Hey, you should write a book.
I did, actually, a couple of years ago.....I wrote it in a month.
A month? Wow! When did it come out?
Ummm...well...it didn't. Not yet, at least. I still need an ending.
Oh, I see. Well that can be tough, yeah. So, how about recently? What are you working on now?
I have a story in the works and it's........coming along.....clears throat.
That's cool! So, when do you think you'll be finished?
(sighing) At this rate, who knows?
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This month's IWSG finds me in a similar spot as last month. No 'new' insecurities to speak of, but I'm beginning to wonder about my 'sense of urgency' as far as getting a book done, much less published.
I've been working on my characters and plot to my latest work, Last Chance, at a decent clip, but I haven't been the most diligent about sitting down to write. I've been doing it as the mood strikes me. Sometimes I'll write for a few hours, other times, just a few minutes or when I'm jotting down an idea for a character, plot point, or situation.
I mean, I'm really in no big hurry to finish and I want to make sure I do it right.....but I also can see the need to be a bit more regimented in my writing.
I definitely see more "to do" lists (I'm a big list maker) and some scheduled writing in my future.
I think it's time to buckle down.
The preceding entry has been an Insecure Writer's Support Group post. Hosted by the Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh, the IWSG is a sounding board for writers, their writing related issues, and possible solutions. It's a judge-free zone where the focus is listening and, maybe, lending a helping hand to our fellow writers.
This month, Alex is aided and abetted by Julie Luek, Rachna Chabria, Beverly Fox, and Iima Todd so drop by and show them some love for their efforts :)
38 comments:
A schedule and dedicated time to write help. Then again, at this phase, enjoy the lack of pressure and no hurry to finish.
I always tend to get more writing done when I schedule it in in advance. If I leave it until I feel like it, I'd hardly get anything done!
Good luck with your scheduling :)
Oh my, I used to have a great time for writing this prior to blogs and emails... now I wish I could just get back to it all...
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I go back and forth with needing to be pressured so I can write (sometimes it's even good-ish) and of needing to do things on my own time. OR I might just be using those as excuse for personal convenience lol
Good luck with the scheduled writing time, let us know how it goes ;)
Balance seems to be a recurring theme. How do we get it all done????
Margaret Mitchell worked for years on one piece of work. I don't think that makes her a loser!
One of the reasons I don't write a set plot is that I tend to work on it too much instead of just writing. I'm a list maker too. They're fun. Then I don't do them and I have to make an updated list. I have a special tablet for it.
Git-er-done!
Kidding. I have a similar problem, but mine is not a lack of writing drive, it's life and social media keeping me from it.
Hi, Mark,
I wish I'd stick with a writing schedule, but I do the best I can. Maybe you need one of those virtual alarm things where you write until the alarm goes off and then you reward yourself with whatever you like doing.
I read a blog post recently that talked about how long certain authors worked on their books. It was an average of 3-5 years. I figure I have another year to go before I panic. Good luck.
I've been hoping that I would have time to do some more new writing when I finished the Shadow Spinner serialization work, and, wow, it's finished. Except it isn't, because, now, I have to get the collections together. >sigh<
A schedule helps. Just don't over schedule. I've made that mistake and it just gets overwhelming. Happy Writing!
I'm seeing the need to schedule time a lot today...or is it just my luck? or maybe a sign from above that I need to schedule time too in a better way.
Maybe you need a little pressure in your life. Something that makes you sit down and write, come what may. Me thinks. :)
Get it going. You can do it. Just pour it all out on to the screen.
Nas
I tend to procrastinate terribly. So this past month I've set a goal, something totally new, and it's somewhat working. Good Luck Mark.
Mark, I so get this. There is this balance of not making it everything, but good heavens, make it SOMETHING. At least that's how I feel. I say I want to write; well then, sit down and write. Do it. Sounds like you're doing a bit more than you're giving yourself credit for.
*sigh*
...
I get this. I do. The whole process is so difficult--no matter what stage you're in. I'm sending you creative vibes, Mark. I know the answer is inside of you. Trust your gut. It's there!
