Time for
the meeting of the
His awesome co-hosts are Stephen Tremp, Karen
Walker, Denise
Covey, and Tyrean Martinson!
Insecurity is a constant
thing, something I can banish to the background temporarily, but never really
get rid of. I think, and I'm guessing
here, that most writers/creative people feel that way. If you don't, then you
aren't reading this post because you'd see no reason to belong to the IWSG. J
Yet, despite all my insecurities, I'm still participating in
the NaNoWriMo. This is my fifth time and regardless of a win or not, I've actually
felt like a winner each time I've participated. The opportunity to write and
have an entire communities support is priceless. In the real world, it's a very
different story.
I love it – you say you're doing NaNo and the world allows you to skip out on other responsibilities, at
least the online world does. In the real
world, say you're doing NaNo and they look at you as if you've lost your mind.
In my house, it goes something like this:
"What's a NaNo?" Even though it's my 5th year, the same question.
"You're going to write, you do that every damn day now. Husband's snide smile follows.
"Hey Mom, where's dinner?" 30 days out of the 30.
"Mom, all my shirts are dirty." Laundry, it may get done (this I don't
promise) but it won't be put away. Notice the living room chair it is now a
mountain of stacked clean, folded clothes.
"Mom, where are the spoons?" Dishes stacked up in the sink. Silverware disappears first even though
they see the mess in the sink, they all ignore it.
"Pizza, again. I love NaNo!" says a grateful son. Dinner I don't have to cook and they appreciate.
"If you cook Thanksgiving dinner, we'll do the
shopping."
Who can pass up a request
like that? I try to have NaNo finished before this, but it's not always
possible. Besides, if you stick to the rule of not going back and doing any
editing, this is the best time to do that – as long as you've reached the
50,000 that is.
My Goal is:
November 30th – Book 4 – DARK MOTIVES is complete, well, the first draft is.
(a quickly created cover for NaNo)
Sometimes
Dark Motives arise from the best of intentions.
I'm looking forward to this celebration!
Wishing you all a very successful NaNoWriMo!
and/or
the ability to push those insecurities to the background for a very, very long time!
Is eternity too much to ask?
Are you participating in NaNoWriMo?
Does your family understand and offer support or are they like mine and suddenly become even more needy?
*****
Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's
possible; and suddenly you
are doing the
impossible.
*****
I just learned that 8 of my 9 submissions to
~ espresso stories ~
tales you can swallow in a single gulp
were accepted for publication. Please drop in and give them a read and a vote.
I'd love to see them climb the charts!
Such awesome news.
These are micro-flashes of 25 words or less.
Can you tell a story in 25 words, give it a try, it's a blast!
Let me know your favorite.
'The Cost of Freedom'
Don't Break the Eggs
is mine.
56 comments:
Another great post and thanks for keeping us updated.
My blog - Hello World
All these NaNo posts are making me wish I were participating! Good luck :)
Good luck! And it doesn't matter if you hit 50,000 words if you still wrote a lot.
Maybe the spoons are in the washing machine?
Good luck getting there. lol can't go wrong with them doing the shopping.
I just can't get my head around NaNo this year. Maybe next? Best of luck. Awesome you got so many FF accepted. I do love me some FF - it's such an awesome challenge.
Shah X
shahwharton.com
My family is accepting of my writing as long as they have food and clean clothes and don't hurt themselves tripping over clutter. Hmm. Maybe they're not really all that accepting. Good luck on Nano.
My family is accepting of my writing as long as they have food and clean clothes and don't hurt themselves tripping over clutter. Hmm. Maybe they're not really all that accepting. Good luck on Nano.
I've never done NaNo, but I can hear my husband saying that. Good luck!
You totally cracked me up. Your house sounds like mine. Though mine is USUALLY like that. NaNo is good for my discipline though. I'd gotten in a bit of a television habit, trying to keep up with several shows and allowing that as an excuse. My family DOES take the "I'm sprinting" thing well, since they know I will be available again in an hour. And a sprint probably averages me 1500 words, so it isn't much more to goal. And CONGRATS on getting those little stories accepted! I will check them out!
