Full Games List
Featured Games
New Games
Reviews
Media
Images
Blogs
Game Updates
Images Feedback Summary
Game Design Highlights
Tutorials
Articles
Scripts
Utilities / Plugins
Resources
Engines
Engine Bulletins
What is Makerscore?
Past Events
Achievements
Misaos
Forums
Post History
Chat
New to RMN?
Full Store List
RMN Music Pack (free)
HOW DO YOU KEEP FOCUS WHEN YOU'RE WRITING?
Posts
Pages:
1
slash
View playlists
CloseI have a hard time sitting down and just... writing. Specifically writing - I don't really run into this when I'm working on design, or art, or code. I don't know what it is! I have a hard time starting from scratch when it comes to characters and plots and scripts. I prefer to type, but being in front of a computer means I'm likely to space out or get distracted by Twitter or Hearthstone or something. It's hard to just sit down and concentrate and write when staring at a blank page.
I suppose I should just be throwing words at the paper, right? Even if they're bad and I end up throwing them out? Maybe I'm just facing writer's block.
If you have any advice or tips you use when you write, I'd love to hear them!! Thanks :D
I suppose I should just be throwing words at the paper, right? Even if they're bad and I end up throwing them out? Maybe I'm just facing writer's block.
If you have any advice or tips you use when you write, I'd love to hear them!! Thanks :D
I too have this problem, and yeah, the "throwing words at paper" method can certainly be helpful.
My internal self-critic is really strong when I write, so I have to write with the mindset of "I'm just getting ideas down, none of this is concrete, and I can change it all in the future if I need to." What I write will inevitably be re-written once, twice, or more, but getting it on page in the first place is the hard part, as it's hard to shut up the voice going "this sucks this sucks this sucks." I find that if I can put on some relaxing music and just stay on task for a couple of hours and force pen to paper (or fingers to keys as the case may be) that I can get stuff done.
I also need to do these sessions more frequently. They are the hardest for me and thus the easiest to procrastinate on, but writing is critical for making the kinds of games I want to make, so I've got to just bite the bullet and do it.
Hope this helps ^^;;
My internal self-critic is really strong when I write, so I have to write with the mindset of "I'm just getting ideas down, none of this is concrete, and I can change it all in the future if I need to." What I write will inevitably be re-written once, twice, or more, but getting it on page in the first place is the hard part, as it's hard to shut up the voice going "this sucks this sucks this sucks." I find that if I can put on some relaxing music and just stay on task for a couple of hours and force pen to paper (or fingers to keys as the case may be) that I can get stuff done.
I also need to do these sessions more frequently. They are the hardest for me and thus the easiest to procrastinate on, but writing is critical for making the kinds of games I want to make, so I've got to just bite the bullet and do it.
Hope this helps ^^;;
author=unity
I too have this problem, and yeah, the "throwing words at paper" method can certainly be helpful.
My internal self-critic is really strong when I write, so I have to write with the mindset of "I'm just getting ideas down, none of this is concrete, and I can change it all in the future if I need to." What I write will inevitably be re-written once, twice, or more, but getting it on page in the first place is the hard part, as it's hard to shut up the voice going "this sucks this sucks this sucks." I find that if I can put on some relaxing music and just stay on task for a couple of hours and force pen to paper (or fingers to keys as the case may be) that I can get stuff done.
I also need to do these sessions more frequently. They are the hardest for me and thus the easiest to procrastinate on, but writing is critical for making the kinds of games I want to make, so I've got to just bite the bullet and do it.
Hope this helps ^^;;
For sure, this is exactly it. I tend to be hyper-critical while writing, way worse than game design or code (where I feel comfortable redoing things three dozen times) or even art (where I at least feel like I'm making progress..!) Yea. I have vague themes and characters in mind but actually turning that sort of gaseous mess into crystallized words is super hard. And plots... I'm terrible at coming up with plots, even if I'm just looking for a reason to get my characters to talk more.
But yea, it helps :D if nothing else, I definitely agree that writing feels like "biting the bullet" atm and it's nice to know it's not just me >__> Even though I love telling stories, I don't know how to set them in stone.
author=Solitayre
Deadlines.
This I can totally agree with. Nothing gets me to focus and cut chaff like the stress of a deadline. ATM, all my deadlines are only self-imposed and when life gets hectic I have no problem dropping them... which tends to make me stress and shut down even more :P
author=karins_soulkeeper
Stay as far away from your computer and the internet as possible.
Yea... I love typing though! My hand hurts a lot when I write with pen. But the internet is a curse.
author=Max McGee
adderall helps.
author=kentona
Alcohol.
I believe all of these things. TBH I have actually relaxed a bit with like, a Jack & Coke or glass of wine before writing or drawing.
Red_Nova
Sir Redd of Novus: He who made Prayer of the Faithless that one time, and that was pretty dang rad! :D
9192
Have clear start and end points every time you sit down to write. Just throwing words at a paper is a good method to get the gears turning, but it's easy to let it get out of control and your story (and consequentially, you) will lose focus and start drifting all over the place. Don't try to write the entire story out at once unless it's supposed to be really simple.
Reaching few milestones frequently is a great way to keep motivation up too, and it gives your brain a clear bookmark to return to next time you write, which clears up some thought processes to focus on other parts of the game.
The specific process changes depending on how strong your story is and what you want to focus on (character-driven stories vs. lore-driven stories, for example). From my experience with writing character driven stories, I imagine what the character are like at the beginning of a story vs. the end, and create bullet points that detail how the character gets to that endpoint, keeping the general tone and atmosphere of the project in mind.
