Fanfic

[stormkeeper_lovedoris]

I wish I knew what exactly was up with me when it comes to writing Firefly fanfic. Last year, I wrote tons of FF fic, guns blazing. I still love the fandom and characters. But during the last 3 months I've only written one fic! It seems that lately I need a prompt or need to take part in a ficathon in order to drive myself to sit down and write.

I don't get it. My love for the show is there and I've had plenty of time to "rest" in terms of churning out fic...so why don't I feel more motivation? And what do I need to do to get it back? (Take part in any and every FF ficathon I find out about?)

Comments

[sharelle.livejournal.com]

I've had that same problem lately, dear. I have several ideas, but haven't had the drive I need to put fingers to keys and write them. (I've also not had a lot of time - as was the case for your most recent Z/W ficathon, though I'm very much looking forward to reading the results. *G*)

Work has been a little rough as well, but once that starts to wind down perhaps I'll have more motivation. Good luck to you too! :)

[stormkpr.livejournal.com]

Maybe you and I need something to light a bit of a fire underneath us, in terms of writing. Hmmmm. Perhaps we form a two-person online support group, and have weekly or biweekly check-ins where we update each other on what we've written. Just an idea...

[ceslas.livejournal.com]

Can I add my own angst to this dilemma!? I feel exactly what you are talking about... I have the ideas, they come to me at random times, and then when I have time to write.. I don't...grrrr.

*Hugs for support*

[stormkpr.livejournal.com]

What do you think of the idea of having an online writing support group? We could check in with each other periodically, tell the others how we're doing in terms of writing, try to encourage each other.

[ceslas.livejournal.com]

I like that idea... I have found I have gotten a lot out of PG'ing voices with a friend online. She has managaed to dig bits of Jayne and River out by just being a supportive ear and asking good questions... May be best to do it my IM or email or flocked posts just so folks don't get shy about voicing their concerns...???

Let me know.>:0)

As ever,
Ceslas

[razycrandomgirl.livejournal.com]

I hear ya. Like I said I was having the same problem. HOPEFULLY ... I can break it and soon!

[stormkpr.livejournal.com]

Do you like the idea of having a writing support group? (Like I mentioned in my comments above to the others). It might be a way to motivate each other...groups are supposed to help.

[razycrandomgirl.livejournal.com]

Sounds like just the thing. I'll join. I'll take all the help I can get.

[schizoauthoress.livejournal.com]

Different fandom(s), same problem. ::sigh::

[stormkpr.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to get a writing support group going. You might be the only non-Firefly writer, but would you be interested?

[schizoauthoress.livejournal.com]

I'm interested, but what forum would we be using? LJ comm, mailing list, Yahoo group? Something completely different? (And thanks for the invite!)

[stormkpr.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm...I guess any of the above would work. Heck, we could use plain old email, just email each other periodically. Which format do you think would work best?

[schizoauthoress.livejournal.com]

We should probably all exchange email addresses. I love getting email, and I'll be much more motivated to participate with a full inbox (sad but true) than on a discussion board or comm. I'd say that might hold true of everyone...who doesn't like to get a letter (real letters, of course, not bills or spam)?

[nytshd3.livejournal.com]

from a non-FF writer....

maybe you're at a place right now where you're not thrilled enough with any of the ideas you currently have... is it better to write something for the sake of writing something, or should you wait until its something you're really inspired to work on? maybe you just need a break for a little while :)

[stormkpr.livejournal.com]

My only concern with the "break" idea is that I basically *have* been on a break. :-) One brief fic in 3 months is not exactly high-output. And I do pretty much want to write but I seem to be lacking the discpline to actually get down and do it.

[sarahetc.livejournal.com]

Brain dump. I think a bit like nytshd3 said, write for the sake of writing. Write about Firefly, or another fandom, or about the thrill of going to get a cup of coffee, or just a bunch of random verbs and nouns until the signal to noise ratio pares itself down to genuine sentences. Sit down, start typing, and see what happens. Like a silly corollary of Newton's First Law: objects in narrative tend to stay in narrative.

And when that doesn't work, because it doesn't always, I take a walk and make peace with the notion that I'm just not very writerly at that moment and then I go do something else, like read, or watch tv or clean the bathroom, whatever.

I think it's also pretty telling that last year you wrote a bunch and this year, not so much, and you discovered Firefly as a result of the movie. Could it be that the blush of new true love is wearing off and you're settling down with Firefly for the long haul? Doesn't make your love any less true. Your relationship is maturing and now you're past the twiterpated, shout-it-from-the-rooftops phase. On the upside, this probably leads to richer, deeper fic when you're inspired to write it, because you have a more nuanced, subtle understanding of the object of your affection.

And carrying the silly relationship metaphor through to the bitter end, if you want the spark back, have a weekend assignation. Sit down on a Saturday morning with the DVDs and a warm afghan and watch it all straight through until the bitter, bitter end of the film which should be sometime early Sunday. Take notes, and rewind the scenes you love best and immerse yourself in the wonder of it and take more notes, all while relishing it like you would a long-lost lover.

This from someone who was willing, if not necessarily content, to let 90% of 2004 and 2005 pass without writing much of anything. 2006 was only marginally better and I'm not getting my hopes up for 2007. So, you know, I'm open to you tell me to hush. :D

[stormkpr.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry that I haven't responded yet to your thoughtful comment! You've given a ton of great ideas here and a great perspective. I like the advice of sitting down and starting typing. Actually all of your advice is great.