It's that time again... where those of us who feel a little bit crazy find understanding thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh's project, the:
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.
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.
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I've put off talking about my NaNoWriMo experience because I thought the IWSG would be a perfect time to discuss the serious inferiority complex that has surfaced since November.
I wrote just under 39,000 words, which made me over 11,000 words short to be declared a "winner." I've never been competitive, it's just not my nature to be so-- but something about not winning this challenge has struck a nerve. I can't shake it! The last week of November I didn't touch my WIP one time! It's not that I didn't want to-- I couldn't find the opportunity to write.
Which brings about an entire slew of insecurities-- what if I never find the time? I've yet to write anything novel length. This 39,000 word count is the longest *anything* that I've ever written-- and I know I should be proud that I can pump out 39,000 words in a month-- but I'm not. I wanted to be a NaNoWriMo winner, dammit!
I have 3 other WIPs in various stages of development- but they all range from 1,000-13,000 words tops. What if I never finish a single one of them? I feel like I'm in writing purgatory. I have all of these ideas and characters (I have conversations in my head "with" my characters almost constantly-- yeah I'm a bit nutso) but I never seem to find enough time to write on a consistent basis. I'm trying not to get discouraged. I've even nipped a project in the bud in order to give more time to my writing. (Yes-- for those of you that followed my other blog- That is why Mama's Got A Big Belly! was put on an indefinite hiatus.) There really isn't anything else I can cut out to make more time, minus sleep. But, I hardly sleep as it is. Ahhh!
This was my nightcap last night:
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| Library books smell amazing-- different notebooks for different WIP's |
A glass of red, a little bit of time with Poe & various note taking, writing, etc. About an hour into this creative break of mine, Abram started screaming (teething! yay!) and I went to sleep as soon as I got him back to a peaceful slumber. The only reason I have time to blog this is because I'm currently nursing him.
Will I ever have time to finish these stories inside my head? Or will I slowly be driven mad? I know I'm young-- and that my best writing years are ahead of me... but, dammit! I'm ready to be writing now.
Those of you who are parents, partners, in the workforce-- what do you do to make time? I need your suggestions!
I'm not a parent, but I'll toss in my cents anyway.
ReplyDeleteDriving yourself batty over writing never works. It just stresses you out in the end, and stress doesn't exactly conjure up creativity.
And, if you can believe it, I got an app on my phone that let's me dictate things instead of write and it has CHANGED MY LIFE. Seriously. I had a whole post finished and in my phone while working one day. Something like that can really make a difference for you. (The app is called Evernote, but I have a droid. Apple might have an app similar to mine.)
So yeah, don't stress out, find creative ways to "write" and....that's all I've got.
Garrett is an avid user of Evernote! I'm not very good with using my phone in that way... But, I do have notebooks for each of my stories-- so that helps to organize my thoughts when I think of something and need to jot it down so I won't forget it! I wish story writing was as easy as putting together a blog post-- it's so hard to write with interruptions when you are in the flow creatively!
DeleteI think you're doing exactly the right thing. Figure out times to write/be creative when you can, and don't worry about the big picture stuff quite so much. The fact you exceeded your longest efforts with NaNo tells me your driven. Just keep hammering at it and you'll eventually 'make' something.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words E.J. -- it really helps to hear it!
Delete39k in 30 days is quite an accomplishment! I did Camp August NaNo, also a 50k goal. I made it to 50, but now I have a huge mess on my hands! I haven't even attempted to revise. Some days I look back on August and wish I went slower and put more work into the ms. So be proud of your 39k!
ReplyDeleteAs for working with kiddos, mine are older now. But I do FB or blog with a few who have the funniest stories / status posts about what their kids do while the adults are writing.
For me now, I write when everyone else is still asleep in the a.m. I write in car line or when I'm at soccer practice. Homework times are also precious moments for me too. When I was in the workforce, I closed my office door and wrote while I ate lunch. I've also been known to take my notebook when I go walking, which is also "me" time. Parenting / writing is all about seizing the opportunities. :)
In the car and while out for walks- brilliant! You are right- I need toget creative with the time I do have and use it! I'm feeling inspired now! I'm also curious as to some of the stories about the children of writers :) ha!
Deletelove your night cap! will join you tonight!
ReplyDeletecheers!
DeleteI have never done NaNo and never will (personal thingy) but I do tip my hat to you in writing 39k words in 30 days (I'm lucky if I can churn out 750 on a good day).
ReplyDeleteOn the writing front, when I was writing my debut, I was able to get some of my writing done late at night and on the weekends. For the weekend, what I used to do was go to my local park and get my writing done that way. No distractions to speak of, so it allowed me to concentrate on churning out the necessary words.
I don't know if I'll do NaNo again.. I think it was nice to try and I needed that little nudge but I feel like the quality of my writing may have suffered while I was spending so much time worrying about word count.
DeleteThe park! Yes! I really need to get away from the Internet when I write. Otherwise, I'll Tyle up 3-4 sentences and then check Facebook, Twitter, post a few pics or something on Tumblr.. ugh. not good!