Korean Job Discussion Forums

MollyBloom · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Location: James Joyce's pants

I have been having the hardest time with my personal writing. I really have not been "inspired," so to speak, to write anything that I think is "good." I can't figure out what is it. I try to go to quiet places, grassy knolls, palaces or temples, but nothing comes out. I feel sort of disappointed, because I really hoped to get some literary inspiration form this experience.

I have also put into perspective that I work a lot and am sometimes stressed out because of work, so maybe that has something to do with it?

Has anyone else had writer's block? Has anyone gotten any incredible inspiration? Share stories.

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

I have an hour-long commute to and from work each day. Lots of time to get some writing done. Whether or not I'm particularly inspired, Korea certainly has made me productive.

tfunk · Joined: 12 Aug 2006 Location: Dublin, Ireland

Korea doesn't inspire me to write. There's very little I feel excited by to write about. I live a relatively safe/isolated life here though. There's a lot of new things to take in but I've never had the buzz of being part of something here. I guess if I was to write a story about Korea then it would be terribly cerebral.

There's a writing group in Sokcho if you're interested.

ChopChaeJoe · Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Location: Seoul

There was definitely some burgeoning inspiration and production when I first arrived. It has come in spurts since, but not as much writing as before I came. Far less, actually. Thanks for bumming me out.

tfunk · Joined: 12 Aug 2006 Location: Dublin, Ireland

The reason you can't write is because your life isn't dangerous.

bgreenster · Joined: 06 Feb 2007 Location: too far from the beach

Weird. Same goes for me. I came here, thinking I could spend the extra time (since I get to work less hours in Korea than I did back in the States- assah!) finally making some leeway on my alleged book. When I first got here, I was quite prolific, but now Korea has managed not only to deaden my brain, but also every ounce of creativity I once had within me. I also haven't even been able to paint since the third week I got here (5 months ago...)

What gives?

Zyzyfer · Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 6:32 am Post subject:

No, as it's not a country that promotes creativity. I also should be depressed or in a dark mood to put pen to paper effectively, as per my normal subject matter.

twg · Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Location: Getting some fresh air...

You know, I've heard it said that needing inspiration to write is the sign of an amateur.

I mean, if you got something to say, you can say it anywhere, right?

bgreenster · Joined: 06 Feb 2007 Location: too far from the beach

twg, I actually agree with that. I am never inspired by my surroundings. It's more like having the time to write/paint (which I also figure, if I were a TRUE writer/artist, this couldn't stop me, but alas, I am not destined to be one of our generation's geniuses...)

However, it is strange because I can apparently be effected in the opposite- somehow this environment has completely stunted my desire to put things down. A truly unique experience, for me.

manlyboy · Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 7:22 pm Post subject:

Barking Mad Lord Snapcase · Joined: 04 Nov 2003

Almost the exact opposite happened to me. Perhaps it was my way of resisting conformity. Of course, my creativity came in irregular, inconsistent bursts, but it worked out in the end.

I would walk the streets on a busy night, soaking in all the details that were both similar and different to back home, then enter a PC bang, write a few more pages of my story (which had nothing to do with Korea, at least not literally), then save it on my personal site or email it to myself. After that I would go into a DVD room next door and watch a movie OR perform some private singing practice in a noraebang, then return to the PC bang (or go to a different one) and continue. On rare occassions I would get up in the middle of the night just to do this. It kept my brain functioning and kept me sane.

tfunk · Joined: 12 Aug 2006 Location: Dublin, Ireland

twg · Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Location: Getting some fresh air...

MollyBloom · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Location: James Joyce's pants

Rios · Joined: 05 Aug 2006

First, I would like to say that I by no means consider myself a writer. However, one way that I express myself is by writing. But, when I do express my thoughts on paper, I let my thoughts come to me 'naturally,' without forcing myself to write.

If for example I was to say to myself that I'm going to write every morning for 1 hour, I honestly think I couldn't write anything of value simply because it would not be 'natural' but rather forced.

Sometimes I read something inspirational/motivational and my mind suddenly begins to work. Other times, I can be walking somewhere or I can be taking a shower, then suddenly I get a bunch of random thoughts that I want to quickly write down. This seems to work for me but every person is different.

As for Korea inspiring me to write, I wouldn't say it has or maybe it has but I just haven't realized it yet.

I think that what inspires me to write is a combination of learning martials arts, climbing, running on the mountains, reading about philosophy, motivation and inspiration, eating healthy as well has having a desire to learn as much as I can about myself.

Above all, I think having a clear mind, relaxing and thinking positive is what definitely helps me express my thoughts on paper.

Like I said before, I don't consider myself a writer. Instead I simply express myself by writing my thoughts 'naturally.'

-Rios