Billy Kingsley Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 Allright guys, I know everybody has periods where they just don't feel like doing anything. I am currently in my longest career drought, so far at least, and I have not touched anything since September. Now, I normally don't build much if at all in the winter but the urge to build just isn't there. What is you all's record for longest non-motivation? I know it'll be back at some point, just have to wait for it to get here, and just keep plugging along until it does. And yes, that is why I have been scarce around the modeling forums for a while!
HotRodaSaurus Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 Allright guys, I know everybody has periods where they just don't feel like doing anything. I am currently in my longest career drought, so far at least, and I have not touched anything since September. Now, I normally don't build much if at all in the winter but the urge to build just isn't there. What is you all's record for longest non-motivation? I know it'll be back at some point, just have to wait for it to get here, and just keep plugging along until it does. And yes, that is why I have been scarce around the modeling forums for a while! Well I have had the usual ups and downs in life, not built a model for probably 5 years or more, but I keep in touch with magazines and forums like this, hope to get building again soon. I have a stack for finished models I cannot wait to show here, we don't have many shows here in the UK so if I post something one day and get a few views then WoW. Just stick in here, contribute a question or answer to a thread, at least your interest is still there like mine. I have just been pouring over an R&M of Maryland catalogue for what I need when I pick up the old glue tube in the not too distant future. John
Abell82 Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 Billy, is it really gone, or are you just suppressing it? Did you finish the last kit you were working on, or did you stop at some point in the process of building a kit? Is it that you are not motivated, or is it that you are procrastinating? I had a similar experience recently, but really I think that it was more stubbornness, and procrastination (for lack of a more descriptive term) then a TRUE lack of inspiration.
Lyle Willits Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 Billy - just a suggestion - take a break from NASCAR models. Pick up a completely different kit. I know you like NASCAR models but, let's face it, they are the SAME models with different decals over and over and over. Try something else. Go through Dave Lindsay's FOTKI albums until something "hits you". Or,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,start drinking, smoking and hanging out with women of ill repute.
LoneWolf15 Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 Billy - just a suggestion - take a break from NASCAR models. Pick up a completely different kit. I know you like NASCAR models but, let's face it, they are the SAME models with different decals over and over and over. Try something else. Go through Dave Lindsay's FOTKI albums until something "hits you". Or,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,start drinking, smoking and hanging out with women of ill repute. Billy , Lyle 's correct . You can burn out building the same thing over and over again . Build a slammer of a drag car or a street machine . Something that simple , more often than not , will get the juice flowing for you again . As for you , Lyle , I'm shocked , dismayed , overwhelmed , at your last piece of advice ...... Actually , Im lovin' it ! The Old Man
Steven Zimmerman Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 Billy,I 'lost the urge to build' for about 8 years....actually gave away a collection worth thousands of dollars!..............Steve Zimmerman
coopdad Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 I recently went though a drought and did as suggested... jumped out of my element for a build. And to avoid possible future droughts, I found a few builders whose work is so inspiring that there is no way it would happen again. So my suggestion is we post a link to someone's work that never fails to inspire. Billy, here are a few of my favorites: Hollywood Jim: http://public.fotki.com/shrimpee/ Dam Cranky: http://public.fotki.com/vsuarez666/ Clay Kemp: http://public.fotki.com/ClayK If you can't find inspiration on one of these links, hang up your Xacto! Why not post your favorite three builders here also? John
Jeff Johnston Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 Don't force it Billy. If you don't have the itch to build, then you don't. Something will hit you, and you'll want to build it. I am in a little bit of a lul too. Somehting will hit you in time...no rush Or...you can do what Lyle said ... which made me laugh coffee out my nose LOL LOL Hang in there buddy !
