An Idea To Spur The Mind

[Logan]

From time to time we all run into a mental block of sorts, and I myself, have been hit by this particular "ailment" more than my fair share. Perhaps it's the attempt to truly get into the proper mindset and "emotional state" of my character, or maybe it's just that I can't really come up with a string of ideas that connect together. But the big thing is it happens, and fairly frequently.

Well, I was browsing the forums and reading some of the various threads -- and posting in a few OOC ones as well -- and one caught my eye. Not because it was some deep discussion or anything, but because it made me go "hmm, that is pretty creative".

I am talking about a thread in the Recruiting Forum -> http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?t=14427 that MiaKane actually posted.

Mia mentions how she has noticed a string of stagnancy running rampant throughout Althanas, and while I'm not 100% sure I agree with that entirely, I do believe it is a valid statement on some level. So I'm curious, seeing as how I've had my fair share of blockage mentally speaking, what does everyone else do to break that stagnancy?

I know a big thing for me is when I get inspired by something. Whether it be a movie, a book, a website, a song, whatever -- even a post or idea I suppose.

The reason I'm curious about this is because it's important that we know what helps one another to break out of that funk, or at least persevere through it, so that we can encourage one another as writers and friends to keep pushing forward and onward for the betterment of Althanas and ourselves.

So, let's hear it. What do you do?

[Breaker]

Sometimes I work out, or go for a walk in the woods, or work out in the woods. I find getting my blood pumping and my body working helps the creative juices flow.

The forest is just a place I find peaceful and inspiring, and convenient since it's right across the road from my dorm.

Also, sometimes I'll get completely trashed. Once the hangover fades, for some reason I often feel like writing.

[The Writing Writer]

First off, why does Numbers have over two million exp?

Second, I find that the cause of my stagnancy is an abundance of fun things to do in my life outside of Althanas. Only when I am bored with everything fun there do I truly return to Althanas, as opposed to just hovering the bordes in a daily routine, as I am now. =P

[Raelyse]

Because he's a slut pimp daddy. As for inspiration, I agree with numbers. I find a jog or a work out really gives me time to think because when my heart is beating fast, a really good distraction from the tiredness is to think up new storylines and stuff.

[Cyrus the virus]

I write a 'non-canon' story about Luc being in a high school and dressing like a power ranger, or in an 8-bit video game, or in a city made of gold run by a rapper who needs his spinning rim back.

[Melancor]

I discovered that the reason of my own stagnation is a lack of motivation to do anything, not really a lack of inspiration.

If it where for inspiration, another discovery, is that after I know what the plot of a thread will be there is no longer a sense of excitement and mystery. I go over it so many times and so many details that afterward It just seems pointless to put it on paper, my desire defeats it's own purpose.

The last solo I completed went by pretty quickly, there was supence in it, ironically. I originally started it with the sole purpose of retrieving the spoils so I did not really care about the plot and started it prematurely. Now in that thread, and although it was a pretty simple one, I felt the precious sparks of suspence after placing my character in Istraloth.

If I where you I would quest, only with the short thought of a beginning, and a goal equally vain. Then you truly place yourself in your character's shoes, rather than being the puppet master of his/her faith. And although you will have dramatical irony, the means by which you will reach that goal, one that your character may not know about, will be a mystery to you both. Go with the spontaneous flow, and of-course the more the merrier.

That's what I do in when I really have the intentions of geting over a block anyways.

[Caden Law]

I write and/or bike and/or play video games. Good music helps. Likewise with a good comic book or novel. Sometimes I just gank Althanas itself to break any stagnancy; writing an entire RP in the span of one night, for instance.

[Ataraxis]

I look into a dead star.

And sniff.