Does this happen to you?

[Enzo Dragomir]

sometimes it helps to write with family first. sling a few things back and forth on that smaller forum to get a feel. I'm around if you need or want to do so ;) all play no pressure.

[Renee]

Pm me sometime. :)

[Caligrace]

You know I do, hon. I stare at words and nothing comes up, though I have the ideas running around like mad in my head. It's basic anxiety - or like you said, stage fright. There are amazing writers here, and I'll point you into the direction of some that haven't posted in this thread. They're the ones that helped me out. Well, their writing did. :)

I'll grab you later and see if we can get something else plotted and help you out. Just don't rush - no one here is going to judge you. <333

[Myk]

Sometimes I build the writing up in my head so much that I make it a chore or too much of a challenge. It becomes really easy to just give up and not even try, but I can’t even do that because I don’t want to disappoint people.

We do it everywhere with everything about us. We’re looking to be accepted. We make sure our hair is just right, that our clothes are presentable, and for some of us – that our make-up is perfect. In an online setting where the focus is more on writing, we’re setting up our souls to be judged and it is a nerve-wracking process.

All most people here will know about you, unless you talk to them a lot, is how well you can write, how quickly you can churn out a reply and if you’re someone to be relied upon. That’s it. So of course it becomes a massive deal to write.

I think it’s important to just forget about the audience though. You’re here to have fun at the end of the day, to lose yourself in your passion for writing. Focus on the words you want to unleash from your heart. What is your character telling you? What does he or she want to say and do with their life? Get yourself fully submerged into the story. Just write. You can think about editing later. And when you feel the natural pause in the narrative, you are done.

Don’t let yourself be held captive by word count. Would you let yourself be imprisoned by figuring out the notes of a tune or would you dance along simply because you feel the beat of the music?

And if you really are just struggling for reasons to write, for plot, take advantage of the Wiki here. Take advantage of writing prompts (shameless plug). But most of all, believe in yourself. <3

[Mortll]

I think it's a mixture of stage fright and an intense fear of disappointing someone with my writing. There's more to it than this, but it's more personal at that point, so I won't delve into that part.
That being said, I'd like to say thank you guys for the advice and/or sharing your own experiences. (Ha, even here I worry that it could offend someone, or that it's too formal.)
I know it sounds weird, but it really helps to know I'm not the only one that's been at that point before.

Renee-mun and Alexandrea-mun: If you'd like to try write with me, I'd be ecstatic. No worries on the time it takes or feeling pressured, because I'd just like to write and build rapport with different people. :) (I also have some rl stuff that may make it so I take a while to respond at random times.)

Sorry if I missed out a response to a question, I was reading and rereading to make sure I got to everyone, but I probably missed someone.

My first year here I pretty much didn't write anything outside the Lineage boards then I was hesitant in them as far as pure rp posts were concerned ... Now I'm all over the place ... So its just a matter of time until your comfort level mellows out pretty much and you just go for it and you will find even if you don't think your doing so good Others here do and enjoy what you create .

[Azraeth]

I'm happy to write with anyone. I don't have many more writing slots open at the moment, but if you (the original poster, or anyone really) want to write, just hit me up sometime. I can do forum threading, or location based chat RP - if it's chat RP, I'll probably be more available for it.

That being said, the most important thing I can tell you is not to worry too much about trying to impress anyone, or letting them down. I think probably the most vital thing I've learned as a writer is to RP for myself. I write to my standards, and I write to have fun. If other people have fun along the way, then that's awesome, or if they like my writing, that's pretty cool too. But what other people think about your writing really doesn't matter. The site is more than big enough that if some people aren't fond of it, there will be those who are.

Not that I expect that will be an issue. Path is really great at dragging new people into the writing. Kicking. Screaming. Otherwise.



<3

[Kaspar]

I can completely understand that, I still get overwhelmed sometimes if I feel either my character isn't coming off how I wanted because i'm struggling to put things into words, or i'm writing with others who are awesome so trying to keep up the standard. Sometimes i'll just write journal style entries to help get the words flowing!

Maybe try shorter posts at first, or as suggested having a chat to people you might be interested in writing with about expectations. I know that mine are usually based on others, so if someone is writing shorter posts i'll match that and if it's epic long posts i'll try to keep up, depending on the plot flow.

Goodluck, and remember that most people here are pretty welcoming!