Wednesday, October 5, 2016

October IWSG--Dreaming and Dreading

Dreaming and Dreading. What a combination! However, that's where I am in my writing world. I'm dreaming of the day I can get back to my creative side. In fact, I've even told my husband that I feel like I'm losing my true self because it's been so long since I've been able to sit and write the way I used to. Free, fingers flying, characters and plots playing out in my head like a movie. I love that feeling!

This month is our writer's group writing retreat. Three full days of no interruptions, and no excuse not to move forward on at least one project. I'm ready for it. I need it so bad, and yet I'm dreading it too. What if I get there and I can't find my creative side fast enough to take advantage of the situation?

I did okay at the spring retreat, but I was restless and took more "walks" than I think I put words on the page. I wish I could turn the writing side of me off and on. 

How do you put yourself in the mood when you have to get writing no matter what?

I plan on taking all my music and headphones, as well as download some of my pinterest inspiration boards to get me started. Please tell me what else you do because I want to be over-prepared. 

October Question--When do you know your story is done?
This is going to sound dumb, but you just do. As a writer, you may not know where you'll end up, but you can feel it in your heart and soul when you get there. Your characters have become your best friends, gone through hell and back in one way or another, and at least for me, they've reached some form of resolution hinting at a happy ending. 

The harder question for me is--when is the editing done? I could tweak forever trying to get phrases, paragraphs, scenes and chapters perfect, but that will never happen. At some point I have to tell myself to let it go and move to the next story. 

What about you?


Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time. Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post.

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!  Our Twitter hashtag is #IWSG

13 comments:

  1. The editing could go on forever.
    Hope that writing retreat is just what you need!

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  2. You are moving forward on your writing journey Charity and that matters a lot.

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  3. You know what gets me writing when I have time to write but don't quite have the impetus? I write about starting to write. I sit down with a blank document and type stream-of-consciousness stuff. Like how tired I am. Or what I'm thinking and feeling. And at some point I'll start writing what I should be writing about.

    Let me explain that. As I write, I start saying "I should be working on my novel. Character 1 is..." and as I start writing about what I should be writing about, slowly it morphs into actually writing the story. By "slowly" I mean it takes about two sentences.

    Hope this helps.

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    1. Awesome! I'll have to keep that one in mind. Thanks.

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  4. I let distractions - like taking walks, or house cleaning - interfere when I have all the time in the world to write. Its like I self sabotage my creativity. I know if I went to a writer's retreat I'd likely find some way not to write (sighs). I hope you sit in a chair and let the free flow take you.

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    1. I do exactly the same thing. Last year the retreat was great for me. I managed almost 20K words on book 3 of my series. Sadly, I haven't added more than 5K for the rest of the year. :(

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  5. Enjoy your retreat. Hope you get a lot of writing done.

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  6. Enjoy your retreat. Sounds like a piece of heaven - 3 days of uninterupted writing. Wish you lots of fun.

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  7. It sounds like your retreat is coming at the perfect time for you. Maybe if you jot down some story ideas or prompts before you go, you can get the creative juices moving again while you're there. Then again, there's a lot to be said about taking those solitary walks, too. Give yourself some breathing room, and let yourself relax.

    I agree with you. Knowing when a story is done is a lot easier than knowing when it's time to stop editing.

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    1. Luckily, I have tons of ideas to work on. I'm not going to pin myself down to any one in particular, but let my brain write on whichever one it feels like to keep the words flowing.

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