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.
Great question!
Life is full of ups, downs, and more bumps in the road than springtime roads here in Canada where potholes proliferate more often than bunnies.
Because of this, there are times when my life is overwhelming and that is what bogs down my writing. But, writing is part of what gives me solace and hope, so I will always write.
To dig myself out of the dumpy days, I tend to switch projects. Because of my Tigger brain, I generally have a minimum of 3 projects on the go. One fiction first draft, one (or three) in various stages of revision, and one non-fiction project. Switching to a different project or even to a different part of the process always gives me that required boost.
I couldn't juggle that many projects at once. There would be more plot holes than potholes.
ReplyDeleteLol! Sadly there often are but it’s the only way my brain works!
DeleteI have several stories I'm working on and when one doesn't entice me, I work on another.
ReplyDeleteIt works so well that way!
DeleteLots of potholes here, too!
ReplyDeleteI had to sometimes juggle 2 projects at once when I was writing for publishers. But I kept making mistakes (accidental 'guest appearances' from one series to the other.) That's awesome that you can juggle them that way!
I can see that happening so easily!
Delete*high five* We do the same thing. =) If you can't find motivation one place, you can always find it in another, eh?
ReplyDeleteHigh 5!
DeleteMy ADD makes me flit around when I need to change pace. and frankly, I think this is a good thing. Life sure does get in the way of writing though. :)
ReplyDeleteIt sure does!!
DeleteI like to have multiple projects so I can switch back and forth too. But I'll feel better about doing things this way when I finally manage to finish at least one of them.
ReplyDeleteLol! I hear ya!
DeleteI wish I could keep that busy, but most days I just plod along. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Plodding works! It’s all about moving forward!
DeleteMy real life is so hectic that if my writing life was like that, too, I'd have long since been a crazy woman. I'm very much a one or two at a time project writer. I guess my little brain only stretches so far.
ReplyDeleteIt’s probably more like I AM that crazy woman! 😃
DeleteGood for you for all the juggling! I tend to work on one thing at a time.
ReplyDeleteHow I wish I could!
DeleteLoved your first line about life. At least my job is writing. Just doing it is comforting, especially when life doesn't give me time to write my stories.
ReplyDeleteYou’re right! It is comforting!
Delete"Tigger brain"! Love it! Juggling life and projects has always been my reality. And when it gets to be too much, I run for solitude, and the chance to just clear my brain.
ReplyDeleteMe too! That alone time is a necessity!
DeleteI'm terrible at juggling projects. Reading one of my favorite author's books usually inspires me.
ReplyDeleteThat’s such a good one too!
DeleteHi Jemi!
ReplyDeleteYes, we all feel in the slump at times but we have to keep plodding on. All the best!
Thanks Nas!
DeleteI’ve heard others say switching projects helps to keep you going forward. I’ve done it as well, except I had a tough time going back to finish up. New projects are so shiny and new :)
ReplyDeleteExactly! Those shiny baubles need to be ignored sometimes! :)
Deleteabsolutely! Sometimes I even dabble in poetry. It's horrible, but knowing i won't share allows me more freedom
ReplyDeleteI love writing poetry as well - it's often an emotional release for me so I don't always share either!
DeleteYou are a master juggler! Impressive. My writing buddies are the ones who keep me sane and continually inspire me when slump is in the air. Diving into a juicy book will get me back on the horse.
ReplyDeleteI don't know about master - if I was there, something would be ready to be pubbed! :P
DeleteJust dropping by to say Hi again, Jemi!
ReplyDeleteHi! :)
DeleteSuch a great topic! Rediscovering the play helps me immensely. Also, a nice outline helps; sometimes I stumble when I realize my path isn't as clear.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend! :)
I'm just learning the outlining business - and it's tricky but I think it's helping!
DeleteThat's excellent! Outlining isn't the most fun part, but outlines help me so much. I'm definitely a plotter.
DeleteAwesome post, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks! :)
DeleteHi Jemi!
ReplyDeleteWe do have to get into something else and then get back to work in progress. All the best!
That switch can really help my brain!
DeleteI like the idea of switching projects! I tend to do that a bit too, and the energy from one carries to the other (most of the time).
ReplyDeleteMe too! Sometimes it's tough to switch back though :P
DeleteFor me, a kind word keeps me going a long way. I recently went to a SCBWI event and had a paid critique. It was really helpful and I got some kudos that will help me through.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds awesome! You're so right about those kind words - they do bolster us!
DeleteHi Jemi,
ReplyDeleteHopefully SPRING will be upon you soon. I am sweltering here in Florida, but I return to Chicago in a month or so. I have been coasting with now writing for over two years, I guess just waiting for something to stimulate my creativity... If has FINALLY happened. I'm currently working on a fun and exciting MEMOIR of a VERY unusual woman.... Already wrote 10K words .... Memoirs are so much easier because the story is already there. All we have to do as writers and make the story come to life...
Ice pellets are currently rattling the windows so spring might be a little bit away still! :)
DeleteThe snippet you posted was great - hope the rest flows as easily!