div#ContactForm1 { display: none !important; }

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Ready. . .Set. . .IWSG!


It’s time for IWSG - Insecure Writer’s Support Group! This is the brain child of the amazing Alex J. Cavanaugh, and is the time for us writers to seek or offer encouragement to each other as we journey our way down the writing road. And yes, writers need this! To join us, click above and sign up. You won't regret it.

The co-hosts today are Suzanne Furness,  Toi Thomas,Rachna Chhabria, Donna Hole

and Me!



This month, one folk tale pops into my head whenever I think about writing (which is a lot).

The Tortoise and the Hare!  

No, not because it's Easter. And no, not because turtles are constantly crossing the roads here (seriously, it's like that old computer game Leap Frog when going to town. . .well, between turtles and squirrels that is. Where are they all going, I wonder?)

Anyway, this month has reminded me that writing/publishing is not a race. I don't have to write super fast like the hare. I don't have to stress myself out. Writing and the road to publishing is more of a test of endurance, persistence and simply sticking to it. The finish line is there, but there's no reason to dash for it like a lunatic...that only results in bad manuscripts and high-blood pressure (no, I didn't have this.)

So, take a sip of that lemonade, grab your pens and let the words flow as they will. Stories need their own time. Writing needs its own time (I'm ignoring deadlines imposed by editors and Co. here. . .)

Be persistent. Don't give up, and don't let those super-sonic-speed hares get to you.

Just write.


And what about you? What feelings does writing give you this month? Pulling out your hair? Celebrating anything?

What insecurity do you have???

74 comments:

  1. Thank you for this clever way of offering much needed advice. Yes, I do try to rush the writing .Your words are wise--"Stories need their own time. Writing needs its own time." And thank you for co-hosting this month!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now, if I could find away to follow my own advice ;)

      Delete
  2. I'm definitely a tortoise. But at least I know that.
    Thanks for co-hosting today!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am definitely a tortoise. Though this month I want to write lots, I also want to enjoy myself and not stress about it getting published or getting an agent.

    Rachna Chhabria
    Co-host IWSG
    Rachna's Scriptorium

    ReplyDelete
  4. Yes. It's more like a quest. No sprinting. We'll get there when we get there. Thanks for co-hosting IWSG this month!
    Play off the Page

    ReplyDelete
  5. I had to learn that I'm a tortoise. lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's a lot of plus points about being a tortoise.

      Delete
  6. Hi, Tonja! Writing feelings for this month? Elation is the perfect word. And I hope that sticks 'til the end of the month and beyond. :-)

    Thanks for co-hosting!

    ReplyDelete
  7. With my new WIP, I'm trying to learn to be more like the tortoise. It deserves the time and I deserve the time. Thank you for co-hosting this month! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It will probably be at least as awesome as the rest.

      Delete
  8. Love your attitude about writing and pacing yourself. You're right, so long as you keep writing, you'll get to where you need to be!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nice to see you! I really have to pop by your blog again...

      Delete
  9. Love your comment about writing & pubbing being a test of endurance. You are so right. Persistence, not giving up. It's definitely worth it. Thanks for being a co-host this month.

    IWSG #111

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Or sometimes I refer to it as pure stubborn ;)

      Delete
  10. Tonja, that is great advise. And you are so right. There's no rush, just stubborn persistence. Happy IWSG.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Writing has existed for a long time and will continue to do so...good thing too!

      Delete
  11. Haha--oddly enough, the exact same insecurity you do: not writing fast enough! I see the wordcounts of some of these other indie writers and I just want to die. But then I remember that the time I spend comparing myself to them is time I could be using for writing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are one of the last people who should worry about getting things done...I'm always in awe of your speed!

      Delete
  12. Excellent reminder. It's easy to treat writing like a job, with deadlines and supervisors. It isn't. It's a passion that unfolds in its own pace. I might take a nap today, for instance.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All these deadlines and word count goals make one feel rushed, I think. But life is there too.

      Delete
  13. I really needed to hear this right now. My post this month is about doing too much, going too fast, and overwhelming myself. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's so easy to feel to fall into that grove...and so hard to get out.

      Delete
  14. You could trip yourself up if you go too fast. Very inspiring post!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Only hoping I make it through this month without tearing out hair! Too many things popped up to do this month after I'd taken on doing the A to Z Blogging Challenge! But, I've heard it said, ask a busy person to do something because they always get it done. I'm hoping that will be me by the end of the month! Luckily, I have our Ninja Captain to emulate! Lisa, co-host AtoZ2015, @ lisabuiecollard.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They say the busier one is, the more they get done. Good luck!

      Delete
  16. Tortoise for sure! I don't multitask well, so I need to be able to do things at my own pace, in my own time.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great post. I'd like to be a hare but haste makes waste, right? Fortunately, in reality I'm more of the tortoise. It's just that I have a lot of writing aspirations for 2015 and I'm trying to stick to some kind of deadline in order to meet them. But by the end of the day, I rather write at my pace and steady than speed write a mess. Now, all I have to do is ignore the clock.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I always have all these goals too and never meet them because life always has different plans. But getting frustrated just doesn't help things. Luckily, we don't have many clocks in our house!

