Now I don't know if this is simply a symptom of laziness, but I often get inspired to write a short story of some kind at random times, usually late at night or right before I wake up, and it seems that, if I do not write the story right then and there--and all in one sitting to boot--I can't do it. I find it kinda weird--I've even outlined an entire story, a more complex one, before the inspiration faded but couldn't seem to write it afterwards even with the outline handy. I dunno, does anyone else have a problem like this when it comes to other things? Do you have any advice on the subject? Is it simply a lack of motivation?
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Capitalizing on Inspiration
- Thread starter StarmanXL
- Start date
im the king of starting a project or planning one out and not doing it. its a symptom of bipolar, sometimes. i dont have that, but its not just being lazy.
i have a story ive worked on mentally for like three years, i just cant put pen to paper, or keys to screen, in a satisfactory way. my advice is to strike while the iron is hot- type first and ask questions (or edit) later.
i have a story ive worked on mentally for like three years, i just cant put pen to paper, or keys to screen, in a satisfactory way. my advice is to strike while the iron is hot- type first and ask questions (or edit) later.
I feel the same way. I've got dozens of programming projects and game designs and old, abandoned, never-properly-begun Neverwinter Nights modules and WIPs. It's an embarrassment of lost opportunity, and I never follow up on anything because, by the time I remember to, I'm too embroiled in coming up with a new idea.
EDIT: I just realized that each of our join dates are exactly 11 months apart. Clearly, the next post must come from someone who joins the forum in April of 2010, then sends his profile into the past so that he can respond today.
EDIT: I just realized that each of our join dates are exactly 11 months apart. Clearly, the next post must come from someone who joins the forum in April of 2010, then sends his profile into the past so that he can respond today.
this is the reason I write poetry and not stories. stories take too long to plan out. writing poetry I can think of a story and highlight exactly the few things I want to without having to worry about the details. I can just think something up in half an hour...
you just have to suck it up and forget about being inspired. there is no way you're ever going to remain inspired for the hundreds of hours it takes to complete a novel, or likely even a short story.
the best thing to do is to plan broadly while you are inspired, then edit, improve and flesh out your plans once the inspiration ebbs. the more you plan the easier the first draft will be.
also, remember you don't have to write your stuff in sequence. if you write the scenes and so on that interest you first, no matter where they fit into the general structure, finishing your work will seem a lot less daunting because you are basically just filling in the blanks
you'll likely find you do your best work when you aren't in an excited, inspired rush, too
the best thing to do is to plan broadly while you are inspired, then edit, improve and flesh out your plans once the inspiration ebbs. the more you plan the easier the first draft will be.
also, remember you don't have to write your stuff in sequence. if you write the scenes and so on that interest you first, no matter where they fit into the general structure, finishing your work will seem a lot less daunting because you are basically just filling in the blanks
you'll likely find you do your best work when you aren't in an excited, inspired rush, too
A writer once told me that he always devoted an hour each morning, just after waking up, and before he drank any coffee or read his newspaper, to writing, even if he ultimaely did not end up with any inspiration. For people who are inspired, perhaps devoting some time to recovering and capitalizing upon inspiration each day might be a good idea.