the rut aspect is why I wanted to ask people for prompts -- give me something new to work with.

And. OTOH, I do feel kinda like taking a break. On the other: geez, 4.5 hours a week is too much? Really? It's not like I have kids taking up all available time. In the same months that I couldn't get myself to spend 20 hours writing, I spent 200 playing Civ5. So it's not like I don't have the time. 9.9

[terrycloth.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I've been seriously slacking on creative stuff lately too. Although I can clearly blame too much pony. x.x

Delight is fun! It'd be nice if you actually finished sign and sacrifice sometime, though, since it seemed like you were very very close.

[rowyn]

It seems like I ought to be able to finish S&S but noooooo. x.x

I can probably blame too much Civ, except that I started slacking a couple of weeks before I bought Civ5.