I am really lacking in holidays for my world Tam'nýer—a', most especially because I only have one at the moment. Needless to say, I've fallen behind, and the holidays loaded with people, gifts and warm fuzzies didn't give much time for the cogs of creativity to turn. Now in a free time gap from people, responsibilities and work for the next 3 days I thought I'd take advantage to come up with as much as possible for my dear sweet world. However, it hasn't been working out so well, and I thought I'd share my successful failure with you all as being fellow writers, I'm certain that you can relate.
this is a holiday
it holidays all the other holidays. i need a holiday for my holiday in my holiday for the remaining time of my holiday. this holiday is for winter because winter needs the most holidays as it is the most holidayed holiday on Earth. if my holiday doesn't celebrate a holiday what's the point of this holiday?
please let me holiday my holiday.
anything.
brain.
brain is on holiday during my holidays of all holidays.
Did that hurt?
Me too.
this is a holiday
it holidays all the other holidays. i need a holiday for my holiday in my holiday for the remaining time of my holiday. this holiday is for winter because winter needs the most holidays as it is the most holidayed holiday on Earth. if my holiday doesn't celebrate a holiday what's the point of this holiday?
please let me holiday my holiday.
anything.
brain.
brain is on holiday during my holidays of all holidays.
Did that hurt?
Me too.
I completely feel your pain. I've been writing all day (attempting at least, dastardly writer's block!), and then absconded to my office this evening with plotting boards and inspirational music. I've rounded out maybe a few extra scenes and then... nothing. I look at the darn thing and absolutely nothing happens in my brain. Boo.
Ah, well. Maybe this weekend...
Ah, well. Maybe this weekend...
There is always hope for the weekend! If you discover something that works, pass the oil would you? But I am glad to hear that you had some success before your brain conked out for the evening. 
I can't ever brainstorm at desktop computer. I go into a separate room, put on some good music (for me without words), usually light some incense, and lately I've been using odd lighting sources rather than the overhead light. I've got a cool old lantern stuffed with Christmas lights, and a unique lamp on my desk, and with those combined it's enough light for me to see. It seems to help!
I'm not sure if world building might be the same, but with plotting, turning to paper and pen really helps for some reason. I think maybe the principal should be the same, but breaking it down into smaller pieces helps. In my case, I write scenes, no matter how small, on index cards and then organize them in order. I imagine the same sort of thing would work for what you're doing! I had read many times over that doing it would help and never believed it until I tried it.
I'm not sure if world building might be the same, but with plotting, turning to paper and pen really helps for some reason. I think maybe the principal should be the same, but breaking it down into smaller pieces helps. In my case, I write scenes, no matter how small, on index cards and then organize them in order. I imagine the same sort of thing would work for what you're doing! I had read many times over that doing it would help and never believed it until I tried it.
I have a few suggestions to help you with your holiday world building.
1. Take a break from it. If no inspiration is coming, then trying to force it is just going to make you feel more frustrated and be even more counterproductive. Go do something fun, don't think about it and then come back to it later when you feel refreshed.
2. If you really want to try working on it, perhaps take a look at Holidays from other cultures. Perhaps you'll be inspired to take bits and pieces from these Holidays to use for your own.
1. Take a break from it. If no inspiration is coming, then trying to force it is just going to make you feel more frustrated and be even more counterproductive. Go do something fun, don't think about it and then come back to it later when you feel refreshed.
2. If you really want to try working on it, perhaps take a look at Holidays from other cultures. Perhaps you'll be inspired to take bits and pieces from these Holidays to use for your own.
I'm no expert in this,but I've tried world building on discord,and it is hard. Here are some tips I've used from friends: 1.Take inspiration from anything or anywhere.Whether real places like Tel Aviv or anime,like Ouran Highschool!2.Try not to copy so much. Sure,if you like a building so much,then maybe you could include that with your own touch,but don't just straight up copy the whole darn thing. 3.Most importantly,take a break. Go ahead and relax,drink some boba tea and have a unicorn concha,you deserved it. Sit back with your favorite show,and chillax,amigo!
Hope this helped.
---Shi
Hope this helped.
---Shi
Wait, that probably didn't help.That was for appearance of cities.
Sorry! ((But if ya need my somewhat useful advice, it's always there.))
---Shi
Sorry! ((But if ya need my somewhat useful advice, it's always there.))
---Shi
As a fellow worldbuilder, I know exactly what this is like. 
I’m always creating more and more of Veritae and have come across some of these bumps too occasionally.
I would suggest taking a different approach. Instead of just letting things come to you, decide on a particular aspect you want to work on, whether that’s land appearance, climate, government, social structures, international relations, cultures, and the like. Then feel free to research existing things relating to that topic and adapt your own version of the one that calls to you the most. Research does wonders for inspiration. It takes a little effort and brain power but there’s nothing like the joy of suddenly finding something you really like in your research.
I’m always creating more and more of Veritae and have come across some of these bumps too occasionally.
