Insecure Writers Support Day – May 2013

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Thanks, as always, to Alex Cavanaugh for hosting the group. Please go and check out the blogs listed who participate 🙂

So the A-Z Challenge for 2013 ended yesterday and I am absolutely exhausted! Lol…in a nice way of course 😉 I’ll be doing a reflection post in a couple of days….. I’ve tried to keep on top of all the comments, so if I’ve missed one I’ll apologise now.

It’s good to get back to normal, but what is normal? I’m afraid I’ll only be posting 3 days a week from now on. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I did have it in mind that I would have set days for set things, but, I’m not sure now, things might chop and change a bit 😉

The one thing that will be coming back is my Mondays To Do List….and that brings me on very nicely to this IWSG post. Since starting the A-Z challenge I have written virtually nothing…zilch! Yes, I know, these posts are writing but I mean fiction. Is it because I’ve not had a list to work to every week? Or is there more to it?

I submitted my Faber Synopsis and 1500 words for the Agent/Publishers event, but still have to decide what piece I’m going to read for the 2minute pitch. So no new words have been added to Still and I’ve got the deadline for the RNA New Writers Scheme looming. I feel like my heads spinning and at one stage I was seriously thinking about jacking it all in! Luckily, the words of a fellow NWS Member (thanks Jo) gave me the kick I needed, to stop wallowing in self pity and sort myself out.

And thats what i need to do…..SORT IT OUT! I think I’m just mentally worn out! Constant reworking/rewrites of the novel, trying to keep up with everything.

Sooooo, what I need right now is to gather my thoughts, make some decisions, and, actually, put my feet up for a while. Write for enjoyment, not because i have to, does that make sense? Somewhere along the way I’ve lost that. Now, it just seems like a chore 😦

So I’m taking a break. I’ll be gone for 2 weeks, well, just over, as that would mean I’d be back on my birthday lol….so we’ll say Monday the 20th. I’m hoping that taking a step back, reevaluating why i enjoy writing (or don’t) will mean that I’ll be back with a more positive attitude, or at least feeling refreshed 🙂

Take care you lot, I’ll try to keep up with your blogs if I can. I have about half a dozen awards to sort out so if you’ve given me one recently I promise I’ll sort that out when I return (I have them all part way started in my Drafts folder).

Have you ever got to the stage where writing has felt like a chore more than a pleasure? I’d be interested to hear your experiences and what you did to resolve it.

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28 thoughts on “Insecure Writers Support Day – May 2013”

  1. Hey thanks for ‘pinging’ my post! Your misgivings do correspond with mine in that respect.
    I was definitely getting close to not enjoying my words, and luckily I caught myself in time. When I realized what was happening, I just put everything away for the evening and sat down with just me and my laptop and a cuppa (as you say over in England, I believe) and wrote for myself. What do I write for myself? Something I don’t intend to share, whether it be scenes with characters that aren’t part of the story, or I rant about my day. I imagine what it might be like to be a rich and famous writer, or I imagine what it would be like to live in my characters’ world. Anything, really, just to see what it’s like to write for fun again. I did that every day for a thousand words or so, and it was amazing how much that helped! As long as I had those words just for me, everything else writing related was fun again.
    And don’t think those words are a waste of time. All writing make one a better writer. IMO. (Even long blog comments. 😉 )

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  2. I am in the same boat with you on this one – I haven’t written anything since the A-Z Challenge began as far as my normal fiction goes. I enjoyed the A-Z Challenge but it did take up all of my time I would normally spend writing what with writing the posts, for not just mine but another website I was a part of, but also visiting other blogs too and commenting.
    I have felt like writing is a chore sometimes and I have to remind myself that I love it. Once I get into the writing I enjoy myself and find it tough to stop but sometimes starting is a hassle and a chore. So to fix that problem, I put myself in the mood. I put on my favorite sci-fi show, relax and think about the show. I don’t think about writing. I wait for a bit to relax and ease off the stress of trying to force myself to write. Then when I am no longer worrying about it, I open the laptop and type a bit until I get more into the writing. It usually works

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  3. A break is just what you need – you deserve it and it is important to get back to that feeling that made you write in the first place. It’s there, but maybe it’s been crowded out by everything else you’ve been doing. Make it a real break in private as well in public. Good luck and we will be here when you get back…..

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    • Thanks Bridget, it is 🙂

      The sun is shining today and apart from having to go shopping and then my writing group tonight i have NOTHING that actually NEEDS doing…that feels good 🙂

      xx

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  4. Ah Vikki, you’re tired out after a month of marvelous postings. Maintaining such a tight schedule as you have just done this past month takes its toll; not unlike NaNoWriMo, I’m sure. You need a break, so a holiday is perfect. Enjoy it, do no writing (even if you feel like it…I’m sure that’s a therapy strategy I’ve heard of somewhere!) and maybe just read lots. Or maybe not…maybe just do Other Things…..Whatever you do have a good rest and a great holiday! Edith xxx

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    • Thanks Edith 🙂

      I blogged every single day for the whole of 2012, which was tiring, but i didnt have other writing commitments on top of that then lol

      Thats exactly what i intend to do…LOTS OF READING! 🙂

      xx

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  5. I’m glad the chat helped my lovely and, as you have so many great writing ideas bursting out of you, you are not allowed to give up! You do need a break, though, and it is well deserved. Can’t wait for an update on the status of your revised plans for the NWS submission and whether you have found that elusive title… In the meantime, enjoy your break and your birthday. Jo xx

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  6. Vikki … been there … done that. When you have time go over and find some old posts by Anne R. Allen (google her name and get her blog) … She has a half dozen or so posts on the why, how and when of blogging that are so great.

