#writer's ref

[mybrainproblems]

Now I want to fic Apollo falling for Klavier when he sees this random guy with huge glasses and messy hair get in an argument with a door frame in Spanish after stubbing his toe. And Apollo is just like "that guy looks like Klavier Gavin if Klavier Gavin were attractive and not a glimmerous fop."

Klavier might be a little sleep deprived. Apollo might be a little in lust with this not-Klavier.

[betterwithoutsense]

help?

I'm trying to write a character who gets high a lot, and one who's never been high before, but I've never smoked weed, so I don't know how it feels? Could someone let me know?

[breannacasey]

All vampire media I've seen has people figuring it out because they know vampire lore or they research, but you know what would be fun? A vampire story set in a world where there is no lore and no one knows anything about vampires.

[raevenlywrites]

Handy for those of us who write across hundreds of years

[charmanth]

charmanth: So I was just on the pot

charmanth: and it occurred to me that I don't HAVE to finish dialogue

charmanth: I can interrupt it at any time by any number of means

charmanth: This... is a revelation

[mybrainproblems]

Didn't mean to unfollow you, but I do have a question: how do you write/work on your fics during, or after, depressive episode? I guess this would be considered advice more than a question, but it's just that my last episode lasted half a year, and now that I'm doing a little better, I can't find any motivation for writing anymore. Also, if this question is too personal or what have you, please disregard it. I just really admire you & your writing skills, along with managing brain problems. :)

First, welcome back! Second... oh man now that’s a question. I’ll do my best to respond based on my own experience.

So I’ve dealt with a number of major depressive episodes and I still can’t decide if my undergrad years were a series of major depressive episodes with small breaks between or just one single four year episode with a good couple weeks here and there. I’ve also dealt with much more recent ones and yeah, getting back to anything creative after a long absence is difficult (I can’t create when seriously depressed). Especially if you spent half a year majorly depressed. Honestly I don’t like the idea that your depression somehow just ~lifts~ and you’re okay again because that really isn’t how it works.

imho there’s a “post-depression” period where you kind of end up stuck; you aren’t truly “depressed” anymore but you aren’t “okay” either. It’s a mental halfway house of give and take as you try to get everything sorted out and if writing isn’t in the cards during that time then that’s okay. We don’t immediately bounce back to 100% just because we aren’t as depressed anymore. It’s not a switch that gets flipped, it’s a sliding scale.

I think the most concrete way to look at things for me is that I took one very major hiatus from At Least You’re Not Aquaman (five months I think?) and while the initial decision was based on my depression I’d actually pulled myself out of it by the time I posted again. In that month or so of time I was still recovering from the emotional exhaustion of depression and much as I wanted to write and as absolutely terrible I felt not writing, it just wasn’t happening. I tried forcing it and it made me angry, I tried leaving it and hoping inspiration and energy would strike and nothing ever hit.

What I found is that getting back to paper helped me. Normally I write in a word processing program but when I’m feeling particularly stuck it helps to get back to the physicality of paper and pen. This is an entirely personal thing and your mileage may vary. Writing on paper gives you more space to be messy and plan and add and remove more organically. You’re able to create a road map from plot point A to plot point B and not just a photograph of your final destination. This usually helps me to develop things because I can jot things down and circle back; my thought process is visual and physical. So I guess that would be where I’d recommend that you start; getting back in touch physically with your creativity. And wow, how New Age-y does that sound?

Above all though, don’t push yourself. Don’t force the words or lines that aren’t there, you’ll only upset yourself if you try to grasp what isn’t there.

Congratulations on making it through and good luck on making your way forwards. You’re here and I’m happy for you <3

.

On a lighter note: Someone once sent me a message asking if my eyebrows were the same color as my pubic hair and I answered that one. Unless an ask is personally offensive I will answer it as best and as honestly as I can, for better or for worse.

[the-fangirlingwriter]

Writing a fantasy novel involves many considerations: Worldbuilding, avoiding clichés of the genre, using popular elements such as magic originally and more. These 34 must-visit fantasy writing resources will help you with every aspect from creating fantasy maps to naming your fantasy characters.

[the-fangirling-writer]

It's time for a bit of encouragement. After a summer filled with activities that eat into your writing time, it's time to get back into the rhythm and flow of creating, of linking events and charac...