Fic writing (or rather the lack of it)

[shapinglight]

I realised that I haven't had a good moan about fic writing (or rather my inability to do any) recently, so here goes.

Feel free to skip if you want. I know it gets tedious.



As I have probably stated with monotonous regularity (though possibly not on LJ for a while, I can't remember), I have so far failed to produce any fanfic this year. This, after five years of being fairly prolific. It makes me sad, but I can't seem to do anything about it.

I don't think it's writers' block exactly. It's more writers' can't be bothered. Or writers too bloody tired. For instance, I've found myself unexpectedly on my own this weekend (I was supposed to go to a family function but cried off). Until this year, I would have been rubbing my hands with glee about this because it would give me lots and lots of time to do some writing. However, though I fully intended to give it a try yesterday and again today, I've ended up doing nothing. It's not even that I don't have any ideas at all, (though I'm going through a very bad patch where I get plot bunnies but don't know how they end. Usually, I know how a story's going to end before I start writing it, or I don't start writing it in the first place). It's more that I lack the will/energy to actually buckle down and do the graft.

At the moment, I have one plot bunny involving Spike and Robin Wood (still not sure I'm brave enough to tackle that one) and another I picked up last week, thanks to hello_spikey, which is Spuffy set in BtVS season 4. However, I can't seem to work out coherent plots to go with the ideas so there's no point trying to start either of them. Meanwhile, my ongoing Spike/Giles story (Safe and its two sequels so far) is stalled. Meh!

Of course, it could be part of my current Buffyverse fandom malaise. I don't much feel like reading meta in the fandom either, or re-stating opinions I've held for years yet again. But that's just laziness, and unfair on newcomers to the fandom.

Anyway, I hope I get over it some day. I like writing. I think I was okay at it (not great, but okay), and it's about the only thing I am okay at, so it would be a shame if I never went back to it. Also, I hope the fandom malaise in general wears off, because much though I love many other shows, only BtVS/AtS have inspired me to write fic or meta, and I really don't see that changing.

I mean, it's hard for me to see how you would write meta about True Blood. It's lots of fun, but what is there to say beyond, how on earth do these people manage to have so much sex when it's so bloody hot all the time? Also, though I'm sure there's True Blood fanfic out there, I feel no incentive to read it or write it, because the show's done a pretty good job of including everything I might have wanted to write fanfic about anyway. :)

Onwards and upwards.

ETA: now I think of it, it would be possible to write stuff about the comparisons between the vampire/human conflict in True Blood and the Christian fundamentalist/secular conflict in America, but I'm not nearly knowledgeable enough to do that.

Comments

[bogwitch.livejournal.com]

You can moan to me, as long as I can moan back.

>>I get plot bunnies but don't know how they end

All one mine are like that, I'm mired down in about ten or so ficlets/short fics that I can't seem to find way out of.

I think enthusiasm is lacking out there and that certainly affects my enthusiasm in return. I moan about getting no feedback and I feel guilty about it every time, but if readers can't be bothered, why should I be? And I want to write! As demonstrated by the three fics I've started (but have got stuck on) this week.

[shapinglight]

You can moan to me, as long as I can moan back.

Feel free. It's an equal opportunity moan zone around here.

I moan about getting no feedback and I feel guilty about it every time, but if readers can't be bothered, why should I be? And I want to write! As demonstrated by the three fics I've started (but have got stuck on) this week.

It's true that it's very hard to keep writing fanfic if you feel no one cares. peasant_ is the only person I know who actively discourages f/b. There is less enthusiasm, though - for fanfic anyway. Not sure about meta. I can't help wondering if it is an effect of the comic after all. Dunno about you, but I never wrote any fanfic until canon was closed. I needed the whole picture before I could write any. Maybe people now feel that once again they don't have that whole picture? I know I feel that way, though I've no intention of including anything major from the comics in any fanfic I write. Ever.

And I want to write! As demonstrated by the three fics I've started (but have got stuck on) this week.

:(

[bogwitch.livejournal.com]

Much as I admire it, I just couldn't do it Peasant's way . I need to write for someone, otherwise I just don't bother.

I only wrote one fic while BtVS canon was open, but AtS was still open when I started my WIP. I suppose that because I write mainly short character studies, a closed canon is less important.

