What are you writing about now?

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

Six years on, and I am still working on my fantasy world.

Could you say, Tolkien disease?

13 years and counting on my end. 🙃

Yep. I actually scrapped the entire thing once and began from the scratch because I didn't find the original idea as interesting as new idea that I had come upon by accident... though TBF I did keep the "original" to serve as a "future" of my world.

Much like you, I scrapped everything I did some years ago, around 2017 or 2018, I think. I had two and a half books written already, but as a 19 or 20 year old, I was becoming uninterested in the original story I came up with as a 13 year old. But I loved my characters and the world they lived in, so I kept them and began telling a new story instead, one that personally appealed to me much more. And it just keeps growing.

 

[david_wendelken]

Um... I started writing Middle-earth stories about my characters around 1986 or 87. The years blur together over the decades.

 

[david_wendelken]

A set of printmaking experiments to see if I can capture the embroidered textures on the Bayeaux Tapestry in the hand-printed illustrations for my book.

I think I nailed it! It even has a slight 3D texture!

 

[david_wendelken]

"The first draft is just you telling yourself the story." -- Terry Pratchett.

I love that quote. It takes all the fear out about having to "write it perfectly" when you start writing a story. You're expected to do a so-so job on the first draft and fix it in later drafts - multiple later drafts.

 

[david_wendelken]

Sat in on an online writing sprint last night. It was interesting. Nothing I couldn't do by myself now that I understand the technique they were using. We focused intently for 20-25 minutes and wrote as fast as we could, not niggling about word choices, just trying to get a first draft done. Then we relax for 3 minutes, then repeat. I did two such sprints, for a total of 40 minutes. I added 500 words to the start of a new story. That's usually where I'm the slowest as I haven't' figured things out yet.

It seems worth experimenting with.

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

Sat in on an online writing sprint last night. It was interesting. Nothing I couldn't do by myself now that I understand the technique they were using. We focused intently for 20-25 minutes and wrote as fast as we could, not niggling about word choices, just trying to get a first draft done. Then we relax for 3 minutes, then repeat. I did two such sprints, for a total of 40 minutes. I added 500 words to the start of a new story. That's usually where I'm the slowest as I haven't' figured things out yet.

It seems worth experimenting with.

I participated in NaNoWriMo in November 2020, and I largely credit that for helping me become a fast writer. You have to write 1,667 words per day to make the 50,000 word count, so you have to just force some words out even when you feel uninspired. Usually the inspiration comes for me after writing a little, even if it's not there at first. And now, because I did that challenge, I can pretty much always get something to come out no matter how uninspired I feel, and before I know it, it gets upwards of 1,000 or even 2,000 words.

 

[Ent]

even when you feel uninspired.

I love this syntax. The expression presents a more 'suppressed' or 'depressed' feeling than would "even when you don't feel inspired."

Your choice carries more power in the feeling where the latter choice is simply a lack of something.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I've felt both at different times. The literal impact of feeling completely "uninspired", and simply the lack of having any inspiration at hand.

This is a great example of how slight differences in our syntax (choice of word organization and use) in our expression can have a significant difference in our impact on a scene and a reader.

Tolkien understood this, and by and large his clever use of it at many points is how he infused his "moral and religious elements" into his work.

I'm editing another short essay for an author now, and then will be starting to dapple with writing again.
Sorry for my absence here... there was just no room for 'inspiration' for awhile. And no doubt the future will see less opportunity than the past, but I'm determined to make use of what time I can progressing on things.

 

[WatcherWraith]

I love this syntax. The expression presents a more 'suppressed' or 'depressed' feeling than would "even when you don't feel inspired."

Your choice carries more power in the feeling where the latter choice is simply a lack of something.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I've felt both at different times. The literal impact of feeling completely "uninspired", and simply the lack of having any inspiration at hand.

This is a great example of how slight differences in our syntax (choice of word organization and use) in our expression can have a significant difference in our impact on a scene and a reader.

Tolkien understood this, and by and large his clever use of it at many points is how he infused his "moral and religious elements" into his work.

I'm editing another short essay for an author now, and then will be starting to dapple with writing again.
Sorry for my absence here... there was just no room for 'inspiration' for awhile. And no doubt the future will see less opportunity than the past, but I'm determined to make use of what time I can progressing on things.

Thank you for your thoughts, Ent. We missed you. I pray the Lord blesses your work.

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

It's both bad to feel uninspired and have too many ideas and no will to write them. I'm currently experiencing the latter and it's quite frustrating. I have a tough semester ahead and wished I could work on some of my works at least.

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

It's both bad to feel uninspired and have too many ideas and no will to write them. I'm currently experiencing the latter and it's quite frustrating. I have a tough semester ahead and wished I could work on some of my works at least.

Starting's always the hardest, I find. But once I try to write at least a little bit, what follows comes out more easily. Even if it's not a part I'm particularly excited to write, I still get satisfied by seeing it 'get done', bit by bit.

And if you can't focus because there are too many different ideas competing for your attention, perhaps try working on each of them in a particular order. Like in this moment of free time, you work on one, and in your next moment of free time you work on the next.

I've also noticed something. Doing some sort of low-mental-effort activity helps my brain to start thinking of what I'm going to write next in my story.
E.g. physical work like washing dishes, or sorting second-hand clothing at the shop where I volunteer.
I think it's because it puts my mind in 'focusing' mode, but it doesn't take intense concentration or mental effort. This means my brain is 'switched on' but not 'tired out' when I start writing afterwards.
Maybe this might help you too. 🤔

 

[Ent]

It's both bad to feel uninspired and have too many ideas and no will to write them. I'm currently experiencing the latter and it's quite frustrating. I have a tough semester ahead and wished I could work on some of my works at least.

