Wednesday 2 January 2013

Insecure Writer's Support Group



It's the start of the new year and also time for the wonderful, Insecure Writers Support Group posts. If by some chance you are unfamiliar with this group and would like to find out more or sign up please visit Alex J. Cavanaugh's blog.  The success of the group has meant that Alex now has two co-hosts each month to help him visit all the blogs involved. This month it is the turn of Tyrean at Tyreans Writing Spot and Jamie at mithrilwisdom.

Like many others, I am sure, I have been thinking a lot about what 2013 may hold for me. No doubt there will be the usual mix of ups and downs and many unexpected turns along the way. I am not really a 'New Year Resolution' kind of person. Of course I have hopes and dreams and things I would like to do, including eating less chocolate and eating more healthily! But I know that life has a way of throwing all sorts of things at you and so I tend not to stress myself  further by giving myself too many deadlines and dates to adhere to! This doesn't mean I don't have a list of things in my head gnawing away at me so I decided to break my own rule today and note down a few of  my writerly hopes for the year ahead.
  • Start submitting 'Arrosay' to agents/publishers. I can't sit on it any longer it is time to send it out into the big wide world and see if it flies.
  • Continue to pursue publication for 'Birthstone Unicorns Series.' I never really stopped with this aim, I still have faith it will find a home.
  • Sit down and start work on my new project, working title 'The Void.' This will be a slight sift for me in that whilst still fantasy it contains elements of paranormal as well. I have an outline, some character profiles and about 3 chapters under my belt but I would like to see where this YA story takes me! Wish me luck please!
  • Update blog, hopefully incorporating my daughters unicorn design in my header.
Reading this list they all seem reasonable goals, however, I am feeling anxious. What with one thing and another it has been at least 6 weeks since I wrote anything other than a blog post or Christmas card! What if I can't do it anymore? Has my creative muse deserted me, bestowing her favours upon another? On one hand I am excited for the new challenges ahead but on the other, well I'm just a little apprehensive.

62 comments:

  1. *hugs* I think the new year can go one of two ways. People are either brimming with excitement about what's ahead, or nervous they won't achieve everything they want to. Your goals are definitely reachable, so try to shake off some of that worry and good things will happen! :D

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  2. Your creative muse has not abandoned you! At least I don't believe it has. Sometimes we just need to jump right in and not worry about whether what we're writing is crap. It's just a way of getting us back into it again!

    Happy New Year!: )

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  3. Muses never go away. Give her the right inspiration and she'll be there! Good luck with all your goals and have a fantastic 2013!

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  4. I feel that same nervousness, not having written in my WIP since November. I believe the ability doesn't just disappear, but the negative thoughts and worries get in the way. Quieting them is easier said than done, I know. I've been having problems with that myself. But I know it's possible. You can do it.

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    1. Thank you. I'm sure you are right. Best of luck to you too :)

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  5. Best of luck to you in 2013! Everything I've written, revised or looked at has been lacking over the past six weeks- probably because I've been so rushed and not really mentally checked in to my stories, my mind was so preoccupied with everything else that the holiday brings. It will all come back to me, and I believe it will come back to you too!

    I can't wait to see your new unicorn header your daughter made for you! My little girl reminds me of you, she is equally obsessed with purple and unicorns, LOL

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    1. I can't wait either, hoping to get it in place real soon :)

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  6. That lot should keep you busy.

    Happy New Year!

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  7. You can do it!!! Just take it one day at a time, one sentence at a time, and your muse will just flow write back into you. Best wishes on all your projects!

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  8. These sound like great goals, you can do it!!

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  9. The muse hasn't left - just needs a little warm-up!

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  10. Hi Suzanne - I'm sure the springing towards Spring weather will help us all here in the UK .. and I'm looking forward to seeing your (talented) daughters' unicorn header appear soon ..

    Good luck - and thanks for coming over .. Happy New Year - Hilary

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    1. Thanks Hilary hope you are feeling better soon.

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  11. Once I've written a goal down, it seems I accomplish it--maybe not right away, but at some point. I hope you meet all the goals you've set forth here. They are excellent.

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  12. I'm sure the muse is still there, she just be on vacation the first time or two you call. Your goals all seem reasonable and obtainable. Good luck and I look forward to seeing the unicorns!

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    1. I'm sure she's lurking close by, Nancy thanks.

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  13. Augh-- I hate that panicked feeling wondering if I'll ever be able to write anything again. Sometimes I stare at the computer and think, nope. Nothing. I just got nothin'. And it is frightening. But your goals sound like you indeed have quite a bit going! Best to you on selling your book-- sounds like 2013 will be a great adventure for you.

