Hello All. I really want to write my own ChoiceScript game, but I struggle a lot with motivation and writer’s block. I struggle with depression and often find it difficult to work towards goals that are creative/personal. I struggle with holding myself to deadlines also, which I feel like contributes to my lack of work ethic. Do you guys have any advice? 
4 Likes
Aim for a small initial project, and take it slow. Hold your deadlines lightly, and abandon them altogether if they don’t help. You’re not doing this for a living, you’d be doing it for the satisfaction of creation. Recognize that the internal voice that tells you “slow progress” is the same as “you’ll never finish” is wrong. Keep your focus on what would give you joy to read and don’t get pulled into worrying about what other people want to read. Maybe don’t put up a WIP thread until you’re nearly done, because whether people show up and give lots of advice or don’t show up at all, it could add to the emotional load of writing.
And come hang out on @Eiwynn’s amazing writer threads for encouragement and good cheer.
18 Likes
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful reply, I’ll try to implement this advice!
3 Likes
I’ve recently found, as someone with an extremely similar problem, that committing to at least one writing sprint per week has been impactful. Start small, only one hour every week where you hold yourself to focusing on writing alone. Do this with a friend if you can for accountability purposes. Is progress slow, sure. But it’s a method that’s improved my mental state significantly as well as my resolve. I feel more confident in my abilities to push through and get something on the metaphorical paper and I’ve been picking up more steam as it goes on. It may be helpful to you too. And if it’s not, keep trying other motivational tools. Have faith there will be something that fits your needs. You can do it!
(I have another author friend who has something to add. His personal goal is writing 500 words per day. If he doesn’t do that one day, the next day he still writes 500. If he writes 1500 one day, the next he still writes 500. That goal is not necessary of course, but what is on the other hand is being kind to yourself and not beating yourself up about missing goals once you set them. It’s a motivation killer to feel like you have to be a content mill which is something no one can be. No deadlines needed, just focus on what you love about the craft and the ending will find itself.)
10 Likes
As an ADHDer, I definitely feel you on the motivation and deadline struggles. On the motivation end of things, it does help that I like puzzles, so I enjoy playtesting and figuring out how to code what I want and get some dopamine from that when I’m able to do it. Motivation for writing in general, however, is a beast I’ve never quite learned to understand despite literally going through a creative writing degree program. Deadlines, too—can’t handle 'em, but can’t do without 'em. I second Havenstone’s suggestion of starting with a small project, that’s definitely a good way to start. If needed, maybe keep an eye out for game jams; my first finished ChoiceScript thing was for the Neo-Twiny Jam which challenged us to make something under a particular word count limit that I’ve forgotten. And I second the writer support thread suggestion too! Yes, come hang out, lament the woes of writing, cheer each other on, and celebrate victories of all sizes with us!
8 Likes
I can definitely empathize with you and say I struggled with similar problems in the past. I have dozens of ideas that I felt really great about and ended up losing steam on. I think part of it is finding the truly right idea, that captures your mind and keeps you thinking about it even when you’re not trying to be creative. Come up with a lot of ideas, work on them, see what sticks.
Holding yourself accountable is of course very important as well. I’ve learned I need hard deadlines or I get nothing done and thankfully I’ve gotten much better at meeting deadlines as I’ve gone on. Writing should be fun, if you’re not having fun don’t hesitate to stop and try again later. I’ve always felt that you can’t force it. Lastly, I’ve found putting my work on here to be extremely motivational. Having people interested and eager to read more will motivate you to keep going. Good Luck!
3 Likes
Whenever I’m facing writer’s block, or just lack motivation to write, I get in touch with my inner hatred deep inside my cold heart. I let spite, rage, contempt and loathing wash over me like a tidal wave and force myself to finish another chapter by the end of the month, because failure would mean betraying the bitter malice which drives me. As a result, my first ChoiceScript game is 600k words of pure doom, gloom and Red Flag ROs.
But that’s just me. You may try going for a walk and brain-storming while you’re at it, then setting yourself an attainable goal. If you write ten thousand words a month, your game will be long enough to be published after three months and longer than average novel within a year. Take moderate steps and you’ll get there one day.
6 Likes