This is a place for anyone (competitors, judges, and spectators) to talk about anything related to the SPC. Thoughts, opinions, ideas, brainstorming, predictions, and whatever else can be thought of to post, post it here!
Just sit down and write something. Chances are, it is not going to be pretty--but it will generally help you a lot.
I guess the main reason I do not suffer from writer's block is due to a writing exercise I did in Elementary.
Every day, sit down, and do fifteen minutes of focus free writing. That is just write for fifteen minutes. Do not go back to fix speling; grammar. Do not edit the logical structure. Do not pause. Just write what ever for fifteen minutes.
Generally this is not going to be pretty.
The main point is to get over the fear of a blank page. As somebody who does something that may be considered as doodling, I understand that artist's block is more often than not the fear of a blank page. That fear is mostly in that "I am going to ruin this page with something horrid looking".
Do not worry about that--a few years from now, maybe a few months, you will go back to any thing you did now, and generally frown with a lot of the issues in your works--especially the really good ones circa a few years/months ago. Which you may end up noticing looks like what you are doing at that time for bad ones.
In short, my advice for writer's block: just go out and write. The last thing you need to worry about is if people will like it. Just write.
Thanks you guys... But my problem is that I have taken part in the SPC 2010...and that leaves me no time to cure this writer's block. It's like I don't know how to write at all...and the fear that I'm not going to be able to finish my assignment in time is making things worse. Believe me I have tried the focus-free writing activity, and it has not helped at all. I can't even think of a single way to start my assignment.
Have you tried any of the World building excersises from the site these challeneges are based off of? Jack has a link somewhere. If you hangon a moment I"ll go find it and repost it here....
@weirdmagic well, first off--you appear to be looking at this like something you have to do or else you will, I dunno.
It is just a fun contest. The only prize is bragging rights. I mean, I have no misunderstandings into thinking I will get into number one place. Heck, at best, I am likely to appear in the middle of the list with most of the other people.
Just write something for assignment one. Since this project is more about the creation of a world over the course of it. A world with a specific tone and feel to it, you probably do not need to worry about the end result at this point.
just think about the stories you tend to enjoy reading. Think about the tone and feel of them. Are they silly? Are they dark? Are they irreverent? Are they dry? Are they romantic? What tone do you like best?
Then, in your first assignment, take something to that tone that you generally enjoy.
Since we will be getting a set of assignments every day here, it is best to just take them one at a time, as they come. Think of it like trying to stop taking drugs or alcohol... and yet some how create an interesting SPC 2010 entry at the same time.
Look, it really does not matter if they are the best out there. What matters is: * That you participate * That you enjoy yourself as your participate.
Typically, I have found, that if I make and do stuff I like, and share it with people, generally, that tends to get fairly popular.
I also understand that we all just frakking it up as we go along--the only people who are really good, are the ones who have made the most sheer frak ups typically.
For assignment one, just look at that for now. We do not know what they next ones are (or... at least I do not know). Focus on making something with a tone you particularly enjoy. When Assignment two comes, worry about just that one.
@weirdmagic Also, do not be too concerned about the penalties.
I am not--and I know there are more than a few I am likely to hit before it is done. It is something that will happen. Worrying about it, will only make it worse when it does happen.
Can I just say that for the first time since I joined Protag, I am loving it. It's wonderful to see so many of you take the time out to help me and guide me. Trust me, it feels awesome. And thanks to you guys, I decided to suck it up and just trash the blank page. And it looks like it worked. So here is my entry, and it is dedicated to all of you who helped me get over this insane block inside my brain. Thanks again.
I dunno, @weirdmagic I mostly just typed out a long passionately put speech that seem devoid of any real logic to it (I do that a lot). Often called a rant. I understand they can be very enjoyable to read--and are good for a pick me up. Which may be want you needed here.
I am like a cheer leader with pompoms, cute skirt and a tin foil boonie hat.
