Battling the Block: a cry for help and inspiration!

[Jazzfox]

Welp, this is a two part topic mayhap.

Having read IDW 101 TMNT and now being hooked more than ever before to have more turtles content, I feel like I really want to try and create some of my own

Yet, I feel the struggle is real against creativity with battling writers block and I try to fight the lack of energy often to get myself doodling or trying to string words together, and would like to ask any creators here how they feel about using their creativity, especially in the current climate of gloom and doom when it can try and drain you

I'd like writing to be an escape of sorts, so, I fear that a lot of my own pieces end up being self-indulgent pieces of fluff usually, but I'd like to expand more on them to try and make a broader appeal.

As for that second part of the topic? Well, I'd like to enclose an example of one of these fluff pieces, so, I'll spoiler that. Whilst I'd be happy to hear folks with any help on my writing, I'm also happier to talk just in broad strokes in the hope of rekindling some creative muse with you guys =B

Spoiler:

This piece is a small lil excerpt I began writing imagining what it'd be like to end up just one of the occupants of Mutant Town. Sadly I've yet to read Jennika's mini to see more on the folks of the town, but my bigger problem seems to be that I hit a conclusion already and this fanfic turned into a fanclip or fanfic-let?

I'd like to see what I could do with taking it from here, but, really, the first step is the most important and still debate whether or not there's a start to be had from this:

Jasmine sat slumped in her overstuffed armchair and stared at the blank sheet of paper that glared accusingly back at her from where it sat in the typewriter.

The white furred fox had decided that trying to start a new piece of written work was much like a game of chicken, with her staring just as blankly back at the piece of paper. Each daring the other to make the first move and neither willing to blink.

Unfortunately it was a game Jasmine was stuck playing, shackled in place as she let her gaze hover over the rim of her glasses and glanced at the plaster cast on her leg that kept her there.

"...I miss Pizza." Jasmine sighed as she sunk further into the chair in defeat.

"That a new one for the list, hun?"

"On top of many things I miss from being human," Jasmine glanced up at the black furred feline who had just waltzed in with their laundry in her arms, "Any news?"

"News? Let's see..." Jeri dropped the laundry with a light thump onto a crate operating as their table before yanking down the bandanna she had been covering her muzzle with and straightening her whiskers back out, "Are we both still mutants? Yes, yes we are.

"Have they lifted the quarantine keeping us all stuck in here? No, no they have not.

"Are we now faced with a daily struggle not only to survive, but to wrestle with the true meaning of our humanity and who we are as our natures are laid bare with the absence of processed cheese and deep pan dough? I don't even know-"

"Okay, okay," Jasmine tried to hold back her disappointment at Jeri's decided lack of empathy on processed foods, but her new fox physiology failed her as her ears folded, "Point taken, just, you know, it's the little things I miss from being human."

Jeri smiled in sympathy, leaving the laundry momentarily to attend Jasmine, "C'mere."

The pair locked lips, tilting heads as they'd had to learn to accommodate their new differently shaped mouths. And as they did, their hands met too, fingers intertwining and holding on. No matter how many things would change for them, it was a reminder both needed and one Jasmine was most grateful for.

No matter what the world would try to take away from them, they still had each other.

[Voltron]

Spoiler:

It seems to me, the conflict here is figuring out what it means to be a fox-mutant and being stuck under quarantine.

Maybe Jasmine shouldn't be in her house trying to write. Maybe she should be out in the quarantined town trying to kill time. . . find inspiration.

Maybe she finds a group of mutants who are really upset about the quarantine, and decide they're going to do something about it. Maybe it's not exactly something Jasmine is comfortable with. . .

That's my two cents, anyway. It probably isn't all that good, but my writer's block has been going on for years, so. . . welcome to the club?

[Jazzfox]

Originally Posted by Voltron

Spoiler:

It seems to me, the conflict here is figuring out what it means to be a fox-mutant and being stuck under quarantine.

Maybe Jasmine shouldn't be in her house trying to write. Maybe she should be out in the quarantined town trying to kill time. . . find inspiration.

Maybe she finds a group of mutants who are really upset about the quarantine, and decide they're going to do something about it. Maybe it's not exactly something Jasmine is comfortable with. . .

That's my two cents, anyway. It probably isn't all that good, but my writer's block has been going on for years, so. . . welcome to the club?

Spoiler:

I appreciate you taking the time to read this lil snippet over =D

I did wonder about where to take the story further and wondered about setting: a lil part of me feels like this is turning into a mini-vent against the current quarantines we have in the real world and I kinda like that, but at the same time I like your ideas on how to spread it out

A change of scenery does the world of good sometimes for inspiring writing and whatnot, and what do fanfics exist for if nothing but to try and expand the world we love in these stories?

Thanks for chipping in on the story!

Glad I'm not the only person in the writing block club, but, I'm gonna see if I've got some inspiration going and see wherei t takes if not this story some more!

I hope more folks show up here and talk some on creativity and what helps them too =O

[Kyo Hisagi]

Well if I understand you correctly you're struggling with lack of energy and a writer block? There's a ton of books that could help you, actually. For example, stuff like Brick by Brick.

But first of all...
1) Get rest. That's important. Sleep well
2) Get motivated. Read stuff you found funny, watch movies you like action scenes in etc. You could also create, how do you call, a wall of inspiration? You could get some photos or comic book scenes you find suitable for your story and attach them to your wall as a poster to get the mood you needed.
3) Write what you know about well or do a research + always write about what you love. I can't write about stuff I don't like. It's boring. But I love time travel and monsters fighting monsters, for example)

Sry English is not my first language.

[Jazzfox]

Hey there! =D Don't worry none, your english is great!

I'm still struggling with the energy/writers block, but you've given me a ton to work with, thank you!

I particularly like the idea of a wall of inspiration and will see if I can build up something there to try and put my mood together hopefully!

(Just hope I don't flood this board if inspiration does hit right now!)