Why don't you write something completely different. I have never been camping. What do i need t take with me? What advice can you offer about what i need, equipment .. can I cope without a shower?  How about a little guide for the hopeless city boy??

2 minutes ago, Mikiesboy said:

Why don't you write something completely different. I have never been camping. What do i need t take with me? What advice can you offer about what i need, equipment .. can I cope without a shower?  How about a little guide for the hopeless city boy??

I have notes upon notes for a Sci-Fi story (I've never written Sci-Fi, so it would be a departure from my normal), which I WAS really excited about (hence the notes and notes), but I just can't seem to get the excitement going for that either. I have a blast camping, and the biggest thing is, food, clothes, and shelter. As far as the shower thing goes, I know some people can't stand the aspect of not being able to shower, but there's a couple ways around it. Once would be camping in a campground with access to showers, but we never camp in a campground because 1) the dogs, and 2) When I go camping I like the solitude. Also, there's always taking a dip in a lake, but generally I just wait until I'm home or if it's been too long, I heat water up on the stove for a sponge bath, lol. My worst thing is my hair, because I have long hair, and after three or four days it just feels horrible. That's when I have my hubby dumping water over my head as I wash my hair, lol.

I'm sure this will be far too basic, but have you tried putting all the computer files aside, unplugging completely, grabbing a pen and paper, and just allowing whatever happens to appear on the page? It sounds like you may be getting swallowed up by the image of how many plates you have spinning. Set them to the side and let everything works its way through onto paper -- maybe there is something that subconsciously wants to come out that is blocking your attempts to work on other projects.

7 minutes ago, Valkyrie said:

I can totally relate, Renee.  I have a ton of ideas too, and find it difficult to pick one and concentrate on it.  I have attention issues, so on a good day I find it hard to focus on one task.  I hope your trip helps you work things out.   

I hope so too. I need to figure something out because being unable to write just makes the depression worse. I may have to consider going back on the depression meds, but they've never worked well for me.

6 minutes ago, phoenix_0826 said:

I'm sure this will be far too basic, but have you tried putting all the computer files aside, unplugging completely, grabbing a pen and paper, and just allowing whatever happens to appear on the page? It sounds like you may be getting swallowed up by the image of how many plates you have spinning. Set them to the side and let everything works its way through onto paper -- maybe there is something that subconsciously wants to come out that is blocking your attempts to work on other projects.

Not too basic at all and I see what you're saying. In fact, that's always been one of my ways to get past writers block. I grab a pen and paper, turn on some music, and that usually gets me past whatever block I have. I tried that, last camp trip, and ended up just sitting there for a while. I did eventually write, it came out as gibberish (which I was fine with), but it didn't last long and afterwards, nothing.

I think part of the problem is, I tend to internalize what I'm feeling and thinking a lot. And having all these thoughts and emotions welling up in me is stopping me from actually writing. I can't do confrontation, never have been able to, so I even tried to write exactly what I wanted to say to people in the hopes that getting it out would help, but once again.... after I'd finished... nothing. (Except for feeling even more depressed and once again on the verge of tears).

yeah food clothes and shelter are kinda biggies..lol   so mike could just toss me in the lake then ..lol      i have a massive collection of unfinished stuff.. so

3 minutes ago, Mikiesboy said:

yeah food clothes and shelter are kinda biggies..lol   so mike could just toss me in the lake then ..lol      i have a massive collection of unfinished stuff.. so

I think the reason camping usually works for me is because it relaxes me. There's no internet (unless I go where I have cell service), no demands on my time, other than making sure hubby and I are fed, and I can just "be".

2 hours ago, Valkyrie said:

Sometimes I find it helps to write using pen and paper vs. the computer.  I also try to pick one story to work on at a time.  Too many ideas can become overwhelming and it looks like you have a ton of them.  I can relate to depression meds not working. They don't work for me, either.  I had one med that worked amazing for me, for I developed an allergy to it.  Major   to you.  

Yeah, that's usually my go to, but it's just not working this time. I think, if this sister time with my best friend (she's like a sister to me) doesn't knock something loose, then I might try again to write a story, for myself. Everything I've been holding inside, everything I've been stopping myself from saying, just get all the poison out without the risk of hurting anyone's feelings. It would never be posted, but maybe releasing all the pent up anger, hurt, dissapointment, etc will help me focus on something other than that.

I have been experiencing literally the same thing for about a year and a half. I just wrote a blog post about this, actually: 

I hope my little insights into my own problem might be able to offer you at least another perspective. If you ever want to sit down and have a chat about the particulars of writing motivation, maybe we could lift each other up?

10 minutes ago, Cynus said:

I have been experiencing literally the same thing for about a year and a half. I just wrote a blog post about this, actually: 

I hope my little insights into my own problem might be able to offer you at least another perspective. If you ever want to sit down and have a chat about the particulars of writing motivation, maybe we could lift each other up?

Sounds like a plan! I'll be leaving in about a half hour, but maybe we can set up something up when I get back if that works for you.

Just now, Renee Stevens said:

 

Sounds like a plan! I'll be leaving in about a half hour, but maybe we can set up something up when I get back if that works for you.

Sure. Just message me.

Here's my advice.  You seem to have too many projects and none of them seem to be advancing.  How about this: concentrate on one of them, just one of them, the easiest one you can think of and can get finished, and then get it done.  Put aside the others, don't let them pull you away from the first one, no matter how much they try to distract you.  Even if it's just one project, you'll get the satisfaction of getting one done and get those good feelings of having accomplished something into your mind.  And if it's crap you can always go back later when you've got your momentum back.  Once you've finished one, start on the next one, another easy one. and so forth.  Build momentum and stack some wins under your belt.  As for the other projects, when an idea comes for them, just jot it down somewhere and save it.  Then, when you get to writing on the other projects, you'll have a supply of ideas to draw from, which will help your momentum.

Hope this is helpful - Jeff

I wish I had something constructive and cheerful to offer, but since I can't get out of my own writing slump, I'll just wish you good luck on the camping therapy and send   your way. We must keep hoping for inspiration to return.

My advice is to forget about writing for a while and to concentrate on enjoying life including some task that is not on an electronic device.  While you have so many ideas percolating that are hard to ignore, it's the inability to focus on any one of them and to get it down that is really frustrating.  To borrow an old phrase, 'turn the page' and get on with the rest of your life.  Getting back into the rhythm of just living should help settle your thoughts and you will know when the words start spilling out again...at least that is my hope for you.  Good luck and Peace!   DDK