Getting in "the Mood".

[Vampiric]

Okay, so here's to scenario: I have a 5000-8000 word background to type for a MU* application, as well as a 250-word personality sketch (not a problem) and a few plot seeds. The problem? INSPIRATION. ARGH.

Even if you don't understand the concept of applications and MU*s (it's frustrating enough), any fanfic writer should be able to sympathize--don't you have to be in the right Mood for the words to flow?

So, my question for you is: how do you get yourself in that creative-writing mood? I'm thinking reading my Wheel of Time books will get me in the mood to write a Wheel of Time character up.. but I just finished the fourth book and I don't have the fifth one yet, so..

Anyway.. share share share!

[Calla Lily]

In my personal experience, getting 'in the mood' is as easy as re-reading one of my older works, whether it's worthy or not. Listening to my favourite soundtracks always helps, or I go on my LJ and talk a bit with some buddies there.

It all depends, I suppose.

But if it's a character sketch/something specific that I'm trying to work on, I read up on it (say, the book series), watch the movie, look up some good fanart/official pics/etc and finally I go find a good song to relate that moment to.

And if all else fails.

I go spend 2/3 hours on my piano.

.... yes... I'm very music minded.... *blush*

BTW, just what is an MU* application? I don't think I've ever heard of that term before. (excuse my stupidity)

~Calla.

[Vampiric]

BTW, just what is an MU* application? I don't think I've ever heard of that term before. (excuse my stupidity)

No stupidity to excuse, dear. XD

A MUSH is a Multiple-User Shared Hallucination, a kind of text-based roleplaying game. There are such things as MUDs (Multi-User Dungeons, I think?) that are based off original tabletop roleplaying games like Dungeons and Dragons, which incorporate the whole statistics side of roleplaying and hack-and-slash. MUSHs, on the other hand, are based entirely around storytelling, kind of like a round-robin with your own characters. MU* is a general term for all MUDS, MUSHES, etc etc etc. And sometimes administrators require an application for specific characters.

..and if you didn't understand a bit of that, I'm sorry. I'm not a very good teacher. XD

..oh, and a correction-- it's 5000-8000 CHARACTERS that I need to right, which is a whole 'nother story. ('Characters' meaning letters, in this context. ^.~) .. I still need to get around to doing it, though.

[Litia-sama]

Getting in the mood? Hm. Generally, I find it's best to figure what mood you want your reader to be in when reading the piece, then put yourself in a similar mood and start jotting things down. They might not be of much use to you, but at least your getting some ideas out there.

I hope that helps, if you haven't already found something that works better.

~Litia

[Calla Lily]

..oh, and a correction-- it's 5000-8000 CHARACTERS that I need to right, which is a whole 'nother story. ('Characters' meaning letters, in this context. ^.~) .. I still need to get around to doing it, though.

*laughs* Oops, my stupidity is showing again. XD

Indeed.

As for the MU* explanation you gave, I did understand it, so no worries there. Although, I don't think I shall be attempting any of those in the near future... I find D&D confusing enough as it is.

Or it could be those whom I play with. *laughs*

~Calla.