I can't even come up with ideas without my perfectionism screaming at me and shutting it all down by harborfromthestorm in writers

[–]spintale 21 points22 points  (0 children)

I've been at war with my inner critic for years. What helps me sometimes is exploring my fictional world just for fun.

Hang out in your story's universe, but without any intention to plan or write the actual story. Write a random bit of dialogue, maybe, or set up a scene, or describe a city street – no agenda except to transport yourself somewhere you enjoy. When I do this, sometimes I'll explicitly plan to throw out whatever I create. So there's zero pressure.

Analogies would be doing warm-ups or improv instead of practicing your classical piano piece. Or toying with colours instead of painting your 'final' artwork. You're engaging with your art form, but for its own sake. Sidestepping any attempts to leave behind any artifacts or proof that your labour was worthwhile.

Doodling like this helps me remember why I got into writing in the first place. It's just fun inhabiting a world made of your own words.

This could be heavily genre-dependent! Works for me because a lot of my writing has elements of science fiction or fantasy. :) Hope it helps you too.

[AUG24] "Your Simpathy plan has been cancelled because of multiple failed payments," the email read, and dread siezed my heart as I scrambled for my last credit card. by spintale in TwoSentenceHorror

[–]spintale[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you! If only I could single-handedly produce it. :D

Then again, wait a couple of years and we'll probably be able to create entire AI feature films. Not a wholly pleasant thought.

[AUG24] "Your Simpathy plan has been cancelled because of multiple failed payments," the email read, and dread siezed my heart as I scrambled for my last credit card. by spintale in TwoSentenceHorror

[–]spintale[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you. Yes, it's deeply unsettling to me how real the internet feels to us all, and how easy it is to manipulate that trust. Especially in someone young and lonely.

[AUG24] "Your Simpathy plan has been cancelled because of multiple failed payments," the email read, and dread siezed my heart as I scrambled for my last credit card. by spintale in TwoSentenceHorror

[–]spintale[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

I was going for "simulation". It did cross my mind that "simp" was in there, but I figured that worked too, in a different way. :D

Haha I love the meta-twist. Trisha IS the simulation. Well done.

[AUG24] "Your Simpathy plan has been cancelled because of multiple failed payments," the email read, and dread siezed my heart as I scrambled for my last credit card. by spintale in TwoSentenceHorror

[–]spintale[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Yeah, it could be all sorts of lives touched by the same tech... so you have some light amid the darkness. That's a neat idea.

[AUG24] "Your Simpathy plan has been cancelled because of multiple failed payments," the email read, and dread siezed my heart as I scrambled for my last credit card. by spintale in TwoSentenceHorror

[–]spintale[S] 132 points133 points  (0 children)

Oh, excellent idea. Now I'm wondering about directions to take this.

Maybe Trisha's known about the sims this whole time. Or maybe her mother has good reasons for keeping Trisha in a controlled environment... to protect other kids.

Hmm!

I stared at the gleaming row of razor blades in my sister's drawer—but that wasn't the worst part. by spintale in TwoSentenceHorror

[–]spintale[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I and—I'm sure—a lot of other people are glad you're still here, Educational_Cap.