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Temptress
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-06-15
Posts 7136
Mobile, AL

0 posted 2003-04-26 03:18 AM



What are some of the biggest things keeping you away from Passions and/or from your writing these days. (if this applies to anyone)

Do tell.


Keeping me away from Passions is work. Keeping me away from writing is work, being mentally exhuasted, lack of confidence in my material, lack of time. I could go on, but I prefer to let someone else have the floor..jus bring it back, k?

You could hurt me with your bare hands. You could hurt me using the sharp edge of what you say. JEWEL

© Copyright 2003 Jennifer - All Rights Reserved
Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704

1 posted 2003-04-26 06:35 AM


Keeping me away from writing...

In the last four years - since 1999 when I started to write poetry seriously my style, and poetic ability, has gone through so much growth.

Now I've stopped. I don't know where to go next. Everything I write feels stiff, sameish and just downright blah.

The last poem I posted here was one I had started in August last year and left incomplete. I completed it in five minutes and chucked it on the boards for something to do hah.

I can't write. I have nothing to say.

K

ps - hugs to the exhaustion hon...I hear you..


Local Parasite
Deputy Moderator 10 Tours
Member Elite
since 2001-11-05
Posts 2527
Transylconia, Winnipeg
2 posted 2003-04-26 01:36 PM


I understand what Severn is saying... it's hard to just sit down and make yourself write.  The problem is that when you feel like writing or have the time to sit down and slap words together, you most often can't think of anything... and then when you catch a glimpse of something inspiring, you're nowhere near a paper or pen... and you can't really record it.

I've started taking notes on experiences I have, then when I get home, reading those over a little bit... and that can help me sit down and write something that happened earlier in the day.  It's a good way to keep yourself organized with writing and keep the juices flowing.

Don't force anything... just don't let anything slip past.

Anyhow, what's keeping me from writing is the lack of anything interesting happening to me.  Whenever I see something that inspires, I write it... I just haven't gotten inspiration for a little while.  That's all.

God becomes as
we are that we
may be as he
is
~William Blake

Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
3 posted 2003-04-26 02:00 PM


Being poetically museless sucks! Being busy sucks!

Sigh.

I understand everything you've all said. Poetry cannot be forced, there has to be a connection between the soul, the heart, the brain, the hands. I turned to prose because the poems weren't there anymore. My last 4 poems died a horrible fiery crashing death!!

I blamed my insomnia for my lack of muse - and then wham! The darn thing turned on me and gave me some prose inspiration.

Maybe a change in style is good once in a while. I like a poet that can surprise me with a different style of writing. I think it shows they're stretching their talent.

I am finding it increasing hard to reply to poems and it's pure jealousy. How dare these people post 3 poems a day when I can't even write 3 poems a month!! I am sorry. Really. For the book, I looked through my writing and only found two that I felt were worthy of being placed in a book. I have so little confidence in my writing lately. I wish there was a magic lamp to rub that would give me that fire to write!!

Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669
Michigan, US
4 posted 2003-04-26 02:39 PM


In my experience, the greatest obstacle to writing is our own ambition. When you go in search of the masterpiece, the opus, the "meaningful" poem or story, your expectations sit on your shoulder and berate everything you touch. Nothing is ever good enough, so that's exactly what we end up writing - nothing.

The answer, for me, has always been to turn the telescope around and peer down the wrong end. Themes become much smaller, and I can concentrate on words and lines and stanzas, instead of "big" poems and profound set scenes. I build little things. With a hope, way in the back somewhere, they just might grow.

Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
5 posted 2003-04-26 03:38 PM


I think turning the telescope on myself resulted in my latest prose...insomnia. I have it and wanted to explore it, use it. Maybe my muse is telling me to let go of poetry for a time?
Kellie_Cantrell
Senior Member
since 2002-05-22
Posts 1667
New York
6 posted 2003-04-26 10:38 PM


School work is causing me to write less.

(¨`·.·´¨) (¨`·.·´¨)
  ·.¸(¨`·.·´¨)¸.·´
     *`·.¸.·´*

Love Always,
Marrie

I TAWT I TAW a puddy CAT!