Hi Cheez, you're welcome. I checked out your blog but couldn't find a place to comment. Love the humor though!
You still can, we're only four days in. It's a blast, and a great motivator!
I love that that it's a time for writers to really get into their craft, together so to speak. Love the support! No, I usually find them in the boys rooms, with most of the bowls too! :)
Hi Pat, i give them a list. They do a great job, usually! Now if I could just get them to wash the damn dishes.:)
Hi Shah, I know what you mean. I skipped last year, but this year I really needed it. Had to do it! I was shocked when I woke up and saw that they'd accepted so many of them. I'm thrilled!
Hi Tamara, mine too, but they should be helping clear the clutter, wash the dishes, and even preparing dinner. That's not too much to ask, is it? :)
Hi Diiane, it's great fun - especially if you've been putting off work on a WIP for other things, it helps get you back to what's really important - that next book!
Husbands are funny, supportive, but funny! At least mine is!
Hi Hart, shh... don't tell anyone,but so is mine. And don't get me started on the layers of dust or the crumbs on the floor. Gosh I hate vacuuming! :)
I love it when I get so busy I don't even turn the TB on - or if it's on I don't know what's happening because I'm zoned out - writing! I've survived many a crazy action movie that my sons love, but I can't sit through, with my laptop on my lap! :)
This made me laugh. Good luck with NaNo, my friend! And you should feel like a winner whether you win NaNo or not. Everyone should. Just participating makes everyone a winner. :)
This made me laugh. Good luck with NaNo, my friend! And you should feel like a winner whether you win NaNo or not. Everyone should. Just participating makes everyone a winner. :)
"Mom, all my shirts are dirty."
Ha! Like any of our kids would even notice such a thing! Congratulations on the submissions.
I make a goal to get all house related things done before writing, to avoid most of these. Your husband is snide with you? That's... :( Mine jokes about it, but snide seems a little harsh? I dunno.. anyway, good luck this month and congrats on all those stories accepted at espresso stories!
He gives me a rough time, but he's really supportive, unless I ask for help marketing. Then he's got other important things to do! LOL Typical! (I get him back by making him listen as I read my work aloud - of course he just falls asleep) Can't win!
I cleaned house and did the laundry in preparation too, but around my house that lasts about 2 days and then it's a mess again. I live with 3 slobs - me the only neat nick in the bunch. Truly breaks my heart that neither of the boys took after me! :)
They notice, especially if they need their work shirts - those awful bright green safety things. Harsh color, but necessary on the road - they both drive / deliver at night for a living.
Thanks Ken!
Hi Karen, I admit, i don't do it well! But they'll survive! :)
Thanks Chrys:
I do really. I didn't do it last year, but concentrated on a WIP that was already written and I still felt like I'd won. Love it!
Ha! My kids say the same thing when I order pizza during NaNo.
Stephen Tremp
November IWSG Co-host
Everyone has been supportive, but the world hasn't - power outages, water shut-offs, etc. I'm mean how rude! LOL
Yes, all that and it's only the 4th!
Best of luck with NaNo! I have a feeling I'll be neglecting chores for this month, too. :P
Haha! I love your list of real-life writer struggles. I SO relate! Writing without editing for me, is about as likely as putting laundry away. Congrats on your stories!! Now go slay some NaNo dragons!
Truly, so rude. Here's to hoping you can get past it and WIN!
It is a struggle, isn't it, I catch myself doing it and move on, but damn rewriting a sentence or two and ignoring the rest is hard, but first 50,000 and then re-writes! This first draft is going to be so raw, so very, very raw. Folks are already asking for snippets - to prepare to post a snippet - it take a full day away from writing. No snippets, no editing, no fixing! :) Good luck Sam!
Hi Emma, it's allowed any hour, week, or month you're in the zone, and that doesn't just mean NaNo month either. Good luck!
I am so glad I don't write, well books that is. Yes, Yolanda, don't look back until Dec. 1. You know you can do it. I'm glad I am not visiting, I don't eat much pizza at any time thanks.
Congratulations on your publications at Espresso Stories! They accepted one of mine, too, but I didn't put the link on my blog yet . ..
And best wishes with NaNo!
My family veers between supportive and needy - it depends on the day.
