How to get my writing ability 'back'?

Post Reply New Topic

Hi! I'll try and keep this short.

Ever since I started to believe in God, I've become happier - a lot less depressive, less hating of my own body, no longer having suicidal impulses etc etc. So whilst I wouldn't trade this for the world, when I was feeling crappy and unsafe, and like nobody was there for me, was when I wrote. I've been told by many I'm half decent and I actually tend to agree (I feel really awful being arrogant >.<).

But now I get comforted when I'm sad, I don't write anymore, and when I try to, the standard of writing is WAY below what I usually do.

Any ideas on how to get the motivation to write back (apart from making myself miserable!), and how to get the standard of writing back up?

Writing is kind of like acting, in that you have to put yourself into the right headspace to do it well, You tell an actor to play a scene where he's really angry, and even if he isn't, you yell, "ACTION" and he's yelling and carrying on, then the scene ends and he's back to normal.

You seem to be saying your writing skill is best when you're in that depressive state, so you have to do what the actor does: Make yourself depressed just long enough to write, then get out again. An actor does it by remembering something in their lives that's like what the character is feeling, and feeds from it. It should be enough for you just to remember the feelings you once had. Remembering when you were depressed isn't the same as BEING depressed, but it should be enough to get you in the right place to write.

Read some books you enjoy. I find books can be inspirational, gives me ideas to write about. Many times I try to emulate the style like Douglas Adams or Ray Bradbury.

If you enjoy writing, then it doesn't matter whether somebody thinks its any good, besides, the more you write the better you will get.

Steven King wrote a book called "On Writing" and in it he talks about how writers are not really good at judging their own work. There might be something you think is no good, but other people love. Or you might attach yourself to a piece of writing that no one can relate to.

I find it's better not to attach myself to the things I write. I have no idea whether what I write is good or bad, each person has their own preferences.

I tend to write best when I am angry. When I am depressed I don't even get out of bed.

I have to be riding high on coffee and clear headed when I write. Depression is a non-starter for me, because I end up just dwelling on what's getting me down, rather than getting to work. Same with anxiety.

-Bill, otherwise known as Kraichgauer

Purchase the sacrid pen of Dajumir from an aged, blind prophesizing gypsy in that run-down antique shop at the far side of town. Then you must fill the ink tube with the blood of Steven King. Once you have those things, you'll need to aquire the holy parchment, which is kept in a vault inside the Vatican.

sell your soul to Satan in exchange for a writing talent!

Thanks for all the advice!