Wednesday, August 5, 2020

LIVING THROUGH THE WAVES OF ANXIETY...AN IWSG POST.

Hi All,

Once again it is time for another IWSG post. Thanks to Alex, we all get to meet once a month and share our insecurities. Please drop by his blog to sign up and JOIN OUR GROUP! 

I hope and pray all of you are healthy and well. In today's pressing times, we are all under a great deal of stress and anxiety. But how do we cope with it all? Trying to function in a world gone "WILD" is not an easy task. So many of us are reclusing, others are ignoring the situation and living their lives as if nothing is wrong. But sadly, life's situations are taking its toll. How on earth can any creative person keep up their momentum? 

Many of us are using other creative outlets which really does help. Cooking and baking have skyrocketed since March. I know I am still having a hard time trying to find basic baking essentials. Home projects are keeping many of us sane and busy. I should know. LOL, rehabbing a 1915 Craftsman home is a neverending battle. But what about staying focused on our writing? For me, I have definitely been affected by the times we live in, and my writing certainly has been on hold. LIFE is so crazy for many of us right now. But the funny thing is, I have started writing again. Not a lot, a few pages here and there, but I am writing! For which, I am very thankful. I have been on hiatus for so long with my WIP and it is taking me so much time just to finish up the last few chapters. I keep asking myself why? I wrote the first draft in about six months. After I had an editor look at it, her suggestions were, "Add more. I want to see more of everything and finish the story." I had thought it was finished, but she wanted me to write about Mommy Kay's complete life. Not just her life from the 50s-70s. 

The story is written from the POV of her daughter. Since this is, in reality, Kim's story, I have to include Kim's life and how it was affected by her mother. I realized this aspect of the story is far different from the zany and often insane world she grew up in with Mommy Kay. Now the story focuses on her marriages, child, and her work. A far cry from most of the book. How do I keep this section as exciting as the rest of the book? Will these final chapters drag down the story? I am honestly anxious and worried about it. There are a few MK situations woven into these chapters, but the focus has definitely shifted. This is my answer to why I have been procrastinating for so long. But how do I do it? All writers feel that parts of their manuscripts fall flat. And in fiction, I feel it is much easier to overcome these obstacles. But in non-fiction, how can you achieve this? You are working with a specific person's life. This is the question I ask all of you, non-fiction writers... Any suggestions? I could use some help on this one. 

I am hoping to wrap this up within the next couple of weeks if I can. If not, my writing goes back on hold. Another one of life's interventions. I have to return to Florida. I sold my condo and it needs to be cleared out. COVID is so bad there, I am freaking out about it. But I need to do this. Prayers and positive vibes would be greatly appreciated. Once I am safely at home again, I will breath easier.

Keep safe and healthy my friends. My prayers and good thoughts are always with you.

24 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Wear a mask and you'll be all right.
A lot of people are struggling with writing right now. Glad it's coming back to you even if you have a ton of work to do on that memoir.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

When making those changes, just go with your gut instinct. You'll get it right.

Florida's numbers have really been dropping. Just be smart when around people and wear a mask.

emaginette said...

Congrats on your new beginning. Happy-happy for you. :-)

Anna from elements of emaginette

Chrys Fey said...

Goodness, yes, I couldn't get flour and yeast for the longest time.

Good luck with your book! I hope you can complete it in the coming weeks.

Sherry Ellis said...

Hi Michael! First of all, congratulations on winning a copy of Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China. Diane has probably already sent it to you. Hope you enjoy it!

Yes, these are tough times, and a lot of us are struggling to find the spark to write. Chrys' book about finding the writing spark has come at a good time.

Good luck finding the baking ingredients!

Liza said...

Masks, gloves and the. Get out of Dodge. Best wishes as you end one chapter and begin another...

Mandy said...

Happy for you that you sold your condo! Sending positive vibes in terms of figuring out the writing bit.

With Love,
Mandy

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Michael - glad you've sold the condo - though understand the anxieties re moving and clearing out in any situation let alone Covid. All the best ... relax ... it'll soon be over and you'll be home - just do it sensibly. re the writing ... could it be a prequel, or a sequel, or just part 2, or a series. All the best - Hilary

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

You always have a project going on somewhere. I hope you stay safe in Florida. It sounds a little crazy there.

Michael Di Gesu said...

I plan on it, Alex. I was able to write a few more pages today, so it is coming along, but slower than I would like.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks, L. Diane.. I intend to do just that.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks so much, Patricia... I really appreciate it. Stay safe!

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks, Anna... once I get through this move, I will be much more relieved, then I can concentrate on doing more to my house. Winter is approaching, and I still need to have the exterior repainted and my side porch rebuilt. Sigh.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks, Chyrs! I hope so.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks Sherry! I definitely am looking forward to reading it and I certainly will leave a review when I get a chance. Thankfully, I am getting some writing done. It is only the next few chapters that are daunting to me. Once I get through them, the remaining ones will be a breeze.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks, Liza. I will. I hope to only be in Florida for about a week.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks so much, Mandy!

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks for the suggestions, Hilary. The book is well within the right page count, so a second book isn't necessary. I may do like a follow up story for a free download once the books takes off.

Michael Di Gesu said...

LOL..you are SO RIGHT, Susan! I do! Never any free time. My home rehabs are always monumental feats. And this house is the BIGGEST and hopefully last one I will do. I am getting too old for this. The house is a 1910-14 Craftsman and it was neglected. The bones are AWESOME and some things were not difficult to do, just time consuming. The real job is the scraping, sanding, and painting the exterior which now I can have some help since I can afford it now with my condo sale. I had planned to do it myself which would have taken at least two years. It's a three story house. I do plan to finish the front porch and garage. Porch is half done and I should have it completed by early September. It's a huge porch with many details. I will do my best to stay safe. I am a very CAUTIOUS person. I take no chances when it comes to my life.

R's Rue said...

Thank you for sharing. I can relate. Praying.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thank you, R's Rue.... I appreciate it.

dolorah said...

Everywhere is a crazy madhouse right now. I'm glad you were able to get the condo sold though. Hopefully that has relieved some stress. I don't know about the ending - writing somebody else's life is not my cup of tea. I love to write a Happy Ending to this whole year though.

I am loving my new home - including all the work that is needed to make it a good home. I just wish I had more time to be at home. Perhaps job hunting is in my 2021 future, lol. Now that the remodel is complete, I'm sure you will find the time to finish your chapters.

Good Luck Michael. And congrats on all your progress.

Melissa said...

Wear a mask and wash your hands, and you will be okay. I am envious of your ability to renovate old homes. I wish I could do that.

Sadira Stone said...

Wishing you a smooth, safe move. Yeah, it's hard to write while the world is burning. Good on you for making progess and seeking feedback.