I would suggest taking a different approach. Instead of just letting things come to you, decide on a particular aspect you want to work on, whether that’s land appearance, climate, government, social structures, international relations, cultures, and the like. Then feel free to research existing things relating to that topic and adapt your own version of the one that calls to you the most. Research does wonders for inspiration. It takes a little effort and brain power but there’s nothing like the joy of suddenly finding something you really like in your research.
First off, let me give a shoutout to everyone who responded. You guys gave some great tidbits of advice, and even if that wasn't what I was looking for, it is helpful and was a nice way to wake up. Thank you.
I love the sound of your lamp and room. I find blocking out the outside world at times to be incredibly helpful. Maybe you've cracked the code as to why we have shower thoughts and that most of my creativity comes to me as I'm laying in the dark when trying to fall asleep.
Your lamp in particular though reminds me how important our surroundings are. Sometimes when my brain comes up dry, I create with my hands, and that's why my house is filled with origami. I actually have made about 3,400 cranes and made a chandelier in my bedroom of them because my husband required the pyrex bowls for food after a long while. But I really like that I was brought back to that, and reminded that not all creativity is writing, and that it's all right to create in different venues for a while to change things up for, Good Ol' Brain.
I'm also a fan of pen to paper. Seems like it's becoming a lost art now, doesn't it? Mind you, for me, I have no issues brainstorming on my desktop either, but I feel more relaxed when I have pen and paper in my satchel when I am out and about so that I always have a way to jot things down when ideas do come to me.
Katia, I believe we offer the same advice when people are stuck, and as Fate would have it, I followed your first piece of advice before reading it. Perhaps I received it via intuition or osmosis. I can tell you that your advice paid off and gave me a blissful evening of red wine and a box of ferrero rocher chocolates to accompany me on my journey to kill the Devil, in Diablo III that is. Because when you're going to kill a enemy of legendary proportions one should always do it with taste.
As for your second tidbit and looking at other cultures, I adore this. Been raised on documentaries, I've always been interested by what we are capable of around the world. They can be really rather eye opening. For Tam'nýer—a', I take a lot from the linguistics of the world incorporation Icelandic, Portuguese, Romanian, Sanskrit and Mayan glyphs mainly. We are rich in so many things, it is truly a wonder!
Shi, your advice was most definitely welcomed. In fact, I don't know anyone who doesn't take your advice! Being creative is something I like to think of as being on a global scale. There is a saying that everything has been thought up already and that there are no original thoughts. To be honest, I find it to be a bit cynical and perhaps that is the point, but I think in our own little circles and getting inspiration from everything can truly make us inspiration for other people because what we take away is not necessarily what someone else will. Through sharing and brainstorming together, through basic chit chats over coffee we can influence and build up those around us, that we care about. So, I think your advice is truly intuitive.
Regarding taking a break, as aforementioned, I did it in style; drinking wine, eating chocolate and playing video games whilst listening to the rain.
**P.ost S.cript: I read your kudos. It was incredibly unexpected and terribly sweet. And because you mentioned it, it's pronounced Tam-near-ah.
Ah, you challenge the mind and go straight for the juicy parts, don't you? I love it! Making it as in depth as possible nad well-thought out is most certainly my jam. When it comes to governments, I admit, I am not the most educated, but boy do I have a lot of bookmarks on it. @_@ I truly adore your flair, not to mention your little 'neck of the woods' that I am just barely scratching the surface on with Wren. Thank you for your words. Here's hoping the cogs get turning soon so that I can write Wren!
And thank you everyone! Very sweet and much appreciated.
pltjess wrote:
I can't ever brainstorm at desktop computer. I go into a separate room, put on some good music (for me without words), usually light some incense, and lately I've been using odd lighting sources rather than the overhead light. I've got a cool old lantern stuffed with Christmas lights, and a unique lamp on my desk, and with those combined it's enough light for me to see. It seems to help!
I'm not sure if world building might be the same, but with plotting, turning to paper and pen really helps for some reason. I think maybe the principal should be the same, but breaking it down into smaller pieces helps. In my case, I write scenes, no matter how small, on index cards and then organize them in order. I imagine the same sort of thing would work for what you're doing! I had read many times over that doing it would help and never believed it until I tried it.
I'm not sure if world building might be the same, but with plotting, turning to paper and pen really helps for some reason. I think maybe the principal should be the same, but breaking it down into smaller pieces helps. In my case, I write scenes, no matter how small, on index cards and then organize them in order. I imagine the same sort of thing would work for what you're doing! I had read many times over that doing it would help and never believed it until I tried it.
I love the sound of your lamp and room. I find blocking out the outside world at times to be incredibly helpful. Maybe you've cracked the code as to why we have shower thoughts and that most of my creativity comes to me as I'm laying in the dark when trying to fall asleep.