Temptress
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-06-15
Posts 7136
Mobile, AL
7 posted 2003-04-27 03:32 AM


K,
I am experiencing something similar. Nothing is satisfying or good enough to write about lately that I haven't already done. I usually don't have a problem getting the poems out once I can sit down and concentrate, but that is difficult to do these days. Major changes going on right now, and I think my writing is taking a backseat when it shouldn't. Thanks for the hugs. ((hugs you back))

Local Parasite,
The exact problem is when I finally get home I have so much to do before I need to get into bed that I can't just sit down and look at anything. Its also unnerving because where I'm living right now, I really can't get very much total quiet time.

Sharon,
I wouldn't say I'm museless. I think I'm just not motivated enough due to the exhaustion factor. That is due to all the changes going on in my life right now. I'm ready to DO something..anything...take life by the reins again, but it seems like its still not time to do the galloping that I want to do. So...I'm still at a walking pace hoping that by the time I get the things I want, its not too late.

As far as prose, I'm not sure I have the attention span for prose or stories, because I'm sure they all have some complete structure. I am doing what I would call journal entry type of writing (although nothing as simple as "what did I do today, etc", but it just isn't very satisfying.


Ron,
Its strange because I once read that if someone is truly a writer, they sit down and write whether they are inspired or not. I took that very seriously then, and still do. I also take what my 5th grade art teacher told us all in elementary school. She told us a true artist is never completely satisfied with their work. Maybe I take these things a little too much to heart? I'm wondering if I should rethink these two statements so I don't put so much pressure on myself.

You are correct about the masterpiece issue. I am so busy trying to make each and everything I write good, that it makes me freeze if it isn't. In writing, is doing something (even if its not very good) more healthy than doing nothing at all?


More thoughts:
In the times I find that my writing isn't coming along very well, I usually pick up a book to take my mind off of the stress the lack of writing causes. Books were always a good source of inspiration for me, but I don't read even half as much as I used to. I wonder if there should be a good balance of reading and writing.

Laters for now, everyone.

You could hurt me with your bare hands. You could hurt me using the sharp edge of what you say. JEWEL

Temptress
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-06-15
Posts 7136
Mobile, AL
8 posted 2003-04-27 03:34 AM


Kellie,
Sorry...didn't mean to skip over ya there.


At times my writing kept me from getting any schoolwork done.

have you ever had that problem?

You could hurt me with your bare hands. You could hurt me using the sharp edge of what you say. JEWEL

Moonlight Romeo
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Senior Member
since 2001-09-10
Posts 982
The heart of you
9 posted 2003-05-02 12:44 PM


I have always felt that you should write down everything that comes to your mind.  Yes, I mean everything.  Phrases, things that you see on signs, words that you hear in songs, things that people tell you during your days.  

I keep a small notebook with me at all times so that I cannot miss a thing.  Then, I take my ideas from that notebook.  

I am big believer in writing every day.  I try to do this, though, there are times, that I fail in this.  I need to get back to doing that.

Thank you.

Peace is the only battle worth waging.
--- Albert Camus

Temptress
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-06-15
Posts 7136
Mobile, AL
10 posted 2003-05-03 02:01 AM


MR..
but what is the biggest thing keeping you away from your writing and maybe Passions these days?

You could hurt me with your bare hands. You could hurt me using the sharp edge of what you say. JEWEL

Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704

11 posted 2003-05-03 07:45 AM


quote:
Its strange because I once read that if someone is truly a writer, they sit down and write whether they are inspired or not. I took that very seriously then, and still do. I also take what my 5th grade art teacher told us all in elementary school. She told us a true artist is never completely satisfied with their work. Maybe I take these things a little too much to heart? I'm wondering if I should rethink these two statements so I don't put so much pressure on myself.


You know Jenn I've been wandering around thinking about this for the past few days...I know what it's like when you read something, or are told something, that sticks in your mind like mud and you almost can't move past it. In response to this I'd have to say that you can't let yourself, or your beliefs, be defined without room to move within in them.

Even the most famous authors have writer's block. Some even stop writing for a time ~gasp~. Is the status of writer revoked? Hell no. One of the author's who taught me in uni wrote the first chapter to a book - set it down and came back to finish it twenty years later! He did write other things in between of course...but there are no set rules hon. If you have such an established belief, you will create needless anxiety, and possibly self fulfilling prophecies for yourself. I'm not saying give up and never write again. I'm not even saying don't push yourself. What I'm saying is - be gentle to Jenn.

A true artist is never satisfied?

Hm.

Bollocks.

