Wednesday, January 3, 2018

IWSG & Schedules & SQUEEE!!!

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. He, his clones, minions, friends, and fellow authors make it an amazing event every month.




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!

And we’re revving up IWSG Day to make it more fun and interactive! Every month, we'll announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.


January 3rd QuestionWhat steps have you taken to put a schedule in place for your writing and publishing?

Am I allowed to cry here? Or laugh ... hysterically?

Yeah, my life is more than a little wacky at the moment and things like schedules for anything other than the day job are more than a little loosey-goosey.

That said, I do tend to write during the weeknights - after the rest of my Real Life has been dealt with. I can usually get in thirty minutes to an hour a night, which isn't bad. Because of family commitments, the weekends tend to be a write-off (yep, pun intended). The whole attempt-at-publishing thing has been put on hold for the past 6 years due to Real Life and its many demands. Instead, I've been working on improving my craft and learning (there's always SO MUCH to learn!).

I'm hoping to one day have an actual schedule and be able to push my way into that publishing world!

EDITED TO ADD:
SQUEEE!!!!! 
Some of you may remember a while back when I said I wanted to try my hand at writing a short story. It was outside of my regular genre, but the prompt from the IWSG anthology had my brain ticking. Fast forward to today and my story was chosen as one to be included in the anthology. I'm thrilled and looking so forward to working with Diane & her team at Dancing Lemur Press. Thank you so much!

How about you? Do you thrive on schedules or do they make your soul quiver?



66 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

But despite that schedule, you did make it into the publishing world!

The Cynical Sailor said...

Congrats on being one of the anthology contest winners! Schedules do make my soul quiver, but I know that they're good for me.

Happy New Year - Ellen

Tamara Narayan said...

I'd say habit is better than schedule. If you are used to doing something, it always seems possible. Not that I've gotten into a great rhythm with writing, but I think it's possible.

Congrats on getting into the anthology!

Unknown said...

Congratulations on the win! Real life can certainly get in the way. But hey...we can use it for writing fodder! ;)

IWSG post: Taking Chances

Yolanda Renée said...

Congratulations on placing in the IWSG Anthology!
Such an awesome way to start the New Year!
Wishing you success with all your goals!
Happy 2018!

Jennifer Hawes said...

Congrats! Maybe this is the exactly what you needed to start your new year out on the right foot. Good luck in your writing.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

We are delighted you submitted and will be in the anthology.

Sylvia Ney said...

Congratulations - I can't wait to read it!

Pat Garcia said...

Congratulations! It is so encouraging to hear that you succeeded. You jumped out of your genre and look what happened. A door opened.
All the best for 2018.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G

Jemi Fraser said...

I know! And I'm THRILLED!!! :) (Wasn't sure when I could announce it so it wasn't in original post :))

Jemi Fraser said...

Thank you!
And me too on the soul quivers :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks!!
Habits are SO good! That rhythm means we just feel "off" when we don't write :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks!
Yes - I'm actually working on a nonfiction project that involves much of my real life :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks - and to you as well!! :)
It really is - here's to 2018!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thank you! I hope it is - hoping 2018 is great for you as well :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks so much Diane! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks - I'm so excited about sharing it! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thank you Pat!
I do like trying new things - and this validates that risk!! :)

Chrys Fey said...

Finding any time to write is a good thing. Use those moments to their fullest.

Congratulations on winning the contest!!!

Chemist Ken said...

Congratulations on the anthology! Pushing yourself outside your comfort zone can result in good things.

I used to write more at night, but these days I find my thoughts drifting to my nice warm bed instead. Oh well, I still have the weekends.

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Chrys!
It's always exciting when I have time to write - so that means I'm ready to go!! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

It can - that comfort zone can expand more easily than we think! :)
Weekends are too full for me for the most part but I do love squeezing those moments in when I can :)

emaginette said...

Congrats. I guess you did hone your craft one hour at a time. ;-)

Anna from elements of emaginette

Jemi Fraser said...

I like to think that's how it's working!!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on winning! What an awesome way to start your new writing year.

Carol Kilgore said...

CONGRATULATIONS! I'm looking forward to reading your story. Real Life is so much more important, and it gets in my writer life way all the time, so I totally understand that. Keep on going and don't give up. Your story acceptance is proof.

I need the structure of a schedule, but it needs to be flexible ... because real life :)

Happy 2018!

Natalie Aguirre said...

So excited that you are an anthology winner. And yes, we write when we can when we are working full-time.

Jemi Fraser said...

Thank you! I know - it's a good omen for 2018!! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thank you!!! :)
Yes, Real Life needs to come first so that flexibility is the key!! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Me too! :)
Yes, work and family do keep us busy!

Fundy Blue said...

