Past the Writing Pothole

I've really really really wanted to get past the rut I'm in with writing. Ever since the beginning of the year, it's like my creative brain shut off. I haven't had any ideas, I haven't been able to think about my characters, nothing. Even the new story I tried starting didn't really take off exactly like I thought it would. I'm still excited about both, but I can't seem to get anywhere! It's been so depressing...

And it doesn't help that I'm smothered in schoolwork. I'm currently taking 18 credits, and it's no fun at all. We're delving deep into the music, however, which is exciting and better than gen-eds. I'm super excited for this semester to end so I can take my next creative writing class! But while I used to squeeze in a sentence or two between the occasional passing period, because I haven't had any ideas it leaves me staring at the words I used to have wondering what I could possibly come up with to get going again.

Finally, however, at the beginning of the week, I found my mind wandering. I found my characters speaking in my head again, reacting to things, possible things I could use... it was so nice to have that feeling back! I know I sound like such a dork when I say that, but I don't even care. I'm so used to having my mind wander that when it doesn't I feel lost and confused. But I have a few more ideas, and I'm steadily getting closer to something, possibly (hopefully) a different way to try starting my story...

(PS- I know I said I'd try to post another segment of my writing soon, but I keep forgetting because of all my schoolwork... I'll try to get something soon!)

What To Do...

I'm still stuck on what to do for my story. I'm in this really weird position where I want to write something but I don't know what to write... I don't know where to go for the new story. I don't know how to restart my original story. I don't even have any ideas for short stories.

It's a little depressing.

I've started carrying around some published works, however. One of the biggest pieces of advice I was given in my creative writing class last semester was to read, and read, and read and read and read and read and don't ever stop reading...

I sinned in high school and stopped reading books for fun because I would read books instead of doing my homework, or read books instead of sleep at night, etc... so in order to successfully complete my AP English course my senior year in high school, I stopped reading books for fun. That was over three years ago! 

So I've delved into the list of books I've been meaning to read. Right now I'm carrying around "The Sword of Shannara" by Terry Brooks. It's a series (and author) that my mother adores, so I picked a copy up at a used bookstore. I haven't started it yet, but I'm excited. I already have more ideas for my original story just by contemplating the characters in Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" (although, shamefully, I haven't read the books... they're on the list, don't worry...)

I'll try to post another story segment soon. Until then... I'll be reading and trying to figure out how to start my novel again!