I need some ideas...

[321]

Originally Posted by YankeeDoodle

Im in a hurry right now because I am selling the computer tomorrow.

Dang that sucks sorry to see you leave PSU.

[Corrosion]

Originally Posted by 321

Dang that sucks sorry to see you leave PSU.

He said he'll post from library.

[Electrofreak]

I've written several short stories. I get writers block too. I find the best way around it is to NOT sit in front of your computer staring at it. Instead, go do something relatively mindless (like cleaning or mowing or work) and while you are doing that, think about what you are wanting to write about until you get an idea (don't do something like watch TV or play on the computer, your mind will get sidetracked too easily). As soon as you get an idea, memorize it or write it down to prevent the little bastard from slipping away (as often happens with my ideas).

Then, later, sit down and get started on writing out your idea. Once you have the basics of your idea written down, go back to doing your mindless task. Wash the car or organize your socks, I don't care, but this time try to think of some way to branch off or expand your idea further. Then go back and write it down again. Do this until you have a basic outline of your piece of work all laid out and down on paper.

Now you just need to organize it into a story or an essay or an article or whatever it is you want it to be. Thats when you need to sit down and write, using your outline as a reference. Don't try to do too much at once... I usually like to try to work on a chapter or section at a time, with nice long breaks in-between.

This is how I've written a few stories, and its also how I've done some of my larger school projects (though to be honest I usually do the main writing part the night before its due). I came up with an idea, wrote it down, and gradually expanded upon it as I did something that kept my creativity flowing (without getting distracted). Then I just add "fluff and details" and organize it until its a nice piece of work.

edit- this isn't to say this will work for you. A lot of people have different writing styles and its really a matter of finding what works best for you. This works for me (even though my aspirations of becoming a writer when I was young have been abandoned for my love of technology) so who knows. Experiment around a bit until you have found the best way to get your creativity to flow.

[Cyanide]

I find that being too concerned with weather or not other people will read your writtings is a good way to ruin them. Just write stuff that you would want to read, about subjects that interest you. That's the best way to create a good story.

[Onizuka]

I don't read much at all, and write much more. I obviously don't make a profession out of it, so I just start writing whatever I want, whatever pops into my brain.

[YankeeDoodle]

Thanks. I knew I was doing something wrong lying on my bed thinking. Well, in a couple of hours the computer will be gone...

BTW Corrosion nice sig

[Incompetent]

I'll mostly echo some of the things already said.

Write down every last idea you have, no matter how broken or illogical it seems, you might be able to build some really interesting and cool concepts out of it, preferably in some sort of digital format. Don't worry about whether it fits earlier stuff you've though of, you can always write more then one book. Don't worry to much about grammer and the like, editors exist for a reason, if you can create an interesting setting with deep and likable characters no one is going to care if your a grammer nazi or not.

If you know a good artist, team up with him, have him draw up some concepts of things your writing about to help you visualize it (I'm looking for one myself.) Don't get locked into any stereotypical settings, if you think long enough about it you can explain away nearly anything, so don't leave out something good because you have trouble getting it to fit quickly. BE CREATIVE above all else, but remember, everyone steals something from someone, so read as much as possible to get as many ideas as you can. When your thinking, do something mindless to get your brain moving, sitting around and doing nothing while thinking has been incredibly unproductive for me.

Once you get started on something and get a good way through it, keep your focus, and seek a FEW second opinions only once your done. Don't fuck it up trying to pander to too many people, but bounce it off a few friends or family members to help straighten out the rough edges in the story or the characters. Above all though, remember, its your book, don't let anyone convince you to make any changes you seriously disagree with. The absolute best way to create total shit is to let too many people have a say, or to let someone warp your world from your vision to one halfway between yours and theres. Even if no one will publish you in print, you can always publish it online.

My advice, not the best, but there it is. I'm a Semi-aspiring writer myself (plan B, if you will)

Edit: oh, and don't get too caught up in explanations and don't be long winded. One of the most tradgic characters (to me) I've read about is Prince Gaynor of the Damned (Corum, Swords Trilogy) and he didn't even last ten pages.

[Mr1337Duck]

If I ever do any writing jobs, it'll be writing for a gaming guide group like Prima. But Prima sometimes sucks, but you get the idea.


I'll get to do my three favorite things, play video games, tell people how to do stuff, and get money for it, while having my games provided for me.

[Madcow]

Originally Posted by YankeeDoodle

Sobekus- I guess I could, but who wants to read a book on writer's block?

Two stories that were written about writer's block in order to fight writer's block:

Barton Fink by Joel and Ethan Coen, written during a serious bout of writer's block while they were writing the screenplay for Miller's Crossing.

Adaptation written by Charlie Kaufman during a bout of writer's block while he was writing the screenplay for Being John Malkovich.

If you could ever write anything on par with either of those you'd most likely die a happy man.

Moral of the story? Write about what you know, and what you're experiencing and allow the creativity to flow from that rather than trying to force the creativity out of a situation which you can't relate to even a little bit. The Lord of the Rings isn't an amazing story because of the epic setting and story, it's amazing because Tolkein was able to create characters each of us could relate to while keeping the epic setting and story. Personally I think the worst mistake you could make is sitting down and thinking "I'm going to write a fantasy story". If the story you're writing lends itself to that setting, great. If it doesn't and you turn an interesting story into crap because you wanted it in a fantasy setting, you just shot yourself in the foot.

[YankeeDoodle]

Thanks Incompetent and Madcow. This guy who called about my computer hasn't shown up yet. I put an ad in the newspaper and had about 10 people interested in it. I had to turn them down because this guy called first. Ahh I hate it when people don't warn you before they back out. He might have jsut gotten caught in traffic or something. Oh well, more PSU time...

[ObnoxiousFrog]

He slowly awoke from his daydream, blinking the sleepf rom his eyes and the world into focus. In his reverie, something happened to him, his perception of the world changed. His conception of the world around him had become more vibrant, more full of the emotional spectrum. He cradled his weary neck in the headrest of his chair and smiled a gently content grin.

His mind was now flowing with thought. Something about glowing pieces of gold. Something about human incapability. Reaching into somebody's face to see their thoughts. The cold reality of relationships. The slow descent of one mind into madness. Love lost overseas.

But none of that was important to him now. His seemingly subliminal thought process had blinked out like a candle under a glass. Now his ears were chiming with a monotone chime, interluding every few seconds with the hum of reality. In his discourse, he found the cause of this relapse into sanity.

"Fucking iPod battery."

[YankeeDoodle]

[OfaLoaf]

Eh, if there's a series you like, and you've laways wondered about something from it, write a "Fan Fiction" about it. Like write a "Fan Fiction" about a ship in Star Trek.

[Kikinchikin]

Yankee, I don't know if you play PS or not, but if you do, try writing a fan-fic about it in our fan fiction forums. All of us over there enjoy reading each other's stories, and we always provide constructive (never negative) criticism. If you don't play PS, you may still want to drop by that forum and take a look at some of the works of others (I have one myself). Hopefully that will inspire you or at least give you some ideas. Mainly though, don't be afraid that people won't like what you write.

[YankeeDoodle]

That guy didn't show up. Hmm... I'm actually kind of happy. I'll just beg the parents for more money
I don't play PS so I rarely stray from the Lounge. I'll check it out though. Thanks