Happy New Year!!! And what better way to start off the blog this year than with IWSG?
Every first Wednesday of the month, this group of writers comes together to offer support, advice, encouragement or simply to let frustrations and woes flow. Writing is a tough journey, and we don't have to go it alone.
Thanks goes to the brain behind this group, Alex J. Cavanaugh! If you want to join in or find out more (because there is so much more to this group), then head on over here.
Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG . They can also be found on Facebook or on the IWSG blog.
Super, special thanks goes to this month's co-hosts: T. Powell Coltrin, Victoria Marie Lees, Stephen Tremp, Renee Scattergood, and J.H. Moncrieff!
With a brand new year comes new energy and swing on the writing front! Right? Well, not in this writer's head. While the dreams mount and goals overflow, I'll admit...I feel slumpy.
And yes, 'slumpy' is a word in my world.
You know those moments... every word is trash. Every sentence forms such a mess that the entire literary world would be aghast if they even caught a glimpse of it. Nobody's writing has ever stunk as much as what's hitting my manuscripts.
That's me, at the moment. And that voice in my head is bouncing up and down, screaming that I should just give up because I definitely have no right to think that anyone would ever like my garbage. The short stories I've published are a laughing stock. People say they like them and they were published...but, come on, I know they stink to high heaven. And Music Boxes...a sheer accident. I haven't even completed another book since that one.
Sure. I have hundreds of story ideas floating through my head. I'm pretty sure several of them are dazzlers too. Which is all good and well...until I try to write them. Let's face it, those stories don't have a chance with my pathetic skills.
Sound familiar? If not, I'm amazed at your confidence and wouldn't mind having a dusting every now and then.
Will I listen and give up? It's tempting, but...not a chance. It's just that stupid, little doubt monster, who managed to squiggle his way out of whatever hole he was hiding in. Again. The best way to shut him up is to ignore him and keep plugging away. Because he does get tired of it, at one point. I just hope it doesn't take a few months...years? Luckily, I'm in for that even if it does. I'll just have to make sure my supply of chocolate never runs out.
What are your 'secret' ways of dealing with your self-destructive, writer's voice?
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This is coming up next week! Don't miss out because it's a ton of fun.