93Z34 Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 I also got into the same drought you're talking about Billy and it was from being burned out on building the same cars you enjoy building, Nascar. Just like has been said before, they are all basically the same kit now and it gets so damned repetitive and old building the same kit over and over and just adding different decals. I started countless Nascar projects that are now packed away in boxes and God only knows if, or when, they will ever be built. My boredom for that section of the hobby affected my whole desire to build anything, regardless of subject matter. I actually sat in my model room one day and looked at the collection of kits I had collected and saw that over 90% of the collection was of the same subject matter I was totally burned out on. I liquidated my Nascar collection and used the money I got from selling that part of my collection to procure kits I knew I would build. Drag cars, Mopars, Mustangs, a wide variety of different automotive and even some aircraft and armor pieces made their way into my collection. I only have about 5 Nascar kits left in my collection, but that's ok. What I DO have is a much wider choice of models to build and I found that my passion for this hobby came back with a vengenace when I started building models other than Nascar kits. Everybody suffers from the "Builder's Block Syndrome" at some point in their modeling career. It's inevitable and the nature of the beast. Do what is being suggested here. Check out other builds NOT associated with Nascar. With the plethora of new kits hitting the market now, there is an abundance of new work to see on this forum and on many of the other forums dedicated to various genres of modeling. Do yourself a favor and go buy the new 32 Ford kit, or the '68 Charger or one of the new Mustang releases. Just sit down and build one of them straight from the box without worrying about mirror finish paint jobs and making sure each decal is in just the right place. You might actually surprise yourself and enjoy building something to just to build it. Probably one of the biggest sources of inspiration I got recently was from Mr. Bill Geary himself. After studying his '69 Charger Daytona, his work succeeded in relighting my fire to pursue the art of perfection and realistic duplication in scale on something other than a Nascar kit. In the end though, you simply can't force yourself to want to build, Billy. It has to come naturally. Don't force yourself to build. That will only further drive your desire into the abyss. Oh, and my list of "Motivational Builders" are: 1. Wayne Stevens 2. Jeff Marsh 3. Bill Geary Anyways, good luck on overcoming the "Builder's Block Syndrome". It will come back to you enventually. Just give it time and don't rush your return. That will only delay it longer in the end.
Aaronw Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 I think everyone goes through spells where they just can't build. I really got that way about a year ago, I'd open a kit, maybe assemble the frame and then just put it aside unable to generate any motivation. Part of the problem was I like to build fire apparatus, but they are not simple builds. I started trying other things, painted some figures, built some aircraft, last March I built a helicopter and that really got me going again so last week I pulled out my Trumpeter fire engine and picked up where I left it more than a year ago.
george 53 Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 Billy, Billy, Billy, I do believe that Lyle MAY have a point there, ol Buddy! I also know how much you love your NASCAR models. But hey kiddo, you may just need a change of venue.Your building talents are FAR to good to just let them go idle. Try somethin else,just for a change. Maybe a RatRod or sometnin totally out of your normal routine.Anyone who loves building as much as you,and builds as WELL as you do,just can't stop. You'll hurt yourself if you do! Just try to stop breathin, you'll see what I mean, you CAN'T! Hang in there bro, an try somethin different for a change. Try it, You'll like it!
LUKE'57 Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 Hey Billy, I've only built two cars in the last ten years or so after building sometimes 100 in a racing season. But mine were, in the racing season days, one of a kind local dirt cars, highly modified and hand lettered, so burnout wasn't a problem. And, with all those big mean dirt track racers waiting on their cars, it wasn't an option either! LOL Knowing how much you like stock cars and knowing that even building a "Darkside" racer might have "guilt by association" in the burnout area, how about doing one that still has the stock car connection but not the stigma of building a race car? Let's get together on line and build us a "transporter" apiece together. I know you've got something in your stash that would be suitable and I've had one of the Monogram 1/12 '57 Chevys earmarked for a full tilt tanker super detail build to a long time now that I need to get cracking on. I've even come up with a backstory on how the builder got the car that'll make a good magazine article to go with it. How about we trade ideas and incouragement on a "runner" build? I can help with period correct details (sometimes being old is a plus) and you could give me some fresh viewpoints (and sometimes it ain't) on the build and we could incourage each other and come out of it with a fresh approach to the hobby, not to mention two killer builds that the "civilians" can marvel over. Whadda ya say? Is it a deal?