Your lamp in particular though reminds me how important our surroundings are. Sometimes when my brain comes up dry, I create with my hands, and that's why my house is filled with origami. I actually have made about 3,400 cranes and made a chandelier in my bedroom of them because my husband required the pyrex bowls for food after a long while. But I really like that I was brought back to that, and reminded that not all creativity is writing, and that it's all right to create in different venues for a while to change things up for, Good Ol' Brain.
I'm also a fan of pen to paper. Seems like it's becoming a lost art now, doesn't it? Mind you, for me, I have no issues brainstorming on my desktop either, but I feel more relaxed when I have pen and paper in my satchel when I am out and about so that I always have a way to jot things down when ideas do come to me.
Katia wrote:
I have a few suggestions to help you with your holiday world building.
1. Take a break from it. If no inspiration is coming, then trying to force it is just going to make you feel more frustrated and be even more counterproductive. Go do something fun, don't think about it and then come back to it later when you feel refreshed.
2. If you really want to try working on it, perhaps take a look at Holidays from other cultures. Perhaps you'll be inspired to take bits and pieces from these Holidays to use for your own.
1. Take a break from it. If no inspiration is coming, then trying to force it is just going to make you feel more frustrated and be even more counterproductive. Go do something fun, don't think about it and then come back to it later when you feel refreshed.
2. If you really want to try working on it, perhaps take a look at Holidays from other cultures. Perhaps you'll be inspired to take bits and pieces from these Holidays to use for your own.
Katia, I believe we offer the same advice when people are stuck, and as Fate would have it, I followed your first piece of advice before reading it. Perhaps I received it via intuition or osmosis. I can tell you that your advice paid off and gave me a blissful evening of red wine and a box of ferrero rocher chocolates to accompany me on my journey to kill the Devil, in Diablo III that is. Because when you're going to kill a enemy of legendary proportions one should always do it with taste.
As for your second tidbit and looking at other cultures, I adore this. Been raised on documentaries, I've always been interested by what we are capable of around the world. They can be really rather eye opening. For Tam'nýer—a', I take a lot from the linguistics of the world incorporation Icelandic, Portuguese, Romanian, Sanskrit and Mayan glyphs mainly. We are rich in so many things, it is truly a wonder!
Shipacito wrote:
I'm no expert in this,but I've tried world building on discord,and it is hard. Here are some tips I've used from friends: 1.Take inspiration from anything or anywhere.Whether real places like Tel Aviv or anime,like Ouran Highschool!2.Try not to copy so much. Sure,if you like a building so much,then maybe you could include that with your own touch,but don't just straight up copy the whole darn thing. 3.Most importantly,take a break. Go ahead and relax,drink some boba tea and have a unicorn concha,you deserved it. Sit back with your favorite show,and chillax,amigo!
Hope this helped.
---Shi
Hope this helped.
---Shi
Shi, your advice was most definitely welcomed. In fact, I don't know anyone who doesn't take your advice! Being creative is something I like to think of as being on a global scale. There is a saying that everything has been thought up already and that there are no original thoughts. To be honest, I find it to be a bit cynical and perhaps that is the point, but I think in our own little circles and getting inspiration from everything can truly make us inspiration for other people because what we take away is not necessarily what someone else will. Through sharing and brainstorming together, through basic chit chats over coffee we can influence and build up those around us, that we care about. So, I think your advice is truly intuitive.
Regarding taking a break, as aforementioned, I did it in style; drinking wine, eating chocolate and playing video games whilst listening to the rain.
**P.ost S.cript: I read your kudos. It was incredibly unexpected and terribly sweet. And because you mentioned it, it's pronounced Tam-near-ah.
8KinTora wrote:
As a fellow worldbuilder, I know exactly what this is like.
I’m always creating more and more of Veritae and have come across some of these bumps too occasionally.
I would suggest taking a different approach. Instead of just letting things come to you, decide on a particular aspect you want to work on, whether that’s land appearance, climate, government, social structures, international relations, cultures, and the like. Then feel free to research existing things relating to that topic and adapt your own version of the one that calls to you the most. Research does wonders for inspiration. It takes a little effort and brain power but there’s nothing like the joy of suddenly finding something you really like in your research.
I’m always creating more and more of Veritae and have come across some of these bumps too occasionally.
I would suggest taking a different approach. Instead of just letting things come to you, decide on a particular aspect you want to work on, whether that’s land appearance, climate, government, social structures, international relations, cultures, and the like. Then feel free to research existing things relating to that topic and adapt your own version of the one that calls to you the most. Research does wonders for inspiration. It takes a little effort and brain power but there’s nothing like the joy of suddenly finding something you really like in your research.
Ah, you challenge the mind and go straight for the juicy parts, don't you?
I love it! Making it as in depth as possible nad well-thought out is most certainly my jam. When it comes to governments, I admit, I am not the most educated, but boy do I have a lot of bookmarks on it. @_@ I truly adore your flair, not to mention your little 'neck of the woods' that I am just barely scratching the surface on with Wren. Thank you for your words. Here's hoping the cogs get turning soon so that I can write Wren!And thank you everyone! Very sweet and much appreciated.
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