It's time for the first 2015 meeting of the Insecure Writer's Support Group. The wonderful Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh is our fearless leader, and he's recruited a few minions to assist him in his duties this month. They are Elizabeth Seckman, Lisa Buie-Collard, Chrys Fey, and Michelle Wallace.
Feel free to visit the IWSG website if you have the time and inclination to do so.
We're doing introductions today. Here's mine.
We're doing introductions today. Here's mine.
For those of you who don't know me, I am L.G. Keltner. The L.G. stands for Laura Gene. Yes, my middle name utilizes the male spelling, thanks to a great aunt and my parents' love for Gene Roddenberry. I am married and have two young boys. I write science fiction when I have the time, I read voraciously, and I love coffee. I am also a redhead. This typically serves as a useful warning to anyone who considers incurring my wrath.
Now on to this month's insecurity. It's a new year, and I feel like I need to find some new direction with my writing. I feel like I should be setting goals (which I haven't) and that I should have some concrete plans about where I want the year to take me (which I don't). Sure, I have some vague ideas about what I'd like to accomplish, but it feels a bit nebulous. This year I'm playing things by ear and waiting to see where inspiration takes me. Is this the right course of action? Do you feel better having a concrete goal in mind, or do you prefer to see what naturally comes your way?
On a side note, it's really cold here. So cold that school was canceled for the kids. Everyone loves waking up to wind chills like this. We've had colder, but there's only so much you can do outside on days like this.
Perhaps I'll be able to make use of my day indoors. That's my hope, anyway.
Now on to this month's insecurity. It's a new year, and I feel like I need to find some new direction with my writing. I feel like I should be setting goals (which I haven't) and that I should have some concrete plans about where I want the year to take me (which I don't). Sure, I have some vague ideas about what I'd like to accomplish, but it feels a bit nebulous. This year I'm playing things by ear and waiting to see where inspiration takes me. Is this the right course of action? Do you feel better having a concrete goal in mind, or do you prefer to see what naturally comes your way?
On a side note, it's really cold here. So cold that school was canceled for the kids. Everyone loves waking up to wind chills like this. We've had colder, but there's only so much you can do outside on days like this.
Wow, that is cold.
ReplyDeleteI have a half plan. Does that count?
Really cool you are named after Roddenberry! You had no choice but to become a science fiction geek.
And posted my snark today!
I have read about some other folks enjoying snow days today. Enjoy the time indoors.
ReplyDeleteI think whatever works for you is the right answer. Lots of plans and goals work excellently for some but I find them a little restricting. I have an outline of what I want to achieve but don't set rigid deadlines. Maybe I will one day in the future but at the moment it isn't the way I work.
Happy New Year to you and the family.
I have a name problem, too. Rohn is often pronounced Ron, which is embarrassing in a gynecologist office. I feel like shouting, "No I haven't had a sex change!" I have two sons, too; which should be proof enough. I'm even told I write like a man. Oh well, what the hell does that mean?
ReplyDeleteI grew up in Michigan and really miss the snow and the snow days. Not the biting cold that penetrates every layer of clothing. But the snow was a big part of my life growing up. Happy New year to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteSometimes a goal is better than a plan. Every step forward can be seen as a success. Cold is hard to combat. Brrrr. Best of sales come 2015
ReplyDeleteWow, that is really cold! I try to make goals and plans but I so rarely stick to them. Sometimes maybe it is better just to go with the flow and see what happens.
ReplyDeleteI do feel better when I have a concrete goal, but I thoroughly enjoyed my holiday break where I had nothing to do and got to be lazy. It's freezing here too. School was canceled for tomorrow. I hope I can find ways to entertain my little guy without going outside!
ReplyDeleteHi L.G.!
ReplyDeleteYikes! That is cold. I have no cause to complain about the low thirties...
I have to have a plan. If I don't, it's way to easy for me to just flip-flop around and not get anything done. Boy have I done that for years! THIS year, however, I have a very doable, very solid goal set for the end of the year. It's a long project that won't see fruition until this year's work is completed BUT I'm excited. I've been working on it the past few evenings and this is the first time in years I've been excited about writing!
Best of luck with your plans, even if they are little plans or even half a plan. Happy New Year and stay WARM!
Jen
I have no plans. Last year I set a bunch of goal for myself that I never got close to achieving, so this year, I'm just going to play it by ear.
ReplyDeleteIt's supposed to get really cold here tonight, and we may have school cancelled tomorrow :(
Hi LG! It is definitely cold where you are! Brrr! I hope you had an enjoyable indoor day and that you stayed safe and warm.
ReplyDeletePlans, like an outline for writing, never work for me. I used to have to write outlines for university papers after I'd written the papers. In my first draft I have to see what unfolds because that's when I figure out what I'm trying to say. Don't know if that makes sense, but that's how it happens for me. But I do have goals, like every Friday I will publish a northern post on my blog. This year I am focusing on planning out my day with definite time for writing. I'll sit there for that time and chew my pencil if I'm stuck. That usually gets me going. Happy inspiration to you!
It's definitely cold! I set goals, and I don't make them too outrageous. That way I know I can accomplish them.
ReplyDeleteIt's been that cold where I am too. Not fun at all. Especially when I walk to and from work.
ReplyDeleteI'm all about setting goals this year and making todo lists. I'm hoping it helps me accomplish more.
It's very windy where I am today too and has been getting steadily colder. Although I enjoy winter once the far is going and I am all curled up warm with a good book, I am not such a big fan when I have to run out in it first thing in the morning to take my son to the bus.Sadly school has not been cancelled her and that will probably only happen if snow starts falling heavily. Hope things warm up for you soon and that you are able to find enough things to do indoors to stop you from getting bored :)
ReplyDeleteBrrr! Stay warm! It is cold here, but not as bad as what you are experiencing.
ReplyDelete