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Builder's Block- PLEASE HELP ME!!

Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 6:42 pm
by royalbrickcustoms
Hey guys,

Since I have some building time today I was hoping to get a few more CCCXI entries done.

BUT...

I have a bad case of "builder's block", no pun intended and I can't think of anything to build on.

Any inspirational pictures and other help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

~RBC

** ADMINS- If this is not in the right forum, please move it as you see fit, thanks.

Re: Builder's Block- PLEASE HELP ME!!

Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 12:58 pm
by Brickninja
What about some kind of siege engine, like a battering ram or a siege tower? And for inspirational pictures, well, just go to Mark of Falworth, brother Steven, and legonardo davidy' s Flickr streams.

Re: Builder's Block- PLEASE HELP ME!!

Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 2:51 pm
by Aliencat
There's also a topic here on CC for inspirational pictures:

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=11543

Some of the pictures and links don't seem to work anymore because they're a little outdated, but a quick scroll through the topic should get you itching to build again.

Re: Builder's Block- PLEASE HELP ME!!

Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 4:16 pm
by Sir Erathor
I know how you feel mate, I get that too :)
Why don't you look at a CCCXI category and brainstorm some ideas that could fit well with it? That may help :)

Re: Builder's Block- PLEASE HELP ME!!

Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 5:31 pm
by Mark of Falworth
When I'm stuck I usually look up castles and fortresses in Europe. And then build off of what I see in a moc of my own. ;)

Movies, books, and video games are also good places to look for inspiration.

Re: Builder's Block- PLEASE HELP ME!!

Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 11:23 pm
by AK_Brickster
I suggest that you give up, quit the hobby entirely, and send all of your Lego to me. Problem solved!!

PM me for my address, if interested. :eyebrows:

Re: Builder's Block- PLEASE HELP ME!!

Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 11:41 pm
by Sir Valiant
^This... :lol:

Hey RBC, sometimes when I don't know what to build I find one of my favourite books set in medieval times, or even try looking in a history book. Some history books are illustrated with realistic scenes of Medieval life. You could also try the resources on Classic-Castle on the How-To page.

With all these suggestions, I can't wait to see what you come up with. :)

Sir Valiant~

Re: Builder's Block- PLEASE HELP ME!!

Posted: Fri Dec 13, 2013 4:26 am
by SSchmidt
You don't HAVE to build just because there is a contest right now. I got builder's block back in late August/early September. I haven't really "built" anything since then. I've customized some minifigs, but haven't built an actual structure. And honestly, i'm perfectly content with that. I'm not going to force myself to build when I don't want to.

When the inspiration comes back, i'll start building again. Maybe this is a sign you need a slight break from the hobby :)

Because if you're building something just so it can be entered into a contest, and you have no inspiration, your builds probably aren't going to turn out as well as you would like them.

This, of course, is just my humble 2 cents.

Re: Builder's Block- PLEASE HELP ME!!

Posted: Fri Dec 13, 2013 4:44 am
by Ronin Dragonslayer
I've never really gotten builder's block but I do get discouraged every now and then when a build I share only gets a comment or two; but, I do really just build for me so I'm always pleased :D I agree with Schmidt; build what you enjoy - build from a favorite video game, book, film, or even something inspired by music you like. Or just kick back and enjoy others' builds until "the Muse descends".

Re: Builder's Block- PLEASE HELP ME!!

Posted: Fri Dec 13, 2013 5:34 pm
by Bruce N H
This doesn't really help if you're trying to do something specifically for the CCC, but when I have builder's block I try building something in a different theme like castle or town. That sometimes gets me out of my funk and gets the juices flowing.

I do like the suggestion by some of watching a movie, reading a book, etc and looking for ideas. Since one of our categories this year is "Arthurian", why not watch one of the many movie renditions of Arthur's story?

Or, if you like the movie idea, do what LL is doing with Braveheart (and others have done in the past with Robin Hood, the Hobbit, some others), pick a favorite book or movie and build your way through it, making a series of MOCs for different categories to tell the whole story.

On a different strategy, pick a favorite castle set from the past and update it using more recent building techniques and parts, and then adapt that to one of our categories.

Bruce

Re: Builder's Block- PLEASE HELP ME!!

Posted: Fri Dec 13, 2013 5:48 pm
by Brickninja
Or go watch The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug(which i just did today),and you will be filled with epicness and inspiration. (Did I mention the movie is amazing? better than the first)

Re: Builder's Block- PLEASE HELP ME!!

Posted: Sat Dec 14, 2013 5:10 am
by Aeridian
Experiment, try something outside of your normal comfort zone. Obviously it won't be great at first, but keep trying and building. And I agree with what the guys say, so hopefully something with help. :)