One of the most important – and difficult – tasks is to make writing a priority. There are so many other things in life that can distract you from your work, including family and career responsibilities.

On November 11, a new distraction arrived on my doorstep: Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. I’ve been waiting for this game with almost painful anticipation, and thus far it delivers. It’s intelligent, immersive, gorgeous and highly addictive. And yes, I fully expect it to suck up a massive amount of my free time. But is that really a problem?

A Source of Inspiration

While writing is a pleasure, it’s also work. I can only write for so long before fatigue sets in. For me, relaxation time is necessary for my writing to stay fresh and vibrant. I have no deadlines to meet, so there is no need to push myself hard.

I find fantasy video games to be a great source of inspiration for my own writing. If I’m wrestling with a case of writer’s block, living out another author’s story in an interactive world opens my mind to possibilities. Sometimes I encounter clever ideas which prompt me to consider new angles. On other occasions, the stress release of slaying a few orcs helps me to regain my creative drive.

While I’ve played my share of fantasy games, three in particular have impacted my writing the most:

Baldur’s Gate – Although primitive by today’s standards, the original Baldur’s Gate still boasts an engrossing, branching storyline. I found the experience of exploring a massive fantasy city (the titular Baldur’s Gate) to be unexpectedly rewarding. Consequently, I introduced a massive city of my own into my novel.

– Although primitive by today’s standards, the original Baldur’s Gate still boasts an engrossing, branching storyline. I found the experience of exploring a massive fantasy city (the titular Baldur’s Gate) to be unexpectedly rewarding. Consequently, I introduced a massive city of my own into my novel. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – I found the primary storyline of Oblivion to be dull. The main quest became repetitive, and I never could bring myself to complete it. I simply hated closing those damn oblivion gates. Still, the guild quests were terrific, and I found myself loving every minute spent exploring the forests. It’s in part due to Oblivion that a labyrinthine enchanted forest plays a central role in my most recent work.

– I found the primary storyline of Oblivion to be dull. The main quest became repetitive, and I never could bring myself to complete it. I simply hated closing those damn oblivion gates. Still, the guild quests were terrific, and I found myself loving every minute spent exploring the forests. It’s in part due to Oblivion that a labyrinthine enchanted forest plays a central role in my most recent work. Dragon Age: Origins – While it lacks the open world expansiveness of Oblivion, Dragon Age makes up for it with a memorable story and likeable characters. The Grey Warden’s quest to unite Ferelden against the coming blight is epic in scope, and yet surprisingly personal. I played through this game twice while working on my latest writing project, and I can see how it influenced the development of my characters.

Your Pespective

So for me, a well-crafted fantasy game can be a tool for rejuvenating my creativity. What about for you?

Do you find fantasy video games to be primarily a distraction, or are they a source of inspiration? If so, which games have inspired you the most?