A bit of catch-up

[shivver]

I've been in a generally "meh" mood for the past couple of weeks, and even before that, I've been rather silent. So here comes a little stream-of-consciousness.


After my last post, I spent some time reorganizing my AO3 stories. Now, all three of my collections are posted as separate stories, bringing my work count up from 58 to 89. That total makes me feel a lot better, like I've actually accomplished something.

That said, my stats are inflated - especially the word count - because I still have the old collections sitting around, so I'm going to delete them in a couple of weeks. I added a chapter to each of them with the explanation that the stories are now in their own series and the collections are going to be deleted, which of course has prompted more people to look at the collections (not the series), read them, and kudo them and leave comments on them. I should have known. Thanks a lot. :/

Otherwise, I've been very demotivated with respect to writing lately. I have a story in progress for the current who_contest competition, but I can't make myself write more than about a paragraph a night. I still have plenty of ideas, but no ability to sit down and actually write them. And the thought of writing another multi-chapter story is just daunting. How in the world did I manage to scrape up enough time and energy to write the ones that I did? I have no idea. This is kind of depressing.

That said, I came up with a great idea for a plot device for some future Blue Rain story. As in, I was actually excited when I thought of it and wanted to start writing the scene right away. I just wish I had a full story to put it into.

Work has been... interesting. Corporate has removed the outsource team, so we're stuck having to do all the work, using the useless tools that the outsource team had created. I mean useless. As in, they have a 60% chance of failure when you use them. You see, when the outsource team used them, if they failed, they'd do the task manually. They didn't tell anyone this - they'd just say that everything worked. Corporate assumed that that meant that the tool worked, but it meant that they got the job done by doing it manually (and wasting hours of time doing so) when the tool failed. Now we're stuck having to do the same thing, but we're actually telling corporate when we have to do things manually, which of course gains the response, "Why aren't you able to do it successfully like the outsource team did?" Grrr.

At home, I've been losing myself in Stardew Valley. I simply just feel like I'm coasting along and can't accomplish anything. I don't like this feeling, but I don't know how to fix it. I suppose I just feel whiny. :D At least it's the weekend. Well, in 2.5 hours it will be.

Comments

[dtstrainers.livejournal.com]

You have my complete sympathies. I have been trying to write for months, between work and school and parenting. I have the ideas and plot but it won't flow when I sit down to write.

Does it help at all to tell you I'm excited that you're excited about something more for Blue Rain? I miss that universe so much and I hope the stars realign so you can write again.

[dm12.livejournal.com]

Hey, dstrainers, I have to agree about Blue Rain, i loved it and would be happy to see shivver13 do more in that universe.

So... what about your story? It needs to be updated.

[shivver13.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It's definitely in the plan, but I don't know when. You know, I probably just need to sit down and write something, even if it's just a scene and not a story, to grease those mind gears back up.

[shivver13.livejournal.com]

I'm trying a bit of DW therapy - watching some episodes that I haven't seen in a while in the hopes that it sparks some inspiration. It hasn't worked so far, but I'm enjoying the attempt. :)

It actually does help to hear that you want to see more Blue Rain stories! Not even counting the ego-stroke, it makes me think about some of the short ideas I have in mind and gets me more excited about revisiting them. I just need to sit down and do it.

[flowsoffire.livejournal.com]

Whining is completely fine if you're feeling blue and can't shake off the feeling! It happens to us all ♥ I hope the writing feels will come back soon. And that's pretty annoying about work—those nice things you discover one day… :/

[shivver13.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm trying not to obsess about it, but just let it take its time and drain away naturally. I'm watching some DW for inspiration, but otherwise not trying to force anything.

[flowsoffire.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a good way to handle things to me :)

[a-phoenixdragon.livejournal.com]

Ohhh, I was stuck in that mode for a year!! That is awful, honey. Hope you can shake that off, soon!

*HUGS*

[shivver13.livejournal.com]

Well, you certainly had your hands full for that year and I'm so glad that things are looking up for you, but man, your first story after that year was fantastic! I certainly never wish such a year on you again, but if it produces results like that... ;)

[a-phoenixdragon.livejournal.com]

LOL!! I know what you mean - though I was kind of surprised my rusty skills were so well received! Thank you, sweetie...thou art awesome!

*HUGS*

[helloprilly.livejournal.com]

Oh I hear you there love. *hugs*. I have been in a sort of funk myself lately and havent had a huge drive to write either. Though it's sorta turning around now at least on the writing front.

As to corporate. Bleck dont get me going in corporate! Hopefully things work out on that front for you!