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'Martin' wrote on '27:
That's up to you – just something you think relevant to insomnia, or what insomniacs have to go through.
Can't wait to see what you come up with!
How about something like this..?
'Martin' wrote on '22:I hope your carpal tunnel gets better soon, Uly – I wanted to see if you'd draw an insomnia sketch or comic strip for us to promote on the blog.
Really? What kind of sketch/comic strip? I'd be all up for it.
Good times: I'm excited for this Saturday, to go to a Sexual Assault Awareness charity event at a university where I live. A friend of mine is a featured poet for the event; I'm going to support her and listen to her performance.
Also good times: my cousin Kim, who is studying abroad in Kamagaya-shi (Chiba prefecture, Japan), sent the family boxes of candy. So now our laolao has all sorts of great treats in her candy dishes for Sunday cribbage!
Bad times: My boss and his wife just recently left for vacation and left my father and I (his business partner and assistant, respectively) his duties. So now father and I are playing hot-potato with bossman's cell phone each time we cross paths; neither of us want to get stuck with it. (It rings. A lot.)
Also bad times: My carpal tunnel has been flaring up this past week, slowing down both my current illustrating gig and my comics blog.
But all in all, I've been in a good mood lately, regular sleep and writing issues aside.
'yamerias' wrote on '08:Well fortune seems to be smiling on me!!!
GOOD TIMES
- I discovered a voucher in the box to my stereo that gave me £21 of credit for an MP3 download site….and when I exhausted the credit, and said I wanted to cancel my account they gave me an extra £5 credit to convince me to stay…so I accepted that, downloaded an additional album and then cancelled my account! Wasn't too bad…I download 2 albums and several singles with all that, worthy additions to my music collection!![*]I'm still in touch with the amazing LindsayK, and I've been spreading the word of the book she has recently had published, and I looked for it on iBooks on my iPhone and sadly it wasn't there…I told her I'd look out for an epub formatted copy of the book and purchase it, and she very kindly gave me a pdf copy for free!![*]The doctors that I've been seeing have all been saying that I seem so much more lively and have a real sparkle in my eyes and seem so much more positive compared to even a few weeks ago….I guess having your heart shocked into a normal rhythm can do that for you!!
BAD TIMES
- At this very moment in time…..nothing!!
It's good to see nothing down for bad times! Knock on wood that stays consistent!
I don't know if it might help for you guys, but when I get writer's block, I revisit the things that inspire me. For example: I take a lot of influences from Asian culture for my current project (my book). So if ever I can't think of what to do in the book, I look at pictures of Chinese temples, of their countrysides, of rural towns, sometimes at Japanese woodblock paintings, or Indian markets… whatever. (I've garnered a giant picture folder on my computer of these things!) Basically, I look at architecture, clothing, anything that corresponds with the settings or people I imagine would appear in my book's world. This helps in the way that I can imagine my characters in these places/etc., and strikes the question “what would they be doing there” or “how does something like this relate to them”? And from there I can create similar situations or take elements of the inspiration into the book. Not every imagined scene or situation is always used, but exercising the options and getting a feel for what characters would do in different places/etc. is a good way to get ideas flowing.
That, or sometimes when I'm stuck on a scene, I'll draw it out as a rough comic. I don't concern myself much with the drawing aspect, but rather the setting and position of all the characters; the scene as a whole. Sketching it out, for me, sometimes helps with the fluidity of scene. Being aware of the characters' placement in a room or to one another is a good start. (It also helps when I have a firm image of something from the scene, like a fist fight's movements, that I want to keep and translate into text.) Also, using only speech bubbles and doodles, it helps me focus more on the dialog and deem what flows better or feels most natural for characters to say while also getting the most information from it. (Half the time, I stop doodling and just make blob-outlines with characters' names on them because I get more involved with the dialog.) Then, when writing the actual scene, I use the rough comic as a reference and tweak as I need from doodles to draught.
Those are my two predominant remedies for writer's block. And if those don't help, sometimes I just talk it out with a friend who knows the characters or take a shower (when standing under the shower, I let my mind wander and ideas sometimes appear in my simmering). Or, like said before, listen to some music (Erik Satie and Yann Teirsen, to be exact).
Perhaps some of my methods will work for you guys. I hope so; I bet writer's block is as much the bane of your guys' existence as it is mine. (Knock on wood, eh?)
Until next time!
-Uly
Wow, there's a lot of vivid imagery going on in this piece. It's interesting how much action is being told, what with all the strong words, on a subject like desolation. Generally I think of desolation as something still and stagnant; I rarely see it described this way. That's not to say that it's bad, though- I really like that it's full of action- it's very gripping.
