ANY CREATIVE WRITERS ON NT?

[solarius49]

So I love to write.  Its something that I enjoy, and one of the few things in the world that I can honestly say that I am extremely good at.  When I graduated high school I was offered a job writing radio news stories....no humble brag, because that was in 2004, and I never took advantage of it.
My real passion is creative writing, mainly comic books, but I want to write a novel one day too.  My only problem is that I think it is damn near impossible to create an original idea, I always have a problem coming up with a great idea.  Once I start writing, the words usually flow, but my biggest problem is getting that initial inspiration.  Most of my work gets done when I am in stressful situations.  I wrote a few issues of a comic book when I was in boot camp, and I wrote alot when I was training out in the AZ desert...since then, not much

What inspires you guys?  How do you handle writer's block?  Are you working on anything now?  Can you share any tips/tricks?  What genre's do you prefer?

 

[epidemik the great]

http://www.austinkleon.co...r-things-nobody-told-me/
ive been writing a bit...screenplays, short stories, ect...gonna try to get a short film made in a few months

 

[monstar1]

yes I've written many classic short stories.

I am the voice of a shoe obsessed generation.

 

[soversotowel]

idk but im looking for a video editor.
i can shoot music vids,like lil b nothing major

but i cant really edit for @#$%

 

 

[blakep267]

Originally Posted by solarius49

So I love to write.  Its something that I enjoy, and one of the few things in the world that I can honestly say that I am extremely good at.  When I graduated high school I was offered a job writing radio news stories....no humble brag, because that was in 2004, and I never took advantage of it.
My real passion is creative writing, mainly comic books, but I want to write a novel one day too.  My only problem is that I think it is damn near impossible to create an original idea, I always have a problem coming up with a great idea.  Once I start writing, the words usually flow, but my biggest problem is getting that initial inspiration.  Most of my work gets done when I am in stressful situations.  I wrote a few issues of a comic book when I was in boot camp, and I wrote alot when I was training out in the AZ desert...since then, not much

What inspires you guys?  How do you handle writer's block?  Are you working on anything now?  Can you share any tips/tricks?  What genre's do you prefer?

the base idea for a story most likely wont ever be original. But the details and characters are what makes the story stand out. ex. most high fantasy from first glance are very similar to each other, but its the small more intricate things that set them apart. But also Ive found out that, if you are a good enough writer the similarities dnt really bother the reader that much. If I write a comic called "Spider Guy", but its the best damned thing you've read in a while, your most likely not gonna care that its similar to spiderman.
Also for inspiration, I mainly just use real life events and experiences, and tweak small things here and there. So basically creative non fiction (with a tinge of fiction here and there). But I do have ideas for fiction stuff

 

[pr0phecy718]

i know johnnyredstorm is one

 

[elcatfisho]

as a writer, your motivation is to not end up living in a van DOWN BY THE RIVER!!!

 

[johnnyredstorm]

I have sorta the same issue as you. When I was working and in school I would pop out ten pages a day, stay up all night, be filled with ideas like it was nothing, but after I graduated and stumbled into unemployment, things slowed down a lot. Writers go through funks just like hitters and pitchers, you just need to not let it affect you and know what you're capable of doing. Read more (a lot more) and read some quality stuff that's different from what you have experienced. Currently I'm reading Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls and already, even though I haven't written anything of substance in a month or so (it's really longer than that), I'm starting to feel the creativity leaking again.

Also meditate, it helps you a lot. I think that's also part of the reason why I've been in a funk, I haven't really meditated in a long long time. I also haven't been inspired. Find out what inspires you and draw from that well each morning, afternoon and night. For me, nothing inspires me like a woman. If I'm crushing on a girl, hooking up with her, etc. my prose is at its best.

The real key to writing brilliantly, and having what is an original and heartfelt story is experience. Experience as much as you possibly can. Travel, go ziplining, chase after a gazelle. The more you experience and the wider array of interests you take, the more empirical data you'll have to manipulate into fiction. Writing is one part what you know, one part what you want to know, and two parts believing in yourself.

Stay positive, know you have the means within you to be successful, keep your mind clear, and write write write. If you don't have an idea present, stand in front of whatever you write on (or sit), close your eyes, think of nothing, and then just start writing without thinking. Let your superconsciousness take over and develop your story on the fly. Life is unpredictable so write freely and let your characters play out of the original situation they were put in. It's all cause and effect. If you start your piece with your character going to the bank, have him arrive and ask yourself what happens next. Does he flirt with the teller, does the place get held up (and how does he react to that), does he barely even communicate, deposits his money, leaves and gets stabbed right outside (and then you progress from there)?