This is indeed a difficult position to be in..!

Just a thought... you MAY find the tough semester a little more enjoyable, and easier, if you set aside a few minutes, two or three times a week, to at least jot out some of your thoughts out on (e)-paper, on the 'creative' side.

You might find the creative outlet refreshes your brain for 'the rest of the story' you have at hand in life - of every sort.

I'm just now realizing going through all I've just been through (and am still on the tail end of wrapping up) lulled me into the complacence of thinking what I needed at the end of the day was "just rest." i.e. almost 'crash and sleep.' I'm not sure that thinking was really best. It simply pushed my mind into further sluggishness, rather than giving it the vent and freedom of enjoyable expression.

You certainly have a 'desire' to write. The question becomes, what's impairing your 'will' to write?

 

[Ent]

p.s. - I believe our 'discord' provides a venue where I could post the Appendix I wrote for Jeb Smith's book Missing Monarchy.

If anyone is interested, I'll post it there. But I would warn you.. it's a bit 'controversial' in some ways, though I've said what I've said because I think it needs to be said.

If nothing else, it's another view of one of my particular writing styles.

 

[Ent]

Well OK, I posted it over there. Reader beware..!

 

[Fingon_Findekáno]

Well OK, I posted it over there. Reader beware..!

It took me a bit to find it, but I eventually did! Upon joining the server, there were only a handful of channels automatically set up to be watched, and therefore visible. Apparently there are many more channels you can add!

For your appendix, I had to go to “Browse Channels,” find the “General (Non-Tolkien)” category, and check mark the box for “Books.” Voilà! There it is!

 

[Ent]

Hum. I did not know there was a limitation to viewers. Perhaps @Erestor Arcamen will understand why, and reset some kind of 'standard' thingy so newcomers can see all that's available to be seen.

Or, perhaps I can find out somehow... when i get time to dig.

Anyway, we'll see what we can do.

 

[WatcherWraith]

It took me a bit to find it, but I eventually did! Upon joining the server, there were only a handful of channels automatically set up to be watched, and therefore visible. Apparently there are many more channels you can add!

For your appendix, I had to go to “Browse Channels,” find the “General (Non-Tolkien)” category, and check mark the box for “Books.” Voilà! There it is!

Thanks for the info! I'll be using it when I'm off work and don't need to keep half my mind alert for customers.

 

[Erestor Arcamen]

Hum. I did not know there was a limitation to viewers. Perhaps @Erestor Arcamen will understand why, and reset some kind of 'standard' thingy so newcomers can see all that's available to be seen.

Or, perhaps I can find out somehow... when i get time to dig.

Anyway, we'll see what we can do.

I don’t think there’s a way to change this. Since we have it setup as a community, it only shows so many by default for some reason. I’ll look at the onboarding settings to see if I can fix it.

 

[ZehnWaters]

Right now I'm filling in the "cutscenes" for a Star Wars What if...? series I'm doing for an RPG Campaign.
Ep. IV: What if Han successfully stalled on the Death Star?
Ep. V: What if Luke heard Leia warn him about the trap?
Ep. VI: What if Leia realized Jabba was trying to trap her?

 

[david_wendelken]

I've ordered a sample sheet of stone paper and some thin, flexible stone veneer. Should have them by mid-week. I'm going to test them out as bookbinding products by making a small journal full of blank pages. It will be fairly thin. I'll do some printmaking experiments on the paper before I bind it.

I have a start on the dwarvish viewpoint story that will be bound in these materials (assuming I like the book-binding experiment). But I have another story to finish first for my son and two grandsons. It's about Aranwen, Princess of Morthond, and how she fights her way back to her throne after her family is treacherously betrayed - with the help of three lads who happen to resemble said son and grandsons. They helped plan the main story points. Hoping to get it done, printed (at home) and bound by me by Christmas.
************

Good news, my wife has edited Vol II up to page 378 of 433 and I've caught up with her on incorporating most of her suggested changes. (I discarded a few.)
I think it reads cleaner and will confuse the reader less often! She's just started Appendix C, Miscellaneous Letters and Tales, so the editing for the actual tale of Lorien during the War of the Ring is completed.

 

[WatcherWraith]

I've ordered a sample sheet of stone paper and some thin, flexible stone veneer. Should have them by mid-week. I'm going to test them out as bookbinding products by making a small journal full of blank pages. It will be fairly thin. I'll do some printmaking experiments on the paper before I bind it.

I have a start on the dwarvish viewpoint story that will be bound in these materials (assuming I like the book-binding experiment). But I have another story to finish first for my son and two grandsons. It's about Aranwen, Princess of Morthond, and how she fights her way back to her throne after her family is treacherously betrayed - with the help of three lads who happen to resemble said son and grandsons. They helped plan the main story points. Hoping to get it done, printed (at home) and bound by me by Christmas.
************

Good news, my wife has edited Vol II up to page 378 of 433 and I've caught up with her on incorporating most of her suggested changes. (I discarded a few.)
I think it reads cleaner and will confuse the reader less often! She's just started Appendix C, Miscellaneous Letters and Tales, so the editing for the actual tale of Lorien during the War of the Ring is completed.

I wish you the best on your story! And sounds like your wife's editorial skills are pretty cool :] Congrats!