Wow. It hardly seems possible, but it's already time for another meeting with the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Our magnificent leader Alex J. Cavanaugh is joined this month by a posse of worthy co-hosts: Julie Luek, Rachna Chhabria, Beverly Fox, and Ilima Todd.
Also, if you haven't already, check out the new Insecure Writer's Support Group website! It looks great!
There's a lot going on this month. My birthday is in less than two weeks. We have Halloween and trick-or-treating to prepare for. Jude has school pictures this month. Just saying that seems crazy.
So, with the busy month ahead, I'm trying to snag all the writing time I can. And in the midst of this craziness, I've realized something strange. I'm not in any danger of being overcome by the crushing conviction that I'll never be a successful writer. (Keep in mind that the term "successful" is bound to differ from person to person. And if you define being successful as becoming as rich and widely read as J.K. Rowling-well, odds are that you will be in for some disappointment.) I'm not worried about whether or not I'll ever be published at all. I've somehow achieved a kind of relaxation that I never thought possible. I keep thinking that it'll happen when it happens, and I'm not second guessing it. It's weird.
Right now, as far as my writing is concerned, my insecurities are revolving around practical details like these. Which POV will be most effective for this story? Am I using too many adverbs? Would this character like what I made for dinner? Okay, okay, that last question may seem impractical to some, though I can make a case for asking it, and it's something I do find myself wondering about anyway.
Is this a byproduct of getting older? Am I less worried about whether I will ever be successful or not because I subconsciously know that I need to focus more on the practicalities in order to get where I need to go? Or is this some phase I'll soon grow out of so that the existential panic can resume its work? Is this calm even a good thing? Will I lose motivation.
Hmmm. Now I'm worrying about the fact that I'm not worried enough. It sounds rather ludicrous, doesn't it? Perhaps I should stop over thinking it and get back to work.
I'll tell you what. I'll get back to my writing (as that's what writers do) after I leave you with this inspirational quote.
That sounds easy enough, right? Right?
Also, if you haven't already, check out the new Insecure Writer's Support Group website! It looks great!
There's a lot going on this month. My birthday is in less than two weeks. We have Halloween and trick-or-treating to prepare for. Jude has school pictures this month. Just saying that seems crazy.
So, with the busy month ahead, I'm trying to snag all the writing time I can. And in the midst of this craziness, I've realized something strange. I'm not in any danger of being overcome by the crushing conviction that I'll never be a successful writer. (Keep in mind that the term "successful" is bound to differ from person to person. And if you define being successful as becoming as rich and widely read as J.K. Rowling-well, odds are that you will be in for some disappointment.) I'm not worried about whether or not I'll ever be published at all. I've somehow achieved a kind of relaxation that I never thought possible. I keep thinking that it'll happen when it happens, and I'm not second guessing it. It's weird.
Right now, as far as my writing is concerned, my insecurities are revolving around practical details like these. Which POV will be most effective for this story? Am I using too many adverbs? Would this character like what I made for dinner? Okay, okay, that last question may seem impractical to some, though I can make a case for asking it, and it's something I do find myself wondering about anyway.
Is this a byproduct of getting older? Am I less worried about whether I will ever be successful or not because I subconsciously know that I need to focus more on the practicalities in order to get where I need to go? Or is this some phase I'll soon grow out of so that the existential panic can resume its work? Is this calm even a good thing? Will I lose motivation.
Hmmm. Now I'm worrying about the fact that I'm not worried enough. It sounds rather ludicrous, doesn't it? Perhaps I should stop over thinking it and get back to work.
I'll tell you what. I'll get back to my writing (as that's what writers do) after I leave you with this inspirational quote.
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| Background image courtesy of Ingrid Truemper/Flickr |
By the way, I chose that quote, and the image that goes with it, because they seemed cool at the time. That's good enough reason for me.
Happy writing!
Hahaha! I love that you're worried about not worrying enough. It sounds much too familiar.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have a great attitude that will help you move forwards. Enjoying our writing is surely the most important factor. Happy writing :)
ReplyDeleteI think this is the best attitude to have when writing. At the end of the day, we started writing because we love to write (presumably) and it's important not to forget that. I write for myself, and if something good comes of it, then that's a bonus.
ReplyDeleteGrowing older as in maturing? Quite possibly!
ReplyDeleteIf you're not feeling the stress of 'when,' just enjoy.
Time is an issue for me too! I set the alarm for 4:00 am today just so I could get things done so I will have time to write tonight.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have my editor do a read through of my initial drafts to get his input on POV and such. It helps make the rest of the writing so much easier.
Gosh, I'm fighting with finding the right POV at the moment... so that strikes a cord with me lol. I think you are right about not worrying too much, what is out of our control simply is out of our control. We write because we love it and whatever comes from it is just bonus. Love the quote by the way!
ReplyDeleteOctober is a great month - I love Halloween! Happy early birthday!
ReplyDeleteI feel like I'm under that pressure sometimes to be good enough and to get it done now. It's that waiting thing, lol. :) It will be worth it. Enjoy the journey and don't obsess about the little bumps along the way.
Sounds like you're worrying about the right things in your writing and the success will come from doing all those things well.
ReplyDeleteLOL - I can so relate to things like worrying about not worrying enough. Otherwise you sound pretty focused. I finally joined in here and reading all these posts is making me feel so much better already.
ReplyDeleteI think your attitude is an acceptance of your life - and a bit of becoming comfortable in your niche. You write, it is enjoyed by people who's opinion matter to you, and you like what you're doing.
ReplyDeleteI don't find it strange at all that you would wonder what a character would like for dinner as you are preparing your family meal. Characters are people that need development, and favorites. :)
.......dhole
Too funny that you're worried about whether you're being worried enough! Heh, I think it's a good place to be! Better than being so worried about what others are thinking. That's a huge step. :)
ReplyDeleteBeing older gives some life experience to just let go. I think your focus is where it needs to be--on the story. I don't worry about success as much as frustration on not being able to write when I want to do so. Having to limit it or put it off because of this or that thing MUST be done. I love the look of your blogsite!
ReplyDeleteSia McKye Over Coffee