A lot of scribes go through a period of "scribal burnout". It can cause them to feel obligated and rushed to put out work, unappreciated by others and stale in their art. How do you fight these feelings? What can we do to help each other?
A reply from the Middle Kingdom:
Ah... burnout. I can't remeber the last time I was able to do a scroll to my desires I find myself constantly appologizing for the scroll I did--the recipient is happy, of course, but *I* know I could have done so much more.
My current plan is to simply accept fewer assignments--I am always agreeing to do 3-4 scrolls within a week, and under such time constraints, it is extremely difficult to do the quality of work one would like to do. I figure my first step is to cut back after that, I hope to implement some of the suggestions I will read here!
Lady Felicity Blindshooter of Wolfsgate (East Kingdom) writes:
Good Eibhlin has a point, concerning concentrating on how this scroll is going to make the recipient feel. If you tend to feel too rushed right now, but still want to do scrolls, why not request a "backlog" assignment? These are not quite so hurried, usually, so it isn't as difficult to take the time that you feel the work deserves. Also, it might help to try a little something new on each scroll, so it is a nifty learning experience....Of course, if you got the kind of thank-you note I got last Spring for a scroll, you wouldn't have to worry about burn-out for a long, long time!
Gytha Anora ni Keran (An Tir) writes:
Interesting question! Having been in a similar situtation I have found a great way to keep your sanity is to "team-tag". In others words, trade off with someone on a scroll assignment (two people working on the same scroll). Many a time simple burnout results in the feeling that you have to create the entire scroll yourself. As to the feeling of being unappreciated for all your hard work--that's very understandable! What "keeps" me going is the facial expression on the person receiving the scroll. It makes all my time and hard work well worth it!
Alicia (AEthelmearc) writes:
Okay, I KNOW this will sound strange, but -- make
something for YOURSELF! Doing this will give you
the opportunity to try something new or perfect
something old without a deadline. And wouldn't it
be nice to KEEP something you've made!
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