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IWSG #5: No More Excuses



It's that time again for sharing with the Insecure Writer's Support Group.
What is that you may ask, well their mission statement is this:

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a home for writers in all stages; from unpublished to bestsellers. Our goal is to offer assistance and guidance. We want to help writers overcome their insecurities, and by offering encouragement we are creating a community of support.

The first Wednesday of each month, we blog about our fears, insecurities, or even an accomplishment we had.

This is the fifth month I've participated in this monthly blog hop. I've read some great posts that I've been able to easily relate too, and others that really did make me stop and think about my writing. 

I went back and read over my previous posts, mainly #1 and #2 and realized while they are very valid, they also sound like excuses to not get the job done. I have always known that I am my own worst enemy. I get things in my head and they stay there festering like a gross open wound. I came up with plenty, albeit weak, reasons not to finish my second book and I have clung to those reasons for far too long. 

No more!

After my post last month, I decided I needed to make some changes. Nothing super major, but changes all the same. First thing, eliminate some of the distractions I allow. I'm a stay-at-home mom and all of my kids are in school at this point, which in theory means I should have some uninterrupted time to write. I wasted it. I started researching Chromebooks. I have a laptop, a nice new one the hubs got me for my birthday in June, but alas the thing is a beast! Like seriously it's massive, and not as portable as a laptop should be. 

After researching and finally purchasing an inexpensive Chromebook, I went on to find a local cafe. Sure I could do the Starbucks thing, but I really wanted something that was not a chain and might be a little less busy. I found two within a decent driving distance from my house, tried them both out and settled on one. 

I told my husband and daughter I now had writing hours, 10-12 Tuesday-Thursday. That was a biggie because my daughter likes to call and talk about random things and like a good mother I would stop what I was doing and listen (she's off at college). The hubs would sometimes call while he was at work if he needed me to run an errand for him. 

So far I'm only a month in, but this new schedule has paid off. I've written 6141 new words on my book. Not a lot, but it's 6141 words added to a WIP that has gone mostly untouched for nearly a year. Learning to write in Google docs has been interesting. I'm used to the formatting of Word, but I'm making it work. I go, order some coffee and a little breakfast, sit at a corner table and work. I have headphones on to drown out the activity around me, and I get stuff done. The workers there are getting used to me coming in, it's nice. 

Why I couldn't have that same focus at home, I'm not sure, but this is working for now. Hope I can keep the momentum going and get this book done. 

**Question of the month** When do you know your story is ready?

I guess the best answer is when I'm sick of looking at it. I've only written one book and it was done when I reached the end. I did editing as suggested by two friends that have a better grasp on grammar rules than I do, but there were no major rewrites. I didn't have betas other than the two friends that read over it for me, and that was mostly for grammar issues and not plot. I've not had the best luck with beta readers, but that's a story for another day.

Thanks for stopping by
~Meka

Comments

  1. All the best with your writing!

    I abandon a story when I'm sick of looking at it--and somehow, they get accepted for publication :)

    Damyanti

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. So far so good. It's moving which is good for me. :)

      Ha, then you are doing something right it sounds like.

      Delete
  2. Eliminating distractions is important when you work at home. I also had to set up a schedule so I could get writing done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And that was something I was failing at. I would let any and everything distract me at home. The schedule seems to be working so far and I'm happy to be accomplishing something again. :)

      Delete
  3. Sometimes we have to get out of our element to write. That's nice your husband and daughter respect your designated writing time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is what it seems like for me. I let myself be too easily distracted before, but now that I'm taking it seriously things seems to flow somewhat. Yes, they are respecting it. They know I want to get it done and it's only 2 hours I'm asking for. :)

      Delete
  4. Hard to promote something you don't like anymore. I'm hoping that is just a temporary state of mind. hehehe

    Anna from elements of emaginette

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    Replies
    1. haha very true. It becomes a love/hate relationship towards the end, but mostly love. :)

      Delete
  5. That sounds like a good plan. I know many writers who go to coffee shops or some place other than home to write. It's like going to work. You're away from the laundry or whatever that's calling your name. Best of luck on this arrangement. Establishing a set period of time says to your family that you are taking your writing seriously.

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    Replies
    1. I don't know why I didn't think of it before. Probably because I was content to just let the excuses keep me from moving forward. :( Getting out has helped me take my own writing more seriously. Thank you, so far so good. The guy at the coffee shop even looks forward to seeing me come in. :) It took a little bit for them to see it as a real thing instead of just something I do for fun. Now the hubs is waiting on that movie deal so he can retire. LOL

      Delete
  6. If those two hours mean you're productive, keep at it! you can accomplish a lot in a week with just a couple hours.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am productive. I don't always write a lot because as much as I tell myself to not edit as I go, I still can't help it sometimes. Either way I'm writing more now than I have in a long time so I call that progress. I'm actually excited about it again instead of dreading opening the doc. :)

      Delete
  7. Nice. Way to get serious and set things in stone. I think the biggest key to being taken serious is taking yourself seriously, and that starts with a solid step like this.

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    Replies
    1. I couldn't agree more. I often told myself it was just a hobby, something I did to pass the time, but I want it to be more. First step is me changing my thinking and not letting myself be lazy about it anymore. :)

      Delete
    2. Yup. I remember that moment for me too. Forever ago, I decided to query and agent, just for fun. I didn't expect anything of it. (And it was only one agent.) She got back to me THE NEXT DAY and asked for more. That was the point at which it hit me.

      Delete
    3. Wow! That's awesome! I'm still not ready to do the query thing. I will eventually, but I'm taking baby steps with this whole process. It says a lot about your writing that you got that response instantly!

      Delete
  8. Nice to "meet" you this month! Thanks for dropping by my blog.

    Your progress is huge, and I think a lot of your success stems from the fact you're making writing a priority and carving out time for it. Good for you! I admire your ability to write in a coffee shop. I need complete silence to write, but the camaraderie of being around other people must feel so nice.

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    Replies
    1. Hiya, thanks for dropping by mine. :)

      Yes. For too long I let myself be lazy about it by hiding behind all the reasons I shouldn't/couldn't write. Changing my way of thinking wasn't easy, but now that I'm trying I am finding the words are flowing a little easier. I tune out the people around me in the coffee shop. I put on my headphones and put on a Spotify playlist and focus, or try to focus. I'm only a month in, but so far so good. :)

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete

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