Any Cures for Procrastination or Writers Block?

[K_Opell]

Writer's Block: Usually this is caused by something being wrong with your plot. Backtrack and look at anything that's not contributing to the story and/or is causing unnecessary problems.Or, write scenes you're excited for. Sometimes, though, you just need to take a step away from the keyboard and let your mind ponder the story. Sometimes whatever is causing my block fixes itself without trying.

Procrastination: This one is tough because I'm guilty of it. If you're not experiencing writer's block, then set a timer. Only write (and nothing else) while the timer is going. Knowing you have a limit can increase productivity. It's called the pomodoro method. There's also programs and apps you can get that will turn the internet off your device for however long you set it or until you get a certain amount of words written. I haven't done this, but heard of others who use it successfully. I'd be scared to do it. XD

[Rhombik]

I haven't used it myself but I know some writers use Write or Die. It's a program which starts to delete words as a punishment if you stop writing for ten minutes but you can set the level. No more procrastination. Plenty of stress.

[anitacomics]

I take a break, and do whatever I want to do in that time. I don't force it, and it usually helps for better ideas and improving

[Kayke]

When it comes to art I can usually just power through and force myself to work... but for writing if my brain doesn't want to I can't wrangle it in.

If I get writers block I usually take a break or even give myself a full day off. Napping, making tea, going on walks, spending time with my partner, cooking something complex, playing a video game, hanging with friends, doing crafts - basically anything to clear my head. Unless I have a deadline, in which case I will sit in front of my computer sulking until words happen

[sarrowsmith10]

This might sound really stupid and simple, but for me I eat something enjoyable and use that energy to come up with something. Essentially make yourself feel good and that might be the motivation you need.

Well, procrastination usually happens because I'm either hungry or need caffeine, so eating a snack and making tea helps with that. Sometimes I procrastinate because I'm too tired after work and the only thing that helps is sleep.

Napping, making tea, going on walks, spending time with my partner, cooking something complex

Hum.... I think food might be the answer.

[PrincessButterfly]

I usually watch a lot of stuff, until I figured out what I want to include in my story or research about other things that I can add into my story with a mix of my own flavor.

[DiegoPalacios]

For proclastination:
Make it an habit, like brushing your teeth. Set a day and an hour to do the pages. After a while it will become a second nature to you to make a page.

For writers block
Unfortunately i don't have an answer. But having a buffer helps during on periods of blocks

[Croik]

Music always helps inspire me, so I like to make playlists full of songs that remind me of my project. Throwing on Pandora or searching by mood/theme on 8tracks and collecting good tracks helps put me in the writing mood. Then any time later when I'm just throwing music on, usually something comes up that reminds me of what I'm supposed to be working on.

[Devika]

I think I've kinda figured it out for myself at least - and it starts the day before, even. I need to know that I'm going to work on X the next day, say "after school", then that'll be my mindset for the whole day. I get home, and I feel "yess thumbnailing time!"

The second thing, which is equally important, is to stay away from creativity killers. That's anything with instant gratification - my phone, twitter, news sites, netflix - because then my brain turns off completely and getting it back to work is really hard. That's why having the plan from the day before is so important, so I don't fall into that trap again.

A third thing that helps me is having a separate workspace for writing/comicking. In my case it's a little table, away from the computer where I do schoolwork and watch netflix. On the table is my drawing stuff, water, a little plant, nothing else. That way you have a visual and physical disconnection from your usual distractions and can get into creative mood easier! All it takes then is to just sit down there and my brain starts going!

[beta1042]

I go for walks outside. It usually clears my mind. If the weather is bad, I take a shower.

Also I find that if you get really tired, like desperately need sleep tired, then lay down in bed, sometimes your brain suddenly wakes up and has a billion ideas and won't let you sleep. This is a bit of risky move though, but it can help if the block is bad.

[silacinnamon]

What works for me to stop procrastination is just planning a schedule and forcing myself to follow it. If I decide to work tomorrow, I'll plan for how long I'll write/draw and how long will be my breaks, and then just ignore any excuses that I try to make for myself... it took me months to actually learn to follow my schedules, but it works now lol. It also helps me a lot to work on a quiet and comfortable place with snacks and water or tea. And to not overwork myself, so I won't feel like procrastinating later.

As for writer's block I don't know, sometimes I just keep writing even if I don't like it, sometimes I start writing for something else then come back, sometimes I just wait for months. I'm better at drawing than writing and I get over artists block wayyy easier than writers block, so maybe getting more experience at writing helps?...

[kityoung]

I see it like this:
- Inspiration - this kicks in when I'm listening to music that's appropriate for a scene, or becomes that way and it helps me imagine a scene, a person, or events. Like a good book, comic, show, or movie, this can help break block.

• Motivation - this is when you're just dying to get to a project. Music can help as far as a good background beat or something.

• Habit - this is a nice fallback position because even if you're away from your work for weeks, you still get back to it because it's something you're used to.

It's like any good habit. Working out, meditation, yoga, whatever.

[FatedComics]

For procrastination just sit down and do it, force yourself to do the task ahead! And for writer's block try and get inspiration from books, art, movies, tv shows, anything you can find, I find music as a great source of inspiration.

[juyunseen]

Work on something else today. Give yourself an alternate project to work on and just do that. If your working on your main comic all the time, it's easy to accidentally get in a position where you're just going through the motions and that leads to apathy and procrastination.

So do something else. Draw a short 2 page comic. Download Game Maker Studio and spend the day learning to make video games on YouTube. Use GarageBand and try to make a song. Do anything but the thing you're procrastinating on.

Then, while you're doing the other thing, if you have ideas for your comic, jot them down, but don't work on your comic today. Throw yourself fully at something else, and tomorrow when you sit down to work on your comic, the juices should flow.

[tayo_rafferty]

Usually watching people discuss writing on YouTube or hearing them discuss it on a podcast reminds me why I enjoy it so much and then spurs me to write.

[OliviaMerteli]

Long solitary walks allow my mind to muse. It's pretty effective when you live in the countryside and can go on for miles without being pulled out of your thoughts by another human being.
For me, it's both relaxing (when I'm procrastinating) and inspiring (when I hit a writer block).

[joe_galindez]

It's pretty effective when you live in the countryside and can go on for miles without being pulled out of your thoughts by another human being.

Something something Stephen King. Something something car accident.

[OliviaMerteli]

I'm pretty aware of what's around me when I'm on my thoughts, a lot more aware than in my normal state, even, since I'm using all my senses for inspiration. I've never been surprised by cars, dogs, people or anything.

[joe_galindez]

Sure. I just wanted to reflect on how we're living in a timeline where King survived.

[TimCaloweh]

Just do one little thing. It doesn't matter if its a line or a single dot. Draw an eye, a mouth, or a nose. Make a spark and find out whether or not your lingering imagination lights up.