D20 Writers: How do you stay inspired?

[jmucchiello]

Write something else: a different project, a different part of the same work, a diary/journal entry, a short story, anything that keeps words running through your fingertips. Eventually, those words should turn back into your topic.

tf360 said:
Every supplement that I've ever written, I start from the middle and then work outward. I often find that the Introduction and Conclusion, although the shortest passages of the work are usually the most difficult to complete because you're trying to either summarize or introduce the work in its entirety. It becomes really hard if you haven't finished what you're trying to summarize.

Interesting, I like to work from an outline. If I'm not getting anywhere in the feats chapter, I can jump into the spells or prestige classes or something else. I also find it convenient to crank out a two-pager when my main projects aren't flowing. (And when the Tuesday deadline is blooming, I find I get a lot more done on my normal projects while I'm waiting for the two-pager to gel in my head.)

Edit: Shouldn't this be in the publishers forum? You'll probably get even more advice over there.

 

[megamania]

When I become uninspired I take a short break from it and think about something related to it. Perhaps a different chapter or where you want to go for the next supplement.
When this dosen't work invite all your friends to do something to completely erase it from your mind and go back to it in a day or two.

Do you need an artist for your work?

 

[d20Dwarf]

I will 3rd (4th....5th?!) the suggestion to continue working. A short break is ok, and if you do take a break do something constructive with it...move those boxes you've been meaning to move, do the dishes, clean your office...you'll feel like you've accomplished something rather than just having taken a break from work, which can add pressure and just muddy your brain even more.

If you have multiple projects, don't be afraid to work on another one as a break. A lot of times my passion returns when I shift my focus for a while (this happened to me last night, only I got bogged down in hours of genetic research ).

The most important thing is not to lose focus for too long, because it will weigh on your mind and make getting back into the project that much harder.

Good luck!

 

[HellHound]

MULTIPLE PROJECTS.

When I jam up on one project, I just open another one instead for a while. Keep two or three projects on the run at once... I've got five open projects actually as I type. Concentrate on your main project, but when you need to take a break, switch over to any of the other ones for a while.

 

[tensen]

I'll chime in and add the multiple projects to the thread.

Follow that up with.. talking to other people working on the same project. Sometimes they have an idea they can't quite put into words... which may inspire you to get it down. Or the
interaction between the two can work to both your advantage.

 

[KingOfChaos]

In addition to multiple projects, I usually try and read a book or watch a favorite movie...they seem to inspire me to write more

 

[The Serge]

I read a lot and listen to a lot of romantic period symphonic music and similarly styled scores and music. Both stimulate me.

I've been working on a project called The Gates of Hell for months now and, to facilitate my writing, I've read a lot of books on Angels, Demons, and mythology.

I've been working on my own campaign setting for about 15 years now and that has required that I read a lot on geography, mythology, history, and philosophy. As I read more, I'm exposed to more things which then are often incorporated into my work.

The music helps primarily to get me motivated. Like right now I'm listening to "Isengard Unleashed" from the Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers score. Hearing it helps me think about the conflict of good against evil, which in turns helps me envision the kind of power I will give to my Arch-Angel, Seraphim, and Cherubim templates when I get to them.

Also, it's necessary to take a break from time to time. Some nights I'll write for hours, and others I'll take a break. Sometimes, I'll write about things unassociated with my campaign (like The Gates of Hell) and at other times I'll sit and write on message boards. I've found that in sharing ideas with others, I'm exposed to more options and possibilities that further nurture my imagination.

www.dicefreaks.com

 

[KingOfChaos]

Serge: Music helps me a lot, too. In fact, I can't write without music...it's too damned quiet

I like listening to progressive metal when writing material of a darker nature (which is 60% of the time) and celtic or medieval renaissance (anything by Richard Searles) when writing for neutral or good aligned material

 

[Ghostwind]

Certainly one of the best ways that helps me is to switch gears for a limited time. If you are writing an entire book, have an outline handy and if you get stuck at one place, move to a distinctly different section. If you are working on multiple projects, just work on a different project. If neither of the above works, allow yourself 30-60 minutes of free time (reading a book, watching TV, playing a game, etc,). But don't go over that set amount of time.

Short term goals are always helpful for breaking past continual mental blocks. Writing a set number of pages or a single chapter are good markers for keeping the mind fresh.

 

[caudor]

This thread is a gem...lots of good, solid advice. I'll be keeping a copy of this one. Thanks folks!