The month seems to have flown by – but then February does that, even when it leaps around…like a March Hare perhaps. That brings us around to another Insecure Writer’s Support Group monthly blog post and my chance to knock my erratic thoughts into the round edges of the IWSG voluntary guidance or prompt:
March 7 question – How do you celebrate when you achieve a writing goal/ finish a story?
Simple answer: sigh, fall asleep (again), eat a chocolate or eight, then escape into some online game.
(When I’m frustrated, the formula is similar, except the game must involve killing something – like hell-bugs, raptors or orcs.)
Convoluted answer: For this I wish that I had a time-travelling cat like Ellen, or a familiar with better writing skills. My dog, Quetzal just sits on my lap or in front of the desktop screen while my brain ties itself in knots- although she can inspire me.
Celebrations require real achievements and they are as rare as blue moons, especially when I keep going backwards. If my writing was like knitting, then it would be the scarf that I knitted decades ago for a girlfriend who a few years later recycled the wool.
So, where was I? Unravelling my insecurities.
My WIP is going backwards. My protagonist now has a deaf sister as well as her own struggles with being bisexual. This author wonders if he/I should choose a pen name – Roland Clarke is a prolific musician; maybe Rafael Clarke or Buxton. Revision is becoming a re-write.
I’ve fallen down a cliff, and my escape route seems to be a 1st person POV novella-exercise set before my WIP.
Is that a good idea or just another diversion? Can I celebrate even if the scribbles lead to a landslide?
What do you celebrate with?
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The awesome co-hosts for the March 7 posting of the IWSG are Mary Aalgaard, Bish Denham,Jennifer Hawes, Diane Burton, and Gwen Gardner!
Purpose of IWSG: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG
Writing Wings 
Quetzal – great name for a dog.
All we can do is keep going forward. And kill more orcs.
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Thanks, Alex. I will encourage the dog to kill some orcs 😉
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I hear you on the revisions turning to rewrites! One of the things that I think keeps stalling me up on my own revisions is I KNOW that I want to completely rewrite the middle of the story… and I’m not sure if the characters are going to let me. I have a feeling it will be like pulling teeth, but also feel like it’s what the story needs. It’s about getting OUT of your comfort zones, so I can’t let them happily stick to those.
I also, very much, appreciate your modes of celebration. I think I need more video-games in my life again. For reward purposes. Totally.
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Video-games keep me slogging, Alli. I suspect that our rewrites are inevitable – and what our characters are crying out for. Yes, getting out of the comfort zone is the tough part.
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Quetzal is adorable! I’ll be glad to swap you Simon for him 🙂
If the novella helps you climb back up that cliff, go for it.
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No, sorry, Ellen – we’ll pass on taking another cat. Maybe, it was a mistake leaving our in Wales, but the dogs are trying to tell us something – in Welsh.
Novella and crampons beckon – and a rope.
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I’m with you on the chocolate consumption for sure 🙂
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Chocolate can melt so much, Jeri. Keep well and writing.
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I had to laugh when I noticed Ellen @ the Cynical Sailor said she’d swap Simon for Quetzal. What a very generous offer. BTW, I share your love of chocolate. BTW, that seems to be the most popular reward. Cheers.
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I had to turn down Ellen’s generous offer – or was I warned by Simon’s reputation. Chocolate come is so many varieties, Lynn.
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I agree that the creative process isn’t always straightforward. (Your dog is adorable, by the way!)
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Thanks, Yvonne – she knows she is 😉 and I’m getting used to navigating the hairpin bends of writing.
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Take time to consider whether you need a pen name or not. Do some research and weigh the pros and cons. Not every author needs one. Who knows? Having the name of a famous musician may help you. 😉
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Good advice, Chrys, a pen name could be a hindrance having established this identity – same on other social media such as Goodreads and Twitter. Maybe it’s good to be famous for my music 😉
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If the distraction helps, it’s working. As far as pen names, I spent some time looking into it. It didn’t make sense for me, but others are quite happy to have done it.
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Distractions can help, Shannon. Not convinced about the pen names though.
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I feel your pain, Roland. Wednesday evening, I decided I needed to redo one of my POV’s timeline and it’s turned into rewriting 30K from scratch. But we’ll push through it. I say let your muse take you where it wants, even if that be a novella prequel.
Best of luck getting to your chocolate (or eight)!
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Our muses take us strange places, but I’m willing to suffer, Loni – well as long as there are chocolates.
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I’ve never considered pen names as, like you say, I’m known around social media as just Victoria Marie Lees. I’m not a famous musician, though. I like your idea of killing online game things when frustrated. It sure beats losing your temper with your children. That’s usually when I reach for a whole box of chocolates. Then I run into the bathroom to hide and eat some. Thanks for sharing, Roland.
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My pleasure, Victoria. I avoiding having children – until I re-married and got an instant family with great-grand-kids to lose it with. (Problem with online killing is when I am the victim.)
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