Yup, I've finally done it: I've joined the IWSG, the Insecure Writer's Support Group, a large blog-hop group that airs our fears and insecurities around writing, in hope that we can help each other get over it and keep writing.
And what a great time to join: just as NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) kicks off. Nothing like being challenged to write 50,000 words in 30 days to bring out our insecurities. At least, my insecurities, at least this year. Because frankly, I've not been a very convincing author this year. I've taken pretty much the whole year to do a couple of rounds of edits on Death By Trombone, Book 2 in the Pismawallops PTA murder mystery series. And that from an MS (written during NaNo two years ago) that really wasn't THAT bad. [I suppose my next post will need to be about the agonies of editing. Or else about my utter failure as a marketing genius. Lots to be insecure about, now that I think about it.]
During that same period I managed to draft less than 40,000 words of a 3rd Ninja Librarian book, too. Not a very impressive output.
I have lots of excuses. I can sit around and make excuses. Or I could sit here and beat myself up: "You call yourself a writer? Writers write, you fool!"
Or I could sit down and enjoy the process of producing another draft in 45 days (I give myself 15 extra for the extra 25-30,000 words it takes to make a full-length novel). I can also remind myself that since the beginning of the year I've posted 34 flash fiction pieces (for another 34,000+ words) and a bunch of photo essays. Sometimes you have to back away from what you think you should be or do, and appreciate what you did do.
I think I'll ignore my insecurities and enjoy NaNo. If you want to join me on the ride, I'm Nanning (I just made that up) under the highly imaginative name of Rebecca Douglass.
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Something I would not have thought you needed to join
ReplyDeleteThanks--I will take that to mean you think I'm good, not that you think I'm fat-headed! But we all have insecurity, and my sales certainly don't fill me with over-confidence.
DeleteI've been enjoying your photos, as always :)
Welcome aboard and good luck with your Nanning! Hitting those word counts is always a good way to stave off insecurity!
ReplyDeleteIWSG November Post
Thanks! I'm having fun with NaNo so far. It worked very well for me 2 years ago, so I'm pretty confident about my ability to draft a novel. It's the afters that get me bogged down.
DeleteJust remember: writers absorb material all the time. We have the greatest job! Literally you can spend any time doing anything at all, and if you're being receptive, or even thinking very cleverly after-the-fact, it totally counts as writing time. The actual writing is about 10% of the writing experience.
ReplyDeleteTrue. My Dad used to worry Mom by going off and mowing the lawn or something when he was supposed to be writing a sermon. She eventually figured out he WAS writing his sermon!
DeleteI think ignoring your insecurities is the BEST idea. Really, it's the only treatment they should get. Enjoy NaNo! And yes, 34 flash stories this year is pretty cool!
ReplyDeleteSometimes our insecurities are hard to ignore. That's when we have to bludgeon them to death with a thesaurus and bury them under an avalanche of words :D
DeleteI wish I had achieved as much as you this year! That looks like a pretty good work rate to me. We always tend to do ourselves down when we should actually realise how much we've done. Good luck with your extended NaNo!
ReplyDeleteIt does help to add it all up. I used to have to do the same thing when my boys were babies--I'd feel like I was accomplishing NOTHING, so I'd sit down and write a list of everything I did. Some of it was trivial, but it added up to a pretty clear explanation of why I had no free time :p
DeleteIt definitely helps to look back and see your accomplishments. Sometimes, that's what's needed to move forward and enjoy the next part! Best wishes with NaNo and all of your writing and life!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I wish I could come up with something as easily measured and exciting for the editing process as NaNo is for the drafting process!
DeleteWelcome, Rebecca. We all have our insecurities and this is a great place to share them. Good luck with NaNo.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy NaNa and write like a maniac!
ReplyDeleteAnd welcome to the IWSG. You are in the right place.
Welcome to IWSG! Don't worry. I took forever to join, too. ;)
ReplyDelete