One can always strive for better sure. But you know - with writing - you reach a point where you have to let a piece go, whether poem, short story or novel, and move on. There can be satisfaction in the moving on, and a sense of completion yes?

For myself right now, and in part due to this thread, I've decided to just be gentle to K. I'll write when I feel like it - be it weeks or months. If I get to the end of the year - then it's time to push myself. But between now and the end of the year - nope, it'll come if it wants to. Maybe you could set yourself a time period too - one where you actively decide to to be free of anxiety about not writing. Set a goal for when you'll start pushing yourself a little. We could compare notes on how it's going lollol...just a thought

hugs dear

K





JP
Senior Member
since 1999-05-25
Posts 1343
Loomis, CA
12 posted 2003-05-03 12:58 PM


It's gotta be that damn internet porn!

seriously though... time, inspiration, too many things going on at the same time, trying to make new, closer friends on line, putting my energies into getting to know them (trying to see them nekid), and expanding my horizons.

and for those who expect it (my whining), no one reads my stuff anyway - except for those select few long-time compadres who are always with me, in my posts and in my heart.

Damn, tried to be vainglorious and ended up getting mushy....

Not... enough... coffee...

Yesterday is ash, tomorrow is smoke; only today does the fire burn.
Nil Desperandum, Fata viem invenient

Masked Intruder
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 Tours
Moderator
Senior Member
since 1999-05-23
Posts 1231
Near golden sunsets
13 posted 2003-05-10 03:35 AM


A tornado tried to take my computer.  But, I ran.  It took me a while to get plugged back in.  *grins*

I come to Passions and read a lot.  I've never been one to respond or post much.  Yeah less than 800.  lol  So you can't really tell that I pop in.  I don't know what's keeping me from writing these days.  It obviously isn't a lack of imagination.  Hell, I just spouted out five or six usable lines for Sharon in about two minutes.  Maybe I'm completely unmotivated, or maybe it's a different kind of completely uninspired.  I dunno.  Moving on.

Skyfire
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since 2000-12-27
Posts 3381
Riding
14 posted 2003-05-12 05:23 PM


eh I'm still around Passions, I reply when I read something that catches my eye... What keeps me from my writing? Lack of inspiration. I find inspiration in absolutely nothing these days, it's rather annoying.  C'est la vie though, I guess.
have a good one

Sven
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Member Laureate
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA
15 posted 2003-05-13 12:52 PM


what's kept me away for so long?

myself. . . and, a lack of acceptance of who I am by another. . .

what's kept me away from my writing?

myself again. . . and, a lack of good words. . . so, come on people. . . I've got a thread in Poetry Challenge that I could use some help with!!!

thanks Jenn. . . it's good to be back. . . I've really missed this place. . .

---------------------------------------------------------------------

To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world.

sea_of_okc
Senior Member
since 1999-06-15
Posts 568
Oklahoma City, OK, USA
16 posted 2003-05-19 02:49 PM



Work, children, my wife's cancer (cured now thank God) and 100 little things that always seem to demand my time.

As for inspiration I think my muse is a twisted little chit usually feeding me a couple lines and then leaving me to try to find the rest... I guess sometimes I just don't have the nergy to work at it

littlewing
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655
New York
17 posted 2003-05-20 07:02 AM


Hmmmm . . .

I never stop writing even if it is not
the best form, style etc. because with each write I learn to hone myself through everyone here.

Everytime I write - it is like an entry in a diary . . .  I look back and go
ohhhhh . . . that really was quite awful and often I look back and go - hmmm . . . cant believe I wrote that!

Never stop writing - many times I have found an entire story in a quickly scribbled line on a register receipt.
Always always keeping paper and pen by my side - never knowing when it will strike - I write and write and will forever be growing and learning . . .

This is the soul of a writer . . .
ever-changing

If I do not write . . . no matter if it is dribble or not - I would be depriving myself of oxygen

xxoo  

Sven
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Member Laureate
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA
18 posted 2003-05-20 12:34 PM


bringing you back the floor



-------------------------------------------------------------------

To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world.

KristieSue
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Senior Member
since 2003-01-31
Posts 1460
PA, US
19 posted 2003-05-20 01:03 PM


lack of time, depression, death, stress, things happening in my life that cause me to not want to write or even live, work, and just losing interest for awhile.

Failure isn't failure if a lesson from it is learned ~ KS

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