[Discussion] Should I Even Continue?

[Marbles34]

So, hiiiiii.

I'm new here, and by new, I mean COMPLETELY new.

As in, I just started getting back into Pokemon. Played when I was younger, missed a good couple games due to age.

For a quick backstory, started by playing Sun and Moon due to the ads on TV, kept playing until Legends Arceus, haven't played DLCs and Scar and Vio, played some older games but not all.

Now, I'm getting into Rom Hacks and Fan Games, since I've just discovered what they are. I don't know a lot about competitive Pokemon, strategy, mechanics, don't collect cards, etc. I'm not really into the technical stuff.

However, if there is one thing I DO know about myself, it is that I'm "creative". As in, I get into a whole new world of creation and I find myself making my own things.

Buttttt, there's one slight problem; I never finish anything. No really, sometimes I don't even start putting it out for the world to see. I keep everything to myself, buttttt dear Arceus do I have so many creative ideas that I have written, drawn, thought about, etc.

I'm not trying to make this too long (I swear lol) but here's an example; I've got around 150 romance ideas written out and around 30-40 more fleshed out fantasy-action novels.

Yeah, a lot.

And they will never be finished, probably till the day I die, which makes me feel kind of bittersweet.

Now, I'm sorry for the hold up, but here's the REAL problem.

I just started writing my own pokemon game lore.....today.

There's not much- only around 877 words- but I'm a little scared. I know I won't finish it, and I know i won't ever make this properly into a fan game. There's too many things to handle on my plate, and this "creative" idea of mine is probably one among THOUSANDS of other things I could be doing right now.

It started out with making Gym Leaders for every type but I'm not going to get into that.

The gist is-

Should I continue writing?

I know 100% in my heart that it will never be finished.

But should I let this fantasy go on?

I'm on the fence to either continue to think about this waste of time (I really don't want to call it that, but as my mother would say, it is what it is) or put my mind on other things (which I should also stop thinking about lol).

Do I continue?

I was thinking I could honestly put this out and hope someone else could pick up my background lore if I keep writing, tbh. You know, so it would be worthy of someone who would have the time.

But even that is making me go on the fence.

So should I? I really don't know what would be the best decision. I mean if I keep making it, I might as well put it out here or somewhere else to see if someone wants to take this lore off my hands as I try and finish writing parts of it.

But idk.

I really don't know.

 

[concorde64]

I would say keep writing if it makes you happy, you don't have to copmlete it or feel like you have to :)
I'd love to hear your idea but can't guarantee I'll be able to complete it either because I have the same problem as you... but it could have really good potential!
Things don't have to be finished for them to be good, in fact many people quite like unfinished stories because they give the reader their own interpretation, and you can make up your own ending!!
but i'd say, keep on going, don't push yourself and you can share it on here aswell if you'd like! (I'm new to these forums though so... this is only my opinion)

 

[Venia Silente]

Absolutely commiserating with the fear of never finishing there.

If it helps, I'd say start with the stuff that *can* be easily finished, or at least easily published in a release level of quality.

For example you mention you have lots of romance story ideas. Pick a few of them, distill them to their foundations, write quickie oneshots, drabbles even! Not ever story needs to be a 80 chapter epic - in particular if you are just starting (anew)!.

Something similar for your game lore. Start with writing history blurbs, game mechanics blurbs, push them to some form of release level quality and once you have enough of them packed you could basically publish them as a sort of "game plan":

And remember: you don't have to publish exactly everything as it's ready. You are allowed to sit down on stuff, let it stir, maybe come back later for a fix, before you give it the final "out".

That's just some suggestions.

 

[theclaw]

Speaking from experience, I'm more used to not finishing stuff. I've attempted stories based on various franchises, sometimes tossed in a blender. I don't know how I'd feel if a story reached a place I could write a satisfying end.

My advice? Pokemon has a trove of lore to draw from. If a detail from the anime, manga, or somewhere unexpected sounds fun, then try it.

 

[TheOriginalOne85]

Honestly, I kinda feel the same way.
There are just so many directions you could go and every one sounds just as appealing as the other. It feels like a thick fog of all these ideas blended in your mind.
My advice? Just put something out there. It doesn't need to be finished.
Just take it one step at a time. You can get feedback, advice, and maybe someone would be willing to help. But if you don't show your ideas, how will they know if it's any good?

 

[Marbles34]

Lol, so i was continuing to write lore for the game I was talking about, and I randomly got inspired by the Ashen Frost summary I've read like 5 times, and I made a DIFFERENT Pokemon game that isn't based on the standard Pokemon lore 😞

Now, I have lore for two different games....

