Greetings.
It is time (if I calculated first Wed of the month correctly) for the Insecure Writers Support Group. All the details can be found here. It is the brilliant brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh and enables us to share our fears and support each other.
This month I am thinking about First Drafts.
We all know - I think - that when writing a first draft, you have to give yourself permission for them to suck. First drafts are rough! They can be edited! I know this in theory.
It's hard to do in reality. Why I manage to work in grammar errors where I know the rule perfectly well, continuity inconsistencies and confuse myself with names, I have no idea. But I do. And I beat myself up about them. Even though I told myself not to.
It's especially awkward when I don't manage to tidy those out before showing them to a patient CP!
But I tell myself, this is how it goes. I know I can edit. I know first drafts suck. I have to allow myself the reality of that, is all. Repeat until I believe it.
Any tips?
Hello everyone and how have we got to MAY? Can anybody tell me, hmm? It's a mystery!
We are ready to celebrate small again hurrah! How-it-works is simple: post celebrations from the week, however small - that nice cup of tea, a friendly word with a stranger, fun post - sign up on the linky, and celebrate with others!
Apologies I didn't make it round everyone's blogs last week. I am finding it hard life/work wise to have as much blogging time as I'd like, but I DO appreciate everybody joining in. I may not make it round every week but I will as much as I can. I do hope everybody doesn't mind.
If anybody is interested in 'co-hosting' this and taking it turns to visit everyone or any other co-hosting fun, then let me know!
As for the list, I am going to leave it a couple of weeks for people to catch up post A-Z then do a clean up!
Celebrations for me this week:
- All those amazing people who did every day of A-Z: YOU ROCK
- Chatting to my amazing CPs, picking up a new CP, general CP amazing-ness
- BFs birthday went off well with dinner and present so hurrah
- Three day weekend for me - YAY
- Organising some holiday leave today
How about you?
Here's the linky:
Greetings everyone, it is time to CELEBRATE those small things again ;)
The rules are simple: post celebrations in your blog however big or small, sign up on the linky, and hop around and celebrate with others!
My celebrations for the week are:
- Going out for a nice curry tonight to celebrate the boyfriend's birthday
- It has only been a four day work week, which is nice
- Celebrating my CP, JAWARDWRITES.COM making it as a finalist in lv14! Hurrah!
What are you celebrating this week?
Here's the linky...
Hello and Happy Easter everyone! It is time to Celebrate the Small Things again!
The purpose is simple: celebrate the small things in life, whatever they may be, by posting in your blog. Sign up on the linky, hop around and celebrate with everyone!
I have done a small tidy of the list, and will do a proper one beg. May when the busy A-Z is over. If I accidentally deleted you, as ever, apologies.
My celebrations are:
- A few days off work for Easter. In my old job I worked most public holidays so it is still a novelty to get them off! Hurrah
- Seeing a good friend this week and having a good catch up with her.
- Plans to see my Mum this weekend.
- Chocolate Easter Bunny awaiting my eating ;)
How about you?
Here's the linky:
Greetings and time to Celebrate The Small Things again ;)
The premise is simple: post your celebrations of the week, however small, sign up on the linky, hop around and celebrate with others.
I know people are busy with A-Z this month, so if it is okay I will do the next tidy of the linky a few weeks into May. Just to give people a chase to miss a few/be busy in April, but I think it needs a tidy so I will schedule one in!
My celebrations of the week:
- A nice chat with a co-worker about life, the universe and everything. It was good to get out of the office for half an hour and talk!
- Supportive emails from lovely CPs - they are worth their weight in gold.
- Facetime with my wee nieces ;)
Okay that's mine for the week - what are yours?
Here's the linky:
Greetings everyone!
Time to Celebrate the Small Things again. The aim is simple: to post small things you are celebrating, whatever they may be, and celebrate and hop around with others.
I am celebrating:
- a not too busy weekend when for once, I am hoping to do some writing.
- The writing community, for helpful thoughts on my IWSG post, which I really needed.
- Chocolate.
How about you?
Here's the linky:
Greetings and it is time for another Insecure Writers Support Group. All information about this fine group can be found here but suffice to say it is a great place to share your insecurities and worries with a group of like-minded individuals!
This month I want to talk about Starting Over. That might be with a manuscript or with an agent search. Perhaps you part ways with a critique partner and have to find a new one. There's a lot of dusting yourself off and starting over in writing, I feel!
I have started to draft a new manuscript. It is lovely to be in the throes of a new idea, working it out, enjoy the first rush and tumble of words on the page. At the same time it is bringing up a lot of insecurity: how did I do this before? They are rubbish! I don't have time! Etc. It is difficult comparing a newly drafted chapter with the polished, edited chapters of my previous manuscript.
I am trying to keep going, blinkered to worries.
Any tips for starting over?
