It's time for another Insecure Writer's Support Group blog
posting. IWSG was created by the awesome ninja captain Alex J. Cavanaugh, and
you can find a list of all the other members of the group here
Purpose: 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!
Alex's awesome co-hosts for the November 5 posting of the IWSG are: LG Keltner, Donna Hole, Lisa Buie-Collard and SL Hennessy!
Alex's awesome co-hosts for the November 5 posting of the IWSG are: LG Keltner, Donna Hole, Lisa Buie-Collard and SL Hennessy!
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What
is my insecurity for the month of November?
This
month, I’m in good company. Everyone who decides to jump on the NaNoWriMo wagon
sets themselves up for stress, doubt, pressure, and yes, insecurity! Some days,
the burning question is, “What in the heck was I thinking?”
In
my case, the question isn’t just burning, it’s shooting flames sky-high. See,
in November of 2013, I wrote over 50K words of a novel but later decided I
wasn’t ready to move in that direction. I set up my own writer’s month from
mid-June to the third week of July 2014, and wrote another 50K words. During
August, September, and October, I edited the first draft, wrote a second draft
and edited that. Next week, beta readers will begin to attack this second
draft. Left with an opening, I decided to jump into NaNoWriMo 2014.
Unfortunately,
I was also scheduled for a panel discussion, an annual reunion, and a book
fair, all cutting into my writing time before I even got rolling. Now, I’m
running to catch up. Hence, the insecurity.
For
years, I’ve insisted I do not work well under pressure. Slightly contrary to this
belief, it appears I do better when I lay the pressure on myself. Maybe it’s
when someone else is calling the shots that I tend to balk. It is a good thing that, as an author,
I am now my own boss!
Tomorrow,
I think I’ll ask for a raise.
Are you doing NaNoWriMo this year? As Joey would say, "How you doing?"
I hate to admit it, but I work well under pressure.
ReplyDeleteI don't do well with pressure. I stress out about it, but I find if I just shrug and say, "I'll do what I'll do, and I'd like to do it by this deadline, but that one will work too..." That's when I thrive. Isn't it crazy how we all function differently?
ReplyDeleteUnleashing the Dreamworld
I don't do well with pressure, unless, like you, I am the one applying it. Seems like I do very well under the kind of pressure I feel doing NaNo. What stresses me is marketing. Feel like I'm flailing around trying to reinvent the wheel!
ReplyDeleteI work best under pressure, but don't have time for NaNo this month. I have major respect for anyone attempting it. Good luck and happy writing!
ReplyDeleteGood Luck Gail. I don't work well under pressure, but my daughter thrives on it!
ReplyDeleteI work well under pressure (sometimes), but I'm not doing Nano this year. I'm working on bringing a book to publication in early December, so most of my time is being spent formatting and editing.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with NaNo! I hope you accomplish everything you've set out to do.
It is interesting to hear how others do or don't work under pressure. Shelly and S.L., not many people admit to working well that way but those people usually get the job done!
ReplyDeleteCrystal, Lisa, and Cathrina, thank you all for visiting and for wishing me well with my writing. May the pressure never be with you!
Maybe you should fire your boss if you don't get that raise?
ReplyDeleteI know in the past couple years I have pushed myself in all sorts of directions. I definitely need a raise...
Your setting your own novel-writing month and doing 50k is admirable! I'm not doing Nano this year and feel a little left out--the timing wasn't good. There's something so great about doing it with others, but maybe I'll try to do the self-set month when I'm ready.
ReplyDeleteLOL! May the pressure never be with us... I love it.
ReplyDeleteUnleashing the Dreamworld