 

[Marbles34]

I would say keep writing if it makes you happy, you don't have to copmlete it or feel like you have to :)
I'd love to hear your idea but can't guarantee I'll be able to complete it either because I have the same problem as you... but it could have really good potential!
Things don't have to be finished for them to be good, in fact many people quite like unfinished stories because they give the reader their own interpretation, and you can make up your own ending!!
but i'd say, keep on going, don't push yourself and you can share it on here aswell if you'd like! (I'm new to these forums though so... this is only my opinion)

Thx for the encouragement!!!

 

[Marbles34]

Honestly, I kinda feel the same way.
There are just so many directions you could go and every one sounds just as appealing as the other. It feels like a thick fog of all these ideas blended in your mind.
My advice? Just put something out there. It doesn't need to be finished.
Just take it one step at a time. You can get feedback, advice, and maybe someone would be willing to help. But if you don't show your ideas, how will they know if it's any good?

Thx too, it's really confusing and overwhelming with so many ideas, but I'll try

 

[Marbles34]

Absolutely commiserating with the fear of never finishing there.

If it helps, I'd say start with the stuff that *can* be easily finished, or at least easily published in a release level of quality.

For example you mention you have lots of romance story ideas. Pick a few of them, distill them to their foundations, write quickie oneshots, drabbles even! Not ever story needs to be a 80 chapter epic - in particular if you are just starting (anew)!.

Something similar for your game lore. Start with writing history blurbs, game mechanics blurbs, push them to some form of release level quality and once you have enough of them packed you could basically publish them as a sort of "game plan":

And remember: you don't have to publish exactly everything as it's ready. You are allowed to sit down on stuff, let it stir, maybe come back later for a fix, before you give it the final "out".

That's just some suggestions.

Mm I get what you mean, I just always thought it wouldn't work for me since I'm lazy and procrastinate so much but I do like writing out thoughts in my head. Your suggestions are good!

 

[Auticorn]

I don't finish anything either. I blame it on having my ADHD tbh. I would say to just keep going and keep trying. Don't give up. Don't focus on what your readers want. If you enjoy writing and stuff, have fun with it! There's no reason to really focus on trying to publish or go serious with it for any reason at all. I often focus on writing mainly because I love doing it. Not because I care if others want me to continue!

 

[Firebolt]

Leonardo da Vinci was such a horrible perfectionist that he rarely ever finished anything. I think it's okay to worry that you won't finish something you work on, but I am personally striving to not it let stop me from enjoying myself, and I'd love to see you keep trying too!

One day, you might finish one of your novels or ideas to your satisfaction, or you might not. Why does it matter anyway? Spending time doing something you enjoy is the goal, and if you happen to have something to show for it, then awesome! But it shouldn't stop you from having fun in the meantime.

 

[Auticorn]

Leonardo da Vinci was such a horrible perfectionist that he rarely ever finished anything. I think it's okay to worry that you won't finish something you work on, but I am personally striving to not it let stop me from enjoying myself, and I'd love to see you keep trying too!

Yeah. I'm a HUGE perfectionist when I'm writing. I can't go much into detail as to why, but I do spend more time researching and stuff than actually writing. I want my story and ideas to be perfect and correlate with about 80% to 95% of actual happenings and all that. I write original fiction btw, but I do write fanfiction once in a blue moon.

 

[Marbles34]

I don't finish anything either. I blame it on having my ADHD tbh. I would say to just keep going and keep trying. Don't give up. Don't focus on what your readers want. If you enjoy writing and stuff, have fun with it! There's no reason to really focus on trying to publish or go serious with it for any reason at all. I often focus on writing mainly because I love doing it. Not because I care if others want me to continue!

Omg I totally agree with you because I have ADHD too 😭 Just started some new meds actually.

Anyway, what you said about not publishing or being serious really made me start thinking more about what I truly want. Thx!!

 

[Marbles34]

Leonardo da Vinci was such a horrible perfectionist that he rarely ever finished anything. I think it's okay to worry that you won't finish something you work on, but I am personally striving to not it let stop me from enjoying myself, and I'd love to see you keep trying too!

One day, you might finish one of your novels or ideas to your satisfaction, or you might not. Why does it matter anyway? Spending time doing something you enjoy is the goal, and if you happen to have something to show for it, then awesome! But it shouldn't stop you from having fun in the meantime.

Yes, I'm really trying to have fun, instead of being worried about the outcome or the long run even. It's been pretty hard trying not to stop myself from writing out of literal fear, anger, laziness, and procrastination.

Feels like a big, jumbled ball bouncing in my head when I think about writing. Like I said, it's been pretty hard unwinding that ball, but thinking positively about it will hopefully start helping.

Thx!!