Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially
Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time.
Find all the other awesome #IWSG Participants.
Firstly, to all my US pals, I do hope you had a truly warm and yummy Thanksgiving.
It’s Winter-cold here in the UK now, brrr! But this gif shows a scene in Munich, which I like for the Wintery scene and the ingenuity of the surfer. “I will surf, dammit!”
So, what’s been going on with me? Well, the huge truck arrived from Dubai last week, bringing furniture and millions of boxes to us. I’ve been trying to find a home for the content. There are two huge boxes left, which I’m leaving. One is for the bathroom. We’re having our bathroom enlarged, beginning soon, so I won’t unpack only to re-pack. And another box is full of shoes. We’re STILL waiting for the wardrobes (to be built in) to arrive, and as that’s the home of my shoes, I’m leaving that one too.
I’ve been shockingly absent from blogging for a few months now. Sorry about that. I’ve missed you guys, but I’ve just been so busy, and when I do relax, I just want to veg. Also, as hubs still ‘lives’ in Dubai for his job, when he does gets back to the UK, I switch off the laptop altogether. Because I miss him too
Big Decision 1: All of this, and realising a few things, has meant that I’ve abandoned Finding Luna (till Spring), and I’ve told my editor I won’t make the deadline. My head’s not in the right place for The Supes Series. Instead, I’ve been writing regular short ghostwriting contracts, and a romantic suspense novella, which will be published under a pseudonym in a few weeks. 🙂 I’m cool with that; it earns me money and practice. All I’m getting from The Supes Series is stress, and I could do without that.
In fact, Finding Luna’s made me feel guilty, pressured, bored, and irritated… like a literary noose around my neck. Maybe I’ll feel more enthusiastic about it next year? If not, forcing myself to write it will show, and readers wouldn’t want to read it anyway, so there’s no point. It must bring me joy, or it won’t be good enough for a reader.
Big Decision 2: Of course, this is another example of how much I’ve grown as a writer since I began writing fiction in 2010/11(ish). I know my writer-self so much more now, and she is happier and more able of writing shorter fiction. It’s where I explore character and revel in the creativity of plotting, but it’s written quickly while enthusiasm reigns, rather than over years
And anyway, why did I ever think that just because I enjoy reading series, I was good enough as a novice writer to actually write one? Madness.
Big Decision 3: To help me conclude this series, I will write Finding Luna in two parts rather than one long book. It feels far less of an ordeal that way, especially as I recently split Finding Esta into two (part one & part two) and popped them up on Amazon. Why? Because it’s a very long book, meaning each part is still over 60k, and apparently people don’t like (risking time and money on) massive books by unknown indie authors. Makes sense to me.
Till next year, I’m ditching the guilt. I’ll pick it back up, like a massive water-filled balloon, in 2015. It’s good to admit defeat, at least in the short-term, to establish a more doable future plan. It’s also good to look back and see just how much I’ve grown as a writer, even if it does mean I look at older works with educated eyes and cringe a bit. 🙂
But I suppose all writers do that to some extent. What about you?
Before you go, some piccies 🙂
Your pup is adorable!
Don’t push yourself to do something that feels miserable. It will show in your writing and you don’t want that.
Hope the bathroom and wardrobe happen soon.
And don’t blame you for shutting off the computer when your husband comes home!
Awwwww, such a cute pup ready for his walk! I think it wonderful you spend time with hubby when he’s in town. It’s the important stuff. I think it good to take the time off so you can refocus too. I’ve done that and it has helped.
I’m all for a stress-free life. I think it’s very mature of you not to push yourself in a direction that isn’t right for you anymore – or not now, at any rate. Do what makes you happy. Life is meant to be enjoyed whenever we can. Congrats on the upcoming romantic suspense novel. You’re doing awesome! (I can’t seem to finish one dumb chapter. Argh!)
Sounds like you’ve been doing a lot of thinking and reorganizing. There’s nothing wrong with a do-over and working at a pace that suits you.
Sounds like you made decisions to make yourself saner and happier. A very wise plan, indeed. We have to be honest with ourselves. Don’t we?
Bobby looks like he’s having fun.
Bobby is so cute! You can’t so no to a walk. You have a lot going on. Sometimes you just have to give yourself permission to veg and have a change to put everything in perspective. Good luck with all your projects. Hope the hubs is coming home soon <3
Sounds like you’ve made the right decisions. Ditching the guilt is the best thing of all.
You’re right. It’s important to be able to walk away from a project, if it makes you miserable. After all, we all write because we like it, right? If I stopped liking what I’m doing, I’d start doing something else. It’s not as if we’re in it for the money. Most of us are not.
So there you are!! Well I am so glad you are moving in and settling! I don’t think what you’ve described is defeat. It’s more learning about yourself as a writer. Forcing yourself to write something you don’t feel joy in writing is ridiculous. But…..I do need an end to the story even it’s an outline :)!!!! I think you’re really being very smart to do what you’re enjoying especially with the stress of moving and your husband being away. You have a lot to adjust to. Shutting your mind down is probably difficult. I hope Bobby likes his new country!! Big change for him!!
Take care of yourself!
Heather
It’s hard to make big decisions sometimes. I’ve always been put off writing a series, for the reasons you’ve stated. Writing should never make you feel bored and irritated. Good luck finishing up the series 🙂
Your dog is adorable! And it sounds like you made the best writing decision for you. No need to feel guilty at all. I like experimenting with short fiction and trying different genres through it. Yet I love the challenge of writing novels. Have a good weekend! 🙂
Your other projects like ghostwriting sound interesting. I’ve been doing some editing and proofreading for writers over the past few months. And you know it’s kind of sad that I make more money from that than I do selling books, but that seems to be the norm.
Lovely pics. Happy Christmas.
When I get tangled up in knots about a deadline, I can’t do anything except curl into a ball. Good that you told your editor up front. So much better to deal openly with people.
I hope you took Bobby for a walk. He’s sweetie!