Join Alex J. Cavanaugh and a multitude of writer's in this monthly hop to help support one another!
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!
Alex's awesome co-hosts are Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor, Ann V. Friend, JQ Rose, and Elizabeth Seckman!
It's been a rough month of insecurities. And it's the same old story. Feelings of doubt, not producing fast enough, my writing isn't good enough.... and blah...blah...blah.... I feel as if all my stories have dried up like a grape left out in the sun to shrivel. I've been racking my brain to create a new tale. Nothing is popping into my thick skull.
Then life ~ wonderful, glorious life manages to steal all my time. Finding time to write is like searching for that needle in a haystack ~ it's not going to happen.
One of my many problems comes from needing to reread what I last wrote, whether it was hours earlier or days prior, and then settle down and put my writing cap on. It takes my brain almost 15 to 30 minutes to construct a paragraph or two.... time is ticking.... and then I'm needed elsewhere...
Have I complained and bellyached enough? I believe so....
Do you have any insecurities this month?
Or ~ How has your creativity in life evolved since you began writing?
I am the same way. I must reread what I have written to build the image again before I write new words. I think it's a great way to work and I wish you much luck :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Erika.
DeleteTry reading Outlining Your Novel or Structuring Your Novel both by KM Weiland. You'd be surprised at how different your writing sessions will be!! Good luck.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I'll look into that Jennifer.
DeleteIt takes my brain a while to continue with the next line.
ReplyDeleteIf you discover the secret of more story ideas, let me know.
Hahaa...I will.
DeleteSorry that you're struggling to write. Maybe taking a break will help you feel inspired. Read, watch TV or movies, and take walks for inspiration.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant Ideas!!!
DeleteOh life. :-/ It is definitely a time suck. Hopefully you find your writing groove again soon!
ReplyDeleteWith Love,
Mandy
Thanks Mandy.
DeleteI've had a rough last couple of months. I've only recently dragged myself to the computer again, and everything I write seems terrible. Going back and reading over the previous pages and editing them is almost therapeutic for me at this stage.
ReplyDeleteI hope the next couple of months get better!!!
DeleteI can be like that, too. I finally had to make a rule for myself that I could only go a few paragraphs back to orient myself before writing each day, otherwise I'd get caught up in the dreaded editing loop. I even started typing *** where I ended the day before, so I could doc-search *** and go right to the spot. That one little trick helped immensely!
ReplyDeleteGood idea!!
DeleteThat's why I like to dictate new words. It takes a little adjusting to but the story sometimes just flows and it's a beautiful thing.
ReplyDeleteI never thought of that! Thanks.
DeleteI'm sorry you've been struggling. What I do is limit myself to how much I re-read or edit as I go. Usually a page of re-reading or skimming the chapter or editing just the previous paragraph.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Thanks Chrys!!
DeleteWhen I struggle, it's like that, too. It really depends on the day and the project, and just life. Life is crazy sometimes, crazy good, crazy stressful, both at the same time. Just keep writing those paragraphs.
ReplyDeleteI guess each paragraph adds up, right!!
DeleteI can relate to all of the above! Glad you're there with me.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lee.
DeleteI think on some level you need to rest. Give yourself a set time period where you don't think about your writing at all. Then try reading your work on an ereader and just let come back you all gentle like. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Thanks Emaginette.
DeleteSometimes life gets in the way. When it happens to me, I do my best not to stress over it. Writing always come back.
ReplyDeleteI can only 2nd everything you said. But somehow, we get through...wish I knew how it worked.
ReplyDeleteYes we do, don't we!
DeleteYeah, I can very much relate. I think the best advice I've heard on this is to give yourself permission to write crap. It frees the creative soul. Besides, everything can be fixed later.
ReplyDeleteYes. the first draft is always crap, right?
DeleteI love that procrastination one - I can totally relate. Sometimes, it's a struggle to convince myself to focus on writing rather than put it off until another day.
ReplyDeleteTrue.
DeleteI often can only find the time to write in short snippets, maybe ten or fifteen minutes, but it often takes me five minutes or so just to read what I wrote previously and get my brain into the proper frame of mind. Not very efficient if you ask me.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to my world, Ken! We'll get there though!!!
DeleteNo, you and I can complain a bit longer if you like.
ReplyDeleteLOL!!!
DeleteI'm feeling you. I took the summer off to garden and not stress about writing with the understanding that come September, I would be disciplined and productive and now it's almost Thanksgiving and what the heck happened? (Parent visit necessitating clean and decluttered house, pet passing away, gobs of homework, auditions, new pet, and on and on and on). Maybe next week...
ReplyDeleteThe newer a project is, the more times I feel I have to go back over it for whatever reason. I think it's because I'm trying to settle into a voice, you know?
ReplyDeleteIt's tough to get into a story when life keeps getting in the way. I feel as if I've been flailing about the same way this year. I need a solid chunk of time to just focus.
ReplyDeleteI usually have to reread a bit before I can jump back into writing a story. Even if it's written in spurts, you'll finish it. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteInspirational Christmas Messages
ReplyDeletehappy valentines day date
happy new year to my wife