On unrelated note, I was pointed in your direction by Martin; he said you'd posted some poetry on here and I thought I'd take a look. It's all great work!
Until next time.
-Uly
'Martin' wrote on '18:Your novel sounds really interesting. Maybe you can treat us all to an excerpt as it approaches being finished? LindsayK is a published author, but she's gone AWOL of late. Hopefully she'll drop by soon as I think you'd both have a lot in common. Also, Kik often gets involved in NaNoWriMo – hopefully she'll submit some more pieces here in the future.
xabalba also submitted some great poems. Wow, the list goes on. I think we need to resurrect this forum from the ashes – I'll give it a shot my end by writing something for the next insomniac bulletin!
Thank you, Martin! For both the pointers to other members and taking the time to read all my rambling. If any one else is interested, I'd definitely be able to treat you guys to an excerpt. I've already got 450+ pages penned (typed) down; I'm sure I could find at least one interesting bit! Rough draught aside, I'm always willing to share. 🙂
Perhaps I'll submit some old poetry on the forum? That seems to be a theme in the Writer's Corner. I think I might have one on insomnia, too…
'Martin' wrote on '21:I'd love to hold another one – the challenge is getting enough people to agree on a specific time, and to commit to turning up. We should get the ball rolling again, though.
Where are these chats oft held? I'd love to be a part of the next one.
'yamerias' wrote on '21:Hey Uly,
Always nice to see fresh faces here…although you may not always see me around much!
I hope you enjoy your time here and see you around the boards 🙂
Thank you for the warm welcome; thus far I'm enjoying every second! I hope to be active on the boards, and to see you around too!
-Uly
'mariamoody1985' wrote on '20:I will let you know if I do start a book and if Mr Cameron replies!! I doubt it though, he won't listen to someone without a piece of paper to say they know what they are talking about!! Life experience doesn't count for anything in this world, unless it is a 'proper' life you've led!
I can completely understand your school problems. I was diagnosed with CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) when I was in high school and ended up having to repeat a year as my attendance was less than 50%. I still got better exam results than most of my friends as I can quite easily learn things but only in my own time!! Teachers never understood me but, having a label for my tiredness made them sympathise a little! I know there was nothing medically wrong with me but, as school is during the day, my head and body just couldn't keep up with the pace of it!
Doctors think there has to be an answer for everything but I think when it comes to sleep patterns, some people just thrive better when the rest of the world is asleep!! There is nothing 'wrong' with that, it just doesn't fit with the 9-5, monday-friday world!
Glad you see that 'weird' sleep patterns are much more normal than you thought before sharing with us all on here! You're in the right place!! 😀
Maria xx'
“I was … ended up having to repeat a year as my attendance was less than 50%.” I almost had to repeat a year, but thankfully I was transferred early out of my senior year at high school and into alternative classes at a local Tech/University, where I ended up finishing within a few months (by Christmas break, to be accurate). My alternative classes went from 11 to 3, and were by individual basis rather than class; looking back, I can say that I was very grateful for it! I hadn't been at the classes long, but because they started so late, it was much easier to accommodate night-owl tendencies and I had less stress over being alert and ready to work each day.
And with saying that some people just thrive better at night, I can definitely testify to that. I agree: I'm in the right place! 🙂
Thanks again for all your eager welcomes. Hope the day/night's treating you well!
-Uly
'UliHarp' wrote on '21:Oh dear! (Hides behind clipboard)
I'm afraid I'm a bit of a pansy. Haha!
'Martin' wrote on '20:Good luck with keeping that title with Yam around – you'll have to arm wrestle to decide who is the biggest and best amateur film bug at Insomnia Land 😉
Oh dear! (Hides behind clipboard)
'mariamoody1985' wrote on '19:Hi Uly,
You sound just like me, head wakes up when the sun goes down! haha. I often end up writing loads of stuff down during the night and coming back to it in the morning! I have never been a great talker but I have recently discovered how much I love writing! So far, my insomnia has inspired me to write letters of complaint to my Neurology consultant in charge of my MS and David Cameron!! I was fed up of feeling like a failure because my head and body seemed to be unable to coexist! My head would be awake when my body wanted to rest but my head wanted to rest when I needed to physically do things like doctors appointments etc.
I sat for about a week just writing the letters, always after midnight! It helped clear my head a little! I started to be able to sleep a little bit better but I'm starting to struggle again so I'm going to write another letter to David Cameron! My neurologist did actually reply but Mr Cameron didn't so I have more things to say to him! Haha. It might be petty but I would love to be able to write books, I have so many ideas but my MS makes it hard to just live day to day without stressing myself out about finishing a book or anything!!
