How to deal with Writer’s Block!
Overview:
Most importantly you need to realize that you are not alone… Every one and I mean Every one has gone through this at one time or another!
For anyone who has been doing this for a decent amount of time, “Writer’s Block”, has occurred in one form or another! Weather or not it was that Pay Per View that you put all your heart into, or that new guy who was talking all the trash that just “HAD” to go down, perhaps there are some personal problems that are requiring a lot of your time recently, or maybe you are just burned out from being in the federation for so long and are no longer seeming to find your gimmick interesting. What ever the case it is important to remember that this is something that happens even to the best of writers.
“Writers Block“, or an “RP Slump” as it is often referred to as is when you, as a writer, feel like your mind has been left to nothing but a creative mush. Meaning your ideas for something unique or an addition to your character are nonexistent! In some extreme cases it is when that blinking on the Word Processor almost seems to mock you! At some points with every few words that you type onto the document you can feel your ideas fading and have to delete and start over again. When your monitor begins calling you names and laughs at your every attempt to write something creative it is time to calmly shut down the computer and seek medical aid!
When I refer to being in a federation for a decent amount of time, I am not referring to your second match in the chosen federation. If you are experiencing a slump within your third match in a federation you are going to need to sit down and seriously think about weather or not RPing is a hobby that you have the creativity for. You should by no means experience a “Writing Slump” so early in your writing career!
Most importantly you are probably wondering what you can do to get out of this slump. Here are a few options for you to think about.
Are You Really “That“ Bad?:
For most people the biggest problem can be how they feel that their character is perceived in the select federations. In most cases you are doing a great job with what you already have but don’t feel that any one is taking notice.
This can be solved by simply asking someone what they think, preferably the well established handlers of the federation, or people who have been doing great for a while. Try to steer clear of people out side of your own federation as each federation has different qualities that they look for in an RP. Some are more trash talking based as other like to hear the occasional story line. The WEWA looks for a well balanced combination of both.
Nowadays it seems like no federation is complete with out the proper OOC (Out Of Character) Discussion area. These places are perfect for asking questions about your character. Be aware that other people have lives too and probably won’t answer your questions right away but I can guarantee that if the federation is worth being a part of, there are going to be plenty of people around to help you out. Another way is to contact people via email! For the most part when people are checking their email they are not too busy trying to write an RP and this would be the perfect time for them to help. Pay attention to trying to contact the owner as he will best know what it is that your character may be lacking. Or what can help to bring your character out of a rut. Most owners have been handlers themselves and have an abundance of unused ideas that might be worth while.
Things like “How do you feel my character is viewed?” or “What can I do to make him better?” should be your first questions. Most people would be flattered that you asked them for their advice while others might get straight down to the point. Most importantly you can not be afraid of the harsh criticism that some might hand you. Any thing that doesn’t kill you makes you stronger Right?.. And if there is a chance that your life would be threatened because of a criticism, well you need to step away from your computer for a few weeks until you can tell the difference between reality and an online hobby!
Change is good:
So you have talked with some peeps from the roster and is has become evident that there is a change needed. You heart is probably pumping so hard you can hardly place your hands on the key board. Relax! Take a deep breath and realize that it is not the end of the world.
I realize that the biggest problem for most people is their character! You have either been using him for so long that you really don’t want to sacrifice his/her personality, or you have under gone so many character changes that you just want to stick with one. Realize that even the smallest change can make a world of difference when dealing with ideas.
The first thing you need to do is prepare for a change. Weather big or small, you can use a slump to better your character and how they are perceived.
Steer clear of changing the entire character:
It has been said over and over in sites around the net DO NOT CHANGE UP BASTARD BILL FOR LUCKY LUKE!
For established federations this can be the poison that leads to you not getting any where. There is nothing worse that an established superstar who suddenly calls it quits or worse yet totally disappears off of the face of the earth. This is a bigger hassle than is needed for the producers of the matches to try and fit yet another new face onto the card. Starting over is not the answer. Keep what you have and experiment with it.
A proper federation can find a way to give even the most undignified character a push. The problem is never the character that you are using. The problem is you! To but it as adamantly as possible it is your problem with finding something to talk about worth while.
Another Voice - A sub-character:
Maybe all your character needs is some one to talk to? Perhaps he just seems like he knows everything and is not willing to budge on his views.