Don't kill yourself thinking too much about what kinda plot you want, how original you want everything to be, what kinda characters you wanna develop. Just start writing and progress from there. You have as many revisions as you desire at your disposal to craft and carve your piece however you want.

Also take a gander at chapter 11 of Napolean Hill's Think and Grow Rich http://www.soilandhealth.....think.and.grow.rich.pdf and if you can, read and critique another writer's literature. By picking out what he or she failed to execute on, you're learning and growing. Any questions or anything feel free to pm me.

Oh yeah, if you're ever really really stuck, just kill a character. Easiest way to get thing moving again.

 

[donmega]

Originally Posted by blakep267

Originally Posted by solarius49

So I love to write.  Its something that I enjoy, and one of the few things in the world that I can honestly say that I am extremely good at.  When I graduated high school I was offered a job writing radio news stories....no humble brag, because that was in 2004, and I never took advantage of it.
My real passion is creative writing, mainly comic books, but I want to write a novel one day too.  My only problem is that I think it is damn near impossible to create an original idea, I always have a problem coming up with a great idea.  Once I start writing, the words usually flow, but my biggest problem is getting that initial inspiration.  Most of my work gets done when I am in stressful situations.  I wrote a few issues of a comic book when I was in boot camp, and I wrote alot when I was training out in the AZ desert...since then, not much

What inspires you guys?  How do you handle writer's block?  Are you working on anything now?  Can you share any tips/tricks?  What genre's do you prefer?

the base idea for a story most likely wont ever be original. But the details and characters are what makes the story stand out. ex. most high fantasy from first glance are very similar to each other, but its the small more intricate things that set them apart. But also Ive found out that, if you are a good enough writer the similarities dnt really bother the reader that much. If I write a comic called "Spider Guy", but its the best damned thing you've read in a while, your most likely not gonna care that its similar to spiderman.
Also for inspiration, I mainly just use real life events and experiences, and tweak small things here and there. So basically creative non fiction (with a tinge of fiction here and there). But I do have ideas for fiction stuff

True. Nothing is really "original" these days. For me, it all depends on how you execute the said idea. I remember one time I wrote something for a contest, one of the dudes that read my story was like "...kinda reminds me of another story I've read before"... and in all honesty I thought what I did was original. I guess sometimes it would be inevitable that one of your stuff might be somewhat similar to others.
I would suggest not thinking about the idea/inspiration. I mean, let it all come to you... 'cause it eventually will. From there it would be an easier build. 

It's good to know that you kept your love for writing fam. In my case, I gave up on it already. I've accepted the fact that I was just a victim of my own hype... not as good as I thought I was. Good luck with the stuff fam!

 

[jomitm]

Good share JRS.

I've always wanted to write a novel as well. I'm currently in school so my time is limited for this.

Right now, I'm just reading plenty of sentence structure, composition, and books regarding writing for the long haul and publishing.

Here are two I suggest:

It was the best of sentences, it was the worst of sentences by June Casagrande

The Art of War for Writer by James Scott Bell


As for a novel I'm currently reading:

Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

Dude is so damn talented. I love the way he writes.

 

[brandon3000]

i'm a director and interested in shooting a short film in the coming months. problem is i'm not the best writer. If you writers are interested in shooting something and submitting it into a festival hit me up. I'd like to read and work with someone who's also on the come up.

You can see some of my video and editing work at here or here

brandon@l4rproductions.com

 

[johnnyredstorm]

I feel like every aspiring writer should read Murakami simply to see the way he balances the supernatural and the surreal and juxtaposes them against reality. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle and Kafka on the Shore, especially.

 

[donmega]

When I was younger and writing regularly, people found it strange that I wasn't really into reading other people's stuff. I just realized it when I got older, strange indeed.

 

[frostythepoptart]

If I've got writers block or my work isn't up to par, I'll just put a sidebar and just start a fresh page and go on about my writing sucking, the writers block itself, etc.... then just come back and I might even have ideas that connect the two

 

[solarius49]

Thanks guys, there is alot of insight on this topic on NT; definitely more than I expected!
I know one thing I used to do for inspiration was to go on websites, and read about minor characters in novels/books/comics/plays, and turn their experiences into a larger scale tale

 

[mcsd31]

i am a pretty active writer. i've written a novel, have kept different blogs at different times, and regularly write essays and speeches. my top two "cures" for writers block are: 1) get as far away from the keyboard as possible, mentally and physically. for me that usually means playing basketball. 2) but if you need to push through, write about anything. write the easy stuff. write about your day. write an outline. edit something you've written.

good luck

 

[johnnyredstorm]

Originally Posted by solarius49

Thanks guys, there is alot of insight on this topic on NT; definitely more than I expected!
I know one thing I used to do for inspiration was to go on websites, and read about minor characters in novels/books/comics/plays, and turn their experiences into a larger scale tale

I kinda wanna get into writing comics a little, have any advice?