Most of the ideas I have are common sense applied to politics with references to philosophy, religion and entertainment but I wouldn't have a clue where to start and I tend to ramble a LOT so any book I did write would probably make as much sense as this reply does!
Hope that rambling on here helps you crack your sleep problems!! It is a great way to get things out of your head and one less thing to buzz through it while the rest of the world sleeps!!
Maria xx
“I was fed up of feeling like a failure because my head and body seemed to be unable to coexist” You said it, right there. In an ideal world, I would be up by night to match my head, and asleep by day by my body. I feel most creative and motivated to both start and complete everything from daily tasks (like dishwashing or running errands) to work (like writing or other things) when it starts getting dark, but tragically, we live in a sunshine-fueled world. I attribute most my lifelong sleep irregularities to this; as a child and all throughout schooling, I dragged myself through days and slept as soon as I got home from classes just so that I could be up at night when my mind was most active. It was confusing for teachers, what with my sleeping during class and not being attentive, but flourishing with overnight assignments. I suppose they took it as an underachiever attitude; they frequently encouraged me (and woke me up) to participate in class because they knew I had the ability, but until nightfall, I admittedly never took to it. Consequently, my mother used to enforce bed times for me as a teenager, and I used to have to write or do homework in secret while she slept. There even came a point when she once threatened to take away my computer because she knew I used it at night. Needless to say, all the tiptoeing around my mother and precarious balancing of sleep schedules made it easy to fall into bouts of insomnia. Since finishing school and moving out of my mother's house, I've been less stressed about syncing with the rest of the world, but that doesn't mean it's any less cumbersome. I feel bad, being up at night and not wanting to make noise for fear of waking my roommate or neighbors, among other things.
And you're right; rambling feels good. I already feel a lot has been lifted off my chest, simply from looking at it in retrospection and sharing. I markedly feel less alone about my night peaks and day slumps; explaining it to few friends, they never seem to understand what I'm saying. Here, I see it's quite common.
Well, I guess I'll end my rambling at here for now. Thank you for warm welcome, and I hope that all those momentous letters come to do good! It would be rather exciting, if David Cameron replied! Maybe, to pass the time, I should write a letter to Emo Philips… haha. And hearing that you're thinking of writing a book; if you do start one, I'd be interested to know what about! What was the Poe quote: “Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night”? Those of a feather… well, you know the rest.
Until next time!
-Uly
'Martin' wrote on '18:We're a small but close community, so of course I wanted to take a look at your blog!
We have a wide range of members, from hardcore insomniacs to those who struggle from time to time. All are welcome, and are encouraged to get involved.
Good luck rekindling the writer's corner. Maybe we should rename it to an arts corner and encourage sketches, etc, too? What do you think?
I think turning it into a general arts corner would make artists and writers of unconventional/varying mediums more inclined to contribute and visit. The words “writer's corner” can be a little intimidating; I know I still bite my nails each time I enter an online writer's niche. Also, including every medium seems only fair. I'd be surprised if people weren't willing to share sketches, etc. in a general arts corner. Broadening the topic from writing to art as a whole, I think, would make for the impression of a more open and accepting spectrum. If you know what I mean; I can't quite find the words I'm looking for.
'Martin' wrote on '13:Thanks for posting the link – I'm going to take a look!
Many of our members write when they suffer with insomnia – some get stuck into novels (one member just signed a publishing deal but recently went AWOL!).
I guess writing in itself is a good outlet and a distraction that isn't strenuous so there's still a chance for sleep to find us.
It would be interesting to hear from other members to see how they pass the time during bad bouts of sleeplessness. Hopefully we'll see some more contributions to this thread.
I fall in line with this member type; when I can't sleep, I often sit down and get some writing down. It's nice because while it burns up creative energy, it also gets my mind of stressors and habitual clock-chequing. Also, because I use a laptop, I can easily sit in bed with my writing; this way, if I notice myself nodding off, I can close it and just lie right down as not to miss the chance to sleep. I know this also may complicate things, what with having a potential distraction in my bed, but I admittedly feel at ease with my laptop always nearby. That is, if I think of something and don't want to lose the idea- I can open the laptop and type it down- and then close it to return to later.
Other than writing, I pass the time reading blogs or updating my own. Or, if I'm really desperate, I watch something online, like an old television show. I say old because there's never pressure to see “new episodes” and they're never in my way (via commercials or media hype; I can always take a break and go back without missing anything. The original Star Trek and Golden Girls are my particular favorites.
