#IWSG The Tribulations of a Neurotic Writer! #WriterWednesday

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group

 

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!

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.

Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post.
http://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world! Our Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG

Ninja Alex J. Cavanaugh's awesome co-hosts for the March 1 posting of the IWSG are Tamara Narayan, Patsy Collins, M.J. Fifield, and Nicohle Christopherson!

For the first two months of 2017, my life felt a bit out of whack. After writing the first draft of my next mystery novel during NaNoWriMo 2016, I turned to a project of publishing an anthology of mystery short stories set in Hawai'i by 17 authors. This isn't my first go-around. I knew upfront the tribulations of such a project, but part of the appeal is overcoming obstacles to reach the ultimate goal. December also marked the end of my four years as president of our local Sisters in Crime chapter. Adjusting to the change didn't come easy for me. While passing the torch of responsibility was a relief, I wasn't yet ready to let go of the reins. My plan for March is to begin moving forward and focusing more on personal projects.

#IWSG March 1 Question: 

Have you ever pulled out a really old story and reworked it? Did it work out?

I wrote a short story several years ago based on family information about the disappearance of a relative. No one ever discovered what happened to the person, so I had carte blanche on the plotline. While I was fairly satisfied with the results, my critics found too many faults.

Over the years, I've attempted to rewrite the story several times but to no avail. The only problem is, I really, really want this story to work. One day, I expect to dig it out, rewrite it, and have everything fall into place.

Is this wishful thinking on my part?

Should I give it up as a lost cause?

 

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Happy February: Reaching Your Goals and Setting New Challenges

How's that goal-setting working out for you so far? Seems like 2016 barely ended and January hit the ground running. I wasn't in that marathon and didn't hit the ground very hard when it came to blogging. Rather than give up, though, I decided it was time to rev up my motor and get kicking.

 

February is NOT too late to set goals, or to begin working toward the goals you set in December.



FIREWORKS OVER MAGIC ISLAND IN HONOLULU
Celebrating Our Accomplishments of 2016
and looking forward to all that 2017 has to offer!

Two goals on my list for 2016 were to post thoughts about the 70 poems in my book of linked poetry; and to read and review 71 books. As New Years Eve approached, I could breath easier, knowing those two goals were met. That meant less guilt for me when transferring other goals to 2017.

 

You can access my Goodreads Reading Challenge 2016 page here:

https://www.goodreads.com/challenges/show/3890-2016-reading-challenge

My goal for 2017 is to read and review 72 books, in a wider variety of genres than ever before!

Facing Forward

 

There wasn't much time to celebrate reaching the end of the above goals, however. November 1st marked the beginning of NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writers Month. If you haven't participated in this annual ritual yet, check out what all the shouting is about and consider setting it as a goal for November, 2017. Here's the link:

 https://nanowrimo.org/sign_in



 

Not everyone sets goals at the start of each new year. Some have routines that keep them soaring toward their lifetime goals without hesitation. Others accomplish tasks and projects in routine fashion, gliding over bumps in the road and sidestepping obstacles with ease. My most heartfelt congratulations to you. I really, really need to watch more TED talks!

 

To everyone:

Happy FEBRUARY of this New Year

ALOHA

and

Best of Success in 2017