      Delete
  18. Great post! If I have a pocket of time to dedicate to writing, I'm like a hare, which definitely isn't always the best. Slowing down and taking the time to perfect and patiently wait is something I have to work at!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, those sprints are great....when they come! And patience...what"s that???

      Delete
  19. Good advice. Sometimes we all put too much pressure on ourselves and it can be counter-productive. Take it easy. Thanks for being part of the co-host group this month.

    Best wishes
    Suzanne (IWSG co-host)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol! Counter-productive is a word I know well.

      Delete
  20. Being persistent is my biggest cannon as far as writing goes. I'm a slow enough writer I'd never finish any story without a lot of persistence.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I tell my hubs that I've got to be the slowest writer on the planet. The ideas are there, but I can't finish a section until I feel it's right. That makes it take forever.

      Delete
  21. Like the wise Brinda Berry once said, writing is a marathon, not a sprint!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thanks for co-hosting today. Writing is sometime like a race between the tortoise and the hare. I tell myself all the time that I need to slow down or speed up depending on the situation. I just wish there was a way to find balance. As for my insecurity, I fear I'm trying to reach the wrong audience. I know I have a niche out there somewhere, I just need to find it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's funny how we often slip into the perfect niche at one point...usually, something totally unexpected. But it does come in time.

      Delete
  23. I'm over 50 already; dashing is no longer a preferred mode of getting things done, lol. I miss playing frogger on the Nintendo. Ah, such wonderful memories of time wasting. Stress is my biggest insecurity this month; and likely will be until I get a paying job again. You know the old saying: you have time or money but never both at the same time.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thanks for co-hosting (and for your lovely review of Adamant!) :) Great advice for the month! I think every writer and project has a different pace, and it's important not to get stressed out and compare ourselves to other people!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Loved Adamant! (But I'm a secret fan of cyberpunk and all those sorts of things ;) ) And you're always sooooo busy and productive! Tips????

      Delete
  25. I really needed to read this today. My second book is in production and as long as it took to get here it seems to be suddenly overwhelmingly busy. As exciting as it all is I want to enjoy it and not feel so anxious.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think anxious comes with the game, but don't forget to breathe!

      Delete
  26. Thanks for this, and for co-hosting. I have to push myself to go faster. I'm too comfortable being a tortoise. But there's a balance too. If I push too much, the hair pins start popping. This month is my most stressful month because of the a-z. With a book just about ready, I'm trying to maintain a sensible pace.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A-Z is a feat in itself! Congrats on having a book almost ready...and you're right, the hare needs to pop up every now and then.

      Delete
  27. Your IWSG posts are always motivating! Thanks for this!

    ReplyDelete
  28. We'll all get there at our own time. No race. :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. If we keep moving forward, we WILL get to the end. ^_^

    But really, where ARE they going?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good thing we don't know where the end is....and the animals don't know either, by the looks of it.

      Delete
  30. What an inspiring post! I definitely feel like the tortoise. Sometimes being a mom has slowed me down, but mostly it's just been how much I've had to learn. It's been an incredible journey so far. I have to keep reminding myself to enjoy the scenery along the way. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The learning is a huge part of it, and we can't do that if we rush on by.

      Delete
  31. Great reminder that we don't all have to write at the speed of light. I do tend to get anxious when I see yet another new release from Jennifer L. Armentrout. How does she do it?! Thanks for hosting this month.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ugh! She's amazing, isn't she??? Yes, it's exactly those awesome people who push me on too...but that's not all bad either.

      Delete
  32. Thanks for co-hosting this month. I, too, am the turtle. I even used that analogy in my own post this month. Here is to the turtles of the world. They may be slow, but they offer wisdom, sure and steady, strong self defense, long life spans-longevity, which I hope translate into my writing life. I google the symbolism. Order
    Creation
    Patience
    Strength
    Stability
    Longevity
    Innocence
    Endurance
    Protection

    Yeah for Turtles and proud to be one.
    Juneta @ Writer's Gambit

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thank you for taking the time to co-host! As a confirmed turtle, I appreciate that lift of my spirits. And I like having company on the road that isn't just in it for the race.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We learn so much from others. A slower and richer finish!

      Delete
  34. I think I'm a tortoise trying to be a hare this month. There's so much to do, so much to write. Instead of freaking out too much, I'm just taking things one day at a time now. Happy writing!

    Book Reviews by Lanise Brown

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol! If you figure out the secret to not freaking out, let me know.

      Delete
  35. Great post! So inspiring - I definitely need to remember this more often! Thank you for co-hosting this month :)!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Yes, this completely. ^_^ We always hear about the people who got their careers started quickly, so it's easy to think that's how it goes, but that's really rare. Most of us spend a long time working before anyone knows who we are or reads our work. And it really helps to remember that from time to time.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Patience is needed, and unfortunately, mine is often in short supply.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Yes, it certainly is a very slow-moving race, but as long as you keep moving forward, you are making progress. It's tempting to look ahead at unfulfilled goals and finish lines we haven't reached. Instead, we should look back to see how far we've come, a little bit at a time.

    ReplyDelete
  39. A great reminder that we need to work at our own pace... there's no rush!!
    Thanks for co-hosting the IWSG this month!

    ReplyDelete

I would love to hear your valuable Tidbits -