I know those insecurities well. Looks like you have a very specific goal to read with his NaNo. I haven't participated in several years now. Maybe I should... Hmmm maybe next year?
I know those insecurities well. Looks like you have a very specific goal to read with his NaNo. I haven't participated in several years now. Maybe I should... Hmmm maybe next year?
Hi Jo, we don't have pizza that often, honest, but peanut butter and jelly might also make the menu. Actually, tomorrow I'm making a cabbage soup - just found a recipe that sounds interesting, so I'm trying that. Thanks Jo!
Hi Tyrean, I saw that you were there, I've voted for your stories already. You and Michelle Wallace inspired me to join and submit! Mine too, today they're needy!
Hi Bish, I think the NaNo is a great excuse to work on what I really want to, and walk away from other distractions and responsibilities. I enjoy it, plus it's a challenge - I love a challenge.
I love the title and the cover Yolanad! Any excuse for pizza works in my house. I've never heard anyone talk about the opportunity to write and community support like that. So you make it sound invaluable. I hope you enjoy it!
Wonderful post, Yolanda. Everything sounds so familiar, except the NaNoWriMo. I never participated. Maybe I should, at least once. Next year now. Maybe...
Hi Renee
When life was more complicated my family never helped me either, Now that the girls are mothers I hear the complaint, "no one helps me." Congratulations on your mini stories. And good luck with NaNo.
Nancy
Hi Yolanda,
I have a lot of respect and admiration for you, my lovely friend. For, despite your own doubts, you get involved and embrace a lot of positive writing resources. I understand about those nearest to you giving you blank looks. I have had a blog for over eight years and my family barely even knows I have a blog. Never mind, eh.
Well done, Yolanda. Your passion for the written word challenges your insecurities.
Gary :)
Hey Yolanda,
Even though I don't do NaNo (mainly because I can't spell the acronym properly) I loved your post because I recognize the struggles of every writer who has a family to feed and clean for :)
Best wishes for your fifth WIN :)
Hey Yolanda, I loved your take on NaNo. This month so far i've had so many other niggly things (hee hee, like co-hosting IWSG) that I really have not had one great day. But it must be coming, surely? Usually I'm a slow starter!
Now why don't you let those males loose in the kitchen?? And the laundry?? You just never know.
Denise Covey November co-host IWSG
I can't even write a 100 word drabble. Too Much is always my problem. I'm not participating in NaNo, perhaps I will one year. I'm not dedicated enough to produce a story in a month. I leave you with encouragement, if you need someone to teach the family how to do their own laundry, just let me know :)
Congrats on the acceptances. That is awesome.
Are you saying I can send them to you? I'll pay for the gas! LOL
Thanks Donna, just keep writing - in your own time, in your own way!
I know you'll catch me. You're making great progress!
And letting these males loose will only bring disaster. I've attempted that, believe me, I've tried everything! One son simply goes out and buys new clothes, the other one wears them dirty, or takes them to his friends house. My husband works too hard, he deserves his clothes done, and his food cooked. Plus, I have to live here too, and I like my house neat and clean. :)
Thanks Mark, I love the excuse NaNo gives me to concentrate on my writing. I'm lucky the story is flowing right now and it feels good to get down. I do worry that the words will dry up, but so far, so good!
Hi Maurice, thanks. They love pizza. Who doesn't, except me, of course.
It is invaluable, and I do enjoy it!
Hi Olga,
If you don't need NaNo - you don't need it. I use it for many reasons, because I like a challenge, and because it gives me an excuse to focus. Which I needed this year. Too many irons in the fire - needed to cut a few out for awhile!
Hi Nancy, thanks!
You too, you've been a very busy lady. Congrats on all your success!
Hi Gary, don't tell me I can't. After receiving three rejections last month, I had to pick myself up with a win. I hope this does it! :)
Always challenging my insecurities - maybe some day I'll defeat them.
Puppy kisses and hugs for Penny!
This was a fun read. Wishing you lots of time spent writing and enjoying every second of it.
Congratulations on those 8 pieces! Good luck with NaNo. I imagine if I did it, I'd get the question every year. Ah well.
Post a Comment