What's the point?

[HungrySheep]

Today, I found myself questioning whether or not there's a point to writing when it takes so much time and effort. Maybe I'm burnt out, but I'm pretty sure I'm secretly the worst writer on the planet.

Does anyone feel like this at times? If so, what do you do to get over the slump?

 

[Temple]

Probably depends on what you want to get out of this. If money/business, then need a schedule, write to the market and all that. If it's personal, then don't burn yourself out with a schedule.

 

[Deleted member 84247]

Today, I found myself questioning whether or not there's a point to writing when it takes so much time and effort. Maybe I'm burnt out, but I'm pretty sure I'm secretly the worst writer on the planet.

Does anyone feel like this at times? If so, what do you do to get over the slump?

Yes, I feel like this a lot of the time. The only thing that worked for me to get out of the slump was being challenged by a forum member in a writing competition.

Actually, you can try to talk to friends or anyone about your story. Basically talk to anyone who will listen about your story. It helps if you have people that are begging for new chapters.

Evaluate why you started writing in the first place. Sometimes the only reason we do things is for a hobby. Did you plan to make a career out of it? Or did you just want to share an interesting story? Maybe you started writing out of spite like so many others? What inspired you to write? That is probably the most important question.

 

[HelloHound]

I take a break and think about anything other than my story, banning myself from it until I get so antsy that I write a whole chapter in 4 sittings (I don't stay still well so this is very fast in my pov)

 

[Deleted member 84247]

Today, I found myself questioning whether or not there's a point to writing when it takes so much time and effort. Maybe I'm burnt out, but I'm pretty sure I'm secretly the worst writer on the planet.

Does anyone feel like this at times? If so, what do you do to get over the slump?

Also, you might just be burned out. You can take a break, or lower the amount you write. If you bought the Doravg typewriter, and have the side effect of being a machine, then I advise to do just as The Doravg did. Lower the daily word count.

 

[Representing_Tromba]

I have felt that but it goes away when you only do it for your own enjoyment rather than the approval of others.

 

[Kalliel]

You need a break.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

What do you do to get over the slump?

Procreate, and then you'll have no time to worry about writing ?

 

[Deleted member 84247]

Procreate, and then you'll have no time to worry about writing ?

You can't keep getting away with this!

 

[TheEldritchGod]

I'm pretty sure I'm secretly the worst writer on the planet.

I doubt that.

Stop writing. Watch this. All 5 parts. Listen to every minute.
Then get back to writing.

Does anyone feel like this at times?

Yes.

If so, what do you do to get over the slump?

Self-Hatred, Shame, and Guilt.

 

[Deleted member 58005]

I personally live a very monotonous life at the moment. I have no responsibilities aside from chores, so I spend most of my time just gaming. It gets suffocating sometimes, but that's why I write. It takes me to a different world of my own, where I have no restrictions.

Honestly, writing's more a solution to me than a problem.

 

[matalayudasleazy]

Honestly, it's only natural for anything you do, even if it's something you thoroughly enjoy, new and old.

I used to basically type about 10K+ words a day just for a chapter over at WebNovel (horrendous app/site), then into 1K+ after switching onto ScribbleHub as a bare minimum since the energy and motivation you used to have can only go down from then on, which is why it's important to take a break if you wanna keep on going writing or whatever.

Another one is that I just started learning FL Studio for music mixing (basically stitching together vocals and instrumentals) just this month, I was on a frenzy on my 1st attempt with the outputted result being about 12-13 minutes and it only takes about 2-3 days.
Then it turned into 15 minutes for the 2nd mix which is a week later.
Here I am still trying to finish the 3rd mix that's about 25+ minutes long, and I'm honestly scared since I just KNOW that this is going to cost my motivation and energy down the line AGAIN for music mixing related.

I'm procrastinating from finishing the old stuff I did by moving onto new stuff to do, and it hurts knowing that this is definitely not just me but someone else.
I hope to break this cycle one day and hopefully others too but as of now, I'm still stuck in it.

