Wednesday, December 2, 2020

IWSG & Roller Coasters & Christmas Oh My!

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.


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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!

December 2 question - Are there months or times of the year that you are more productive with your writing than other months, and why?

I try to write every day (except Saturday which is pure family day). It doesn't always work out that way, but that's my intention. If I can't, I'm always thinking about my stories anyway, so every day should be about the same, right?

Ha!

My world tends to follow more of a roller coaster track than a toy train track. The pandemic has added a few loops of its own.

Having said that, my family rolls pretty well with the punches (mixed metaphor alert!) and I write fairly consistently throughout the year with a few exceptions.

I love NaNoWriMo and try to have a book ready to draft during November so I'm almost always very productive then. This year I've been working on Reaching For Connections: Bloo Moose #7. It's such a fun story!

I tend to work on 3 stories at a time (sort of) - one in draft, one in edits, one walking about in my head in the planning stages. Currently, that means I'm finishing drafting Reaching For Connections, diving into edits for Reaching For Trust (last year's NaNo project), and I have 2 more Bloo Moose stories walking around in my head.

Let's not talk about the new series walking around in there at the same time. My head is a little crowded...

How about you? Any super-productive times? Any times when life interferes? Anyone else's head crowded with stories waiting impatiently for their turn?

***

I probably won't post until the new year, so I wish you all the very best the season has to offer. I hope 2020 ends on a great note for you and that 2021 is the year you soar!!

(PS - if you're looking for a Christmas read, check out Reaching for Christmas!)





54 comments:

nashvillecats2 said...

Yes Jemi, this pandemic has certainly made writing awkward for some people.
Do take care and I hope your December is good.

Yvonne.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

No wonder I don't like roller coasters.
I can only handle one project at a time. Otherwise I'd get confused.
Merry Christmas!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I love roller coasters but not this one. I've got two projects in the works and two to edit. Someday I'll get to them.

Rachna Chhabria said...

I don't like roller coasters. I'm also trying to write everyday, though I try to keep Sunday as a family day and reading day, unless I'm on a deadline.

Pat Garcia said...

Hi,
You are very productive at the moment. I'm happy NaNo turned out to be a good experience for you.
Wishing you all the best.
Have a Merry Christmas and a safe passage into 2021.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

Yolanda Renée said...

Have a great holiday! And a blessed New Year!

Keep those Bloo Moose stories coming! Yay!

Chrys Fey said...

So many books. That is awesome!

Happy Holidays, Jemi!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Yvonne - same to you!

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm actually not a fan of roller coasters either!
I think multiple projects helps control my Tigger Brain :)

Jemi Fraser said...

That's exciting! Hope you find the time - but DLP keeps you very busy!

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm not a roller coaster fan either!
It's nice to plan a day off - even if it doesn't always work out :)

Jemi Fraser said...

The very same to you, Pat!
NaNo is always such fun!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Renee & the same to you!
I'll have a new one winging your way soon!

Jemi Fraser said...

Despite the craziness that is our world, it's been a productive year!

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Enjoy your break and the holidays, Jemi!

Elephant's Child said...

I am so grateful that you have been clearing your crowded head (and making room for more voices to be heard).
The very best of holiday wishes are floating your way - with hopes for a much kinder, less complicated year to come. For you, and for the world.

M.J. Fifield said...

I like having two stories going at the same time, a main WIP and a back-up WIP, so that if I hit a block with the main WIP, I have something else ready to go.

And sure, life interrupts plenty, but like you said, I just try to roll with the punches as best I can.

Happy Holidays!

Natalie Aguirre said...

That's great you can work on more than one project at one time. Even with the pandemic, it sounds like you're staying productive. Have a great holiday!

cleemckenzie said...

Working on several projects is a challenge, but so rewarding. I love to switch around, too. That way when I grow weary or run out of steam on one story, I can change to another.

Have a great Christmas or whatever you celebrate. I so look forward to staying connected with our writing and blogging in 2021!

emaginette said...

Three books at a time? That's amazing. I've been sticking to one short at a time and that seems to be working for me.

Happy Holidays.

