So lately I've been going through this thing where I haven't been writing to the full potential I know I'm capable of. I don't know why, but I've been finding it increasingly harder to write. I have ideas but when I put them on paper they sound like garbage...

There have been things going on lately that might be stressing me out and making me do worse, like a friend attempting suicide last week, schoolwork piling up, and some more depression and anxiety things going on. I would usually think this was why I was doing poorly but I've gone through worse things and they only made my writing better, not worse.

I guess what I wanna know is if maybe I should just stop writing? I can't make anything sound good anymore, even the stories and fanfics I'm continuing after a while. I just don't feel like the things I'm producing are good enough anymore...

I am a writer too, so I understand your problem. I can only suggest taking a break. Whether it be long or short, a writer always needs a break. I know I have read my own writing and think, "What is this? It's horrible." But I always come back to it later and fix it.If you love writing, don't give up on it. Just take a break. :) Good luck!

It would be lovely if you posted this up in Literature - maybe even in the writing thread!
(Here it is: http://dollars-bbs.org/literature/res/1370912556.html )

Anyway.
I'm conflicted on how to answer your questions. It's the same for me, bad situations tend to make my writing better, so I can understand the confusion/frustration you might be feeling.
There's two main ways to go from here, and really, it's up to you to choose which way is better for you.
1. Discipline yourself. Sometimes I just had to force myself to write. Writing doesn't look good now? Don't wimp out. Keep writing. Writing only improves with practice, like everything else. If your ideas sound like garbage, maybe it's because you're approaching a shift in writing 'voice'. If you stop now, what'll happen? Sometimes we just need to sit ourselves down and make ourselves write. Of course people will question your methods if you're just writing for leisure, e.g. 'hey you're not even an actual writer, you don't have deadlines, why don't you just relax a bit?'. What people don't understand is that you aren't a writer unless you write. This is a mental and emotional commitment to yourself. Will you persevere or give up?
That said, I've found that option 2 has worked for me too -
2. Yes. Give up.
Sometimes we overwrite and run ourselves down into a creative rut. Maybe all the writing you're doing for schoolwork is dulling your writing senses. I don't know. I stopped writing once. I took a 'break' for almost half a year. It wasn't a break in my mind though, it was just 'I can't write anymore. Only garbage is coming from my fingers on the keyboard'. I wasn't realistically expecting to return. But I did. I felt refreshed after half a year and ideas started rolling, and words started flowing. The first thing I did was write myself a letter. It went something like:
Dear Saika,
Don't be such a wimp. You know you can write. Look at all the old things you wrote, they're not that bad right? Get back in the game, Saika. If you stop now I'll never forgive you.
Love, Saika.
And that's kept me going ever since.

Either way, if you choose path 1, there are some methods for making writing 'fun' again for you. If you choose path 2, there are ways for keeping writing in your life as a lifestyle factor even if you aren't physically writing.

It's all up to you. Don't let helplessness be your master. 'Not good enough anymore' implies that your writing was once good enough. It can't have magically disappeared. Reclaim yourself, K-san.

YOU HAVE SOMETHING I CALL WRITERS DRONE. ITS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU WRITE FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. IF YOU TAKE A BREAK FROM WRITING FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND ENJOY LIFE (THIS IS IMPORTANT) WHEN YOU COME BACK IT WILL BE BETTER.

Take a little break. Just relax for a bit. I find whenever I can't do something (wether it be writing, drawing, etc.) it's because I need a break.

Your prob just going through writer's block. The lack of any inspiration, motivation, or good ideas to write about. I like to write as well, and I also like to draw, but sadly I too have found nothing good to do ether with... I guess I'm saying I could use some help too XD

Firstly, it sounds like you’re going through a rather difficult period of your life and I hope everything starts to look up for you soon.

Regardless of what you may have been through in the past, it’s only natural that everything begins to take a toll on you eventually.

Perhaps your writing is not up to your ‘usual standard’ because you’re pressuring yourself. Instead of being caught up in negative thought patterns ‘I should stop writing, it’s not good enough’ try thinking about a solution instead of dwelling on the problem.

Maybe you need to give yourself some time to recuperate. Your writing will no doubt flow better after you give yourself some time to think. I recommend exercising. Get your body flooded with endorphins! Take a relaxing bath and let your mind wander, allow inspiration to come to you instead of trying to force it. Reading something else might inspire you. Meditation is also good.

I’m sure that once you allow your creative juices to flow you’re writing will be right back up to par! Writers block eventually goes away, until that time, try not to be so hard on yourself.

Never give up on writing! If you’re truly passionate about it and it’s something you love to do, then press on ahead. The more you write, the more experience you get, and the better your work should become.

I believe you should keep doing it.
Remember that many famous and esteemed writers have been in a similar situation to you.

I hope that my needlessly long advice can help you out a little bit. Remember to look after yourself and keep your mind healthy!

music. Ah, the cure for whenever I was depressed. Take a break and kick you back, K-San. Don't be stressed.. And just calm your heart down. It may be hard, but try to fool yourself you are perfectly fine, and spend your weekend doing your favorite thing, you can go to karaoke, or the arcades, or even hit a girl?

Sure, I don't know how hard it is to write. But I can image your feelings, and I can empathize. I used to write too. Spent three years which resulted in crap (haha).

Why do you have to mind whether your stories are good or not? Okay maybe you feel your stories are crap. But hey, are you still enjoying yourself when you write? Just stare at that wall and dig deep into your head. Believe in your imagination and endless dreams. Anyone who doesn't have the creativity and imagination could never start to write.

Believe in yourself, K-San.

@1 goin through that now actually. Terrible that for me its close to the deadline... good luck mate