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  14. I took time off, too, but now I'm truly ready to hit the road and get back into the swing of things. Um super excited to start on my plans.

    Don't worry. Your muse is only sleeping. Time to wake her up!!!

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    1. I've given her a shake this afternoon she's ready to make her return!

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  15. Good luck with your goals, Suzanne!

    I find it helpful to take a big goal and break it into smaller chunks. That way the goal will seem more manageable. :)

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  16. Your goals are reasonable. All the best.

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  17. It sounds like you have quite a bit on your plate but, as you said, they all seem pretty reasonable to accomplish. I wish you the best and look forward to hearing about your progress :)

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Mark and your encouraging words.

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  18. Hey Suzanne,
    It sounds like, in a lot of ways, we're in the same place. I wanted to make a quick suggestion about sending out Arrosay. Wait until the last week of January. I hear there's no "real" bad time to query--but sometimes are a little worse than others. Mainly January. Everyone querying over the holidays, so the agents come back and find a billion queries in their inbox--which makes them all the more likely to get overwhelmed and tired reading them. Not the state you want an agent in when they're reading your query. I'm totally ready to query myself, but waiting the few weeks seems like the smartest thing. Just a suggestion. :)

    Good luck with your new project and, don't worry, if you go looking for your muse, she cant' stay gone long. :)

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    1. Thanks, Tamara you make some good points I will bear these in mind when submitting. Best of luck with your querying too!

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  19. If we didn't have goals, it would mean those anti-goals demons would be out of work. And if we didn't have anxieties, we'd be in heaven. So, let's just do our best to make all the demons become unemployed and find ourselves quickly in writers' heaven on earth by fulfilling our goals despite our insecurities and anxieties. God is stronger than them all, and thankfully he gave us a good portion of his strength!

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    1. Thank you, Nancy. I have gained so much strength from those around me.
      Good luck to you in the new year.

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  20. Don't worry, Suzanne, your muse will come back! 2013 is going to be a great year, so don't sweat it! :)

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    1. Do you know I think I felt her tap me on the shoulder this morning!

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  21. Great goals for the year ahead. Good luck with all of them.

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  22. Sounds like you have some sound goals and a project in the wings, which is great. Querying is rough, but also exciting, so try to have fun with it. Use your blog and enter query contests like on Cupid's site and others. People really hook up with agents that way. I can't wait to see your unicorn blog header. Happy 2013!

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    1. I think they are all sound goals and I already feel ready to make a start. Thanks for dropping by today :)

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  23. Suzanne, I hear you. I've been working on my novel every morning over the holidays, but have just returned to blogging. Now I'm spending so much time catching up and getting into the swing of things again. I wish you every good wish for your dream of publication. It must be getting close!

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    1. Give us a week and it will feel as if we've never been away! Happy New Year, Denise.

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  24. Love your goals, Suzanne! No better way to accomplish them than to post them and make yourself accountable. I'm excited for you. Big things in 2013. :D

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    1. Aww thanks, Morgan. Let's hope 2013 is a great year for us all :)

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  25. I get anxious like that too Suz when I make what seems a simple goal list. But you know where/when you want to go, and I'm sure it will all work out as expected.

    ......dhole

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    1. Sometimes it's about getting things straight in your own head I think! Thanks for dropping by Donna.

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  26. Good luck with the submissions. I love the title The Void - and I love paranormal :-)

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    1. Thank you, I'm sticking with the title at the moment.

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  27. I don't make new years resolutions either but I have given myself a few writing goals but they're all achievable. I just need reminding sometimes.

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    1. Thank you and good luck with your goals too :)

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  28. Hugs and good luck to you with your submissions and your writely list! I need to make one of those to keep me organized. :)

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  29. Sounds like some great goals, Suzanne. Here's hoping big things happen. Happy New Year!

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  30. Great goals, Suzanne. Good luck with your submissions and your new story. Wishing you the best for 2013!

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  31. i love the unicorn birthstone concept! i hope it finds a home soon! andd keep writing & submitting! you can do it!

    heres to dreams into realities in 2013!

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  32. Your goals sound realistic and attainable. I'm sure your muse is still there. Possibly she enjoyed the break too :p

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  33. Over-extending to the point where you begin to miss deadlines and/or goals is the worst thing people can do! Good for you in remaining reasonable! Good luck!! :)

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  34. Looks like you're on track with the unicorn header already, good luck with your other resolutions :)

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    1. Thank you everyone for your encouraging comments and support. It certainly helps to know there are plenty of like minded people out there!

      Wishing you all the best for 2013 :)

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  35. Yes,the unicorns look great. I think you can handle all your other goals just great. Best of luck with the submission results.

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    1. Thank you, Chris. I am going to keep on trying :)

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