Forced Creativity?

[Gear]

This question is for all my fellow writers out there. How do you cope with our most debilitating disease - Writers' Block? What do you do when you hit that wall so hard, your face has become significantly more 2D?

For me, a little Role Playing is in order (not like that, you freaks ). I try to put myself in the shoes of my characters and act naturally. If that doesn't work, Vodka's usually the next step. However, it leads to a lot of proofreading later.

[Omnificent]

Relax your brain by watching/reading other forms of media for a while. It can also give you some subconscious inspiration.

Of course you could also pull the "ALL MY IDEAS ARE BETTER AT 5 AM" card.

[sake-bento]

I go through everything from watching/reading/playing other things to working on something else (art, voice acting, programming). The one thing that gets the spark back when I'm really in a bind is rebuilding a website. For some reason, making a new layout or updating all the content makes my creative juices flow again. I actively maintain four websites, and their layouts seem to change at least yearly, usually at the same time I'm struggling with writer's block. O_<

[Aleema]

Asking people I know for "what should come next?" surprisingly has always worked in my favor. I'll explain the situation, maybe even generically, and then they give me an awesome, legitimate idea. All it takes is a very simple response from them to get my brain clicking and whirring again.

[jack_norton]

When I'm in some block (well ok I don't write the actual stories anymore now but still need to find the ideas for the games/plots!) I usually take a walk outdoor in the woods nearby, and works wonders.

[fleet]

I use a technique similar to the one suggested by Aleema. I have a friend (who I know will be honest with me) review the script and make suggestions.

[Endorphin]

Listening to Halou.
It just works for me. xD"
However, when writing things down I just try to write down everything.
EVERYTHING.
Write down everything that kinda gets into your head, even if it's the most stupid idea evaaaa or your thinking that it doesn't fit.
You can always stroke out these things after searching for ideas.
(Just a warning: this methode wastes a lot of paper. xD
But it's normally worth it. =) )

- Ryouko

[Camille]

I have a couple ways of dealing with writer's block, personally:

- put the writing away and don't work on it at all for at least 24 hours. This usually helps refresh my mind.
- read/watch/listen to something of a similar genre for inspiration (though I guess the genres don't really have to be similar).
- talk about my writing with someone; answer their questions or just discuss the story in general. Getting a different perspective sometimes helps.
- just keep writing until I break through the block. Doesn't necessarily have to be the work I'm blocked on--just write SOMETHING. This is where having multiple projects or duties is good because you can work on something else if you're feeling blocked on one project.
- similarly, do other creative work. When I'm feeling blocked, sometimes I just change my focus to programming, music, or website design. owo

[natsumachi]

amen to the vodka.

but more seriously, I also find that setting the project, or even just a scene that I'm stuck on, aside for a few days (or even weeks).
And other creative or relaxing activities--the less writing it involves the better.
But in the case of really needing to get words on the page, freewriting is a good starting exercise.
But often, writer's block for me is more like lack of creative interest/motivation. So then it's time to reconsider what I'm doing and what I really want to do with a story. If you're really excited to tell a story the writer's block should disappear.

[Meg']

I think basically it depends on the situation.
When I hit the wall and don't have any inspiration, I apply the french proverb "appetite comes by eating"
If I force myself to write, sometimes it turns out okay and sometimes it really makes me want to hit my head against a wall. If I don't have any will nor inspiration to write, I leave it.
Inspiration comes from a lot of things. For me, music is always a great help. I can imagine the scene and feel something.

For exemple, I'm writing a novel since two years. I had period when I wrote nothing about it and sometimes I came back to it and thought "ah ! Maybe if that character does that or maybe if this one does this, then I can write something good'. I always look for all the possibilities when I'm writing.

So my solutions against forced creativity >
1/ Listening to musics
2/ Drawing (it helps me relax)
3/ Give up totally on it for some time and come back to it later
4/ Observing people or various things around me (Life is the best thing to give inspiration)

Well that's how I see it

[CosmicKitty]

When I can't think of anything else to write I grab an old fashioned pen and paper. Sometimes, for me, a change of medium will get the creative juices flowing. If that doesn't work I take my notepad and write in a bubble bath, if I can't write I can at least relax

[Lumen_Astrum]

I listen to all sorts of music, let time pass a bit. I write for other things, like fanfiction or draw something, even just a stick drawing, lol. I sing to myself too, it helps relax my mind. Write random emo stuff, yes. I do that a lot to get my creativity out of the box. Or more better, I sleep with a lot of thoughts in my mind. Usually it gives me dreams and it helps me think of more stuff for what I am writing (usually my dreams are more morbid than weird, so I don't usually get any weird dreams like jumping cats, ahaha).

And if that doesn't work, I do lots of things at the same time. I multi-task and pretend to be busy and cram for no reason, haha. Helps me for reasons yet unknown.

[Aka-kami]

Personally, I like to doodle stuff. Usually something related or maybe something far off. If not that, I just write chunks of stuff that comes to mind, even if it's crap and badly written.

If those solutions don't work, I tend to leave it alone for a bit and go off to watch some tv or play videogames. As for music... Nope. Doesn't work for me at all D: Aside from that, I also have tendencies to go have a snack break or take a cold shower. Other times I just get up and walk around the house or do some exercise.

Another method for me to get away from writer's block is to do nothing. As in, nothing at all. I just sit there and breathe a bit and it gets my mojo back... But this one's kinda short term <:'D

[Death_HUG]

I usually watch dramas/music videos/listen to music/read manga and that would usually help me. But if that doesn't work, I usually don't touch the script for a couple of days or so. By then, I usually have some idea >.< Though I do have a friend that reads my script and tells me some very nice suggestions

[Cidz]

I force myself to write down any little stupid thing that comes to mind even if its "...and then jinko met an alien and went up to space and had a space party and it was pretty awesome." i will write it. cuz even if i think its really stupid sometimes it starts sparking ideas in my head and it all starts pouring in. plus even if i dont like it i can always go back and change it.

but if i cant even do that at all or im unsure on what direction to take the story/character i talk to a few people. that are really good at helping me get ideas and work out ones i have but not sure how to write.