Hope that helps!
Reaching few milestones frequently is a great way to keep motivation up too, and it gives your brain a clear bookmark to return to next time you write, which clears up some thought processes to focus on other parts of the game.
The specific process changes depending on how strong your story is and what you want to focus on (character-driven stories vs. lore-driven stories, for example). From my experience with writing character driven stories, I imagine what the character are like at the beginning of a story vs. the end, and create bullet points that detail how the character gets to that endpoint, keeping the general tone and atmosphere of the project in mind.
Hope that helps!
Sooz
They told me I was mad when I said I was going to create a spidertable. Who’s laughing now!!!
5354
1) Set up your surroundings for Writing Mode. I usually put on some instrumental music with playlists set up just for writing; once I've got those running, everything keeps going automatically, because my brain's gotten trained into "Writing Mode."
2) Work around your distractions. There are two options here: cut 'em out entirely, or plan for 'em. It's up to you to figure out which one works best for you.
For cutting them out, do something like unplugging your modem or just switching off the wifi on your computer. No more internet!
For working around, put yourself on a timer. Alternate between 25 minutes of work, work, work, and 5 minutes of break time. (You can adjust these to fit how your brain works.)
The main thing is just to get yourself to Do the Thing regularly, then you'll start being habitual about it.
2) Work around your distractions. There are two options here: cut 'em out entirely, or plan for 'em. It's up to you to figure out which one works best for you.
For cutting them out, do something like unplugging your modem or just switching off the wifi on your computer. No more internet!
For working around, put yourself on a timer. Alternate between 25 minutes of work, work, work, and 5 minutes of break time. (You can adjust these to fit how your brain works.)
The main thing is just to get yourself to Do the Thing regularly, then you'll start being habitual about it.
author=Red_Nova
Have clear start and end points every time you sit down to write. Just throwing words at a paper is a good method to get the gears turning, but it's easy to let it get out of control and your story (and consequentially, you) will lose focus and start drifting all over the place. Don't try to write the entire story out at once unless it's supposed to be really simple.
Reaching few milestones frequently is a great way to keep motivation up too, and it gives your brain a clear bookmark to return to next time you write, which clears up some thought processes to focus on other parts of the game.
The specific process changes depending on how strong your story is and what you want to focus on (character-driven stories vs. lore-driven stories, for example). From my experience with writing character driven stories, I imagine what the character are like at the beginning of a story vs. the end, and create bullet points that detail how the character gets to that endpoint, keeping the general tone and atmosphere of the project in mind.
Hope that helps!
These are some really good suggestions. Having at least a general idea of what you're gonna work on in a given session makes sense, so you can have a goal to work toward. I also really like the idea of creating bullet points of each character's development or story - I could see those being solidified into individual scenes and conversations.
author=Sooz
1) Set up your surroundings for Writing Mode. I usually put on some instrumental music with playlists set up just for writing; once I've got those running, everything keeps going automatically, because my brain's gotten trained into "Writing Mode."
2) Work around your distractions. There are two options here: cut 'em out entirely, or plan for 'em. It's up to you to figure out which one works best for you.
For cutting them out, do something like unplugging your modem or just switching off the wifi on your computer. No more internet!
For working around, put yourself on a timer. Alternate between 25 minutes of work, work, work, and 5 minutes of break time. (You can adjust these to fit how your brain works.)
The main thing is just to get yourself to Do the Thing regularly, then you'll start being habitual about it.
I definitely agree with your first point - I do have some instrumental soundtracks that I usually listen to, and I like to burn incense when I work on stuff too, to set the "I'm getting stuff done!" mood.
If I was smart and motivated enough I could probably set up my computer to block the sites I frequently tab open without thinking (Twitter, FB, RMN, etc.) while I'm trying to write. But yea, I really just need to make a habit of it.
Thanks so much for all the advice so far :) I tend to stress myself about even just starting and then I forget how to just... get stuff done, haha.
For me personally, I agree with everything Sooz says minus the music playlist.
When I work with anything story-related, I prefer to completely shut myself off from any type of noise, specifically so that I can focus on my own thoughts/imagination and that alone.
The reason I bolded that is because a lack of focus in anything is actually caused by a lack of engagement, or whatever you are currently doing is not stimulating you enough to warrant your attention. Here are ways to work around this:
Do a little bit of acting, say your dialogue out loud, imagine you are your own characters for a moment and figure out, based on what you know of your own characters, how they would respond to situations. Get invested in your stories the same way children get roped into their worlds playing with toys. For my case, at least, it makes the whole process feel less like a complicated chore and more like a fun activity I'm playing a part in.
Good luck!
When I work with anything story-related, I prefer to completely shut myself off from any type of noise, specifically so that I can focus on my own thoughts/imagination and that alone.
The reason I bolded that is because a lack of focus in anything is actually caused by a lack of engagement, or whatever you are currently doing is not stimulating you enough to warrant your attention. Here are ways to work around this:
Do a little bit of acting, say your dialogue out loud, imagine you are your own characters for a moment and figure out, based on what you know of your own characters, how they would respond to situations. Get invested in your stories the same way children get roped into their worlds playing with toys. For my case, at least, it makes the whole process feel less like a complicated chore and more like a fun activity I'm playing a part in.
Good luck!
Firstly, You could start by not being so hard on yourself =). Secondly, just write. Write, write and then write some more. No idea is too stupid. What you might think hooky and lame could actually be a bridge to another story arc, character idea or location for another project. Just let your fingers slam those keys or let that pen tear into the paper!
Pages:
1
