The Campaign Builder's Guild

Does anyone here ever have a feeling like there comes a point in every idea where all the energy runs out, as if you've created all that can be created?  I've been getting that problem a lot lately, and I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to beat it.

Work on something else, then come back to it. Do something else, then come back to it.

Taking a break is always helpful in my experience.

For me, I look for what other people need help on and take on a bit of their workload (such as flavor writing for other people's creations); it usually helps reignite the creativity engines fairly quickly. Of course, I'm creating almost constantly, and that's how I live. So I need such tricks to avoid burnout.

Sometimes I find the best thing to do is just push through it and keep writing (writing something, at least) at any cost.  If it sucks, it can be deleted.  But having a couple projects to turn to at any one time is always a good idea.  What I don't think works is only writing when brilliant flashes of inspiration strike like heavenly thunder.

I either write something all the way through, or I have to take long breaks between busy periods. Like right now, my level of depressions made it so I haven't created anything for months.

I just want time.  I truly apprciate the issue at hand, but I just want a little time to write...

SCMP, I find that having busywork-projects in the same project helps clear the mind.  When I run into creative roadblacks, I write spells or create NPC's or new guilds, Something normally derails me into a creative are soon.

Wine also works for me. x(

Thanks, guys.  I'm never quite sure why ideas feel like they've suddenly become stuck, so it's important for me to know what I could do to unstick them or to wait them out.

When I get hard up for inspiration, I go back and revise what I've already done.  That tends to work.

Revisions could work, Acrimone is right about that.  

Maybe you do need a break from the project, though.

Or maybe it shows that you're not as into the project as you once were?

Quote from: Ninja D!Or maybe it shows that you're not as into the project as you once were?

That's what I'm worried about.

Ideas come and go.  Not all of them can really hold you.  That doesn't necessarily mean give up, though.

There is a difference between (1) lack of creative inspiration (i.e., no ideas), (2) lack of creative energy (i.e., no patience), and (3) lack of creative interest (i.e., no motivation).

These three problems deserve three separate solutions.  My general recommendations are, respectively:

1) Do revisions.
2) Get some sleep.
3) Switch hobbies and flirt with women.

I'm married, so #3, part 2, has a built in failsafe as to how much time it can take away from me.

Quote from: AcrimoneThere is a difference between (1) lack of creative inspiration (i.e., no ideas), (2) lack of creative energy (i.e., no patience), and (3) lack of creative interest (i.e., no motivation).

These three problems deserve three separate solutions.  My general recommendations are, respectively:

1) Do revisions.
2) Get some sleep.
3) Switch hobbies and flirt with women.

I'm married, so #3, part 2, has a built in failsafe as to how much time it can take away from me.

#3 is also assuming an open minded woman if you are giving this advice to a member of the fair sex.  

Quote from: Acrimone(1) lack of creative inspiration (i.e., no ideas)

1) Do revisions.

I'm probably going to do something like that.

Have a few projects and types of activities available.  For example bring your game idea notebook and your mundane projects idea notebook (mundane isn't meant to indicate boring, but rather, not geek-related or at least less geeky)and something to read.

I find for me personally, if I can find the right dosage, coffee acts as a smart drug, but it sometimes gives the side-effect of something like ADD.  I can do quality work, but only for five minutes at time.