First, IWSG...
What is the Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG)?
 |
| Click the pic to join IWSG! |
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer.
Following The Leader
A to Z is in full swing, and there's no better time to marvel at the productivity and creativity of the writing/blogging community. Hop around to just a handful of participating blogs, and I'll guarantee you'll see at least one idea, post, etc. that makes you shake your head and say, "How do they do this? For 30 freaking days in a row, no less!"
Then you see their following numbers shoot up a dozen people every day, while you've been stuck in the 430s for like two years. Then you see that their publishing a book this month ON TOP OF A to Z... and they're also getting married... and participating in three decathlons... and sewing their kid's prom dress while switching the entire family (there's 10 of them, by the way... with infant triplets) over to all organic food produced from the hydro-garden they grow in their attic... and--WELL, I think you're getting the picture by now.
These are folks we admire and look up to for good reason. They model the reality that writers are living, breathing folks who have to write when they have time, and nurture their author careers the best they can. Those people have gotten me through some tough times, because I've thought: If they can do all that, I can surely manage the little bit of 'stuff' on my plate.
But it can also make me feel like a total slug.
It can get very difficult to tread your own course in our 'little' online community. There are people modeling the success we crave and work for around every corner--almost like there's a secret elevator to the top of the mountain we're all trying to climb, and you're the only fool trying to do it the hard way (i.e., one rock at a time). There are people seemingly doing the exact same thing we're trying to do, but they do it ten-times faster with ten-times the results.
That's when I have to pump the breaks.
This isn't follow the leader. We have to live OUR life. Get up every morning, focus on what WE can do, do the hell out of it, and run it back again the next day. This is a cover of one of my favorite 'get your head straight' songs, Live Your Life by T.I. featuring Rihanna:
How great are those kids, btw? :)
It's fantastic having blog and writing heroes. I've definitely got several. (Hey Arlee & Alex! :) But at some point, we have to go our own way and be comfortable doing it.
~EJW~
Happy book birthday to Carol Kilgore & Solomon's Compass!
The lure of buried treasure. A sexy former SEAL who makes her crazy. Could USCG CDR Taylor Campbell want more? Don’t ask. A story of love, loyalty, and the value of keeping a promise, SOLOMON’S COMPASS is available at Amazon in paperback and Kindle.
 |
Posts
Yay for Carol! It's been great to see her all over the blogosphere.
ReplyDeleteAnd I know what you mean about feeling like a slug, I often have that feeling!
I know exactly what you mean. It's taking me twice as long to write this current novel as I had planned. I've seen a few people write two novels and self-publish them in the time it has taken me to get this one put together. Though, in my defense, I do write big 100k + fantasy type novels. Still...it's hard to not feel like the world is passing me by some days. Which is one reason I decided to take off this month and focus on finishing the novel. Need to stop comparing myself to others and just write my story. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd congrats to Carol!
It's SO hard to not hold yourself to standards set by others, LG. I see people writing novelette series like mine and publishing them every two weeks--every two flipping weeks! lol One a quarter for me feels like a full time job, and I'm like, "Where is the time going to come from to finish actual novels?!"
DeleteI think the first ones just take longer. And it's an important process. It helps us build confidence in our writing. Your story is going to rock because you've invested so much into it. Just keep pushing every day to get better and do a little more, and eventually one of those rounds of beta feedback will come where you know you've nailed it (or are at least very close). That's when things will really start clicking and you'll never look back on any of this as wasted time or effort. You're doing it exactly the way you ought to, which is your way. :)
Yay for Carol!
ReplyDeleteAnd I do know what you mean. I know people who write 10k a day or write NaNo speed every month. True, I can NaNo a novel and such, but to be honest, I have a hard time keeping up that sort of pace. My brain gets tired, and I need the time to slow down here and there to recharge. In the end, it really is all what works best for us, not others.
I've unfortunately had to re-prioritize blogging to the bottom of my list lately. Hubby, right now comes first, then the writing....
ReplyDeleteHugs and chocolate,
Shelly
May I just say, "Ditto" on these thoughts? I wonder how some authors write so fast and have a life outside of promotion. I have to console myself that I'm doing the best I can.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely, B. I think it's when I start debating if I truly am doing the best I can that I get into trouble. The only way I can gauge that is by looking at people in similar circumstances (or what appear to be on the surface at least). Really what I need to focus on, is did I do better than yesterday? If so, I'm on the right track. :)
Delete"But it can also make me feel like a total slug."
ReplyDeleteExactly! And I try not to worry about not following the leader, and not keeping pace with other writers, but some days it works better than others.
I agree. Most days it doesn't bother me, but somedays it can get a little overwhelming. Which is I probably why I wrote this today! :)
DeleteYeah for Carol!
ReplyDeleteWe all have our own pace, EJ. (And some of us wonder if we haven't over-paced ourselves.) We are all faster than some and slower than others, so it all balances out.
You are sooo not a slug! (You make ME feel like a slug.)
ReplyDeleteAnd a hearty amen to your IWSG. Everyone's circumstances and goals are different. We definitely have to find our own way on this writing path.
Great post, EJ. :)
I spend so much time thinking a door would be opened for me if I kept knocking on it, Melissa. Then I realized I had to open it for myself. :)
DeleteWhat a great post! I think you've just put on paper what I feel a lot - and then i realise that I am the only person that will find the individual path I am going to tread- I can admire the paths of others, but each one is unique
ReplyDeleteLx
I have always gone my own contrary way. It's Sagittarius in me and my own innate stubborness. This was a terrific post and I hope you enjoy the rest of the month. You are one awesome pillar of this community.