Anna from elements of emaginette

Tyrean Martinson said...

Congrats on your latest book! I have around three projects roaming about my headspace at once, but one is usually at the forefront.
Like you, I have a roller-coaster life, but again, I keep on writing most of the time.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Chemist Ken said...

I used to work on multiple books at the same time, until I decided I should actually finish one of them instead. Hopefully that will happen next year. I'm glad you have plenty of stories to keep you occupied.

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Elizabeth! And to you as well :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Sue. A kinder, gentler world is needed! Best wishes to you and yours!

Jemi Fraser said...

Exactly! Learning to roll with what life throws at us is a very good skill to have!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Natalie - to you as well.
It's definitely been busy around here :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Exactly! Being able to switch around makes my brain very happy!
The same to you, Lee!

Jemi Fraser said...

I've got a bouncy brain - and more than one story makes it happy! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Tyrean!
Not surprisingly that we have more than a few similarities!!

Jemi Fraser said...

I hope your story gets completed as well!
My brain does love to bounce around!

Carol Kilgore said...

My head is always crowded, too. If I miss a day writing, I get cranky. Happy December!

Jemi Fraser said...

Exactly!!! To you as well, Carol. Wishing. you all the best!

Olga Godim said...

I admire your ability to work on multiple projects. For me, it is one project at a time, and if I'm stuck with the story for some reason, I can't switch to another one easily. It takes me months sometimes, because I want to finish one project before tackling the next.

Sarah Foster said...

I have one main project and then a lot of DISTRACTIONS lol. Sometimes you need to have multiple projects going when you're just not feeling your main one. Better to write something than nothing!

Anonymous said...

Like everyone else, the pandemic has just made everything a chaotic mess. Then my husband was seriously ill last month. But getting him home gave me a bit of perspective, and I'm taking things a bit more in stride now.

Liesbet said...

It sounds like you have a pretty good writing routine going, Jemi. Having different stories in different stages also allows you to take a break from one and focus on another when "needed." I bet you never suffer from Writer's Block. :-) And, all that stuff going on in the head? Yeah... I can totally relate to that, but in a non-fiction way. Happy holidays to you and yours!!!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

That is a crowded head! I love it!! You're doing amazingly well! I'm so happy for you!

Jemi Fraser said...

I think the way your brain works is probably optimal for getting things done!
But my bouncy brain does like to zip here and there :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Exactly! I like the ability to bounce!

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm so glad your husband is doing better! Take your time and take care of you and yours!

Jemi Fraser said...

You're so right - I've never had writer's block at all!
Hope you enjoy your holidays as well, wherever you spend them!

Jemi Fraser said...

It really is crowded!
Thanks so much, you've been such a great support for me!

Liesbet said...

Apparently, our holidays will be spent in the California desert near Yuma, with four other nomads in our bubble of friends. We think. It might be at the dentist in Mexico as well. We will see. :-)

Jemi Fraser said...

That sounds wonderful ... well, maybe not the dentist part! Enjoy!!

Denise Covey said...

Congrats on all your hard work this year Jemi. Take a break from the blog and see you in 2021!

Happy holidays!

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Whatever writing habits you use, it works. Keep on writing!!!

Jemi Fraser said...

I hear ya! There are days that are so crazy busy and then others that we're able to fill with fun!

Jemi Fraser said...

That's the plan!! Enjoy the holidays, Denise!

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm making progress so that's good!

Anstice Brown said...

I admire you for your productivity. I wish I had a consistent writing habit. It tends to be all or nothing with me and I really need to be more disciplined. Hope you have a great holiday season.

Jemi Fraser said...

2020 has been enough to throw off everyone's consistency! Wishing you all the best for 2021!

Elizabeth Mueller said...

Jemi! You're so cute! I know how you mean--always thinking about writing. Looking forward to that quiet moment for indulging your screaming characters... lol

Writing comes for me early in the morning when all the kids are asleep! Whew...

Jemi Fraser said...

I remember when the kids were little actually giggling when I got to open the laptop - felt like I was sneaking in some time! :)
I've got so many characters talking to me right now! Can't decide which ones to listen to first!

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