May Insecure Writers Post
This month it is easy for me to write for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group.
After the high of writing daily for the A to Z Blogging Challenge I am crashing hard. Not about blogging, I LOVE to blog. Blogging for me is like having a newspaper column, which I’ve always thought would be the absolute coolest thing in the world. I loved Erma Bombeck (God rest her soul), enjoy Leonard Pitts (I don’t always agree, but he writes so well), and laugh with Joel Stein.
But writing, as in finishing the rough draft of my children’s middle grade book, or getting back in the swing of my chick lit novel that I started with NaNoWiMo 2010, or writing something to submit for publication? I can’t seem to get into any of it. I kick myself for not writing diligently when I worked less hours, I should have finished long ago.
I’ve read so many good books lately, and several “okay” ones (one perk of Kindle is getting to try books for free). I don’t have to be a bestseller, and it’s okay if not everyone likes my stories, but they need to be good.
Sometimes I wonder if I am a writer, obviously I don’t have it burning in my “gut”. Perhaps I have nothing worthwhile to say.
But, time marches on and whining about all of this does nothing. So I will continue to do what I can, cut myself some slack and become more disciplined at the same time – and we’ll see what happens.
I do know that nothing happens if you quit.
"Never quit, never quit, never guit". 🙂
I don't unusually have that burning in my gut to get started either, but when I do finally pick up a pen (or whatever) something does happen… a little light starts burning inside that flames up as the ideas start to fly around my brain and out onto the paper. (Or if that doesn't work, then I just doodle.) 🙂
Love ya girl!
Linda
Never give up, never surrender!
Hey, I've never had the burn, so if I can do it, so can you.
Just remember that practise makes perfect. I'm sure successful song writers cringe at some of their earlier work, but they wouldn't have got to where they are without it. The thought of having other people read and judge your work must be incredibly daunting, but imagine the huge ego-boost of someone liking your story!
It sounds like you have a pretty positive attitude towards everything though, so I'm sure you'll get there 🙂
Hi Sheila, looks like you've already received some great advice. Just don't quit. : )
I've spoken to a couple of writer's groups and at a conference on blogging. I always compare blogging to having your own little newspaper or column. You are the FIRST person I've come across who says that too. Everyone else in our industry calls it a journal. I would NEVER put my journal out there for anyone to see!
🙂
This is a good post. Not depressing. I lost the burn a long, long time ago when I really learned the publishing industry. Now, it's more like a steady hum in my gut that turns into an orchestra when I succeed at something. 🙂
Thanks for following me. Let's get to the other side and just have fun doing it!