Spending a week actually making things has been nice, but tougher than I expected. For the most part, it’s been more writing, but I also made some art for a game concept I’ve been fleshing out. The hardest part for me has been getting the ball rolling. Staring at a blank canvas or page can be daunting, but once even the smallest piece is added, ideas start flowing.
Start Small
Day one was tough. The motivation boost I had the night before died in less than a day. I opened my computer and thought, “Now what the hell do I do?” I decided to pull up an old story idea I had and started writing whatever came to mind. After, a few minutes, I hit a dead end and really didn’t know what I wanted to do with it. That’s one thing I’ve noticed, I have a lot of concepts, but not many real ideas. That being ideas with depth that can be expanded on, and that’s okay. For now, I’m focused on just making things. It doesn’t matter if they’re good or long or marketable. Developing the habit of creating is all I’m looking to do.
To help me get started writing, I’ve been coming up with short little poems that get my mind in a creative mode. The poems are bad, like really bad, but putting what’s in my brain on the page is the hurdle I’m practicing getting over. Quality can be improved with time and editing.
When making any art, I like to start with a base idea of what I want. For example, what I created this past week was basically a Bruce Wayne rip off, so I pulled images from Batman the Animated series to get started. Now that the base is there, I can start tweaking the character to be my own.
Another strategy I’m going to try is to start with editing, a tip I found from this extremely relevant video.
Start Early
One bad habit I’ve picked up is putting creating off until just before bed. I get started and next thing I know it, I’m up past my intended bed time. Then, trying to lay down, ideas keep hammering my mind, while I’m trying to find sleep.
Just last night, I started writing a couple jokes after a poem started to turn into a bit. I ended up writing a short set that I thought was pretty funny. Again, this is right before bed, and I’m just coming up with different things one after another. Trying to sleep I was thinking about how to re-word this piece or adding that element to this other joke.
My goal for this upcoming week is going to be to create at one of two times during the day, to avoid this problem. The first is before work, and the second is before dinner. Both are far from bed time, but have the downside of a clear stopping point.
Hopefully you’re out creating something too. If you are, share it in the comments below.
Trying Out Before Buying In 