Congratulations on your story being chosen for the IWSG anthology! What a thrill! All the best to you and your writing in 2018!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks!! It's so exciting!! :)

Unknown said...

Yay! Congratulations!!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I do my best writing at night. It was the only time I had when my kids were in school. Now they're grown and I can't break the habit. And congrats on the story. I'm looking forward to reading it!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Congrats, Jemi, on getting into the anthology. As an admin, I read your story, and loved it.
Best wishes for 2018

dolorah said...

Schedules make me shivver, lol. But I'm going to attempt one this year. More of a deadline than schedule. Uck.

Congrats on getting accepted into the IWSG anthology :)

Michelle Wallace said...

Congratulations, Jemi!
I LOVED your story. It's written from an interesting perspective(s)... and really well crafted that a reader would never guess it's outside of your comfort zone.

JeffO said...

I did see your name and story on a list for the anthology--congratulations, Jemi, and may it be the first of many! Happy 2018!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thank you!! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

I hadn't thought about it that way - but I'm so used to writing at night as well!
Thank you!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks so much Lynda!!! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Donna! :)
Yep - my soul quivers with some schedules as well - but they are often necessary! Good luck!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks so much Michelle!!!
It was SO much fun to write - loved playing with all the personalities :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thank you Jeff! Hope 2018 is good for your WIP AND the RIP! :)

C.D. Gallant-King said...

Sometimes I try to write at night but I'm usually too tired. I tend to get up really early in the morning.

Congrats on getting your story in! You're in good company! ;-P

Gwen Gardner said...

Real life is always intruding. LOL. But you are getting stuff done. Congratulations on making it into the anthology!!!

Happy New Year!

Rebecca M. Douglass said...

Huge congrats on getting your story accepted. I, too, squeeeed over that one :) I'm doubly impressed when people manage to write with a day job and kids--I didn't get any momentum until my kids were fairly self-sufficient and my day job only a few hours a week. So it sounds to me like you are doing a fantastic job!

Great way to start 2018, isn't it? :)

Jemi Fraser said...

I sure am!!
I'm already up before 6 so I'm not sure that's an option for me :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thank you - and to you as well!
Real Life is what it's all about - but it could be a bit quieter at times! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks - and congrats to you as well!! :)
It is a FABULOUS way to start the year!

Laurel Garver said...

Congrats on your short story acceptance! It's so cool when an experiment is a success. :-)
Juggling my editing business with a 3/4 time job has meant fiction writing gets dropped too often. I think scheduling myself would help, so it's something I want to try this year.

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks! The story was SO much fun to write :)
Good luck with the scheduling - Real Life can make it very difficult to stick to it, but it gives you a framework

klahanie said...

Hey Jemi!

Yay and gosh, I've finally arrived at your wonderful blog 😀

I'm delighted and heartened that you've been accepted as part of the anthology.

Hey, I don't do schedules. In my case, I have the luxury to type a bunch of words whenever I want. Okay, sometimes the dog takes over the keyboard when I want to type a bunch of words. Then again, I'm not going to argue with Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar!

All the best and keep going in 2018, Jemi.

Penny's human dad,

Gary 😀

Jemi Fraser said...

I bet Penny's better at scheduling than either of us :)
Thanks - and wishing the same to you & Penny!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Jemi - congratulations on getting your entry into the Anthology - that's great news ... I'll look forward to reading it in the Spring ... all the best for 2018 - cheers Hilary

Leslie S. Rose said...

Hooray and Congrats. Can't wait to read your story. I've given myself revision deadlines for my WIP of March 1 so I can get it in the hands of betas. Hopefully querying by June.

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Congrats on the short story! Yay!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Hilary - I'm excited!!

Jemi Fraser said...

Good for you! I've got to get better at forcing myself into deadlines!! Good luck!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thank you Teresa! I'm thrilled!!! :)

Heather R. Holden said...

Sorry to hear how overwhelming Real Life has been for you. Glad you're able to squeeze in a little writing despite that, even if the amount isn't what you'd normally hope for. And wow, that's amazing news about the anthology. Many congrats!

DMS said...

Real life can definitely be overwhelming. I can understand having a hard time sticking to any kind of schedule. I am so excited for you that your short story was selected for the anthology. YEAH! That is a great way to start the year. Congrats!
~Jess

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Heather - Real Life can be a challenge - but we keep moving forward! :)
And thank you!!!!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thank you - it's a fabulous start for 2018 :)

Dawn Simon said...

Congratulations on your short story! That's excellent news! Woo-hoo!

Regarding goals, balance is important. And yes, there's always more to learn! Keep doing what you're doing, Jemi!

Stephen Tremp said...

Jemi, Congrats! on having your short story included. I always have goals. I simply focus on the most important and what's in front of me at the moment then make necessary adjustment.