Try adding another person into the mix like someone that your character would respect and listen to. Now I must remind you that if you are going to add a sub-character that just echoes everything the main-character thinks, there is no point. This person should be some one who calls you out on your bullshit. This person should have a personality of their own. They can be argumentative or subtle. This can be some one who worries about your well-being or just plain despises that fact that you are a wrestler.
It can be something as simple as a manager who thinks that your superstar doesn’t do enough of a work out. It can be an ex-girlfriend that dumped you because you were too much or a prick. It can be something as casual as a bum that you toss quarters to every day and just now decided to talk to him. It can be a younger version of yourself… maybe in a dream your younger self kicks your ass for being such a loser. But remember there has to be a change of personality in there somewhere! People need to see another side of you so that your writing doesn’t seem so one dimensional.
Another Voice - Another Roster Member:
Is there some one on the roster that you talk to on aim for hours at a time? Some one that you know is willing to help you out with this little problem?
Try using them in a Role-Play. Have a conversation with them on AIM in character and see what develops. Copy and paste the conversation to a word pad and add the description later. Work around what you already have. Hey it is cheap but it is creative!
Another Voice – Narrator:
So you already have a Manager or a bum that you talk to on a regular basis? The conversations are starting to get boring or they can only argue about the same thing day in and day out and every one on AIM seems to be busy with their own Role-Plays? Well for the more advanced handlers, here is a little something to think about; the narrator.
You know that little part of you RP that you hold for the description. Things like “Julio picks up a glass of water and takes a sip” or “It is a cold Seattle night as Julio shiver at the thought of spending another night out in this city”. What’s to say that your narrator can’t have a voice of their own too?
Cavenaugh and Obsidian are perfect examples of this. Their narrators argue, laugh, and sometimes just plainly shoot insults in their direction.
Well look at it another way. This is the part of your writing that tells the story, so give this part just a tad bit more feeling. Give them a personality of their own!
Maybe he is proud to be a part of the “Next Big Thing”. Hell, maybe he despises you to the utmost degree. He can crack joke on your every comment or be the ultimate Groupie for you. It’s something different and that is the point! It will give you a different style of writing which will lead us into the next subject.
Style Change Up:
So what style do you use? Should you use pure conversations with the camera that never answers back? Do you use humor too often that the catchy one-liners are starting to seem reiterated? Do you consider the future or are you deep into the matches, wondering “What it could all mean in the end”? Do you just walk around the city speaking the most inane blather about every day events like politics and religion? Does your character just live life doing normal everyday things like managing a store or a school?
What ever your style is, maybe you have used it too often? When you are experiencing “Writers Block perhaps you have worn your style into the ground too far. So maybe its time to change it up a bit!
If you base your Role-Plays more on humor. Well try a dream sequence in which the readers could get an inside look to the workings of your characters head. If you are a trash talker, try some more in depth writing to give the readers a more emotional view of your character. Maybe some kind personal thoughts or a conversation with a picture could help. A drunken argument with a mirror is unique. Maybe even a physical fight with a coat rack.
The number one problem for most Role-Plays is the fact that that they focus too much on the camera. Think of you role-Play more as a creative writing tool. This is not “MTV’s REAL WORLD” there does not have to be a camera following you around the entire day. Try doing some thing with out the camera around. This applies to writing about memories or dreams.
A little bit of advice about the aforementioned style… remember that you are still writing these as a Superstar, so you might want to make sure that it relates some how to your match or your opponent.
Basing the character on yourself:
This applies to all personalities and all people. I base my character, La Sombra, greatly on myself. This makes it so much easier to react to situations and matches. Weather you are excited about the win or frustrated because of a loss? How would your character react to such occurrences? It is easier to figure out when your character is based on your own personality.
Did something happen the other day that really pissed you off? Car wouldn’t start… Again? Are your bills starting to pile up? Does God hate you? Well all those situations could be used to in an RP for your character. It helps to make them seem more “Down to Earth”. When they have normal problems it helps your character look realistic.
Most importantly when basing your character off of your self you need to remember not to take anything personally. I don’t know how many times I have had to talk people down from thinking that another person on the roster had personal problem with them because of something “They said in a Role-Play”. Remember it is all in good fun.
When all else fails:
You might actually need some time off! Trust me even i have had to take time off! It is a tad bit better if you tell you owner before you need it... Perhaps before a show so he doesn't give you a title that will go vacant for no reason or a story line that lays dead in the water!
Conclusion:
Well I hope that this was insightful. Being in an E-Fed can have it's ups and downs. But if you are having fun it can be as addictive as Crack!