Wednesday 7 September 2016

The Insecure Writer's Support Group - Finding Time...


The Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) stated purpose is 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!

The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Where we can post our thoughts on our own blogs. Talk about our doubts and the fears we have conquered. Discuss our struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling.

Plus, a question is posed, and this month's is: How do you find the time to write in your busy day?


The answer, sadly, is that I don't manage it all of the time, especially if work has been fraught and all I want to do is collapse and sleep when I get home. However, I do try to be bite-size, and I make sure I write at least once a week with The Drabble Cascade, a flash fic challenge that I and my sis, Tasha run over on our erotic romance blog, Fantasy Boys XXX. It only takes 100 words, maybe half an hour a week, so it keeps my writing hat weathered. (I have to admit here that there have been a couple of weeks recently where I totally forgot due to life challenges, but they are rare misses).

My favourite time of the day for creative thought is actually early in the morning, just after I get out of bed, when sleep has gone away, my brain wanders over ideas. Sometimes, when I am really inspired I do write when I'm on my exercise bike (I have a little tray designed for hanging off the back of car seats attached to the bike where I can put my Surface).

I also have my Surface open when I'm watching TV in case the muse strikes. Although with the TV on, that usually leads to notes for when I next sit down and write.

Finally, I work 4 days a week to earn a living, so that means of the working week I have one day when I am a writer. Some of this day is spent with marketing and networking, but I do make sure I have at least a couple of hours for writing (most weeks, that is, because sometimes life gets in the way as it has a tendency to do).

Anyone got any good tips on how to fit it all in?

Insecurities:

Wittegen Press
$3.99 | £2.87
Amazon | Other
I mentioned last month that I don't think  I'm not writing enough and I'm not achieving my goals. And to sort this out, I've given myself a list of goals and I promised to keep everyone up to date, so here it is:

My goals list progress:

Wittegen Press
$2.99 | £2.32
Amazon | Other
  • Finish Ghost Blood Draft #1 - only 2 out of five scenes left to go, which is pretty crap for a whole month, but I'm getting there and it's better than the previous month!
  • Rewrite the start of Sacrifice of An Angel
  • Finish Bonds of Fire Extended Version
  • Take The Case of the Cursed House plan and turn into Draft #1 


4 comments:

  1. I love that you write while on the exercise bike! Now, that's dedication :-) I find I have lots of ideas when I'm trying to fall asleep, but no energy to write them down. If only they'd come after I've had my coffee in the morning when I have the energy to tackle writing. Cheers - Ellen

    ReplyDelete
  2. It's definitely a trick to fit it in. I used to write while exercising too! Back when I used the elliptical. These days I have a bunch of post-car accident lifts that make typing impossible. Still, where there's a will, eh?

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm definitely not the right person to ask for tips on fitting it all in! I always write better in the morning, I'm a morning person, so that's my most productive time. Unfortunately, my job involves a lot of early mornings, so that just leaves two mornings a week for my writing, and a lot of evenings. Never mind!

    ReplyDelete
  4. OK, I am totally impressed by those of you that write while exercising. I do find I get lots of ideas while exercising, and I will jot down brief thoughts in my iPhone. But writing full sentences while biking or on the elliptical is talent!
    I also work full time, often two jobs at a time, so my writing tends to happen late at night after the kids are in bed and my work day is over. It's not the best system, but for now its is the necessary system.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by - I'd love to hear from you. :)