Motivation Issues.

[Ioder]

I have found it increasingly hard to stay motivated and active on site as of late. I'm not sure if it's the things that recently have been brought up. Or if the site has just changed so drasticly from what it was when I was fresh. But im a trooper and would love some suggestions that have worked for y'all when the though of unbookmarking Athanas has wandered through your mind.

[SirArtemis]

In the past one thing I've had to do is stay out of chat and OOC. I just clashed with some of the community and it took away from my writing. So I only either wrote my solos, vignettes, or worked with authors who I had good relationships with to keep writing. In the case of now, I'd do all the same but throw on doing workshops on that. Sometimes I've had to draw a wedge between the people on here and the website/writing forum that it is.

[Breaker]

When forum politics get me down I either focus on the threads I'm writing or I take a break from Althanas. Sometimes if I just agree with myself to sit down and spend 15mins working on a post, I'll end up spending an hour or more there and loving the result. If I'm too distracted by the other crap going on around here then I'll take 24-48 hours off from the site... no chat, no lurking, no navigating to Althanas.com at all. Usually a day away is enough to help me refocus on what's important (enjoying my writing) and look past what isn't (whatever bullshit may be upsetting me).

Hope that helps!

edit: You can unbookmark Althanas... but Althanas will never unbookmark you!

[BlackAndBlueEyes]

Write off-site. Write for yourself. Write using your own rules, your own world, your own characters, your own standards. Find a way to make writing fun again, then come back.

[Ashla]

I've had many times I've lost almost all inspiration for writing on the site... I can totally relate.

I'd say don't try to be "the perfect, 100% awesome score, author" when writing. Sometimes, it's feeling like I have to be perfect when writing that puts me down. Meanwhile, participating in less threads (I'm only doing, like, two right now) also helps. Not feeling so overwhelmed makes it feel like I'm doing it for fun again and not as some type of job. Also, when it comes to character and writing blocks (Ashla...) , log into chat and discuss it. Talking to other people in chat has always helped to get back in the game for me.

Hope I somehow managed to help! :)

[orphans]

Do not concern yourself too deeply with the forum politics. Say your piece, if you want, and don't take things personally. Or avoid the OOC chatter altogether. As much as we would like a perfect world where everyone gets along, it won't happen, nor should it. Friction and different views are what gives spice to life. For every person that agrees with your political/religious/opinions about whats cool, there will be others who will contest it.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but most of us are here because we wish to write, yes? If that is the case, focus on that. Weave stories with one another and see how your characters live, and perhaps we can learn things from them. It is important to separate yourself from your character as well, otherwise when things should happen to them, they do not.

When all of that has left you, it's fine to take a break and to dream of the things a different day. Seek inspiration in all things.

[Storm Veritas]

Sometimes I'd advise you to enjoy a little taste of the rewards of the site. Finish a thread, even if it isn't your best work, and get some experience. Make a new character. Write some vignettes.

If you don't feel the urge to write critically, I enjoy diverting myself to OOC. Talk about upcoming tournaments, or plan longer term battles. Take part in a boss battle (which I know you're presently doing).

The only thing that kills me here is when people stop writing in threads I'm engaged in.

[Shinsou Vaan Osiris]

There have been plenty of occasions when i've lost the will to live on here. The one thing that helped me was hitting the reset button, coming up with a new concept and rolling with it. That's how Shinsou came about after Canen.

The good thing about the community here is that there is no shortage of people to write with. Sometimes just finding that spark, that smallest of ideas with someone can really get the ball rolling. As we discussed in chat earlier, hopefully we can put our heads together and plan that way forward! But there are also some other people on here who I am sure would jump at the chance to help you out.

Also - don't forget the LCC is coming up soon. A tournament might just be the refreshment you need.