Today is Insecure Writer’s Support Group time, where we
reflect on all our challenges of being a writer. Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for
putting this on each month! And now he and a team of ninjas have put together
an Insecure Writer’s Support Group website with all kinds of links for quick and easy access
to all those things that you didn’t know that you needed to know. Check it out here:
http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/
My
Insecurity
For those of you who have been following me, you know
I’ve been in the deep pits of editing for some time. The Newstead Trilogy has
actually been written for over a year now, and I’ve been editing. And editing.
And editing. Well, I’m finally done (is it ever done, really?) And I find
myself looking at a blank screen for the first time in over a year. Because,
you see, I have broken my first rule of writing. I haven’t been working on two
projects at once. I convinced myself that could wait, because I had
these manuscripts that HAD to be edited. There was a deadline. And now the
editing is done and I am afraid. What if I have forgotten how to write? What if
the ideas don’t come?
I know writing is 90% mental and I need to just
get over myself and do it. Even if it sucks, I should write something. Thankfully NaNoWriMo is right
around the corner, so I know if all else fails, that will be just the kick in
the butt I need.
Is this a fear that plagues the rest of you? That you’ll
wake up one day and this wonderful, lovely, mysterious gift of story will be
gone?
I didn't write anything for six months between my second and third books. No ideas hit me. I didn't panic though and eventually one came to me.
ReplyDeleteJump into NaNo - it will prompt you!
I may try NaNo this year. But I told myself I'd only do it IF I had an outline ready before Nov 1. We'll see how that goes. And don't worry, you haven't forgotten how to write and I'm sure ideas will hit you soon.
ReplyDeleteI am participating in the NaBloPoMo this month because it is a theme I like and will enjoy for the entire month and a good excercise. It is already opening channels for me, or maybe it is the weather! I feel more like writing when it is cooler out. I think I should look into NaNoWriMo....it could be helpful to me to reach my goals....of something completed by the end of 2014. Do know the blank feeling...Sandy
ReplyDeleteMomentum! Just write something, anything. Start outlining for NaNoWriMo if that's what it takes.
ReplyDeleteI don't fear having an idea. I really fear that I won't have a good idea that is sustainable. Sometimes I wonder if any of my ideas are good. Happy IWSG Day!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I have this fear every now and then, but if I wait long enough I get tonnes of ideas jumping out at me. It's kind of like waiting for a bus; you wait for ages for one to come along, then two come at once :)
ReplyDeleteI don't worry about writing itself being gone- but I do worry about falling out of "the flow". There are times when the words seem to just flow for your fingertips- the internal editor is out to lunch, your fingers struggle to keep up with the ideas your mind is pouring out, and you feel liked a postively charged electron with energy just vibrating throughout your whole body.
ReplyDeleteThen there are times where you stare at the blank page for absurdly long persiods of time, agaonizing over every sentence, making tons of false starts, and ending up with so few words for all the torture you'rve put yourself through that pulling teeth from an alligator probably would have been more productive. That's what I worry about falling into.
But boy will NaNo help!
Thanks for this awesome IWSG post!
Much love, Bev
(October IWSG co-host)
I have to get my behind writing something too... I think NaNo is a great option for you if the pressure helps you, best of luck. You can do it!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe idea of NaNoWriMo terrifies me!
ReplyDeleteI write far too slow...
I'm sure that a person doesn't just "forget" how to write... you'll be just fine!
Writer In Transit
Sometimes, yes. I worry whether I'll think anything new up. Then I do. When something has to get done, I drop evertthing else and focus, too. Editing is so detail-oriented, I think it necessary. I try to keep writing, but it just doesn't always work out. My muse is starting to punch my shoulder.
ReplyDeleteI have the same fear, but I'm sure there will always be a story to write. It may not be there today, or tomorrow, but it will come along. You just have to keep an eye out for it.
ReplyDeleteOf course I do. Even when I have ideas for three interconnecting stories I have that moment of worry about how am I going to do this. What happens If I can't go beyond the basic two paragraphs of story blurb? Then I find the thread.
ReplyDeleteYou've had your mind on one task--editing. But now, you're free to play in another adventure. Just waiting for your attention. :-)
Sia McKye Over Coffee
Oh, there's always the possibility that my abilities will go away. It doesn't even have to be the anti-miracle of my muse leaving, of the endless ideas drying up one day. A stroke, an aneurysm, a clot - any number of things could screw up my brain and wipe out or cripple elements of my being. But I can never cease pursuing the craft for fear of it eventually ending; I'm going to end eventually, and will leave the best work I can before then. I want to add to our culture.
ReplyDeleteIt's 90% mental, and the rest is finger strength. Unfortunately, the first 90% fails me first :)
ReplyDeleteOh good Lord, yes. That fear is with me all the time. It's crazy, I think, because in my better moments I know that writing is ME, so how could I lose it? Doesn't make the fear go away, though.
ReplyDeleteHere are some things that help me come up with new ideas: listen to music, go to an art museum, read poetry; read some old writing of my own; run.
Good luck!
Don't worry Melanie... you will NEVER lose it! If I haven't after my major shot in the head for the cyclist mowing me down last month, you won't...
ReplyDeleteThank GOD I can still write and you will TOO!!!!!
I hope to God not. lol I've said for most of my life that writing is all I know how to do (it's not, but I go for the dramatic).
ReplyDeleteI'm like you when it comes to multi-tasking projects. It's hard not to.