 

[Deleted member 1244]

 

[Syringe]

Do you write because it's enjoying? It's a hobby to some of us and that's enough to convince ourselves that it's worth the time. I don't see it as any different from playing games, building dioramas to keep to ourselves, or modding skyrim for the 90th time only to play it for 2hrs and abandon it.

One thing you could do is set up goals you want to reach when writing. Could be as simple as 'X' amount of words or a point in the story. Another way is to write as if you're a reader too (i.e, you're going along for the ride and want to see where the story goes). I don't think anything is ever a waste of time or has no point. Modding skyrim helped me in other areas, file structure, where to find 'x' in games/folders, etc.

Having someone comment can act as a form of acknowledgement/validation, which can help majorly too.

 

[CupcakeNinja]

Today, I found myself questioning whether or not there's a point to writing when it takes so much time and effort. Maybe I'm burnt out, but I'm pretty sure I'm secretly the worst writer on the planet.

Does anyone feel like this at times? If so, what do you do to get over the slump?

no, im pretty amazing at writing, im just a lazy piece of shit and cant balance that with times im actually busy.
Also, nut up or shut up, m'boy. The fuck is the point of living, even? But not everyone is out there killing themselves. They find shit to do.
Writing is the same. You either do it for money, passion, or you're bored. Thinking, "There's no point" is just nonsense. All it means is you apparently dont find it entertaining anymore or "worth it", and thats fine. Aint nothing wrong with that. But lets not pretend there was ever a "point" to it other than your own enjoyment of the act to begin with.

Unless you're one of them guys who write for validation and praise. In which case thats also fine but if you didnt get the cock-sucking you expected then you need to just git gud, my man. Cant give up on that good suck just cuz you didnt wanna do the work to be better.

Look up some writing guides. Do the research. Strive for greater heights. Perhaps then, at the end of your journey, you will acquire one ten-millionth of my skill and talent. Such attainments would bequeath you the writing prowess the likes of Shakespeare and Tolkien, at the very least

 

[SMKenward]

Today, I found myself questioning whether or not there's a point to writing when it takes so much time and effort. Maybe I'm burnt out, but I'm pretty sure I'm secretly the worst writer on the planet.

Does anyone feel like this at times? If so, what do you do to get over the slump?

I get like this often, but interacting with my readers in the comments gives me enough motivation to keep writing. It's just a small sign that probably means nothing to them but seeing them actually try to engage with what I'm writing gives wonders for my motivation.

 

[Gryphon]

I rarely feel like I'm burnt out. What gets me stumped is how people can solely focus on one story at a time. I rarely finish anything, not because a lack of creativity, but because I want to do so much that I go from project to project without getting anything done.

My only advice if you feel burnt out is to do other things for at least a month. Invest in other hobbies, pick up a new hobby if you haven't got any other beyond writing, or just live life. You might feel the inkling to write again after a while of not doing it.

 

[Story_Marc]

Today, I found myself questioning whether or not there's a point to writing when it takes so much time and effort. Maybe I'm burnt out, but I'm pretty sure I'm secretly the worst writer on the planet.

Does anyone feel like this at times? If so, what do you do to get over the slump?

I've been there before. I'd say it depends on what motivates you to begin with. There's part of me that has the fun part. I love shaping words to get across my ideas. The second thing that worked for me specifically was my pride as a creator and my desire to not live a life of regret. I run into so many who have things they claim they wish they did or could, but didn't or never do. I don't want to be like them.

 

[ThrillingHuman]

if you don't want to write, don't. That simple

 

[Succubiome]

Maybe I'm burnt out, but I'm pretty sure I'm secretly the worst writer on the planet.

Other people have advice for the rest, so I just wanted to address this part: I'm 100% sure you aren't the worst writer.

I read the first paragraph of your last chapter, and it seemed decent at first glance. I've definitely read worse: Not the worst writer.

You have 932 people who signed up specifically just to be notified when you release a new chapter: Not the worst writer.

The part of you that wants to self-deprecate isn't even trying to be realistic here, and you shouldn't let it get away with that level of trying to deceive yourself.