tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429089326602617796.post1936282782271589231..comments2023-12-01T21:39:39.527-08:00Comments on Kidbits: IWSG - Starting the New Year without a bangTonja Dreckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07683717853264134466noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429089326602617796.post-29784253477636895352020-01-29T08:20:44.482-08:002020-01-29T08:20:44.482-08:00I still have those lows, but I've been at this...I still have those lows, but I've been at this long enough to know it's just that, a phase. I remind myself that by publication, all will be well. Sometimes taking a break and reading some well-written fiction helps. Sometimes pushing through and coming back and editing the lousy part later helps. 'You doubt because you care, and that can only lead to good things.'Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08516493326566981116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429089326602617796.post-55349855009681750272020-01-17T01:45:46.607-08:002020-01-17T01:45:46.607-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator. T Mitchell https://www.blogger.com/profile/04794384231964006915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429089326602617796.post-24616226531730062702020-01-17T01:30:33.298-08:002020-01-17T01:30:33.298-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator. T Mitchell https://www.blogger.com/profile/04794384231964006915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429089326602617796.post-66871313095279249672020-01-12T06:25:05.675-08:002020-01-12T06:25:05.675-08:00Slumpy is a word that certainly resonates with me....Slumpy is a word that certainly resonates with me. I am brand new to this world of writing, and every step seems to be like trekking through molasses. I'm on my first book and even getting the outline together has been quite the adventure with the plot for Parts 3 and 4 still a bit "mushy." Just stumbling upon IWSG has been a boon. The difficulty with feeling "slumpy" is that I start feeling trapped which makes me afraid. Fear isn't a great atmosphere for fostering creativity. Over the years, my one tried and true antidote for fear has proven to be curiosity. If I start to spin out, I start asking a lot of questions. I find being curious brings me back to the present and often leads to some discovery that helps put me back in the flow. Hope that helps and thanks for sharing.Zaguzanhttp://dazeoff.workingisforchumps.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429089326602617796.post-39039427042393731622020-01-10T09:04:44.693-08:002020-01-10T09:04:44.693-08:00I've had my fair share of slumpiness. But don&...I've had my fair share of slumpiness. But don't give up - you're an awesome writer! Tell that doubt monster to go back where he belongs.Ellen Jacobsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14284851532400039655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429089326602617796.post-17346636943962286072020-01-10T01:47:57.501-08:002020-01-10T01:47:57.501-08:00I just remind myself that manure makes good fertil...I just remind myself that manure makes good fertilizer, so write that crap and the good stuff will grow from it. Elizabeth Seckmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00045076826326574984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429089326602617796.post-55271881465616910282020-01-08T20:49:28.712-08:002020-01-08T20:49:28.712-08:00Doubt Monsters lurk everywhere, but when you out t...Doubt Monsters lurk everywhere, but when you out them--as you have here--they tend to lose their power. Let's hope you've gotten them under control for the entire year.cleemckenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456109243453726483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429089326602617796.post-72964662935145389572020-01-08T16:02:10.623-08:002020-01-08T16:02:10.623-08:00Visiting a bookstore or re-reading a favorite book...Visiting a bookstore or re-reading a favorite book usually gets me out of a slump. Changing projects also helps me. Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429089326602617796.post-27706170205275249812020-01-08T14:51:56.261-08:002020-01-08T14:51:56.261-08:00I avoid going back and reading my published works ...I avoid going back and reading my published works because I know I'll be kicking myself the entire time. Although, your kind words are uplifting :) I truly wonder about those writers who claim they never doubt themselves. Is that even possible?Tonja Dreckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07683717853264134466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429089326602617796.post-59705843148724073942020-01-08T14:49:47.803-08:002020-01-08T14:49:47.803-08:00My fear is that I've been binging too much Net...My fear is that I've been binging too much Netflix lately ;)Tonja Dreckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07683717853264134466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429089326602617796.post-42290977426012131542020-01-08T14:49:21.328-08:002020-01-08T14:49:21.328-08:00Honestly, that's