Welcome to another round of IWSG! For those of you who don't know, this group meets every month on the first Wednesday of the month to share frustrations, inspiration, tips, kind words, problems, or anything else that hits a writer's world. Being a writer is not always a path non-writers understand. Plus, this is simply a fun, amazing group.
This blog-hop was started by the very amazing Alex J. Cavanaugh and has since grown into quite the community with anthology contests, lots of advice on the website, a Facebook group, pitch opportunities and so much more!
This month's co-hosts are: Pat Garcia, J.Q. Rose, and Natalie Aguirre!
I made it!!!! Although I was hoping to have this post up earlier today, I did hit my goal of getting it up and saying 'hi' to everyone! Ever since the COVID-19 shut-downs started, and also Spring hit, life has shifted into high-gear and seems to only be getting more and more hectic.
So, writing....ummm....what's that?
Actually, I have been working on the co-authored project as the chapters come back from him. And I've dibbled a few words here and there on my own project. But it's so hard to concentrate with so many other things going on!
Since this is IWSG and that means I have a chance to moan and groan...
Yep, I'm going to pour my heart out! Because I desperately want to write and am simply not finding the time.
Ready?
Not only do I have more than several dozen things to get done on the farm now that warm weather...without rain...has hit, but there are all of the house repairs, too—deck painting, house painting, several floors need to be re-done. (We'll just ignore the usual laundry, mowing, cooking, weeding, mopping and such right now). Then, my older kids have been popping in and out (Awesome! And I love every minute, but it does strip hours from the day). My 2nd son and biggest helper broke his tibia bone without us realizing it, and now, is on crutches for quite awhile (and will be). My oldest son graduated with his B.A., and we were going to celebrate this weekend, but he's National Guard and was just activated and sent to a more unsettled protest area. (Prayers appreciated.) AND to help keep my daughter's youngest passion alive (she loves gymnastics), I'm volunteering every day over at the local gym-studio, since the COVID hit them hard, and they can't afford to hire back all of their help yet. So, I'm doing what I can to help keep their doors open.
Add that the transmission in my pick-up went out and the brake drums in my 2nd vehicle died at the same time (because yeah, everything happens at once) and....WHEW! Is it time for winter yet??????
And one more thing, I messed up something on my browser, so I'm having a ton of trouble leaving comments on other blogs. I'm hoping to finally get that figured out this morning, but please, bear with me if I don't hear from me right away.
Pfffff.
Things aren't really bad. I'll admit that, in general, all is wonderful, and we're very blessed.
If only things would slow down just a tiny bit.
What about you? How's life and the writing end of things treating you lately?
Anthology Contest now open!!!
Word count: 4500-6000
Genre: Science Fiction
Theme: Dark Matter
Submissions accepted: May 6 - September 2, 2020
How to enter: Send your polished, formatted (double-spaced, no footers or headers), previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your full contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter IWSG group.
Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges.
Our judges: Dan Koboldt, Lynda R. Young, Colleen Oefelein, Damien Larkin, Ion Newcombe, Julie Gwinn, and David Powers King
Whew is right! I'm tired just reading all you have going on. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a mixture of good and bad. That's wonderful you can help at the gym - and they are still around. We're losing so many small businesses and it just makes me want to cry. Will keep your son in prayers. And I wish I was closer and could help. I grew up on a small farm and I'm not afraid of hard work.
ReplyDeleteI hope your son in the National Guard stays safe. I've gone through really crazy times in life as a full-time attorney, caregiver to my husband, and good mom to my daughter. There just wasn't time or energy to write. I had to learn to not worry about it. Things will lighten up and you'll have more time to write. Helping out and being with your family is the most important thing you can do now.
ReplyDeleteMy nephew is just completing his drills in the National Guard come August. Praying for your son in the Guard, and for your son to heal. We are living in chaos, I pray Jesus will calm the storms!!
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to do a co-author project. Enjoy that. :)
ReplyDeleteBroken bone, transmission - wow! That's a lot.
ReplyDeletePrayers for your son. May a hedge of protection be around him.
A co-authored project??? How exciting! I really would love to try that someday. Good for you. I'm available to read if you need...
ReplyDeleteGot to love life with older kids and those still living with you! So sorry about your son's broken bone. But I do understand what you're saying about your farm and how busy this makes you - basically takes most of your writing time and then your kids so up. Haha! We don't have a farm, but our family dealership sucks hours of my days away. Here's to both of us taking each day as it comes and knowing we'll get another book written eventually. (I'm here if you need me.)
You are a busy lady!!! We're busy here too - there is never quite enough time to get all the things done!
ReplyDeleteSorry about your son's broken bone - that's miserable in the summer especially! Glad things are mostly good - just make sure you find time for you in there somewhere!
I'm sure your farm keeps you hopping, but how wonderful it sounds. I can't think of a better way to spend time than working with animals and keeping a farm running. Well, writing is good, too, but very different.
ReplyDeleteHope your son is okay soon. Kids need to be out and about in the summer.
You are seriously busy! Sometimes, writing just has to take a back seat. Right now, I'm trying for one sentence per day on my story... set the bar low enough and you can do it!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! I’m hoping for a loaf day (or week) for you when farm life calms down. I’m over here overwhelmed and near tears, and I’m not nearly that busy. All the best for your son, both of them, and happy graduation to him!
ReplyDeleteI do hope that things slow down for you soon, but I'm glad you were able to make the time to share this post. We can only do what we can do right? Keep writing when you can. Enjoy your life either way.
ReplyDeleteAnne from annehiga.com
Bless your heart! Car troubles are the worst. My son's motor blew. He's looking at a $3,500 repair and asking mom for help. Gah! LOL Just when I thought I could start keeping the money I earn.
ReplyDeleteI've been blessed. I'm a nurse, so I've had work this whole time, and I'm lucky that I work in the NICU. It's one of the safest places to be in the hospital. Though we're still waiting on the first Covid wave. Not as bad as was predicted.
Sounds like you have a lot going on over there! Hope your car gets repaired. I will pray for the safety of your son!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're super-busy. A hectic schedule.
ReplyDeleteBut I always say, busy is good!
I'm sending a dose of positivity across the blogosphere----------------
Sounds like you're having a busy summer. Take the time to do what you need to do, and the writing will still be there when you can.
ReplyDeleteAnne from annehiga.com
Wow, you're a busy woman! Hope everything works out and that you're safe and well. I'm working on a co-authoring gig too. It's not the first time I've done it, but this time around, it's going very well.
ReplyDelete