ReplyDeleteI don't know about pillar, but I try to hold my end up for sure. :D I love contrarians!
DeleteHad to do A to Z at least once in my life! Missing you!
ReplyDeleteIt's a rush, right? Hopping over to check your posts out now... :)
DeleteEveryone else does seem to be getting a lot more done. Makes me want to crawl back into bed. Must. Fight. Laziness.
ReplyDeletemood
Moody Writing
Mood, you're one of the most prolific bloggers I know. And every post is some of the finest damn writing advice you can find anywhere. I truly don't know how you do it! No, you and laziness aren't two things I'd naturally associate. :)
DeleteAh, yes, the folks that make us feel like slackers.
ReplyDeleteThose kids are fantastic and a great song. We all have our lives to live and the point is to be happy. We only get the one.
Oh EJ, I am so with you. I'm on that slow rock climb...but I have faith. My way is what is going to work for me, the same way yours will work for you. Some of those shooting stars fizzle out pretty darn early. Hooray though, for all who participate in A-Z and their many accomplishments. It really is an amazing challenge.
ReplyDeleteFeeling like a slug...I'm with ya! You're right, our posts are quite similar for IWSG. It feels like I'm climbing up, one rock at a time, but somewhere in the back of my mind, I'm hoping, I'll finally reach the top.
ReplyDeleteYou will too. :)
EJ, I went three years in between books, so I know that slug feeling. And next week marks 7 years of blogging for me, and you would think I'd have more followers to show for my efforts. But I just keep trudging on.
ReplyDeleteForging your own path in territory you haven't been in is always hard. Have you ever been the point man cutting the path in the deep snow? Yah, hard work. All you can do is the best you can and that changes from day to day. Sounds like you have a plan and that's half the battle. :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, YES!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou're one of my writing heroes, EJ!
Just FYI. :-)
Congrats to Carol and A-Z challenge is wonderful. Live your life indeed.
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard of A-Z until a friend of mine started it this month... looks like fun :)
ReplyDeleteI think you're right though, we all have different circumstances and limitations and comparing yourself to someone else can just become painful. Or at least it always does for me.
Wonderful post. I agree that everyone needs to do their own thing. You're no slug. You write kick-butt stories and I love your blog entries. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, E.J. I'm a slug, too. I'm so behind. I have nothing scheduled for this month except A-Z, my blog tour, and social media. No writing. And it's only D Day, and I still can't keep up with everyone. Thanks for all the good wishes from everyone here.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree about going your own way and doing your own thing. That's been my mantra for a while. What I write is different. The way I live my life is different. Not 'radical' different, but my writing doesn't slide neatly into a genre, and my life has been different from lives of most people.
The secret is learning to embrace that difference and love it :)
"And do the hell out of it"! I love that EJ. And I'm always amazed at how much some of our friends get done. I'm just slow, I guess.
ReplyDeleteI agree sir. Also, I'm sorry to hear that your cover artist can no longer do your covers. That sucks.
ReplyDeleteEJ I love this voice! We do have to figure it out round our life, it is our dance! Oh, that is sad...YOUR art is amazing-why not use it for your cover?
ReplyDeleteI am anxious to learn more about the secret language I keep hearing about :D
Thanks for being you and saying what most of us feel!
Oh man. I'm struggling. Why on earth did I try to do A-Z right after my blog tour? (Because it's fun..) Shut up, inner-Carrie!
ReplyDeleteSee? I'm talking to myself. I need a break from blogging!
Congrats to Carol!
ReplyDeleteEJ, I know what you mean by everyone being on their own path here in the blogosphere. I look at so many bloggers and think OMG!! How are you doing all this!! With twice as many young kids as me and a full time job and...
I just have to face the fact that I am not ever going to be time-management-savvy enough to be able to do all the things I see other people doing. I would drive myself crazy and neglect my family.
We're all slogging through this AtoZ, asking ourselves why, wondering if we'll make it to the end. And why? It's one heck of a kick to connect with so many bloggers who write and think and support when necessary. Loved the post, E.J. and the kids in the video are so sweet!
ReplyDeleteI try to remind myself that few people can do what I can, so what's the use of comparing? :-)
ReplyDeleteI always get a bit buried by the A to Z posts. They have a way of taking over my blogger feed.
ReplyDeleteWow, if there really are people who can do ALL OF THAT, they must be super human!
ReplyDeleteI don't have time to feel like a slug. I have a job, and kids, and a blog, and manuscripts. That's enough, isn't it? Those people must not sleep.
ReplyDelete-Vicki
This is a timely post. A lot of my writing friends are feeling discouraged lately. But I agree with you: it's fruitless to compare ourselves to others.
ReplyDeleteHi EJ! I mentioned you in my post today.
ReplyDeleteAmen, amen, AMEN! If I followed the leader, I'd be a mess.
ReplyDeleteI try to be the leader I follow ... try. :-) Thanks for visiting my blog and adding such an insightful comment. Roland
ReplyDeleteYou do plenty, that's for sure. I know I'm productive, but I still compare myself to others and wonder how they do it all.
ReplyDeleteYou make me smile, but I know what you mean. Some people do seem to be able get a lot more done with the hours in each day.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post, because I feel exactly the same way. I may just have to take your advice. :)
ReplyDelete#atozchallenge, Kristen's blog: kristenhead.blogspot.com
Excellent post. I feel like a slug, for sure, a lot of the time, too. But I like the idea of each of us living our own lives.
ReplyDeleteI'm in awe of the other bloggers because I write short blog posts and do them ahead of time. Growing organic food in the desert is hard anyway.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Carol!
ReplyDelete