Wednesday, December 5, 2012

BELATED, BUT STILL ON TIME .... IWSG .... TACKLING THEM WITH A VENGEANCE ....

Hi, All,

I had a good reason to wait on this post, I wanted my previous post about BULLYING to have as much exposure as it could get. If you hadn't had a chance, PLEASE scroll down after reading my IWSG .... It takes a bit longer, but it's important reading.

Like SO many of us unpublished authors, I have my bouts of insecurities almost on a daily basis. I have kept myself so busy with other projects, IGNORING my writing and hoping that I would jump right back into it. I have several projects that need my attention, but I have chosen to concentrate on Christmas instead. Such a GREAT excuse ... right? WRONG! Escaping and making excuses is NOT the way to handle your insecurities.

I am RIGHT THERE WITH YOU .... such an EASY COP OUT! Don't fall into my pit. CRAWL OUT! I am digging my way out just by writing this post. I see the words I am writing and I HOPE and PRAY they are soaking into my brain. My excuses have run out. Have yours? It's time to TACKLE THEM like some 260 pound Line backer. Put on the shoulder pads, helmet, and team jersey and RUN HEAD ON!

I am happy to say I have finished the handmade gifts and sent them out into the world. I still haven't put up one Christmas decoration, or put a dent in my holiday baking ... BUT ... I plan to TACKLE my first insecurity tomorrow. I am geared up and ready. I am fortunate enough to have two AMAZING blogger friends waiting for my revision of my first novel to help me pull it together. I also have an author friend's daughter, who just happens to be my target audiences age, waiting to read it. I have to give myself the much needed "Kick in the butt".... Or you guys can ... I can take it.

After THREE years working on this story, something in the beginning still seems to be off. It has gone through at least fifty or more transformations, but I REFUSE to give up on it. It's a story I believe in and so do many others.

SO there it is .... The NASTY, LITTLE BOOGER has gotten me. Now I need to shake it off! IT'S TIME! We all need some space sometimes, but most of us pick up a new writing project. IF that is you.... then it's not insecurity, it's giving your WIP time to breathe. That's a good thing. It is INSECURITY when you are not writing more than the occasional post. GUILTY.... Turning beet red, and lowers head in shame.

BUT NO MORE. Raises head with a determined look.

So, how many have you fallen into the pit and can't get out? WE ARE HEAR! You are NOT ALONE! Let us help each other see the bright blue sky again. It's almost midnight, but I see a glimmer. You will too. Hang in there. As my buddy and our Ninja Captain Alex honored me by choosing me for the "T" in his A-Z  Challenge post ... I must live up to it, so call me TENACIOUS....

Thanks Alex for believing in me. Whenever the going get's tough, I think of your kindness.

Have a wonderful rest of week everyone, and if you have a few more minutes don't forget to check out my previous post. Thanks again everyone!

26 comments:

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I usually put up my christmas decorations around October, lol. This year I'm too busy to think about them, however tempting it is to drop other important writing stuff, I must do without the docorations (and without the bah humbug).

And yay for not giving up on your story!!!

Carrie Butler said...

I think we all go through this every now and then. The important thing is that you are tenacious, and you are ready to tackle what needs to be done. You've got this! :)

dolorah said...

*kicks Michael in butt* I don't mind if you return the kick. I'm having the same problem with my first novel - getting the first chapter fixed. I've been letting other things get in the way of sitting down and diligently working on it.

I know you've been working hard at that book for a long time. Your efforts will pay off.

......dhole

mooderino said...

I've been finding it tough to focus on my writing recently too. I get as far as sitting at the computer, and then it's a lot of staring at walls. You're right, time to get tenacious.


mood
Moody Writing

Denise Covey said...

Hey Michael, glad you're about to hit that keyboard in your wonderful new writing nook. Can't wait to read Amber. You know you have heaps of friends just waiting to offer any help we can.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Was in the pit last year. Once I finished revisions on my second book, I did no writing outside of for my blog for six months. In my defense, I did work on perfecting my guitar shredding skills.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

And glad you are crawling out, because you're been missed here online as well.

S.P. Bowers said...

I missed your post on bullying. I've been sick and busy and haven't been around the blogsphere much this month but I'll head down and read it.

I've been working on my MS for over 3 years too and, like you, I'm still trying to fix that beginning. I hope your readers are able to help you get it to a place you can send it into the world. Good luck!