@verse47, no, you should be fine. you'll just have to be really quick on your peer reviews and start late on the second challenge. peer reviews will start at midnight PST on Saturday the 10th (ie 00:00:01PST on Sunday) and be due at noon PST on Wednesday the 14th.
that said, the second challenge will be issued at noon PST on Wednesday the 14th, and it will be due at midnight on Saturday the 17th (ie 23:59:59PST), leaving you only a small amount of time to actually do the challenge. with that in mind, i'd suggest you write down some of the 30 DoWB exercises and take them along with you to complete while you're away fro mthe computer, just to keep you in competition mode. (;
I'M SO EXCITED!
That is all.
:} Elorithryn
:} Elorithryn
Just sit down and write something. Chances are, it is not going to be pretty--but it will generally help you a lot.
I guess the main reason I do not suffer from writer's block is due to a writing exercise I did in Elementary.
Every day, sit down, and do fifteen minutes of focus free writing. That is just write for fifteen minutes. Do not go back to fix speling; grammar. Do not edit the logical structure. Do not pause. Just write what ever for fifteen minutes.
Generally this is not going to be pretty.
The main point is to get over the fear of a blank page. As somebody who does something that may be considered as doodling, I understand that artist's block is more often than not the fear of a blank page. That fear is mostly in that "I am going to ruin this page with something horrid looking".
Do not worry about that--a few years from now, maybe a few months, you will go back to any thing you did now, and generally frown with a lot of the issues in your works--especially the really good ones circa a few years/months ago. Which you may end up noticing looks like what you are doing at that time for bad ones.
In short, my advice for writer's block: just go out and write. The last thing you need to worry about is if people will like it. Just write.
But my problem is that I have taken part in the SPC 2010...and that leaves me no time to cure this writer's block. It's like I don't know how to write at all...and the fear that I'm not going to be able to finish my assignment in time is making things worse. Believe me I have tried the focus-free writing activity, and it has not helped at all. I can't even think of a single way to start my assignment.
Here's his Post with the link.
And here's the actual link to 30 Days of World Building
Good Luck!
:} Elorithryn
It is just a fun contest. The only prize is bragging rights. I mean, I have no misunderstandings into thinking I will get into number one place. Heck, at best, I am likely to appear in the middle of the list with most of the other people.
Just write something for assignment one. Since this project is more about the creation of a world over the course of it. A world with a specific tone and feel to it, you probably do not need to worry about the end result at this point.
just think about the stories you tend to enjoy reading. Think about the tone and feel of them. Are they silly? Are they dark? Are they irreverent? Are they dry? Are they romantic? What tone do you like best?
Then, in your first assignment, take something to that tone that you generally enjoy.
Since we will be getting a set of assignments every day here, it is best to just take them one at a time, as they come. Think of it like trying to stop taking drugs or alcohol... and yet some how create an interesting SPC 2010 entry at the same time.
Look, it really does not matter if they are the best out there. What matters is:
* That you participate
* That you enjoy yourself as your participate.
Typically, I have found, that if I make and do stuff I like, and share it with people, generally, that tends to get fairly popular.
I also understand that we all just frakking it up as we go along--the only people who are really good, are the ones who have made the most sheer frak ups typically.
For assignment one, just look at that for now. We do not know what they next ones are (or... at least I do not know). Focus on making something with a tone you particularly enjoy. When Assignment two comes, worry about just that one.
Be all Zen about this.
I am not--and I know there are more than a few I am likely to hit before it is done. It is something that will happen. Worrying about it, will only make it worse when it does happen.
http://www.protagonize.com/exercise/spc--weirdmagic
I am like a cheer leader with pompoms, cute skirt and a tin foil boonie hat.
- @mike_itong asked what you needed help with.
Oh right, and @Elorithryn posted something that had the history of this competition to give a better idea to start putting stuff into it.
Is it going to be a problem that I will be inactive from the 13th through the 16th? I just found out that I'm being forced to got to a stupid camp..
-Will
that said, the second challenge will be issued at noon PST on Wednesday the 14th, and it will be due at midnight on Saturday the 17th (ie 23:59:59PST), leaving you only a small amount of time to actually do the challenge. with that in mind, i'd suggest you write down some of the 30 DoWB exercises and take them along with you to complete while you're away fro mthe computer, just to keep you in competition mode. (;
Alrighty, yay! Thanks a million :)
http://www.protagonize.com/exercise/spc-dottylotti
dotty
xxx