Writer's block but not

[EloquentPhoenix]

Well, it's difficult to explain exactly what I mean, because it's like writer's block but different. I can deal with normal writer's block on a story, but I get times when I just can't write anything. It sounds like writer's block I know. It's not for lack of inspiration (which is generally my writer's block problem) or lack of time. I'll just stop completely and won't be able to write or ever feel in the mood to attempt to get past it. And then it will just go and I'll be able to write lots again (and this always happens at a time when I have exams or something or other). You might notice that I tend to post in blocks, I'll have a spell of writing new stories then just stop for aaaaages. It's really annoying as it's so far stopped me from writing a chapter fic, which is something I really want to do. It's really frustrating when I get lots of ideas and I just can't write! if I ever try to push past it the story ends up awful. I can always tell when I'm at the start of being able to write (like now) because I am considering stories that have been waiting a while to be written, and i can tell when i'm going back into not being able to write because I just stop thinking about writing and if I do I just can't.

So, basically, if you understood that, has anyone else had the same problem and even if you haven't does anyone have any advice on how to keep my flow going when I can feel it just drifting away?

[Sensiblyquirky]

This really won't be that helpful, but to let you know others have this problem. I just finished reading a biography on Charlotte Bronte, an author from the 1840s, and she would have your problem. There were times when she would go weeks or even months without writing because her inspiration had just stopped, though she may not have had any ideas where you claim you do. Charlotte though suffered from illness and boughts of depression that probably added to the stress she felt to write.

I'm not sure if I can give any hints as to how to combat that. I confess it is rather interesting considering you claim to still get ideas...this may sound odd but have you tried acting the scenes you see in your head out or just talking them out? If talking just start in fragments, attempting to verbalize minimally and maybe you'll get to the point where your speech becomes more acceptable sentence structure. Or do you mean you get a plot bunny and nothing else?

Good luck,

Christy

[helpful alias]

My first thought was something Christy had already mentioned that it is typical for people who suffer from depression. Hope you are not or come to terms with it.
Second, especially at your age it is very normal to have periods when you gather both experiences and ideas and write when you "overspill". Exams provide a calm environment for writing as you go out less, I suspect and can concentrate on your writing better.
Writing any fic takes planning. The difference is that you plan a one-shot in your head. Planning a chapter fic takes time. It is the hardest part of writing. Do not worry about lacking the skill to do it, it develops as you get older.

[EloquentPhoenix]

Hey thank you both.

Sensiblyquirky: I generally get a plotbunny but it's not unusal for me lay them to rest without writing them sometimes. Then I get anything from minimal plot development to lots of ideas for the story. It varies depending upon how much of an idea it was in the first place. But then I can't seem to get past it being planned out in my mind or on paper. I shall try acting the scenes out in my head and writing bits I like. not so sure about speaking it out loud, I might get odd responses from my family.

Helpful alias: No, no I'm certainly not depressed, but thank you for your concern. The only thing my mood affects is the type of story which I write. Thanks for your comments about a calmer environment making me more able to write, I will see how it affects me. You sound older than me by the way said about when I get older and at my time of life, so I trust your experience and hopefully when I am getting overspill I can continue when I don't. Thanks for your advice on planning chapter stories. All I meant by that was sometimes I can plan out a nice chapter story I really want to write, but then stop writing and either can't pick up the thread again or have changed my mind about wanting to write the story. but yeah I do hope my planning gets better as it might help me continuing to write.

I'll keep what you both said in mind when I get to a point where my general flow of writing stops and persevere with it. Thanks for understanding and trying to help me. You see I wouldn't have said anything but writing is the only form of creative output I have since I'm hopeless musically and artistically etc and it does get frustrating.

[nemi]

I know exactly how you feel! I have a problem with writing that's vaguely the same; sometimes it's because I'm not sure what to write, but usually (and recently) it's because I just can't. I know what's going to happen and I have enough time to write it; I just end up procrastinating.

My advice is to know what you want to do, as then you have a goal. You know what you want to put in your chapter; all you have to do is write it. I usually visualise what's going to happen, particularly specific dialogue scenes, expressions and locations, and decide on feelings at particular moments.

Once you know what you want to happen, just sit down and try to write it. Imagine the proud feeling you'll get when you've finished it (I always feel pleased with myself when I post a new chapter; I can't help it!). You'll probably find that after a while your writing starts to flow again.

You may think to yourself when you try and write, "Oh, this is going to end up awful," but just remember how you want it to sound. What feelings do you want to evoke? What impression do you want to make? Write with that in mind and it'll be okay! It probably would be okay anyway- look at it objectively, as if you were reading it as someone else.

I'm currently in the middle of two chapter fics as well, and it gets annoying when I get stuck, as I hate looking at them just sitting there unfinished. Usually when I can't write the next chapter of a story I remind myself of what I originally planned for the plot to be - when I think of a new story plot it usually has a number of factors: the beginning/introduction etc, a part that sets the scene, a big event that things happen around and according to, and the end, ie a parting or kiss or wedding etc. Imagine main points, and then think HOW you're going to get to them.

All in all, visualise things and imagine how proud you'll feel when you've finished writing. I hope my incessant rambling helped

[EloquentPhoenix]

It did, thank you, I'm going to really work at keeping writing now, with lots of different ideas on how to help now one of them must work