    I wrote something last week … so I’ll remind you. If you don’t love it … don’t do it. Take a break because it sounds like you really need one. I close shop for two weeks at least twice a year. I decided a while ago that the world doesn’t really need me more than once a week. So I set a schedule and I keep to it. Writers write. What they write is very subjective. If you want to use your juices for stuff like the Insecure writer thing, do it. If you want to do stories … do them.

    No matter what you decide to do … do it because you love it. Have a great birthday and enjoy the break 🙂

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  7. You’re burnt out, Vikki – I was the same after the launch of The Family Trap. I just wanted to go under my bed and hide and never pick up a pen again! A couple of weeks off and you’ll be fine. The thing you can take heart from is that you’ve moved into a whole other area as a writer. Now you’re not just doing it for fun, you are really getting somewhere and you’ve got a following, deadlines, and a writing future. That doesn’t mean it won’t get back to being fun again – it will. But you need to rest and regroup first. We’ll all still be here when you come back 🙂 Love Jo xxx *big hug*

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  9. I’ve always thought you seemed to have so much going on and was impressed how you kept on top of it all. You may have noticed I’ve been gone slightly longer than two weeks and that was because writing had become a chore (although the domestic situation hasn’t helped). So I dealt with it by running away and hiding and it has really helped. Enjoy your two weeks off and your birthdayx

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    • Ha ha ha, im like the proverbial duck Debbie…..calm on the surface, paddling like hell underneath 😉

      I did notice, and its good to have you back! Im really glad its helped, i thought it would, and is one of the reasons im going to try it myself 🙂

      Thanks honey xx

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  10. Yes life can get back to normal now – whatever that may be. I’ve met several great people from the challenge and that pleases me. I doubt I’ll do a reflection post but will look forward to yours.
    I would love to see your synopsis. I’m in my second draft for class and sent it to the instructor who sent back pages of suggestions for improvement. I haven’t dared looked to see what he said about my first scene…

    Enjoy your break and your birthday

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    • He he he, yeah, what is normal anyway? 😉

      Ooooo, Sue, you must look at what hes said, however bad it is (which im sure its not) you’ll learn something 🙂

      Thanks honey xx

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  11. I totally agree with he other commenters: you do need a break! As much as my bottom lip stuck out at the thought of not having your posts for the next couple of weeks, when writing becomes a chore you need to step away and let yourself come back to it. Forget all about writing for a little while – relax, read a few of those novels you have in supply and enjoy them for what they are: great fiction. Enjoy coffee and cake just because you can and not because it’s just before your Faber lesson…and don’t take a picture to blog later! Just enjoy it!

    I know there is a quote somewhere, from an author, that says something about not being able to write until you have lived. It’s late, so I’m not going to look it up – but I’d say it’s apt for you right now. Go live for a whiile….your writing will be waiting for you when you get back.
    As will I.
    Take Care, xx

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  12. Ah, Vikki, I have been there sooooo many times over the years! I’ve even taken 6 month breaks, but I can’t give it up. I hope we’re still able to meet in the summer – we’re going to have so much to talk about!

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  13. Your regular schedule is similar to mine. And I’m very glad to be back to it, although I will miss my theme for the Challenge.
    I never dreamed of becoming an author. I never planned beyond one book. With my third one coming out this fall, I find myself wondering what path to take. I never wanted to be a full time author. I’m also a musician, and that is definitely a passion of mine. I do not want to feel I have to produce a book. Ever.

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    • Thanks Alex 🙂

      Yep, Im missing my authors lol

      Wow, that’s interesting. Do you find that you don’t have enough time now for your music?

      Ahhhh, yes, and with a publishing deal, the traditional route you WILL have to produce books, to your contract. Thanks honey, like you, I’m not sure I want to do that 😦

      Xx

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  14. I’m at the writing is a chore stage now and just starting to come out of it. I think part of it is I’ve just been so tired and not had my head in the right spot. Now, neither of those two have improved greatly, but slowly I’m getting there, if nothing else from sheer force of will. I’m trying to make myself write something every day even if it is a short journal entry. For the second part, I have a little spare money and I’m thinking of paying someone to come look after my husband a bit, so I can sleep…it’s interfering with clear thinking and my desire to write. It’s hard to want to do anything, but try to sleep some days. He needs help, so I can’t go to another room, but it’s making me loopy waking every hour or two. I need at least four hours of sleep in a row soon.

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