It's first Wednesday of the month and that means another blog post devoted to the Insecure Writer's Support Group. The IWSG is the brainchild of Ninja Captain and author extraordinaire, Alex J. Cavanaugh. Alex is a very generous blogger and, if you get a chance, you should check out his stuff, here.
This month, I want to talk about.....last month.
November, last year, was great for my writing. I was kicking butt and taking names in NaNoWriMo. This November...not so much. I started NaNo (and was, actually, excited about it), but only got about five thousand words in before I gave up the ghost. I also missed November's IWSG post (sorry Alex!), something I've been trying to be diligent in getting done.
It seemed like life got a bit more 'underfoot' this year than last. I got a bit caught up in the election, then Thanksgiving came along and, with that, a one thousand mile journey to my parent's for a week. Not that I couldn't have got some writing in, I could have....I guess I just wasn't that motivated. I know that many people have much more hectic lives than mine (all year 'round) and still manage to do/finish NaNo, as well as other writing goals.
It's times like these when I feel like this might not be what I was cut out to do. I love writing and love coming up with stories...it's just that when it comes to actually doing it....I, sometimes, let laziness win out. This struggle comes up every once in a while and I've been thinking about just how I could go about fighting it. Then, something from my past popped into my head and it just may be the key.
I was thinking, maybe, diversifying my creative endeavors might help to fight the 'lazies', so I've started drawing/sketching again. When I was young, I used to draw all the time. In fact, my lifelong dream was to be a cartoonist (I was always a big "Peanuts" fan).
When I got older, it was to join the Secret Service (honest)....but, that's a post for another time.
Anyway, I'm hoping that splitting my creative time might help motivate me to get some stuff done on one, or both, fronts.
I still gave thanks this past November, just not for my writing motivation.
Ah well, a new month brings new opportunities as well as new challenges. It's up to no one but myself to take the ball and run with it.
So....hut, hut, hike!
8 comments:
I've never even attempted NaNo so you've got one up on me! Life can get hectic at times or sometimes you just don't feel like writing (I have to fight that feeling a LOT). With Christmas coming up I seem to be losing hours somewhere along the way but we can only do our best.
PS I wish I could draw!
Thanks for the comment and you're right. Sometimes I just don't -feel- like writing but I hate that feeling and I hate having to come up with excuses as to why I'm not writing. Just something I need to work out for myself :)
NaNoWriMo is a lot of fun, especially if you have a good support group (as I do on Google Plus), you should give it a shot one year :D
Here from Alex's blog. I can relate to your post here. Sometimes it's difficult to write when we're not feeling motivated. I went most of the summer without contributing a word to my WIP. When I finally returned to it, I felt a bit floundering and disconnected. Now, that I'm back on track the words are flowing. Don't beat yourself up too much.
Maybe you just need a change. Too much of anything, even something you love, can become a chore over time. The mood to write will hit you again. Best of luck with your work-in-progress.
I like your blog very much, am now a follower. Looking forward to getting to know you better.
Hi Andrea,
My WIP is in the same state....in fact, it's my NaNo project from -last- year that I go back to, every once in a while, and feel a bit lost. It needs heavy edits and revision but, with time and patience, I think I can get it done :)
Thank you for the support and kind words and I'm glad you enjoy my blog...I need to devote more time to it, for sure.
Thanks again!
Welcome to the world of the lazy writer. That's me as well. First drafts kill me and I hate writing them. I have to have some serious deadline looming over me to get it done.
Maybe that story just didn't rock your world. Here's hoping the next one will.
And no worries if you missed last month!
Drawing and painting are two things I enjoy. I have very little artistic talent, but I've often noticed that writing comes easier after having painted or drawn for a while. It's still creativity, just another outlet. Give it a shot. Might do wonders. Good luck!
Heh, thanks Alex. I'm pretty sure that something like a deadline would get my butt in gear a lot better than me just saying 'I need to get this done'.
This year's NaNo story was actually one I had come up at the very last (and I mean -very last- minute) when I didn't think I could get enough mileage from my original idea.
I think I also suffered from poor planning which is just something I'll have to improve on the next time.
As usual, I appreciate your comments and thanks for dropping by :)
Honestly, I don't have a ton of artistic talent (at least in my view), but I do (and always have) liked to draw. Totally agree, though, that it's an outlet to delve into further.
Thanks for the comment, I appreciate it!
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