I don't see the comics affecting that, otherwise no one would have written anything during the show's run.

[shapinglight]

I need to write for someone, otherwise I just don't bother.

I'm the same. Maybe that's the mistake I've made this year (well, not in the early part of the year, but lately), I've avoided signing up for anything, and not having any deadlines to meet means I've got lazy. On the other hand, I don't work well under pressure. Instead, I just crumble away. So maybe it isn't that?

I do know that though while writing, I might be writing for myself, after I've posted if I don't get much f/b, it's very hard to take the high ground when inside you feel all stompy.

I don't see the comics affecting that, otherwise no one would have written anything during the show's run.

I think the comics have affected me. Obviously, it's not the same for everyone. Lots of people wrote fic while the show was on and were Jossed along the way. However, I couldn't. I didn't write/post any fanfic until just after the news of AtS being cancelled broke.

[dalmeny]

I've had some seriously dry years. I'm amazed I'm back writing so happily again, in fact. If I knew what caused me to switch back and forth, I'd tell you.

[shapinglight]

Well, if you work it out, I'd be glad for some tips. And I hope we'll still get to see your season 7 fic at some point. IMO it's too good not to share.

[next_to_normal]

This is pretty much exactly how I'm feeling. I managed to eke out one fic this year and thought maybe that meant my dry spell was over, but... it wasn't. I've gone right back to "can't be bothered." And it's not a problem of ideas, it's that I have nowhere to go with those ideas, and can't be bothered to try to hash them out and make them work. Also been feeling the fandom malaise lately. Meh.

So yeah, I know how you feel. *hugs*

[shapinglight]

This is pretty much exactly how I'm feeling.

:( That sounds exactly the same as how I feel, except that I haven't even managed to write one fic that's fit for public consumption. It's not that I'm bored of the Buffyverse, though. At least, not exactly. There just seems to be a gap between my theoretical enthusiasm and my lethargic reality.

I hope we all get our enthusiasm back soon but I'm not sure what it will take.

[snickfic]

another I picked up last week, thanks to hello_spikey, which is Spuffy set in BtVS season 4

!!!!!!

This is one of my dream fics: someone writing S4 Spuffy and really selling me on it, someone who won't just make it one more PWP (or else something completely OOC) and who knows one end of a sentence from the other. Someone, in fact, like you!

You want enthusism? Here. I shower you with enthusiasm. *shower* *shower*

I hope the fandom malaise in general wears off

I hope so, too. :(

Did you ever get a chance to rewatch some canon?

[shapinglight]

someone writing S4 Spuffy and really selling me on it,

Um...well, the way I've thought of to sell it to people might well be construed as cheating. It wouldn't be a PWP, though.

You want enthusism? Here. I shower you with enthusiasm. *shower* *shower*

:splutters: :looks for towel: :)

Seriously, though, inspite of feeling a bit been there, done that myself, I'm really glad there are new people coming into the fandom all full of enthusiasm, and I hope I get some of mine back.

I agree that re-watching some canon would be a good idea. I'm afraid I got distracted by other shows (Babylon 5 and True Blood, both of which I love but seem not to have a lot to say about).

[rebcake.livejournal.com]

Maybe people now feel that once again they don't have that whole picture?

I think this might be an issue for me. I am a canon whore, and I feel on such shaky ground in the last couple of months. I don't know if I'll ever really want to incorporate the comics or not. I've had bunnies set in Italy, which could possibly dovetail with the Simone arc, but overall it doesn't really inspire me.

I managed to get a fair amount done in Jan.-Feb., but I haven't written a lick of Spike/Dru this year. (For one thing, I was pretty upset when seasonal_sd went "poof".) You'd think that the historical work would be unaffected by what's going on in the comics, but I do like to know how things play out, so I can insert the requisite bits of foreshadowing and suitable ironic resonance. It's a small thing, but I feel it.

But my issues are beside the point. The point is that you have Spike & Robin, and S4 Spuffy kicking around in your brain! I want to crawl in there with them, but wouldn't it be easier and more sanitary if you just jotted it all down? *bats eyes* Yeah, I know it's not that simple. I live in hope, anyway.