one reason I put it in the po...Honestly, that's one reason I put it in the post and didn't hide it. These moments constantly come and go, and I hate it when I see writers letting the doubt monster get to them. It's something we all face. Again and again.Tonja Dreckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07683717853264134466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429089326602617796.post-52815985737100168672020-01-08T14:48:20.740-08:002020-01-08T14:48:20.740-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Tonja Dreckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07683717853264134466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429089326602617796.post-11542980688949663582020-01-08T14:45:48.316-08:002020-01-08T14:45:48.316-08:00Yay! I'm glad you're writing away.Yay! I'm glad you're writing away.Tonja Dreckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07683717853264134466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429089326602617796.post-48046757182024379362020-01-08T14:45:03.363-08:002020-01-08T14:45:03.363-08:00Thanks for the uplifting words. I am currently out...Thanks for the uplifting words. I am currently outlining another book which will slide into the same category as Music Boxes. So, we'll see.<br />Tonja Dreckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07683717853264134466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429089326602617796.post-57826479710077328152020-01-08T14:42:22.734-08:002020-01-08T14:42:22.734-08:00Hibernation is better than nothing :)Hibernation is better than nothing :)Tonja Dreckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07683717853264134466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429089326602617796.post-8153951806539904242020-01-08T13:15:48.361-08:002020-01-08T13:15:48.361-08:00Slumpy is 100% a word. ^_^ I've been all over ...Slumpy is 100% a word. ^_^ I've been all over the place with my thinking lately. I was even planning a rewrite of one of my published books, not even three weeks ago, only to realize after a few days that the changes I was planning to make wouldn't change the story one bit. Because, deep down, I don't think the book needs an overhaul. The short stories I've read of yours are great. But I also totally know how you feel. I keep looking at one of my books in particular and feeling like everything is trash in comparison. It's why I'm brainstorming myself to death right now. But if I can do something great by accident, I can do something great on purpose. We keep fighting, and that's worth a lot more than always being on our A game. :)krystal janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02115542477066959046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429089326602617796.post-45431999998194435202020-01-08T11:24:19.677-08:002020-01-08T11:24:19.677-08:00So sorry you're having a hard time. Taking a b...So sorry you're having a hard time. Taking a break to watch TV and read a lot has helped me. And exercise is really important for me to stay positive about life. Hope some of that helps you.Natalie Aguirrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03756087804171246660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429089326602617796.post-49564152222422720572020-01-08T08:16:59.038-08:002020-01-08T08:16:59.038-08:00I noticed Diane called Music Boxes "a hit,&qu...I noticed Diane called Music Boxes "a hit," and it truly was magical, but sometimes creating another story after one like that can be daunting. Especially when there's high expectations of creating another hit. Even if we don't realize that's why we're struggling, it can be a lingering thought far in the backs of our heads. And all the stuff that comes with publishing a book (marketing, school visits, etc) can leave us in a slump, too.<br /><br />I believe you'll get through it. Take your time. Step away from writing for a while. Find that spark again. ;) Chrys Feyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11955009490266358041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429089326602617796.post-83402380333304453052020-01-08T06:49:45.800-08:002020-01-08T06:49:45.800-08:00Slumpy will pass! It did for me.Slumpy will pass! It did for me.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429089326602617796.post-7159880640570997212020-01-08T06:31:50.302-08:002020-01-08T06:31:50.302-08:00Don't you dare give up. Music Boxes was such a...Don't you dare give up. Music Boxes was such a hit! You can do it again.L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429089326602617796.post-80731559673467420032020-01-08T05:37:42.995-08:002020-01-08T05:37:42.995-08:00I'm with you on "slumpy" being a wor...I'm with you on "slumpy" being a word - been there, done that, most likely will again. I don't think the Doubt Monster will ever totally go away, for me anyway, but he does hibernate, so I try to make the most of that when it happens. :) Hang in there!Madeline Mora-Summontehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05529397293165046430noreply@blogger.com