Mike Whatshisname Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 Hey Billy, I was in a drought the whole second half of 2008 and didn't build a thing. I'd go down to the basement and turn on the tv at my modeling bench and just sit there waiting for inspiration. One of the guys from our model car club brought the new Lil Stogie kit in and I thought "That's what I need to do. Build something I have never built before (a fantasy car or show car) BOX STOCK just to finish something and put it on the shelf. So I did and now I have 5 models "in progress" since the first of the year. Do something quick and easy (maybe even a snap kit) just to finish something and perhaps it will get you back in the groove. As for Mr. Willets, can you give me directioons to the nearest house of ill repute?
crispy Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 (edited) Billy, My drought is as long as yours. Since September. My problem is depression from Winter and life. Come Feb. March I should be back on track. Just know that when you get back at least all of your stuff will be there waiting. Don't get rid of it because you may regret it. Like everyone else I stay connected for inspiration and information. With a family, in my case anyway, there's just too much going on to be able to set aside me time in the shop, but I know the kits aren't going anywhere so when I am ready they too will be. Glad to see you surfaced, I had been wondering about you. Just figured you were doing the die-cast thing. Billy, if you send me a PM, I've got something I'd like to send you, but you gotta promise to build it. OK? Maybe that will help you out? Chris Edited January 31, 2009 by crispy
Harry P. Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 I have to agree with all the guys here... If all you ever build is NASCAR, no wonder you lost the urge. You've been building the same model over and over and over again! It's like the movie Groundhog Day! Branch out into other things! I don't have to list the possibilities, you know they're out there. It's normal to go through "non-building" times. Heck, I go for literally years sometimes between anything. And I actually got a little tired of building cars lately, so in the past several months I haven't even touched a model car at all, but I HAVE built several planes and a couple of wooden ship models... both new subjects to me, and they were all a lot of fun to do. Too bad this is a model car site... or I'd post the photos!
Billy Kingsley Posted January 31, 2009 Author Posted January 31, 2009 You guys are good! Sage advice all around. It's weird, for me, in that for more then a year, I would sit down at my work bench, work on stuff for hours and hours, and yet accomplish NOTHING! And this occured with NASCAR and street cars. I only finished 5 models in 2008, and one of them was a diecast prepaint, another a snaptight that I painted. One of the others was a resin that fought me on every turn, and the other was curbside. I don't even remember the 5th off the top of my head!! And it's weird, too, in that the things that normally give me inspiration have not! I've gone to Toledo, LIARS and a local IPMS show since I stopped building- plus NY's 3rd largest car show, which also has a model show-and many TNMCC club meetings. I've seen Clay and Bill and their work in person, among many other world class builders. It's strange. I have long struggled with the same chassis over and over on NASCAR builds...I've gotten around that by a few different measures. 1 is to do one of the different kinds of chassis, but even doing one of a different color sometimes can solve that,,,,or throw in a street car, too! I recently stopped building engines (no one sees em anyway!) and that helped. I think I've kind of gotten "beat down" by things not working right so often. It's kind of frustrating when EVERYTHING goes wrong! It's like every time I try to add some detail somewhere it invariably breaks, goes mysteriously missing (?) or doesn't fit later-even though it did when test fitting. The suggestion of mental block may be more true then it at first seems. Maybe I should just go back to building box-stock and forget added detail, at least for a little while. Build up that confidence. I think the weirdest thing is that I stalled out with only about 45 minutes worth of work left on a project. My Revell 49 Mercury is so close to done it's not funny. The only work I have left is to finish painting the engine and do the final assembly of the engine itself! Most of the work left is waiting for the paint to dry on the transmission! Of cource, I've been frustrated with other aspects of my life, and that could be rubbing off on the modeling, too. I've been in a really bad rut, of late, where everything is breaking or falling or both. Last night my scanner seems to have busted, and it was the top of the line just a few short years ago! I have running it hard lately though and it may be a bit overworked, so I am letting it rest and checking the boards. Also, my camera died earlier this month, but that's not bad because I replaced it with a brand new 10.1 Mexapixel that makes my old one look like a daguerriotype, lol. (That could be spelled wrong, but anybody who knows what that is gets a bonus in my book!) My diecast building has been giving me similar frustrations as well. I've worked as late as December on them but they are not working as right either. My efforts to scratchbuild a 78 Thunderbird in NASCAR trim has hit a dead-end. Jerry, I will call you very soon! Lyle....Working on that!! When I am not working on models I find it very hard to find the motivation to post on any of the modeling boards so that is why I have been somewhat quiet here. Don't you guys worry, though, I'll never leave this hobby totally, even though I might get quiet for a while! (And while I did sell some models in Toledo, I enjoy looking at them too much to sell any more then those 12 or so!) I have cut back on buying because I'm out of space though. Thanks every one of you for the words of encouragement! Of cource, I can't do any painting for a while no matter how much I want to...as this is what my back yard looks like, and that's where I paint!