Laura Eno said...

We all fall in that pit sometimes but there are many hands waiting to help you out.

I think your header says it all - Creativity is a terrible thing to waste. Get back to it! :)

Karen Jones Gowen said...

I never worry about the not writing, although I probably should! But creativity takes many forms and it's not always writing. You've taken some time, expressed your creative nature in other ways like decorating, cooking, sharing and I'm sure many more, and now the writing will come back stronger than ever!

DEZMOND said...

admit it that you're just waiting for me to pop over and help you with Christmas decorations and baking, Mikey :)

Morgan said...

Oh my goodness, Michael. It kills me to have you think you haven't been doing enough when you've been doing SO MUCH... all your giving and good heart... but yes, I hereby command you to tackle writing! (Er... after you finish your Christmas stuff?)

My excuse is that the publishing world shuts down 'til after new years anyway, so it's not like *they're* doing anything... how's that for rationalization? LOL. But YES, I DO want to see you succeed, and as you know, it all comes down to just making yourself do it... which you're going to ;-)

Robyn Campbell said...

Yay Michael. Keep crawling. I've gone through this too. You know some of it. My sickness, etc. I believe in you, my friend. Don't forget today is Be Positive Day. I see it inside you. Thanks for helping me to be more positive.

Unknown said...

My WIP has been breathing a long time no. How do people work on the side of writing? This is a busy time of year in the restaurant business. When I get home these days, my brain is not connected to my body at all:)

Hart Johnson said...

I definitely fall into the 'always working on something', so I've got that going for me. But considering I've written 14 books now and only 3 are in the publishing stream, I'm clearly not FINISHING as much as I need to... You can get back to it. Pick a time and stick to it faithfully--even if it is just half hour a day, if you do it EVERY DAY you will make progress.

Michelle Wallace said...

Your wonderful spirit and positivity is infectious!!
Thanks for the boost of inspiration!

Heather M. Gardner said...

Sounds like you are headed in the right direction!

I'll be right behind you...all the way!

Here's to us!
Heather

Carol Riggs said...

Keep being tenacious! I too need to get back to writing, but 'tis the season to be busy. (Oh wait, that's not the real words, is it??) Good for you doing handmade gifts; those are much more special! Holiday baking...what's that? LOL (You DO that? I'm incredibly impressed!)

Dianne K. Salerni said...

Sometimes, the more you delay getting started, the more you resist starting at all. Sit down and do SOMETHING with that manuscript. Even if it's choosing a random chapter and trimming the word count. Pick something easy. (Another quick one: search and replace for overused phrases.) Once you've dabbled a little bit and eased yourself back in, then go for that pesky beginning!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

It took years of prodding from my husband before I finally tackled the project of turning my publishing and promoting seminars into a book. One of those things that just felt overwhelming.

Susan Oloier said...

Michael, I think we all need time away. I am taking a break from my author blog beginning Monday. I am also going to take pressure off myself with writing, so it can be fun again.

As far as three years for your ms: Outcast began 11 years ago. so don't feel bad. I think we, as writers, put way too much stress on ourselves. Sure, get back into writing. But make it fun for you. I believe that's when the writing really shines.

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

Hang in there, Michael. You have nothing to be insecure about. I can't wait to see what your tree looks like. Pleaase post a picture. I'm sure it will be gorgeous.

Morgan said...

Ditto on the tree seeing! ^^^^^^^

Anonymous said...

Tenacious... that's a great way to describe it. Whenever I need to give myself a pep talk I tell myself to be 'relentless', to stick with it no matter how difficult it is. If you believe in your story and it's worth telling then fight for it. Taking some time off to let it "breathe" is a great idea and often necessary. I'm glad to hear your back in the saddle and tackling this thing head-on.

Your issues with the beginning will probably become clearer once you get some more feedback. Maybe you're so close to the story that you're picking at it like a scab because you're doubting yourself. Or maybe it doesn't feel right to you because it isn't the best beginning you could come up with but the right one hasn't revealed itself yet. Don't worry, it will!

Deniz Bevan said...

Ooh, handmade gifts?

Unknown said...

Love, love the football references. you know those speak right to me. ;)

I've got to dig out of my hole, too. Can't be stuck here in this morass one second longer. Inspiring words and ones I needed to hear.