Wednesday 3 July 2019

IWSG (July)


Top Site for Writers

Thanks to Alex and this month's co-hosts:

I'm running scared this month. Scared I won't be able to write anymore. Scared that a part of me is lost. Dramatic? Well, yes, maybe a little, but it is a fear that is increasingly niggling away at me. Due to a variety of reasons; illness, work, daughter getting married(!) I haven't added any words to my current WIP or worked on the edits on a previous project, for several weeks and I guess I'm worried that I won't be able to write anymore. That somehow my writing muscles will have ceased up through non-use. And I am aware that I am sort of procrastinating a bit now too, even though I really want to get back into it. 

On the plus side, the summer is usually my most productive time as I have several weeks off from my school job. In three weeks I will hopefully have time to dedicate to my writing and I am looking forward to that. However, much like any form of exercise, I feel my writing muscles need a little warm up rather than dive straight back into hours of writing at a time. I think I'm going to set myself some small targets over the next couple of weeks to break me back in gently. Perhaps start with some editing, just a page or so to begin and build up, I should be able to manage that.

Has anyone else suffered with this kind of fear? Any advice or reassurance greatly received!

Thank you for stopping by to read my IWSG post, I look forward to visiting your blogs and hearing what you have all been up to lately or your latest writing achievements or struggles.





21 comments:

  1. I definitely understand that feeling of procrastinating even though you want to get back into writing. I think it typically happens because I'm afraid what I write won't be good enough. I think setting little goals is a good idea. I find forcing myself to write a lot never works, but avoiding it forever isn't going to work, either.

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    1. Yes, ignoring it isn't going to get the story written is it! Small goals is my plan to kick-start my writing slump. Thanks for visiting, Sarah.

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  2. Oh yes I have experienced this fear, big time. When I travel I always bring my laptop with visions of writing while away. Nada! It never happens and I struggle with enjoying myself and feeling guilty. And it always takes a week when I return home to get back into my routine of writing. I keep wondering what part of me makes me feel so guilty?

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    1. The guilt is tangible sometimes isn't it? But we shouldn't feel bad about taking a break, sometimes I think it can actually make us better writers when we have stepped away from the keyboard for a while.

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  3. Yes! I've been battling that for the past two years. You can get back into it though. I did finally.

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    1. Thanks, Alex. Your words inspire me to push on. Glad you have found your writing groove again.

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  4. Hi,
    Getting your daughter married is more important right now than your manuscript. When it comes time to write, your creativity will emerge.
    Shalom aleichem,
    Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

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    1. Thank you, Pat. The wedding was beautiful and I am so happy I could help my daughter with all the preparations.

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  5. Suzanne, I believe all writer's have experienced these types of weak muscles. Just by writing this post, you're using those muscles. A little bit at a time works. I'm on summer vacation now, and I find myself getting much done around the house before sitting down at the computer to write. I've barely written in the past month. But 500 words here and 500 words there have added up to 10k. It's a start, and you'll get there too.

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    1. Yes, I have felt better and more confident today. Having the support and encouragement of fellow writers makes all the difference. Thank you.

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  6. I can totally relate. I was a caregiver to my husband before he died, a dedicated mom, and busy attorney now contract writer. Squeezing in writing time didn't always happen, and I had to go through long stretches without writing. But I have been able to pick it up and should have more time to write in the future. Trying to revise a bit to get going or setting a small goal can help. And your daughter's wedding is just as important so enjoy it.

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    1. Some times in life are just busier than others and we have to prioritise our time and energies. I am glad you are moving forward with your writing Natalie. Thank you for visiting and helping with the co-hosting this month.

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  7. I know that fear. When I realized I was burned out from writing and anything writing related (marketing, blogging), I was afraid that I wouldn't write again. I did a lot to keep up my creativity and to heal myself. Those tips are on my blog. Writing a little bit here and there can help. Journaling, penning a poem, and doing something related to your WIP, like writing out character profiles, chapter outlines, sketching your characters, etc.

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  8. I've definitely suffered from that fear, and I think you're on the right track. Small targets definitely help - however that works for you. I use a combination of timed writing exercises and 4-sentence exercises which help me break the blank page fear. Plus, I've actually found some of the 4-sentence exercises to be interesting enough to make me want to write more. By forcing myself to stop after 4 sentences, I generally leave myself longing to write so the next time when I do a 10-15 minute session, I'm more excited than fearful.
    You can do this!

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  9. My creative muscles have been wasting away, but just the other day I worked on a flash fiction contest entry. Even though nothing came of it in terms of winning or anything, I was happy with the story and felt like I got some mojo back. Good luck to you! :)

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  10. Some times things sure do pile up, but when you make your way back it is all the better.

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  11. Once you started re-reading, your fear with fade away. I didn't set my mojo free, but I believe it will come back one day. Hope keeps me going.

    Anna from elements of emaginette

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  12. I hope this summer will be as productive as you want it to be. Enjoy the time off your day job and create something special.

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  13. Can definitely relate to this. I always feel like I'll never figure out how to write again whenever working on a project. (Been especially blocked this year; it's something I'm still in the process of shaking off.) Setting small targets for yourself sounds like such a great way to ease back into writing. Good luck!

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  14. While writing my first novel, I had to take a year off to deal with several life hurdles. When I returned to the manuscript I was worried like you, wondering if the mastery had withered away. It hadn't. You'll be fine. Blessings

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  15. i am ERIC BRUNT by name. Greetings to every one that is reading this testimony. I have been rejected by my wife after three(3) years of marriage just because another Man had a spell on her and she left me and the kid to suffer. one day when i was reading through the web, i saw a post on how this spell caster on this address AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com have help a woman to get back her husband and i gave him a reply to his address and he told me that a man had a spell on my wife and he told me that he will help me and after 3 days that i will have my wife back. i believed him and today i am glad to let you all know that this spell caster have the power to bring lovers back. because i am now happy with my wife. Thanks for helping me Dr Akhere contact him on email: AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com
    or
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    i am ERIC BRUNT by name. Greetings to every one that is reading this testimony. I have been rejected by my wife after three(3) years of marriage just because another Man had a spell on her and she left me and the kid to suffer. one day when i was reading through the web, i saw a post on how this spell caster on this address AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com have help a woman to get back her husband and i gave him a reply to his address and he told me that a man had a spell on my wife and he told me that he will help me and after 3 days that i will have my wife back. i believed him and today i am glad to let you all know that this spell caster have the power to bring lovers back. because i am now happy with my wife. Thanks for helping me Dr Akhere contact him on email: AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com
    or
    call/whatsapp:+2349057261346

    ReplyDelete

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