The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. We post our thoughts, talk about our doubts and the fears we have conquered, and our struggles and triumphs. Hopefully we offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling.
The awesome co-hosts for the June 1 posting of the IWSG are SE White, Cathrina
Constantine, Natalie
Aguire, Joylene
Nowell Butler, and Jacqui
Murray! Thanks, folks😊
June 1
question - When the going gets tough writing the story, how do you keep
yourself writing to the end? If you have not started the writing yet, why do you
think that is and what do you think could help you find your groove and start?
If anyone has a bullet-proof answer for this one, they could bottle and sell it.
My methods: I have a word goal for everyday so that I’m getting something down on paper. When I hit the ‘tough’ part I either go back to the beginning and read through to where I’m stuck; or I concentrate on scenery; or just let my mind drift for awhile and let my subconscious work on it. AND I only work for a month on a manuscript before setting it aside. By that point my brain is fried on story. I work on another manuscript for a month. The following month I work on another then circle back to the original.
What do you do?
*I'm at Sally Cronin's today posting on: If I knew then what I know now. If you're in the vicinity, please stop in and say hey.
May/June Reviews:
A paranormal anthology that’s got something for everyone. Stories from ghosts to a Firebird. The tales take the reader into the past and offer fascinating glimpses of history in the process.
Available at Amazon
This story is set in mythical roman times and definitely not a comedy, but even so it reminded me of Groundhog Day. The protagonist dies over and over again. Our hero Gryff is an average young man with average dreams and aspirations that against insurmountable odds, and with the help of a sunwield medallion, becomes a larger-than-life war hero.
Even though he’s an honorable man, in his adventures back and forth through time, he comes to care deeply for two different women. I had no idea how D. Wallace Peach would work out this knotty, emotionally-charged issue to the characters, and my, satisfaction but she wraps up the story nicely with a HEA bow.
One of my favorite secondary characters was a flamboyant Edriisan named Tenney who fights at Gryff’s side.
SUNWIELDER is an immersive read that I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
Available at Amazon.
34 comments:
You are a highly organised writer. Which doesn't surprise me. And thanks for the reading temptation.
Hi Sandra - push through and as the image says 'write on' ... also read a variety of stories - as those here - good luck to all authors - cheers Hilary
I only work on one project at a time. But I can see how working on different ones for a month at a time can keep you fresh.
Wow. I’m not sure I could set aside a work before it was done. I tend to just power through, even if I’m burning out. I need that sense of accomplishment. Moving on to something else would make me feel like I quit on it. I love seeing how other people work. Thanks for sharing your strategy.
I only work on one story at a time, so I've no choice but push through.
I like your idea of of working on more than one story. I have to get back to that. Great reviews. I found one to add to my TBR list and am eager to read one already there!
I've dabbled in writing multiple stories at once, but I tend to go deep into a story and thus focus on just the one. Thank you for reminding me of posssible avenues and for sharing your great reviews.
That is a most interesting method of writing, Sandra. I wish I could write a book in a month, but I can't. And I don't seem to have the capability to switch between stories as you and other writers I know do. I just stick with it until I reach the end. Thank you for giving me something else to think about! And great reviews! I have Sunwielder on my Kindle and it's been there far too long! I need to move it up!
Glad you enjoyed Voyagers.
I tend to go back and read and edit. Or I jump ahead. One of those usually works.
Good Q&A! Thanks for the reviews.
Interesting and intriguing, Sandra. I don't usually get stuck because I have a working outline. However, even with an outline, there are times when I'm just not feeling the story. I'll set it aside for a period of time (a week or so) then re-read it through. That usually gives me a better perspective.
Nice reviews, Sandra. To answer your question, when I'm stuck I put the story aside for a while. Sometimes a day or two, other times longer. I'm a panster, so when I tried outlining I began having problems. I'd rather let the story take on it's own life.
Organized. Huh. Who'd a thought. Thank you!
Big hugs
That Kindle is probably about to bust wide open. Heh.
Good advice,Hils.
One at a time seems to be the norm. I'm an oddity:)
If deep in, a writer has to do what a writer has to do:) Agree completely. Thanks for stopping by, Gwen.
Sounds like a wonderful plan, Denise. Ha ha. I was thrilled with Sandra's review, of course.
I'm a one-story-at-a-time gal too, Jan. And glad to hear that Sunwielder might get a little bump. :-) Sandra is so kind to read and share her review. Happy dance.
I'm a little awestruck at your method, Sandra. I can only work on one story at a time or I feel disoriented! Lol. Hopping between three is rather impressive. I wonder if I should try it just to see what happens. :-) And thanks so much for reading Sunwielder and sharing your review. I'm a happy gal. Hugs.
Two manuscripts at a time is one of my tricks. I started two new ones this weekend, and will switch whenever I feel it, sometimes in the same day. — Craig Boyack
Good on you for powering through.
Good job on getting 'er done;)
I couldn't get one done in a month either. Sticking with it gets it done:) I really enjoyed Sunwielder and I'm thinking you will too:)
Thanks for stopping by, Jan:)
There were some fascinating stories in there. I especially loved the first one.
Good game plan on your writing.
You bet:)
Wow. Good on you for not getting stuck! I work from an outline too, but it's loose, very loose;)
Setting it aside for a bit works, doesn't it? I can relate to being a panster. I usually have an outline of sorts, but it's very loose;)
Sandra
Well I do have to make sure my characters don't hop stories. Ha.
I loved Sunwielder:)
Yay! Finally, someone else that works like I do:)
When my hubby works on something whether it is his art or construction, he usually does the same thing and has 3 things going on at once. I want to write about my mom but where do I start? She grew up during historic and turbulent times so do I read all the books out there to make sure I get history right or just write about my mom duringbthis time. I feel overwhelmed and that's why I have not even started
Maybe get your memories and thoughts down of your mom, put it in some sort of order then start filling in the history around it....
That's an idea actually. Why didn't I think of that commonsense approach
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