IWSG - We Persevere
I'm late, but I'm here! The problem with working in finance is that things really hit in the last and first week of the month.
It's the first Wednesday of June, which means it's time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group.
Created by Alex J. Cavanaugh, the IWSG is a place where writers can come together to share their insecurities and support each other. Anyone can join. Simply click on Alex's name and your blog to the list.
This month's co-hosts are Victoria Marie Lees, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, and C. Lee McKenzie.
The optional question is: Do most of your story ideas come from one place (the news, dreams, etc.), or do they hit from all over the place?
Mine definitely come from all over the place. The news, conversations, various media (movies, books, TV shows, podcasts), etc. I rarely get ideas from dreams, but I've worked through story issues I was having in them! It just takes one little spark, often a throwaway line or item, to get an idea rolling.
I was going to pre-write this post and had something to talk about, and then BAM time caught up with me and I got caught up in some work stuff and forgot to write the post last night and now I don't remember what I wanted to talk about. Disappointing. But I'm trying some new things with my work and writing schedules, and I'm hoping to take a day or so to pre-write monthly posts here and on my other blog. Wish me luck! Changing routines is hard.
BUT good news! Not huge good news, but I've been writing more consistently as I try to shift some work things around. Could I be writing more? Yes. But unfortunately life things have to cut into the writing side of things instead of the actual money-making side of things. For now.
Submission stats for May:
7 short story submissions
6 novel queries
0 acceptances
1 short story rejection
1 query rejection
You guys, it feels amazing to really be back in it. Everything has been a limp, and life circumstances keep derailing me, but I've never fully given it all up. I got my office all cleaned up and ready to get some novel writing done (I do the short stories on my laptop and novels on my Mac on Scrivener). And even a bunch of not-so-great stuff happened and I still wrote through it.
The bad stuff? I initially wrote it all out, but decided it was a mood buster, so we'll just skip it. The point was that I'm still going this time instead of letting it derail me. We persevere. That's what we've got to do, right? I'm truly hoping some good things happen in my writing career this year, and I'm working on making that happen.
It's also been awhile since I joined any local writing group things, despite how active I was before, so I went up to Denver to join the Denver Horror Collective at an event called Hearse Con. It was a nice event (there are so many cool hearses and some people have themed them), I sold some books, and I got to hang out with other writers in person for the first time in a long time. So I'm hoping to do more with them in the near future. I failed to take pictures, though! Not something I usually fail. (Also, I found a lens I used to have, but broke, on sale used and I bought it for myself, so I'm hoping to lean into my photography some, too. Including possibly framing a few out and selling them when I sell books. We'll see.)
I'll be selling books at the Creepatorium again in August for a local author's book launch!
That's all for my late IWSG post. See you next month!
How do you move yourself past the bad things in life to keep writing? What do you do to get your creative juices flowing? What are your current insecurities? Where do you get your ideas? Have you gotten together with other writers lately?
May you find your Muse.
Congrats on you perserverance and good luck with the new routine!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are back in the groove! Sorry you forgot to take pictures. Decorated hearses would've been cool to see.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to hear that you're writing again, however painful it might be at times. Glad the event was energizing!
ReplyDeleteWe all gotta eat, so work would come first. I'm glad things are picking up in the writing department. I never completely let it go either. Must be incorporated in our DNA. hehehe
ReplyDeleteSo good you are writing again and I wish we had so many interesting cons in our area.
ReplyDeleteDon't feel too bad about posting late, I actually missed posting a couple months ago. I just try not to do those things too many times. Things do happen.
ReplyDeleteI think all of us as writers have to prepare to stand firm and keep going in hard times. Writing is hard and the demands of our world can easily get in the way.
That's neat that you can go to that Hearse event. I ha e a horror event coming up to that I plan to go to: Sinister Creature Con in Sacramento! Towards the end of the month. I dont get as much time to go to horror or sci fi events like I used to either.
Woot on persevering and getting back into things again! I hope the mood busters get better and more good stuff comes your way.
ReplyDeleteNever give up, Shannon. You can do this. I learned so much from your Short Story market book. Good for you submitting and pitching. And yes! You WILL change your routine. It just takes time. At least it does for me. Stay strong!
ReplyDeleteHi, Shannon! I was late posting too. The important thing is you posted! Writing more consistently is a big step in the right direction. You'll get there!
ReplyDeleteHappy to hear that you're back to writing an amazing routine. Wishing you all the best on completing all your goals for this year!
ReplyDeleteHave a great June! Happy Writing!
Dear Natalie,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your update very much. Sometimes simply continuing, despite all the interruptions and responsibilities of everyday life, is already a success. Your determination to keep writing, submitting stories and moving forward is inspiring.
I especially liked your comment that ideas can come from anywhere. I find that true as well. A small observation, a conversation, a walk in nature or even an ordinary day can suddenly become the starting point for a story.
Congratulations on getting back into a more regular writing routine. Seven short story submissions and six novel queries in one month show real commitment, even when life is pulling you in many different directions.
I was also pleased to read about your visit to Hearse Con and the opportunity to meet other writers again. Creative communities are so important. Although I write in a different way, I understand that feeling. I regularly publish articles and stories on Plejaden.online, and I always appreciate the encouragement and exchange that comes from sharing our work with others.
Wishing you continued success with your writing, your photography and all the projects ahead. Most importantly, keep going. Persistence is often what makes the difference in the end.
Warm regards,
Anette
My ideas are all over the place as well. I try to remember the spark, but sometimes I forget. ^^;;
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