Suggestions to get back into writing?

[Narcissistic]

Just looking for advice, opinions or whatever else to inspire me to come out of retirement for writing. Going as far as getting back into this account even ... I've lacked the motivation for so long, now the motivation has returned for the most part, but the spark and muse feels lost? Forgive me, I do hope this is the proper forum to ask this in. 

[Oniya]

It's not a bad place to ask.  We do have a Literary Discussion board as well, or On Topic if you need a bit more freedom of expression.

As far as 'getting back into writing', there are a couple of ways to try.  If you're interested in solo writing, you might check out the Word of the Day, or the Storyteller's Cafe for prompts, or even just the Storyteller's Forum.

For getting back into RP, I'd make a couple more suggestions:  First and foremost would be to make an Ons and Offs thread in the Legate's area.  This will let people know what interests you have in a general sense, ranging from post length and genres to the more adult things.  Once you've done that, have a look through the request threads - either 1 on 1s or Groups, depending on your comfort level.

Good luck, and welcome back!

[RedPhoenix]

As far as kickstarting the muse goes I find the best thing for me is to read. It's always inspiring and encouraging to me to read what a really good author can do with words, or read a good story and want to tell one of my own after! Sitting down and 'trying to write' is probably the worst thing I can do to encourage myself to do it.

[snuff doll]

I realize this is from about a month ago but I've just had these epiphanies myself!

I think it's very important to organize your environment to be more conducive to writing.

Whatever you need to do, but try to set out a space for writing, both a physical space and a space of time in the day that is devoted just for writing.

Don't sit down to a blank sheet either, I find it super important to go around throughout the day and jot down ideas and just stockpile these so that when I do sit down to write I'm not always starting from zero.

I'm personally trying to find a way back into RP after a long absence, but I also find it to be a very fun way to exercise those writing muscles.  You are literally exchanging prompts with another writer!  The trouble I fell into before was having too many active RPs where that became my only writing.  For a while that was fine but I just couldn't carve out time for my own personal writing, so right now I'm trying to find a balance there too.

But yeah, it's great advice above to focus on reading and exploring other stories, rather than to like force yourself to conjure words and string them together.