Hiatus, comebacks, writer blocks and what not

[authoraugustin]

heyy guys
i am Augustin, a young first time author
i know, i know , hiatus ,comebacks , writers blocks are cliche topics to give as an excuse for not uploading ur story, but what can i even do when the device I'm working on decides to give me the final blow
i think in my case its mostly this overwhelming feel as to
how am i supposed to do it
will i be able to complete it
how is this going to work out with my studies
would spending time in this affect my studies

and a hundred other question that almost makes me go insane, and the result?
i put the work off for the next day.
even opening the laptop took me few das of putting off. i really don't even know when i started feeling like this.
procrastination ultra pro max
but the moment i opened its all fine now.

so the conclusion i reached?
those videos that say start for atleast 5mins are true. whatever you do just start , that makes the whole difference
(p.s some selfcare and facemask can act as booster )

would love to know how you guys dealt with this
and while we are here,
drop the link to the work that you are working hard on
here is mine

https://tapas.io/episode/3153763

[kyupol]

My longest hiatus was 2018 - 2022. Just had to do it because I was financially struggling and needed to work more and take welding classes at the same time. No Time for comics but that's ok. Came back a little rusty but kept going and got the hang of it again.

[VibrantFox]

I've had hiatuses go from a few months to several years but the main thing that helps is communicating with your audience above all else. Plus that's what the author's note section is there for (aside from encouraging engagement)

As for balancing comics and school stuff, education I think should always take priority. It's good to indulge in passion projects but you've also gotta make sure that stuff isn't negatively impacting your grades n stuff either Personally I haven't been in a spot where I've had to juggle art and school in...well years but for the short span of time where that was a thing for me having a backlog of episodes built up or at the least having them prepped so i can finish and post them later on helped a lot; so if you can find ample amounts of downtime that's always a boon

As for creative blocks it's usually been a matter of figuring out the source, whether it was a lack of inspiration, struggling to self motivate, needing a little external motivation or just plain burnout. In those cases once I figured out what was at the root it was either setting more realistic goals, taking breaks, or switching up what I'm working on altogether to give my head or my hands a change of pace. Other times I've just had to step away from art entirely and get more into other things whether it was writing, crafts or just non art stuff in general to mix things up; which honestly happens to a lot of creatives so the need to branch out is likely to come up and not at all a bad thing. it can also help get ideas flowing for a project you're working on

But the core of it all is to just have fun first and foremost and the rest will come to you as you keep at it

[Lensing]

I got back into drawing at the age of 40 on my 40th birthday actually, then
drew daily for over 10 years. Drawing used to be the love of my life and
the only thing I really had passion for when I was a kid to young adult,
I´m happy that I got back into it. I spent my time making music, it´s something
I don´t regret, but it´s a very consuming life as a musician.

[BoomerZ]

I haven't had a hiatus but I did decide 3 weeks ago that my last comics wasn't getting an audience, so ended it. That was a tough decision but it needed to be done. I'm slowly working on my next idea. I do agree with you though. You just need to sit down and start. That is the hardest part.

[ThunderChicken]

My story is on an extended, unplanned hiatus because life has just kept kicking me in the nuts this year. Both of my parents have got failing health (my mother has dementia and heart failure, my father has COPD and heart failure), my brother, who was an alcoholic, took his own life, my cat died... it has just been a shitty year in general. Every time I try to set some time aside to write or draw I sit in front of my computer and just... can't.

I do have my story fully fleshed out in my head, and it's far from over, but I just can't force myself to write or draw, because if I do it will come across as being forced. My heart has to be into it, and it just hasn't been into it.

[jwabeasley]

I try to keep my discipline on these and work steadily.

Usually writers block comes from engaging the editing brain at the same time as the writing brain - but in your case it's probably better to use the 'what I can do right now' technique:

The idea for that is that even if you feel like you can't do the whole job right now, you should just do whatever you can right now. Maybe you're not up to writing, but you put your pencil and notebook out on the desk so that you can write tomorrow. Maybe you can't do the prose so you work on the outline instead.

Often times you'll find that once you have the momentum going, it's easier to keep it going, and you'll get more done than you thought.

In my case, drawing comics is the thing I like to do most, it's what I try and fit around every other activity. Usually all I need is uninterrupted time.

[authoraugustin]

thats amazing that you still find the time to do this. its always appreciated

[authoraugustin]

thank youuu soooo much for all those advice
definitely agreeing with keeping education as a priority and gonna keep doing this for fun

[authoraugustin]

OMG ️ that is really inspiring, keep going ️

[authoraugustin]

some endings bring us better beginnings, don't be sad that it ended , its awesome u brought it out to an audience, that really does take a lot to do.
if you could do this , im sure u will definitely gain new ideas ️

[authoraugustin]

i am so sorry for that
i hope everything gets better soon.
its okay to take a break, and you are absolutely right to do so.
️

[authoraugustin]

that definitely sounds like something that would work for me
thank you for your advice , i will defo try it
️

[dimsum_y]

The most recent hiatus I've taken as a writer was about 3-4 years. I got really busy in those years, getting a new job after graduating from college during the pandemic lockdown, having to adjust to the chaos, trying another job, etc. The jobs really sucked the joy of writing for me too. I've been back for about a year now and writing more seriously than before.

As for writer's block, I'm currently going through it. But usually during a writer's block, I find that listening to music online that resonates with whichever story I'm writing, watch movies, or read others' works to become a better writer--all help me move through the writer's block. What I also find that helps me to exit the writer's block is just write whatever comes to mind that is related to the story, either outlining or start freewriting until something clicks.

For those who are writing, if possible--try to finish the book or story. I'm close to finishing my first series, and I found out that I've learned a lot--more than ever before--about writing because I'm about to complete my story. I've followed web novel authors where their first series/book had an 'okay' ending, but usually in the next series/book, I can see so much improvement; I can tell that they learned a lot from completing that first series/book.

[MelancholicOtaku]

I usually take a break every few months ,that way I don’t burnout my creative flow. I had to take a one month hiatus last month because my father passed away and I couldn’t write anything, I did begin to write again so my novels latest chapter means a lot to me.

And for writers block what helps me is reading some of my favorite books and manga or watching a good tv show or movie ,sometimes I get ideas from different genres. Also just living life like taking a good walk or playing video games,listening to music helps.

I guess just living life helps with writers block.

[tiff524]

I'm just starting out in the community since I'm planning on launching a web novel on Tapas soon. But I've had all sorts of writer's block over the years since I began my writing journey back in the 00s. I always found writing to be a great escape for myself, dive into my world, and hang out with my friends (characters). Recently, I've had a lot of writer's block. I usually have multiple projects to help keep me going. If I get blocked or stuck with one, I switch to another. The pandemic really messed me up. I moved in the middle of it to a small town, and also, the isolation was hard. I really enjoy going to conferences, being around other writers. It definitely stimulates the creative juices.

So, I found out that being a part of a writing group, going to writing conferences, really helps me. Even getting away from writing for a bit will help give me a needed break. Don't pressure yourself to work. Sometimes you need a creative break. For short term helping, going for a walk, taking a mental health day helps. Plus, working or school is essential. Just schedule time for both. A consistent writing time helps a lot. I also like having a deadline like for a contest. Think about what works for you. Don't try to force it. Trying to figure out what works the best for you to be creative is part of the process. It will happen.