Wednesday, December 7, 2016

#IWSG




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!




November has been a rough month of writer's insecurity. Worse than I've had in a long time. The doubts and depression knocked me down more times than I can count.

I had two manuscripts being edited by different people. While one was newly written, it wasn't horrific, because my writing has improved a little. But the other manuscript I'd written years and years ago, and the editor threw it back to me with comments, and she was right to do so. I'd spent weeks of self-editing it and recently sent it back to her. I pray its somewhat decent so the editor can do her job and polish it up. 

Writing and rewriting sentences, paragraphs, and wanting to scrap the entire project, except, I signed a contract. After pulling out my hair, thoughts of quitting crossed my mind.

I believe a break is in order.

December 7 Question: In terms of your writing career, where do you see yourself five years from now, and what’s your plan to get there?


I have to chuckle at that question because I don't know where I see myself next year. 
If a story pops into my head and God willing, I'd be thrilled to have at least one book published every year.

37 comments:

  1. November hit me hard as well. It's difficult to remain upbeat, especially if I haven't had a break in months. (And I probably won't get one either.)

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  2. I share your sentiment about the five year plan.
    Scary how just a couple years can make such a difference in our writing.

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  3. I'm sorry that you had to rewrite that other project, but I know what you went through. I have to do the same for the projects I started or wrote years ago. They are awful and need a lot of work. Good luck with the editing!

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  4. I'm sorry you had a rough month. But I've no doubt the projects will end up being fantastic in the end. Here's to a much better December for you!

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  5. I think I'm right there with you about November. Hopefully December will treat us all a little bit nicer.

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  6. I'm sure the next edit will go smoother. At least you can see where you've grown as a writer, and that's awesome. :)

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  7. I'm sure you improved it and the editor will be pleased.

    I just might take a break myself.

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    1. Thank you. Yes, a break is good. Especially at this time of year.

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  8. Great plan. A book a year is nothing to sneeze about. Sorry about your November woes. This month should be better, right?

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  9. It struck me that you should be very excited about the growth in your writing. I'm sure you'll do the rewrites and meet your deadline.

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  10. I'm sorry you're stuck on edits. I think you're an awesome writer and I'm looking forward to reading more of your books, so I hope your five year plan goes awesome!

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  11. November was a rough month, but you're a terrific writer. You can do it! :)

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  12. Sorry it was a tough month, sometimes you get to the point when a little break is in order and then hopefully you will hit the new year running with lots of new ideas. I am in a similar position myself. Good luck, Cathrina.

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  13. Those older manuscripts are a lot harder to polish up. Not impossible, just harder. Best wishes!

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  14. Feel your pain for sure... Just keep going bits a time and it will be finished:)

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  15. It sounds to me like you need an editor who's going to teach you what to look for and what to change rather than just fix and polish it for you. Plus if you did more yourself, it would probably cost a lot less and make you proud of yourself! Or maybe I'm misunderstanding the situation... Have a good weekend!

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  16. It can be hard to find momentum on a book that you've had on the go for years. Hopefully breaking it down into manageable tasks will get it done. Good luck!

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  17. Writing can be SUCH a roller-coaster ride. A break sounds good, but as Lexa said above, good editors teach us. We feel down on ourselves at first, but we don't realize it helps us improve!!! It's kinda like when you go to the gym and lift weights. You have to tear the muscle in order for it to grow back stronger.

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    1. Yes, I agree. The one editor is teaching me quite a bit!

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  18. Looking at my old projects never fails to be a nightmare, so I can just imagine how headachey those edits were. Hope your editor is ultimately pleased with your changes and that you've been able to take some kind of break!

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