Time for another posting with the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, where writers can share their
insecurities and encourage one another. IWSG was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh
and we share our posts the first Wednesday of the month. Congratulations to the
IWSG for making it on the 100 Best Websites for Writers list!
I thought about being discouraged
and talking about my typical lack of time and motivation, and how it is already
March and what I have I done with my writing so far this year? But, you know,
things are not always as bad as they seem. Change will come, but sometimes it
only comes in small baby steps. Have I met my goal of writing every day? Not
yet, but I do find myself making notes of ideas more often and I have written
quite a bit in my journals. Journaling may not always feel like writing because
it is not usually for others to see, but I think there is power in unleashing
those inner thoughts and it taps into your source of creativity. Beyond journaling,
I have made some decisions and plans for my writing this last month. The most
immediate is that I decided I will attend the monthly writer’s group meeting at
my local library tomorrow. From the way the librarian described the group, it
sounds like a critique group, and I thought I would just sit in this time to
see how it goes. I’m a little bit nervous, but I think it is a good step
forward for my future writing pursuits. I will reveal my other plans and steps
as I reach them. One step at a time.
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| Pixabay.com |
March’s
question is: Have you ever pulled out a really old story and reworked it? Did
it work out? I did not think I had much of an answer to this, because most of
my fictional writing is from the last couple years, besides a few from high
school and college. Of course, there is my ongoing “quiet book” that I started
collecting notes for about 10 years ago, but it has not entered the drafting
phase yet. Today, I was looking through my high school (and beyond) diary, and
I was actually thinking about how some of those early entries would make a
pretty comical preteen book. I’m thinking something along the lines of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but I’ll have to
wait to see if that will work out or not. I have a long list of other projects
to work on ahead of it. One step at a time. :)
Your "quiet book" sounds interesting. I love that you've been collecting notes on if for 10 years.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ellen, I do hope I can eventually figure out how I'm going to structure that "quiet book". :)
DeleteThat is good you are going to the writing group at the library. At least it gets you out there among other writers and you might pick up some useful information along the way :)
ReplyDeletebetty
Betty, that is what I was hoping for and it seems like a good group :)
DeleteYou should try your hand at that story then.
ReplyDeleteHope the critique group is great and will be an asset.
Alex, I need to start implementing these story ideas I keep bringing up in IWSG posts :)
DeleteI'm with you on journaling. I've been doing it consistently almost every day since I was 14. It's been the one thing that kept me sane at times, and the thing that make writing smoother. I'm wishing you the best with the library group. Hope they're a great fit!
ReplyDeleteCrystal, journaling is an asset for my own sanity :)
DeleteOld journal entries could make for excellent story material when looked at from the perspective of being older. Sounds like a great idea to rework some of those ideas. I was attending a writing group, but they were mostly people older than me (which means they were pretty old) and we eventually disbanded. So far I haven't found another group near me.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Arlee, it is funny, looking back at the thoughts I used to have. I certainly have gained some maturity since I wrote some of those diary entries.
DeleteI've embarrassingly fallen off the wagon when it comes to journalling, after how good I was about journalling every single day for years. I even name my journals. It's so hard to get back in the habit after falling out of it so many times in a row.
ReplyDeleteJoining a local writers' group is always a great idea. I love my local writers' group, which I never knew about until November 2014, after all my years living in this area. We meet every week, and at least twice a week during NaNo months (November, April, and July).
Carrie-Anne, I do have multiple journals, but I have not gone so far as to name them yet :)
DeleteI noticed a bulletin about the writer's group at the library a few months ago, but the thought of attending did not occur to me until recently.
When I started my daily writing ritual (which has now fallen by the wayside), I would journal on days when I just wasn't feeling the writing. It was the habit of sitting down and writing something that I was going for. So, I think journaling counts. At least until the habit takes over.
ReplyDeleteLiz, that's what I'm trying to do now. I journal when my creative writing isn't flowing. Sometimes it helps spark an idea, and sometimes it doesn't, but it does seem to be helping to develop a habit.
DeleteI used to journal in college but I have not done it for years...I think I need to start again (he says for the 100th time)
ReplyDeleteKeith, I have had thoughts like that about finishing projects (i.e. here's an unfinished craft, story, etc., I should finish that this week...then it doesn't get finished and the cycle repeats...)
DeleteThis year has been an off year for me. I've been struggling a lot with depression, no motivation, and tiredness. I haven't written since November. Well, that's a lie as of last night. I wrote a few pages yesterday, but haven't gotten around to writing today. I suppose we all go through our ruts.
ReplyDeleteSitting in on the critique group to see if you like it is a great idea.
I'm sorry to hear that, Chrys. I hate it when depression sets in, because you want to get things done but the motivation and energy just isn't there :( I hope we can both find our way back into the flow of writing.
DeleteI think there's many people struggling with writing lately. I know I've been. Life likes to butt in and impede on our plans, and we just have to suffer through it's cruel design. At least you're finding some positives. How did your library group work out?
ReplyDeleteLoni, my library group was small, but the people were really nice. I plan to go again :)
DeleteWhen I look back at my journals, it seems like I was a completely different person a few years ago than I am now. It definitely is useful for writing.
ReplyDeletewww.ficklemillennial.com
Gina, I feel the the same way. I can tell my current age, interests, and state of mind based on my various journal entries over the years.
Delete