[shapinglight]

I am a canon whore, and I feel on such shaky ground in the last couple of months. I don't know if I'll ever really want to incorporate the comics or not.

I know I won't, except possibly for comedy purposes, but they'll still be lurking in the background sniggering to themselves.

I'm sorry to hear about the Spike/Dru community. It's always sad when another seasonal community folds. spring_spangel has gone too, though the LJ hasn't been deleted. I do understand what you mean about how whatever happens in the comics can even affect historical fics. After all, ironic resonance and foreshadowing is more important in fanfic than in any other kind of fic, so it's inevitable.

I hope you'll write more Spike/Dru historical stuff, though. Just as I hope I write some more historical stuff myself. Had a sort of vague bunny for one earlier this year, wrote one part of it, decided that posting it was asking for trouble due to the subject matter and dropped it. :(

I hope I will be able to write all these things one day too. Not sure what it will take to get me to knuckle under again, but maybe one day.

[brutti-ma-buoni.livejournal.com]

Not sure it necessarily helps to have keen encouragement if you don't feel like writing... but the Robin fic fascinates me as a possibility. And your Spike/Giles is established as a top read.

I do hope you feel an interesting writing urge sometime. if only because I'm still enchanted by how much fun it can be to write. But I'm also frustrated with fandom right now and withdrawing rather from anything not strictly fic, so I sympathise.

[shapinglight]

Not sure it necessarily helps to have keen encouragement if you don't feel like writing...

Well, it's nice to know that a few people would still like me to write if I could. :) I have about three pages of the next Safe story written, then I sort of ran out of steam, I'm afraid. I should probably sit down and write out a proper story plan (though that, of course, would necessitate me being able to work out what exactly is going to happen).

But I'm also frustrated with fandom right now and withdrawing rather from anything not strictly fic, so I sympathise.

I understand that urge. Have done the same thing myself in the past and in fact have sometimes found that things that have annoyed me in fandom have spurred me to write stuff (though not necessarily good stuff). That hasn't happened this time, at least not yet.

Anyway, I'm glad you're still enthused about writing, and I do appreciate you, Rebcake and Sentine running Phantasmagoria even if I don't join in. Maybe I'll find it easier when you get to season 4? I like season 3, but the high school years are not my favourite part of the show.

[whichclothes.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry you're in this space--sorry for you and sorry for me, because I miss your writing.

Have you tried writing original fiction, too? Or no interests there, maybe?

One thing that always gets me in the mood to write is reading something really good. Lately it's been Neil Gaiman. Or maybe even reading something bad--like the latest Anita Blake novel--and knowing I could do better. But maybe that's just me.

[shapinglight]

Have you tried writing original fiction, too? Or no interests there, maybe?

Sadly, no. Besides, I'd much rather be writing about Spike. I'm sure he's a better character than any I could invent myself:)


I'm sure I'll find my way back to writing in the end. I don't know exactly what spurs me on in the first place, though. Sometimes things I've read or seen give me ideas, or things I've had enthusiasms about in the past. The Worst Journey in the World, for instance, stems from my fascination with polar travel. I'm such an armchair explorer. :)

[whichclothes.livejournal.com]

Well, I hope something comes along soon to spark you!

[shapinglight]

Yes, me too.

[kazzy-cee.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry you are uninspired. I have a vague idea of what that feels like because I'm finding it hard to create any icons or anything arty at the moment. I'm not sure why I'm uninspired either.

Maybe there's something in the water...?

[shapinglight]

Maybe there's something in the water...?

Or the air? I just don't know. At this rate, we'll all be sitting around at writerconuk moaning about how uncreative we all feel. :(

[kidcyclone.livejournal.com]

Actually, regarding True Blood-- there is a big comparison to certain fundamentalist anti-gay groups and the fundamentalist anti-vamp group. The fundamentalist anti-vamp group is, I think, a parody of a notorious anti-gay 'evangelist', Fred Phelps, and his 'church' (mostly composed of members of his family).

If it isn't meant to parody Fred Phelps and the Westborough Baptist Church directly, I think it is safe to say the fundamentalist anti-vamp group is meant to parody anti-gay groups in general.

[shapinglight]

If it isn't meant to parody Fred Phelps and the Westborough Baptist Church directly, I think it is safe to say the fundamentalist anti-vamp group is meant to parody anti-gay groups in general.

