How do you guys get your muse back into gear? My depression has been really bad lately and so my muse isn't quite as high as I would like it to be, Especially with so many amazing RPers getting a hold of me. Any ideas how to get things kicking again? How do you guys get your muse going when it's low?
I need this advice too x.x
Usually for me music works. I have certain songs for each roleplay. It usually gets me motivated pretty good.
Currently I'm in a funk and music isn't working for me anymore. Bleh.
Usually for me music works. I have certain songs for each roleplay. It usually gets me motivated pretty good.
Currently I'm in a funk and music isn't working for me anymore. Bleh.
I have songs set for certain OCs that usually can get me in the mood for an RP. I just haven't been listening to my music as much lately but I really need to start to :0
GlitterPrincess wrote:
I need this advice too x.x
Usually for me music works. I have certain songs for each roleplay. It usually gets me motivated pretty good.
Currently I'm in a funk and music isn't working for me anymore. Bleh.
Usually for me music works. I have certain songs for each roleplay. It usually gets me motivated pretty good.
Currently I'm in a funk and music isn't working for me anymore. Bleh.
I'm just going to casually stalk this board for advice myself lol...
What I usually do is try to write little short pieces from a character's perspective. Just babble, really. It doesn't have to be anything that makes any sense, honestly, just a snippet from their story or an interaction that they would have. Anything that gives you a little inspiration and would make you write a paragraph or two will do. That usually helps me get back into the feel of writing without feeling the pressure to produce something that's actually worth reading and it helps me get into that character's head a little better too. ^-^
It also helps me to read over the original ideas I had for that character, or past roleplays or even posts from earlier on in the RP they're in. Anything to inspire myself.
What I usually do is try to write little short pieces from a character's perspective. Just babble, really. It doesn't have to be anything that makes any sense, honestly, just a snippet from their story or an interaction that they would have. Anything that gives you a little inspiration and would make you write a paragraph or two will do. That usually helps me get back into the feel of writing without feeling the pressure to produce something that's actually worth reading and it helps me get into that character's head a little better too. ^-^
It also helps me to read over the original ideas I had for that character, or past roleplays or even posts from earlier on in the RP they're in. Anything to inspire myself.
I might actually try this today, It may help me develop a few of my OCs as well. I never thought about it :0 Thank you for that idea! And hopefully you find some advice that helps you too 
Cordyceps wrote:
I'm just going to casually stalk this board for advice myself lol...
What I usually do is try to write little short pieces from a character's perspective. Just babble, really. It doesn't have to be anything that makes any sense, honestly, just a snippet from their story or an interaction that they would have. Anything that gives you a little inspiration and would make you write a paragraph or two will do. That usually helps me get back into the feel of writing without feeling the pressure to produce something that's actually worth reading and it helps me get into that character's head a little better too. ^-^
It also helps me to read over the original ideas I had for that character, or past roleplays or even posts from earlier on in the RP they're in. Anything to inspire myself.
What I usually do is try to write little short pieces from a character's perspective. Just babble, really. It doesn't have to be anything that makes any sense, honestly, just a snippet from their story or an interaction that they would have. Anything that gives you a little inspiration and would make you write a paragraph or two will do. That usually helps me get back into the feel of writing without feeling the pressure to produce something that's actually worth reading and it helps me get into that character's head a little better too. ^-^
It also helps me to read over the original ideas I had for that character, or past roleplays or even posts from earlier on in the RP they're in. Anything to inspire myself.
I reread the last few posts in a thread and force myself to write at least one sentence in response. By then I usually have a good enough idea for the rest of the post, even if I keep it fairly short.
When this depression thing happens to me I find that sometimes it's a sign that I have overburdened myself. At that point I start wrapping up threads and narrowing down what I have going to just one or two scenes with my favourite characters. I find this helps me stay focused because I'm not switching from thread to thread, and it gives me something to looks forward to instead of seeing the inbox as a chore.
When this depression thing happens to me I find that sometimes it's a sign that I have overburdened myself. At that point I start wrapping up threads and narrowing down what I have going to just one or two scenes with my favourite characters. I find this helps me stay focused because I'm not switching from thread to thread, and it gives me something to looks forward to instead of seeing the inbox as a chore.
dray wrote:
When this depression thing happens to me I find that sometimes it's a sign that I have overburdened myself. At that point I start wrapping up threads and narrowing down what I have going to just one or two scenes with my favourite characters. I find this helps me stay focused because I'm not switching from thread to thread, and it gives me something to looks forward to instead of seeing the inbox as a chore.
I've had to deal with this recently. When I'm doing well, I tend to take on a lot, and then I go on a down-swing and realize: oh...I can't actually manage all this like I thought.
But when I'm depressed and lacking a muse, I usually step back, take hiatus where applicable, let people know what's going on, treat it like a sick day/week/month (because it really is) and do other stuff that contributes to self-maintenance.
Eventually, I get my energy and motivation back, and I can pop back in.
So far thats what I've been doing, I've been taking a day or so every so often to relax. Depressive ruts are hard to deal with, especially when its triggered by stress. Depression in general is just downright awful. But thank you guys for sharing, Everyone replying so far has really helped me out.
I've had to deal with this recently. When I'm doing well, I tend to take on a lot, and then I go on a down-swing and realize: oh...I can't actually manage all this like I thought.
But when I'm depressed and lacking a muse, I usually step back, take hiatus where applicable, let people know what's going on, treat it like a sick day/week/month (because it really is) and do other stuff that contributes to self-maintenance.
Eventually, I get my energy and motivation back, and I can pop back in.
IlexysCrowe wrote:
dray wrote:
When this depression thing happens to me I find that sometimes it's a sign that I have overburdened myself. At that point I start wrapping up threads and narrowing down what I have going to just one or two scenes with my favourite characters. I find this helps me stay focused because I'm not switching from thread to thread, and it gives me something to looks forward to instead of seeing the inbox as a chore.
I've had to deal with this recently. When I'm doing well, I tend to take on a lot, and then I go on a down-swing and realize: oh...I can't actually manage all this like I thought.
But when I'm depressed and lacking a muse, I usually step back, take hiatus where applicable, let people know what's going on, treat it like a sick day/week/month (because it really is) and do other stuff that contributes to self-maintenance.
Eventually, I get my energy and motivation back, and I can pop back in.
Sending good thoughts, man. It's a real grappler, that illness. Do the best you can on the days you've got a bit of oomph and don't get too down on yourself if it's not as much as it could be.
Thanks Hopefully things calm down here soon.
Hopefully things calm down here soon.dray wrote:
Sending good thoughts, man. It's a real grappler, that illness. Do the best you can on the days you've got a bit of oomph and don't get too down on yourself if it's not as much as it could be.
It's hard to force things, and yeah I agree with others saying that music helps, especially if you have songs you already associate with your characters. It can help you to get into their mindset.
I focus... and then re-focus my chi.
That or I will usually have to watch something to inspire me to be inspired. Like if I'm interested in fantasy steampunk... that's what genre I'll watch.
That or I will usually have to watch something to inspire me to be inspired. Like if I'm interested in fantasy steampunk... that's what genre I'll watch.
Yeah, thank you to everyone who's given me advice on this, Things have slowly been getting better. I think most of the issue is stress here at home triggering everything and draining my muse.
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