I’m working my way through my revisions – but very, very slowly. I keep thinking, “Yes, I need to do that, only right now I need to do this, so I’ll get to the revision tomorrow.” But you know what? Tomorrow never comes. Continue reading
I’m digging into the revision process now, wielding my shears with abandon as I rip out words and lines and paragraphs to let new light into the living, growing core of my story.What’s surprising me is how much fun it is. Continue reading
As 2015 comes to an end and 2016 pops up to take its place, I’m looking back and looking ahead in my life and in my writing. And, of course, wishing you all a Happy New Year! Continue reading
Time again for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, that monthly opportunity to reach out to other writers and feel just a little less alone. Our awesome co-hosts this month are Sandra Hoover, Mark Koopmans, Doreen McGettigan, Megan Morgan, and Melodie Campbell Thank you!
Last month I reported feeling rather more optimistic than insecure, since a reading of my opening (my first public reading!) had gone pretty well. This month, I’m back on the insecure side. Why? Because since last month I’ve done . . . nothing. Continue reading
It’s time for my November check-in with the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, the lovely mutual aid society that connects those of us struggling with our words. This month’s awesome co-hosts are Stephen Tremp, Karen Walker, Denise Covey, and Tyrean Martinson. Thanks to the whole support group!
I’m a lot less insecure right now than I was 24 hours ago, because I did it – I read from my work to others for the very first time at the monthly meeting of R-SPEC. I promised last month that I would, and I did! From this experience I learned three important things. Continue reading
Two birds with one post: a response to this week’s Daily Post photo challenge: Boundaries, and to the Insecure Writer’s Support Group (hosted this time byTB Markinson, Tamara Narayan,Shannon Lawrence, Stephanie Faris, and Eva E. Solar). I’m an insecure writer trying to understand the boundaries, outside and inside, between me and my writing goals.
Time for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, dedicated to helping out insecure writers around the world. This month the event is hosted by Alex Cavanaugh, Nancy Gideon, Bob R Milne, Doreen McGettigan, Chrys Fey, Bish Denham, and Pat Garcia. Many thanks to the awesome cohosts.
I’m most of the way through my first draft now (about 55K words into what I’m estimating will be around 70K when done), and I find myself reciting this quote from Shannon Hale every day: “I’m writing a first draft and reminding myself that I’m simply shoveling sand into a box to that later I can build castles.”
I sit down and carve some words out of my head with a melon baller. Slap them on the keyboard, gore and all. Read them squirming on the screen. They’re embarrassed to be there, but I DON”T CARE. I need to reach my word count for today. Keep going. Remember, I’m just shoveling sand. This quote lets me just wipe down the keyboard (with tears, if need be) and move on.
I still believe in my story. Right now, though, I’m coming to the Dark Moment when my protagonist realizes that there’s absolutely no hope, no possible way forward, and gives up. It’s hard. It hurts. Don’t worry, she’ll get through it, and so will I. She doesn’t see the shining moment when she steps forward and saves the day, but I do. That’s the castle, waiting for me, and for her.
Once I get done shoveling all this sand.
Time for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, dedicated to helping out insecure writers around the world. This month the event is hosted by Charity Bradford, S.A. Larsen, AJ,Tamara Narayan, Allison Gammons, and Tanya Miranda!. Many thanks to the cohosts!
I have an obvious insecurity to report on today: Camp NaNoWriMo has begun! I’m only about 500 words in so far, and I’m nervous – I need to more than triple that number each day. Can I do it? We will have to see.
My big problem is tweaking. I wrote 550 words in about a half hour last night (starting right at midnight), then spent more than an hour this morning revising them. I know I have to just keep going. But it’s the opening! It’s the most important part of the book! It will determine whether a reader keeps going, or not!
Too bad! Just keep going.
But I changed the scene a little – it’s happening slightly later than it originally was. That change will affect what comes next, so of course I had to go through and make the change, or I can’t go forward.
Man, this is the main thing I have to fix.
Just. Keep Going.
Does anyone else have this problem?
Insecure Writer’s Support Group
This here is my first post for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. This group, dedicated to providing encouragement, sanity, and virtual hugs to insecure writers around the world, welcomes posts any time, but especially on the first Wednesday of each month. This month the event is hosted by M. Pax, Tracy Jo, Patricia Lynne, Rachna Chhabria, Feather Stone, and Randi Lee. Many thanks to the cohosts!
My insecurity today: I just filled out the materials to take part in Camp NaNoWriMo coming up in July. The big official NaNoWriMo is in November each year, but the people at Camp NaNo set up similar events in April and in July. I put in information about me and about my book, and clicked the link that says I want to be put into a cabin, which is a group of up to 12 strangers assigned to work together for the month. I requested that be matched up with others writing in the same genre (fantasy) and same word-count goal (50,000). The actual matching happens on June 20, but as of today I’ve officially put my hand in the air asking for partners. This will be a big deal for me, as I’ve never shared any of my fiction writing with anyone, and our interactions will be in the pressure-cooker of the 31-day deadline. I don’t have enough experience her to have any expectations about how this will work, but I’ve made an important step in putting myself out there.
To all my fellow insecure writers out there: Hi! I feel your butterflies. Let’s haul them out into the sunshine and compare their colorful, delicate markings. Did you know some butterflies migrate 2,000 miles each year? If butterflies can do that, then we should embrace our inner butterflies and soar.
Word Wacker 