I say go at your own pace. Don't force yourself to write if the creative juices aren't flowing. If you have some free time to set aside on a regular basis, go ahead and pencil it in. Maybe you can brainstorm or freewrite in that time.
I've been chiding myself for writing too slow, but the most important thing is telling the best story you possibly can, and staying true to your vision no matter how long it takes. Good luck!
The Pedestrian Writer
You know something Mark, I have been seeing from all the IWSG posts that many of us are not writing much nowadays, its just a low phase. We all need to schedule in writing time and stick to it with dedication.
Rachna Chhabria
Co-host IWSG
Rachna's Scriptorium
It's not a race. Do what's right for you!
It is hard to sit down and write sometimes. To hurry and get a book done. Maybe it is the knowledge that, even when the rough draft is done it isn't finished and there will still be a pile of work to do on it.
I hope you are able to get yours going though, though writing at a slower pace works too.
Sticking with a schedule is one of the biggest challenges I face. It's probably the same for most of us. Life is busy so our challenge is making time for what really matters: family, work, house, yard, and most importantly WRITING!
Yes, buckle down!! Now, if I can just follow my own advice. :)) My issue is focusing on one project at a time. I'm completely vulnerable to the plot bunny syndrome. Nice to meet you!
I am a big list maker too but it seems lately I never cross anything off the lists that I make! Good luck getting your schedule settled.
Finish one. Complete. Even if it sucks the momentum you get will carry you on to one that doesn't.
I'm a big fan of buckling down, still, every field needs to lie fallow for a bit. Only you can decide what the right mix is. Good luck.
Boy, do I relate. Except that I've got three (count em, THREE!)unfinished novels from past NaNos. I don't when (if) i'm going to finish mine, either.
What everyone else has said holds true, though. We have to put ourselves on some kind-of a schedule if we want to produce anything.
Great IWSG post, Mark!
Thanks for your comment!
Bev
When I stopped to remember when I started my latest ms I was shocked at how long I've been working at it. And I'm not finished. I get how you're feeling. Everybody says make little goals. I'm going to do that. Soon. Very soon.
Us writers like to talk a lot about writing but then use any excuse to keep us from writing... We are a funny group. But I've found that with an organized schedule I commit to, I always produce better.
Best of luck with your novel!
Maybe a schedule might help. It's possible that you might want to look at writing as more like a job, you have to work for a certain amount of hours whether you feel like it or not. Writing only when inspiration strikes isn't enough. Also try making jottings on other things while waiting for something to come to do. Hope that helps.
I feel like this a lot. I'm into revisions now on a work that I finished drafting three months ago and, although I've been at it for a couple of weeks, I don't feel like I'm properly into it. As usual, there's a lot of work to do and I'm probably a bit intimidated. But we need to bite the bullet if we want to get anything finished!
Schedules and mandatory regular progress have been greatly beneficial to my craft. In editing I tend to assign myself a set number of changes every work day - it's very handy for forcing myself onto the path.
Hey Mark!
I should write a comment. Yet, I will write a comment at my own pace and without any pressure or unwarranted expectations.
If only I could come up with an ending to this comment...
How about, a good weekend to you, my friend.
Gary :)
Seems to be a trend lately that writers feel pressed to finish in a hurry. Now with SP on the rise, it's so easy to put it out there. But I fear too many unready mss are being pubbed. I think you're smart to take your time. As long as you're committed to it, that's what matters. But you can't rush a work of art.
Creativity should never be forced, Mark.... You need to FEEL it.. if you don't the work will suffer. A writer must feel the PASSION for his words to create something awesome!
Have a great weekend.
I'm just coming back from some health induced down time. It's tough trying to get back in the groove.
Dude,
It took me a week to get here, so I ain't nobody to give advice, but I am working with a fellow blogger and we *plan* to have our separate books written (first drafts) by New Year's Eve.
i.e... we're helping each other my motivating each other - and holding each other accountable :)
Good luck :)
D'oh! I'm really late if Mark beat me here. :P
I know how you feel, we're in the same boat. Trying to find that balance between writing, social media and real life... it's not easy. But if you can get some writing down when the muse strikes that's good. I'd love to have a more structured daily life, but with young kids, it's impossible... at least for me, lol! Just keep writing. (:
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