Yes, probably, though the reverend in True Blood is a lot more slick and TV-savvy than anyone from the Westborough so-called church. I suppose the Fellowship of the Sun (?) is parodying televangelists too?

[kidcyclone.livejournal.com]

Random people filmed waiting at 'bus stops are probably more polished and TV-savvy than anyone from the Westborough Baptist 'Church'. And yes, I think the Fellowship of the Sun is definitely a deliberate parody of televangelists.

On a side note, as to writing... I love your writing, and think you are _very_ talented. I know how frustrating it is to have things you want to write, but not be able to come up with a plot you think is good or know how to achieve what you want.

Do you think doing some writing exercises might help? Drabbles, and things like that? They would be much shorter, so it would be a different sort of challenge, but it could be inspiration for longer things and would keep the creative juice flowing, etc.

[shapinglight]

Thanks for the nice things you said about my writing. Very kind of you.

Trying to write some drabbles might well help, and I did manage to turn out a 1000 word piece earlier this year, but I've never posted it. The subject matter was a bit contentious and I was afraid of offending people. :(

[lyr]

I think you're a lot better than okay as a writer, and I very much hope you'll get back to writing someday. I have faith that it'll come back to you eventually.

[shapinglight]

I hope so too, and thank you, though I have yet another abysmal failure to report for today and yesterday.

Did get to watch another ep of True Blood yesterday, though, which sort of made up for it. :)

[sockmonkeyhere.livejournal.com]

I wonder if any of your writing malaise is due to disappointment in the comic book "continuation" of the BtVS & AtS series? That's definitely the case with me. Now that both companies have made it clear that they'll never write any stories I'll like, will never portray the characters in a way that I won't find offensive, and will never bring back any of the dead/missing characters that I love...that's taken a huge toll on my writing enthusiasm. I like to write about events and relationships in the 'verse that I hope will happen in some manner in canon, and IDW in particular has destroyed that hope. I've got nothing there to look forward to, ever. I wonder if the comics have affected other fanfic writers the same way?

[shapinglight]

I wonder if any of your writing malaise is due to disappointment in the comic book "continuation" of the BtVS & AtS series?

It does factor into it, there's no doubt, but it's not the only reason. I know I'll find it very hard to write any more Spuffy, though, if Joss ends the pairing for good in the comic. Even if I think the way he's done it is totally stupid and makes no sense.

[ex_peasant441]

Hon, you are physically and emotionally exhausted at the moment, it would be a small miracle if you were capable of writing. It would also probably be a bad idea cos when you have time to yourself you need to chill and rest not engage in something as draining as writing. Indeed I give you warning that if you do start forcing yourself to write I am probably going to try to talk you out of it (unless it is clearly not making you tired).

But I am also entirely confident you will return to it one day and produce brilliant stuff when you do. You are a great deal better than 'okay', you are very talented.

[shapinglight]

It would also probably be a bad idea cos when you have time to yourself you need to chill and rest not engage in something as draining as writing.

Thing is, though, it's not going to get better. In fact, it may well get worse, so if I can't write now, it's very doubtful I'll be writing again for the foreseeable future.

Oh well, I suppose it was nice while it lasted.

[kseenaa.livejournal.com]

I for one would be all over the Spike/Robin Wood story, holy shit! o.O

But apart from that...

I think I was okay at it (not great, but okay)....

Insanity. You were better then good. So, so much better. And I bet you still are. ;-) *hugs* It is OK to be down in the blues sometimes. It really is. And if you don't feel like writing again, that is cool to. Your supposed to do it for fun, after all. And if it ain't fun, don't do it. :-)

[shapinglight]

I for one would be all over the Spike/Robin Wood story, holy shit! o.O

When I say Spike/Robin Wood, I should really have said Spike and Robin Wood. It's not a slashy story.

And if it ain't fun, don't do it

Well, it can be fun. It just doesn't seem to be working for me at the moment.

[kseenaa.livejournal.com]

Well, slashy or not, I think a story about those two would be damn interesting. ;-)

[shapinglight]

I agree that it would, but I'd be very reluctant to start it without knowing exactly what I was trying to say and how it ended.