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!Let’s rock the neurotic writing world! Our Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG
Alex's awesome co-hosts for the January 3 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Olga Godim, Diedre Knight, and Natalie Aguirre!
In the beginning of 2023 I was full steam ahead with my WIP. Then life got in the way and I lost my concentration. I'm still battling with sitting my butt down and completing this draft. I don't know what my problem is. I'm at 82k. I basically know where it's going. But my insecurities and doubts have doubled concerning my writing. I'm wondering if it's all worth it.
The time spent writing grows exponentially because I'm a turtle writer. LOL. Since I now self-publish it's also the money spent for professional editing. Formatting. Covers. And the worst...Marketing.
I'm hoping to climb over this hump and put my thoughts in order to complete this project.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
I'm a slow writer as well although I don't have to deal with some of that other stuff. Just remember your past successes.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alex!
Delete.Yes, I know what it's like to be a turtle writer. It happens to everyone. Best to you, Cathrina, in the new year.
ReplyDeleteThank you. You too!
DeleteThis has happened to me a couple of times. I just published a book that I'd set aside at least five times. Don't give up. You'll get back to writing, and I hope it's soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lee!
DeleteI'm a slow writer too. It comes from not being confident about the words I'm getting down. But like Alex said, remember your past successes. Happy New Year, Cathrina!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Happy New Year!
DeleteI could've signed under your post, and almost every word would fit. I hope to do better this year, writing-wise.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Much success to you in 2024!
DeleteI think slow writing is good. I write fast and furious, and then take breaks, but I don't think that my way is the right way for everyone. Be confident in your writing - I think you're a great writer. :)
ReplyDeleteAwww...thank you for the great compliment Tyrean! Much success to you in 2024!
DeleteI think that as long as you're writing at the speed that works for your brain, you're writing at the right speed! Marketing is difficult and varies so much by genre. I do very little of it myself - mostly just paid newsletters like Fussy Librarian. Hope 2024 is very good to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jemi! Happy 2024!
Delete82K words is great progress! How many more do you need to complete the story? Do you have a critique partner? My CP, Nicki Elson, has really helped me stay motivated throughout a draft.
ReplyDeleteI'm right at the climax of the story, probably 10K more. I don't have a CP, and I wish I did. Happy 2024!
DeleteI'm a slow writer too. I try to write a little bit every day and don't pressure myself to do more. Maybe don't pressure yourself and just keep plugging at it.
ReplyDeleteI write slow, too. This year, I'm trying a loose schedule that takes baby steps to see if I can get a routine going and keep it going despite any wrenches life throws at me. Basically, I set a goal of 1 chapter written a week.
ReplyDeleteI understand the insecurity. I love Neil Gaiman's 8 Good Writing Practices, specially #6.
ReplyDelete1. Write.
2. Put one word after another. Find the right word, put it down.
3. Finish what you're writing. Whatever you have to do to finish it, finish it.
4. Put it aside. Read it pretending you've never read it before. Show it to friends whose opinion you respect and who like the kind of thing that this is.
5. Remember: when people tell you something's wrong or doesn't work for them, they are almost always right. When they tell you exactly what they think is wrong and how to fix it, they are almost always wrong.
6. Fix it. Remember that, sooner or later, before it ever reaches perfection, you will have to let it go and move on and start to write the next thing. Perfection is like chasing the horizon. Keep moving.
7. Laugh at your own jokes.
8. The main rule of writing is that if you do it with enough assurance and confidence, you're allowed to do whatever you like. (That may be a rule for life as well as for writing. But it's definitely true for writing.) So write your story as it needs to be written. Write it honestly, and tell it as best you can. I'm not sure that there are any other rules. Not ones that matter.
Good luck! You can do this!