Do you write when you're depressed?

Aefener

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For a lot of artistic people, writing is a very good therapy when depression overcomes them. It certainly works for me. My question is: Do you tend to write more when depressed or do you write more when you're happy? Do you write something entirely else than your current novel during your most severe depressive states? I usually continue writing my Draconia Offline as a form of relief and while it does help with my mental state, when I return to those parts later after I feel better again, I find those chapter parts too dark and have to rewrite them.
 

Armored99

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For me no, when I'm depressed I don't have any creative energy.
 

CarburetorThompson

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My latest story I actually wrote almost entirely when I was off my medication, since supply lines ran short or something and I couldn‘t get it. I don’t know. I think it was a good outlet for depression, but it also led to my story being very depressing just for the sake of it, so I rewrote the ending once my head was clearer.
 

Aefener

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For me no, when I'm depressed I don't have any creative energy.
I find comfort in writing when depressed (and escape from reality) but my Mom is the same as you. When depressed, she doesn't have energy. ?
My latest story I actually wrote almost entirely when I was off my medication, since supply lines ran short or something and I couldn‘t get it. I don’t know. I think it was a good outlet for depression, but it also led to my story being very depressing just for the sake of it, so I rewrote the ending once my head was clearer.
Yep, exactly. My story gets too depressing when I write it in my gloomy states. I do get some good ideas (because my novel is psychological) but I have to rewrite a lot when my head is clear again.
 

Ilikewaterkusa

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For a lot of artistic people, writing is a very good therapy when depression overcomes them. It certainly works for me. My question is: Do you tend to write more when depressed or do you write more when you're happy? Do you write something entirely else than your current novel during your most severe depressive states? I usually continue writing my Draconia Offline as a form of relief and while it does help with my mental state, when I return to those parts later after I feel better again, I find those chapter parts too dark and have to rewrite them.
I don’t experience depression. But one can
 

Representing_Tromba

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Yes, and no. I write because I want to stay in practice and keep up with everything but I don't have a lot of energy for creativity or really any desire to start a new story.
 

Bartun

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Always, there is nothing more helpful than writing down your thoughts. It helps me focus on something else.
 

tiaf

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I drew/painted a few pieces in a fit of rage and depression.

I do write sad chapters/scenes when I'm depressed, but the reason for this short episodic depression is the story itself. If I'm depressed because of outer causes, then I read to escape reality.
 

Pontan

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I tend to listen to Cryochamber with headphones on in a dark room when I feel depressed, being transported to their world. It's like being washed away in a calm, warm sea at night, watching the starry sky. It makes me feel better. There is a kind of dark, comforting empathy in most of that music.


I am totally not desperate for others to realize the gloriousness of dark ambient. But enough advertising. Anyway, I tend to not write when depressed, but when I do it becomes a complete negative mess. Ugh! Never again! Unless you are making a story where the whole purpose is to be depressing, or it is in a really dark or depressing segment, I'd recommend to abstain from writing. Editing is probably okay though. Imagine writing a fluffy slice of life comedy when depressed. Jerry Jenkins allmighty. That would not work. For most people probably. Like, how can you make characters express happiness and happy times when you can't feel happiness? That would provably be hella janky.
 

TLCsDestiny

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I have a few stories where if I'm depressed, I can write that one, cause it'll be closer to what I'm feeling. Then, if I'm happier, I can just go towards a less feely story. I think your feelings can seep through the book if you aren't careful. If you are trying to write a book with jokes and 'happiness' when you are actually depressed, it might not come out as good as it should. Just my thoughts on it.
 

BlackKnightX

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For me, what turns me on and inspires me the most is the sense of wonder and excitement like a little kid who’s just received a new toy. It’s that giddy excitement when you’re playing a new game you’ve just purchased and exploring the new world. Sometimes it comes from a movie I’ve watched. Sometimes it comes during the conversation I have with someone. When the mood strikes, I’d pause everything and start writing right away.
 

dvelasquez

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I started writing because my psychiatrist recommended it to me (she also gives therapy), and well, it helped me to cope with it, except when I get to a low point where I can barely get out of bed. So yeah, it's actually a way to self-help, pretty much like exercising for some people.
 
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For a lot of artistic people, writing is a very good therapy when depression overcomes them. It certainly works for me. My question is: Do you tend to write more when depressed or do you write more when you're happy? Do you write something entirely else than your current novel during your most severe depressive states? I usually continue writing my Draconia Offline as a form of relief and while it does help with my mental state, when I return to those parts later after I feel better again, I find those chapter parts too dark and have to rewrite them.
Yesn't
 
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Deleted member 68927

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For a lot of artistic people, writing is a very good therapy when depression overcomes them. It certainly works for me. My question is: Do you tend to write more when depressed or do you write more when you're happy? Do you write something entirely else than your current novel during your most severe depressive states? I usually continue writing my Draconia Offline as a form of relief and while it does help with my mental state, when I return to those parts later after I feel better again, I find those chapter parts too dark and have to rewrite them.
I write every day, and it keeps me from getting depressed.
 
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