The Insecure Writer's Support Group was created by Alex J. Cavanaugh. July's co-hosts are Tamara Narayan, Pat Hatt, Patricia Lynne, Juneta Key, and Doreen McGettigan. Follow the other IWSG bloggers or sign up for the blog hop here.
July's question: What is one valuable lesson you've learned since you started writing?
Although many answers come to mind, the one that sticks out the most is that each writer's journey is different and valid. We may have many things in common, but we each find our own way to write and that way is just as valid as any other way. Too many times we get caught up in the "rules" of writing, but they are just guidelines. It's up to each of us to find what works best.
For example, I'm a plotter. I need an outline before I write the first page. I will also come up with ideas and not get around to writing them for months or even years. The outline is where I learn the story. Writing that first draft is where I learn the main characters. In edits, I expand upon the world and solidify who people are. That's my process.
Yours will most likely vary, and there's nothing wrong with that.
What are your insecurities this month?
After all I completed in May and early June, I've felt rather exhausted the past few weeks. I did catch up on blog comments and emails; however, I did not write any new reviews, edit the outline for Destined (The Fate Challenges #3), or update my websites/social media. I did finish editing the stories for Spirits in the Water, helped my friend with her fantastic novella series, and I made progress in editing Forged (The Fate Challenges #2).
My July goals include:
- Continue editing Forged.
- Continue helping my friend with her novella series.
- Catch up on writing reviews for books I've read.
- Update my websites/social media.
Oh, I also realized that July 1 is my two year anniversary of writing every single day. Since I'm editing a lot, the added words are much fewer than writing-writing days, but so far I've worked on a project and gotten new words down every single day since July 1, 2015.
What are your goals for July?
In June, I read Sacrifice Moon by Julie Fortune. This is a Stargate SG-1 series book, and I loved it. If you're a fan of the show, you should enjoy it too.
My July goals include:
- Continue editing Forged.
- Continue helping my friend with her novella series.
- Catch up on writing reviews for books I've read.
- Update my websites/social media.
Oh, I also realized that July 1 is my two year anniversary of writing every single day. Since I'm editing a lot, the added words are much fewer than writing-writing days, but so far I've worked on a project and gotten new words down every single day since July 1, 2015.
What are your goals for July?
2017 Stats: 84,951 words written and 513,456 words edited
(January 1-June 27)
In June, I read Sacrifice Moon by Julie Fortune. This is a Stargate SG-1 series book, and I loved it. If you're a fan of the show, you should enjoy it too.
SPECULATIVE FICTION BOOKS
RELEASING IN JULY
The Legion of Flame by Anthony Ryan
MIND: The Vision by Jenn Nixon
Lost Boy by Christina Henry
Ash and Quill by Rachel Caine
Cracked Open by Susan Kaye Quinn
Enigma by Tonya Kuper
Age of Swords by Michael J. Sullivan
Bannerless by Carrie Vaughn
Heroine Worship by Sarah Kuhn
Shadows Fall by Christine Rains
Children of the Fifth Sun by Gareth Worthington
Gork, the Teenage Dragon by Gabe Hudson
Smashwords is having its month-long sale from July 1-31. You can get the Untethered Realms' anthology Twisted Earths for free, my fantasy short story collect People of Foxwick and Their Neighbors for a dollar, and my paranormal horror collection Once upon a Nightmare for just 99c.
FREE
Coupon Code: SW100
$1.00
Coupon Code: SSW75
$0.99
Coupon Code: SSW50
31 comments:
That sounds a lot like my process.
When did you change your header? I like it!
Good Post, Cherie! It's so true that each and every writer has their own way of writing. You outline, I put my fingers on the keys of the computer and pray a story comes out...lol...Have a great month!!!
Good luck in all your endeavors.
Great goal. Wishing you the best and happy writing.
' Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
Wow, that's an impressive feat to write every day for two years solid! I need to find a way to write more regularly. I keep putting up road blocks. There's always a list of other things that can't be ignored.
2 years of writing every single day. That is so impressive!
LOL. I always write my posts in advance. It's the only way to stay sane in the crazy day to day, eh? Making things fit where they fit.
My process is similar, but I have to know my characters before I start writing because my stories are very character driven. I'll spend a month to a couple years getting to know them before I pen out the complete thing...usually. Unless it's a piece of flash fiction.
Here's to two years!
I, too, love the new header. It looks fantastic!
And two years of writing every day is so impressive. I'm lucky when I manage a full week.
Best of luck with your July goals!
I'm not thinking about insecurities this month. Too much to do. I'm guess I'm lucky right now. :-)
Anna from elements of emaginette
Congratulations on two years! Wow. You're amazing. I hope you got lots of rest over your break. :)
Different and valid. YES!
Wow! One year of writing every day is awesome! Way to go, Cherie! I love your thoughts on how every writer's journey is different. Thanks for sharing that.
Well done for being so organised. I don't plan, hardly at all.
Good point. I used to be more of pantser but I'm becoming more and more of a plotter.
Excellent lesson learned, and I totally agree. Woot for writing every day for two years now! Awesome and keep it up!
Agreed! I'm much happier being a plotter. I've not been writing as much as I need to. Time to reset my daily goals and make sure I stick to them--especially in the summer! Have a great week off! Christy
Amazing that you've written every day for two whole years. I'm a sort of plotter. I need to know the major plot points but can't plot it all out before starting to write. And yes, everyone's journey is different.
That's a lesson I've learned and like to tell others too. What works for someone may not work for you and that's okay. Find your way.
It's kind of frustrating that the "Rules" for writing aren't really rules and are just suggestions. I almost want it to be like going to medical school where you have a very specific path you must take in order to get that PhD. Being a writer is like becoming a doctor, only you have to figure it all out by yourself! So hard. No specific school, no scientific method, no accredited teachers, nothing. I suppose it has its good side, too--no mountain of student loans to pay back forever. ;)
Wow - two years! That's so amazing. Giving you a standing ovation from Ohio!!
Just wanted to say that I love _People of Foxwick_! The world you built was incredible, I really, really enjoyed it:)
I thought for sure I'd be a plotter but I'm happiest when I have a setting, a dead body (I write mysteries) and a few loosely defined characters. I still have a trilogy of romance novels all outlined...boring. LOL! We all do, or should, what works for us.
Happy anniversary! Writing daily for two years straight is incredibly impressive. Hope you're successful with all your July goals!
I agree with you whole-heartedly. One of my crit partners hired a big fancy editor and has currently declared war on 'it'. Siiigh. It's not about 'it' or 'that' or 'back', although limiting their use is a grand idea, it's about being as readable as possible and making the words flow. If 'that' and 'it' are required for flow, then they should be in the sentence. :)
Yay on your goals and on writing every day. My goals had to change because work is getting in my way, but I intend to slog on as best I can.
Each writer's journey is different and valid. I like this.
Congrats on two years of writing every day!
That's an amazing achievement to have written something every day for two years! Well done! :)
That's a good lesson to learn. A lot of writers seem to think that their way is the only way that works. And then others think that unless they follow the example set by those writers, they're not real writers or some such nonsense.
I think the only think I've learned in my journey is to be true to myself and take the advice that suits me and my writing.
Damyanti
I love the new header! Totally agree with every writer's journey being different, but valid.
Bravo for writing daily for two years. That is impressive.
I think the lesson you learned is important for all of us- we are each on our own journey and that is okay. :) Different things work for different people!
~Jess
Awesome on your writing! All the best with future goals!
Yes, such a great point about writing rules vs guidelines. It is so true because we all work differently.
Wishing you luck on all of your goals! =-)
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