Advice/Help What helps you get back into the roleplay headspace?

[kowalsky]

After a writing hiatus for what feels like years, I am getting back to it and I don't quite have the same inspiration and energy that I used to have. I want to plot and roleplay like I used to, but my brain feels sluggish and fogged up. I don't have doubts that I can get back into a groove, but I was wondering what helps other writers get back into their writing flow. Maybe I just need new exercises or habits to get into.

 

[nox requiem]

Personally? It's all about practice and exercising my writing/creativity consistently. Most people seem to think creativity is innate, but it isn't--it's like a muscle and it needs exercise and practice to function to its full potential. I try to put aside a little time every day to write, even if it's not for rp. Typically I just whip out my phone or laptop on the commute to work and type away for that time. If I'm really dry on ideas I might look up some writing prompts. But I was in the same spot for a while, coming back from hiatus but with consistency I have much more energy for it and a lot more ideas swirling around. It's always difficult to get started, but the more you do it the easier it gets. At least that's just my experience ^^

 

[Lyrae]

I'm trying to figure this out myself.

I try to get back into writing though I always find myself distracted by the real world, anxious, or dissatisfied with my work. Right now, my solution is just to look for short term low-key Roleplays, maybe a Quest or two (I've considered writing my own too). This is a temporary solution at best, but I'm hoping that taking it slow will help ease me back into the process. Maybe, if you're not feeling like dedicating yourself to a Roleplay just yet, you could write something small, short, and solo? Just a thought. I hope you're able to figure it out!

Another thought too: It's an exercise in futility to repeat the exact process of plotting and writing that you likely once had. People get older, pick up new responsibilities, develop new interests. If something newish sticks out to you, then consider giving it a shot!

 

[Solivagante]

I'm also in this boat, and have been for... about two years now.

One thing that helped me recently is becoming unemployed. I don't recommend this as a solution to a problem, but the sudden decrease in stress and increase in free time has done wonders for my creativity. My former job involved a lot of the same skills an RP response requires - reading lots of information, organizing it in my head, and reframing it/adding to it in a (moderately) creative manner, so at the end of an eight-hour day, it was hard to muster up the will to do the same things for fun, or the energy to do them well.

With that caveat aside (look for points of stress or areas where you are using the same 'mental muscles'): I think one of the other things that has helped me recently is 'returning to the well', so to speak. I've been reading more since losing my job, and enjoying other creative activities, and that helps me get into the right headspace to be creative myself. If that is not something you currently make space for in your life, maybe try adding in other forms of art creation/consumption!

Also, I've been enjoying RPN's 'Private Workshop' function as a sort of scratch pad to loosely outline ideas, keep character notes, etc. I can do little freewrites for specific characters or ideas and they don't have to go anywhere, but they're in the same general digital space as the RP itself.

 

[MissNyquil]

That depends. Some days it is music and other days it's low-key AUs or just plain out discussion with partners. I've been writing consistently for a while now so I suppose I don't have much advice to offer for someone who has been away from it for a while.

 

[Bacon is fluffy]

For me it's good music or media that gets me back into the headspace. Classic scenes like the suicidal charge at pellenor fields. Imagine being 8000 vs 500k and still riding forth into death because of your bad ass king.

Captain erwin from attack on titans doing anything. Man can convince me to jump into fire. XD

Classic action scenes like the t1000 trying to crush John Connor with a giant truck. The music, the focused malice of Robert Patrick and that one handed shotgun stuff from Arnold. 10/10

For some reason whether its a new moment like a recent one piece episode. Such as garp's probable last words. or a movie scene older than anyone in this thread lol, it is these random pieces of media I find browsing on youtube that inspire me to write again.

 

[Dreamtique]

I can empathize with being on a hiatus and not able to 'get in the headspace' anymore.

I think for me it comes down to consuming good media that inspires me to tell stories like mentioned by others above.

 

[kawaii_k1tt3n]

I can empathize with being on a hiatus and not able to 'get in the headspace' anymore.

I think for me it comes down to consuming good media that inspires me to tell stories like mentioned by others above.

Watching TikTok’s or if I’m feeling up to it

 

[Tsaia]

I like to read whenever possible. That helps me. Or listen to music and watch movies. I make sure to write down anything I feel is inspiration.