[Abashai's Scrapbook] A Breach in the Wall

[Panna Cotta]

Hey Mike

I'd have to say I feel the same way about my PC. Haha, only I'm an AS so I have other Miza-stuff going on in my head. It's natural though, to feel that way. We're proud when our creations take a life of their own, when their stories flow out of us naturally, but we are (but we shouldn't be!) ashamed when they become nothing but copypastes of our own humanity.

I don't have a "developmental block" such as you do, but I've got this well, to be technical about it, "progress block". I can't seem to set up my PC's area, the plot is there but I can't just grasp "it". It being a cohesive thread out of what I want to accomplish.

But I'm not here to grab hands and pass the tequila (by the way, do you drink?), I don't really want to start pitying myself, too, for being less creative than I usually am, neither do I want a schadenfreude from reading (haha, Mike is suffering like I am) your scrapbook.

I'm here to sprinkle sunshine and say, "Don't worry, and be happy." It's not a rut, Mike, it's just a small shallow crack in the floor. You can trip over it, but you're not supposed to fall into it. Wow, I feel like I sound so profound.

Cheerio!

[Alice]

I think I've actually experienced something similar to this. I felt that one of my characters resembled me too obviously and in too many aspects. After all, we don't want to play ourselves, but fictional characters that should resemble us, but also be different enough to make playing a pleasure.

Anyway, what did I do? ... I gave up the character, but that doesn't mean that you should do that. From my point of view it looks like you have lost track of what characters/genres you truly enjoy playing. Maybe you've gotten overenthusiastic because everyone admires you. ^^ Anyway, thinking about what you originally enjoyed writing about and focusing on that might be a good thing to do. When a character has too many different aspects it soon gets difficult to play all of them out. And when you focus too much on a single aspect, you often get bored.

Maybe cut back with threads for a while. Try to play with people whose writing you really still enjoy. (Have a thread with me? ) The good news is: The creative juices will flow again one time. If you believe it and look forward to it, you'll find new inspiration.

[Nya Winters]

. Funks I understand rp funks well and after roleplaying on boards like Mizahar for years, I know exactly how to get out of them. But before I let you in on the secret, let me tell you why people get into them. First and foremost, they happen because the newness of a character wears off. Those pcs stop getting surprised, thrilled, scared, exciting, etc for various reasons. Sometimes its because a thread stalls. Other times its because players you rp with vanish. And yet other times its because you've done something with them that you are secretly ashamed of. In life, and in gaming, you have to constantly embrace the concept of 'pushing through it'. Whether that is the lung burn of a jogging, the soreness of riding a horse after not being on one for a month due to the weather, or a thousand other things. Sometimes its because your rl schedule is back to back and you just don't have the energy. But when you stop getting something out of something that you need to get out of it, it stops feeling fun. But I'll tell you a little secret. You only get out of it what you put into it. Seriously. No one can cure your funks for you. There's no mod that can swoop down and scoop your PC up into a fabulous plot and make everything right. The only way to get out of a rp funk is to push through it. Write even when you don't feel their voice. Change their location. Take them on a trip. Thread with new people. See a trend here? This is all YOU doing something. This isn't your fabulous pc being invited to participate. YOU have to take the initiative. You have to pour TLC into your PC. Remember, you started with a blank CS and not even a clue with what sort of PC you wanted. Then you made them all come to life. Sure they are going to be reflections of parts of you, but I wouldn't say they are carbon copies by a long shot. Vanator is far different than Abashai. And your tert is different than either of those two. Basically, Mike, I think someone just needs to kick you in the head and rattle the gray matter around a bit because it sounds like its gummed up in there... Asking for ideas is one thing - but asking for help is... another. But I have a feeling your going to be waiting a long long time for someone to bail you out of your rp rut. Why? Because its impossible to do. It's absolutely impossible. You are the only one that can climb out of the hole you've dug yourself into and really stretch your legs. Only you can forgive yourself your rp transgressions. Only the guy in the mirror can decide what he wants out of roleplaying and decide to put into it something or anything that makes it worth a shit to him to carry on. And while there's more to say, I think I'll pm my final paragraph here to you privately. Nya .

[Satu]

It struck me today that this could be a fitting theme sone for you... and your multitudes of lady friends.

[Abashai]

Satu,

I cannot find the words to express my feelings regarding this hand chosen theme. I am not sure I should.

[Sorian]

Mike, As I have already elaborated in that Mikesaurus post of mine so... Enthusiastically, I am a deep admirer of you. But it definitely doesn't end with my sincere and obvious admiration of the huge and impressive body of work you've contributed to Miz. I also revere your character as a true friend. You've been a huge inspiration to me -and a slew of whole other Miza writers, I am more than sure- and I would like to say that it is an honor to be held in such esteem by a person such as you. Thank you very much for the inspiration and the friendship. May you continue to be a guide and a model for all of Miza to know, experience and to enjoy. We've never seen each other face to face, but I definitely hope that we get the chance someday. The same applies to the rest of my good, kind-hearted friends in the fancy and ever-interesting world of Mizahar. THIS, ladies and gentlemen, is why this place tops anything the RP world can toss out there. /takes out the trout and smacks Abashai with it heartily. - Sorian P.S. After all this time we still haven't made a thread Mike. For shame!

[Abashai]

Dave,

I feel a bit humbled and somewhat amazed at the credit you give me. You have always been one of my biggest cheerleaders, and you have encouraged me even when I wondered whether I was helping or hurting the site. I want to thank you again for your kindness and friendship.

It is true, it's a shame we have not RP'd! Despite my aversion to Akalak, we should remedy that! I owe you and our dear Samantha long awaited threads.

Thanks again Dave.

Mike

[Gossamer]

Wait, you have an aversion to Akalak? Oh.. do tell.

[Abashai]

I should clarify...my characters have an aversion to Akalak. They are blue, bigger than me, and you never know if you are going to get the nice one or the mean one. Kind of intimidating too. And they always have their shirts off, showing off their big blue torsos. Maybe I am just jealous.

[Ulric]

Aversion, or secret, pent-up craving?