 

[streetsmarts]

i have a blog publicprivacy.org, that me and my friend are trying to develop further. alot of it is parody, and satire.

 

[c money 88 05]

Making a note for later, can't get into this much now but I'll be back, good info here

 

[classy freshman]

I have wriiten a book, have my own private blog, and am currently writing an older gentlemans autobiography.

I looooove using double entendre when I write. I love the fact that someone can read one of my essays and not even realize that I am talking about two different things at once, or one thing and not what they expected.

As far as overcomig writers block... I have to get away from the internet, shut the computet down, and sometimes just go for a walk. Like someone else had mention, meditating or any othet way of clearing your mind really helps.

 

[veryanalytical85]

Originally Posted by JohnnyRedStorm

I feel like every aspiring writer should read Murakami simply to see the way he balances the supernatural and the surreal and juxtaposes them against reality. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle and Kafka on the Shore, especially.

See, that's the thing. I'm also a writer on the side and I really don't get the hype with Murakami.

Call it asinine for me to assume this but I feel like a lot of folks who are into reading hype him up like a pair of Galaxy Foamposites.

 

[nocomment6]

Great stuff in here.

I occasionally write, short stories, working on a novel, been doing philosophical essays and soemtimes just random thoughts.
In addition I make a little money with the help of interactmedia, although one can call that kind of stuff anything, but art.

AT least it pays.


As for the creativity thing, I've come to think that by forcing it, you'll end up making weak pieces of work. And it can be mad annoying btw, but if you don't have ideas for a month, then let it be, just make sure you're letting everything inspire you and then it'll come.
A good movie, and excellent book or a walk in a park in my opinion is much more useful then hugging your mac and trying to come up with a few decent lines...

Reading The picture of Dorian Gray right nw, excellent work.

 

[johnnyredstorm]

Originally Posted by VeryAnalytical85

Originally Posted by JohnnyRedStorm

I feel like every aspiring writer should read Murakami simply to see the way he balances the supernatural and the surreal and juxtaposes them against reality. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle and Kafka on the Shore, especially.

See, that's the thing. I'm also a writer on the side and I really don't get the hype with Murakami.

Call it asinine for me to assume this but I feel like a lot of folks who are into reading hype him up like a pair of Galaxy Foamposites.

It's the weird journey he takes you on where you find something or someone you just love or are obsessed and fascinated with. Kinda like The Alchemist, you know? For me with him, I love the way he uses cats and has them playing pivotal roles (Kafka, Wind-Up Bird). 
I purchased a few books I plan to read over the next few however many days:

The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Imaginary Friends by Darren Pillsbury

we'll see how they are. I also plan to read, before the summer is up, Norwegian Wood, A Wild Sheep Chase, What Is The What, Look Homeward Angel, Wise Blood and Cosmos. 

 

[OrangeBlueGarden]

I write creativity .. that's how I molded it into my rhymes. Does anyone want to link?

 

[boys noize]

Not a writer although I do enjoy writing quite a bit. I plan to do more in the future when I have more time.

Like any other creative field though, it's not about coming up with one grand idea. It's about starting from something small that you feel strongly about and then unfurling it. Start with jotting down sentences and paragraphs. You don't have to be able to write entire chapters in one go. If you have a nugget of an idea that you think is worth considering, write it down and then return to it later. When I start a painting or a series of paintings, I never know from the very beginning what the final work will be. It's a process and it takes time but if it's something you're passionate about it will be worth it in the end.

I think it also helps to immerse yourself in words if you plan to be a writer. It never hurts to mine ideas and inspirations from other great writers.

Definitely read Haruki Murakami. The classics are Norwegian Wood and Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. I think Kafka on the Shore, South of the Border West of the Sun, and After Dark are also really great.

I recommend this book to whoever I can get to listen long enough. Read Kazuo Ishiguro's modern classic Never Let Me Go. It is a masterpiece. No hyperbole.

I'm currently reading Lolita by Nabokov and will tackle some Beat generation stuff next (Kerouac and Burroughs.)