Eshaver Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 Billy, it's no panacea here either !!!!!!!!! look , I challenge ya to build a gasoline pump, any scale any period. I'll even do the decals for you at my expense when you need them , DEAL??? Ed Shaver
ricky12 Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 BILLY I KNOW WHERE YOUR AT BEEN GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS .TRYED A STOCK PICK UP WITH ONLY A SET OF WIRES ADDED . IT TOOK ME LONGER THAN NORMAL . BUT IT MOVEING ALITTLE . BUT MAYBE YOU COULD TRY SOME OTHER TYPE OF STOCK CARS OR OLDER NASCARS THAT MIGHT TAKE TIME TO RESEARCH . JUST SOME MORE IDEAS DONT WORRY ABOUT TOLEDO IT WILL ALL BE ALRIGHT !!!
93Z34 Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 Billy, I can tell you right now, EVERY project has it's hiccups, some more than others. I have never built a model that didn't throw me a curve somewhere in the build and I've been gluing for close to 30 years now. If you ever master the perfect build where nothing goes wrong, you will have a corner on the market and will become a VERY rich man in a VERY short period of time because we will all want to know your secret and most of us will be willing to pay for your recipe for success! Seriously though, I don't know of one single modelr who has not, or is not experiencing what you are enduring right now. Of course outside issues will influence your desire to build as well. It's the nature of the beast called life. Just roll with it and when the time is right, you'll be back building again, I guarentee it!
Aaronw Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 I have to agree with all the guys here... If all you ever build is NASCAR, no wonder you lost the urge. You've been building the same model over and over and over again! It's like the movie Groundhog Day! Branch out into other things! I don't have to list the possibilities, you know they're out there. It's normal to go through "non-building" times. Heck, I go for literally years sometimes between anything. And I actually got a little tired of building cars lately, so in the past several months I haven't even touched a model car at all, but I HAVE built several planes and a couple of wooden ship models... both new subjects to me, and they were all a lot of fun to do. Too bad this is a model car site... or I'd post the photos! Sounds like we need to twist some arms for an other than model cars area. Sounds like several of us have been sneeking off and building stuff other than cars lately.
Billy Kingsley Posted January 31, 2009 Author Posted January 31, 2009 Brian your luck might actually be worse then mine! I know you are right, though. Ed, that is something I actually CAN do! Way back at my very first TNMCC meeting in 2002 I bought a resin gas pump...70s style, I think...and it's been sitting in my parts box since then waiting for me to do something with it!! Hmm, now that I think about it, they may be a body soaking in my Bleche-white since September...I should probably check, LOL! (I left an R&R Vacuum Craft 67 El Camino soaking for 13 months one time...it did not hurt it, but the inacuracies make it unbuildable anyway!)
LVZ2881 Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 Billy, everybody is right.....build something completely different than you usually do. I was the same way for a while, burnt out on replica stock musclecars (this was before I discovered NASCAR modeling). so I pulled out an AMT '40 Ford, shot it flat black, and finished the kit in like a week....and enjoyed every minute of it. that was 2 years ago, and since then I have finished 13 models including all my NASCAR builds...
Lyle Willits Posted February 1, 2009 Posted February 1, 2009 As for Mr. Willits, can you give me directioons to the nearest house of ill repute? It's been almost 30 years since I lived in South Jersey, but, if I recall, a quick trip over the bridge to Lombard street in Philly should provide you with a nice selection.
LoneWolf15 Posted February 1, 2009 Posted February 1, 2009 It's been almost 30 years since I lived in South Jersey, but, if I recall, a quick trip over the bridge to Lombard street in Philly should provide you with a nice selection. Lyle , I f your significant other reads this post ...... You are dead , dead , dead ! I'm " Sgt. Shultzin " this one ! I knooow noottthing ! The Old Man
Gregg Posted February 1, 2009 Posted February 1, 2009 What's with all that white grass in your backyard??????
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