This is my Insecure Writers Support Group post for December.
Alex's awesome co-hosts this month are:
Please stop by their blogs and say thank you.
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Dec. 1st question: In your writing, what stresses you the most? What delights you?
I worry over plot, character, and the nitty gritty details of writing each line, as any author does. I self-publish, so I choose the cover, deal with formatting, and handle my own uploading and marketing, too. But those get easier with time and experience.
My biggest stressors are research (accuracy of facts and word etymology), proofreading, and simply finding time to write. I work full time, so even getting the first draft written is a huge accomplishment.
My favorite things are time spent immersed in the story while I'm drafting--even with the myriad little stressors, it's my therapy--and seeing the finished product in print.
What about you?
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IWSG is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. It's a monthly bloghop that offers a safe haven for writers to express their feelings and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. It's also a venue for offering support, both in the form of comments and positive posts. Writers of all kinds are welcome.
We 'meet' the first Wednesday of every month. If you're interested in learning more, click on the link above. And don't be intimidated by the size of the group. We're not expected to visit everyone on the list.
Yes, it's very hard to get a first draft written when you work too. I've struggled with this too when I worked and took care of my family. Now I have a little more time to write because I only work part-time.
ReplyDeleteWriting is my therapy.
ReplyDeleteI hope you've been checking your emails.
Finding time to write is a big one.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
Yeah, the time factor hits me too! And I can imagine how research hits you harder than it does me, since yours have to be historically accurate I just tend to make things up on the fly, even though my husband says stuff like "physics don't work like that" to which I say, "shut it, it's fantasy."
ReplyDeleteTime is precious, and finding it is hard.
ReplyDeleteI just started self-publishing, and I enjoy the freedom.
Merry Christmas
Time to write is a biggie. I used to 'Rob Peter to pay Paul' when I was a teacher and write late into the night, then get up and drag myself to school, lol. But I love when I've got all the time in the world to think/dream up the story. Those pesky details, because some (many) readers are savvy and know their stuff. :)
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I have more time to write now then back when I was working full-time and having to squeeze my writing into short time slots. Unfortunately, it seems like I'm getting even less productive writing don these days. Every night I go to bed telling myself about how much writing I'll be doing the next day. It never works out.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely hard to write, especially in self publishing where you have to do everything else too, when you've got a job.
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa,
ReplyDeleteYou are doing great with all that is on your plate. The quality of writing is the most important thing and it takes time for that. Even slivers of time will work. I think writing is therapeutic to all writers, we work out our own troubles and feeling through our characters.
Have a wonderful Christmas and all the best for the new year!
Hi, Melissa! I, too, stress over accuracy of facts and word etymology. I spend a lot of time checking and rechecking facts and checking and rechecking words in dictionaries and thesauruses. Have a Merry Christmas with your loved ones!
ReplyDeleteWorking part time gives me some time to focus on my writing, though in earnest I've just begun. You're doing great!
ReplyDeleteI too spend time and worry over the facts! They can break a story as well as make it. Happy Holidays.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's so impressive that you do it all! Cover design and marketing would stress me out the most in self-publishing.
ReplyDeleteGetting immersed in your world is a good place to be if it makes grinding out each sentence less painful!
ReplyDelete