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Wednesday, July 6, 2016

#IWSG: Doubts


It's the first Wednesday and time for the Insecure Writers Support Group, whose mission is to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! IWSG is the brainchild of Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh Thanks, Alex, for starting this group and keeping it going. And thanks to this month's awesome hosts:  Yolanda Renee, Tyrean Martinson, Madeline Mora-Summonte , LK Hill, Rachna Chhabria, and JA Scott! 

DOUBTS

At one time or another in this crazy industry we’re involved in, we have doubts about our abilities. Is our writing crap? Will anyone like it? Will an editor buy it? What will reviewers say? No matter how many works we have published, we know it’s a crapshoot getting an editor or an agent who will take a chance on us and our work.

This year I have been full of doubts, stagnation, procrastination. I get ramped up and something happens to drag me down. Sometimes it’s family, mostly it’s me. I have all these marketing plans, thanks to generous writer friends who’ve shared what works for them. I’ll see an opportunity then think about all the work it will take. Do I want to leave the story I’m writing on to follow up? Or should I keep writing?

I’m in the final editing/revising phase of a novella that’s taken me three years to write. Three years? I can hardly believe that. Since when do I take so long to write a short novel? I can crank out a 95k novel in no time but can’t finish a 20k novella? What’s wrong with me?

Looking for that kick in the pants again.


I’ll be without internet service until Friday or Saturday. I’ll try to get to everyone. I so enjoy your blog posts. Best wishes to everyone.

Click here to find others on the Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop. Or go to IWSG on Facebook to see who’s blogging today.

40 comments:

  1. There's nothing wrong with you, Diane. It takes longer for some of us. I know you can do it because I have read your books. You are an excellent writer. Write a page at a time if need be, but be gentle with yourself.
    Shalom aleichem,
    Patricia

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  2. There's nothing wrong with you Diane. It obviously wasn't ready to be written. Your writing is exquisite and I look forward to reading your completed novella :)I'm sure it's worth the wait :) Have a super week and thank you for sharing.

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    1. Thank you so much, Nicola. I appreciate your compliment. I hope you have a great week, too.

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  3. Maybe it's not you. Maybe it's the novella. I've had seasons when I couldn't write specific things. Come to find out, it's because the theme didn't ring clear with me at that moment in time. I had to come back when I identified with the work and what was at its core.

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    1. Chrystal, you may be right. I'm feeling so much better about this novella these days. Thanks for your pep talk.

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    2. Oops. I misspelled your name, Crystal. Sorry.

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  4. Hi, Diane,

    I want you to thing about this. It can take that long for only 20K because you must craft a WHOLE story in very few words, SO EACH WORD must be perfect. In a long novel, we can SLIDE a bit, but not with a novella... each word counts. Don't beat yourself up... Beauty takes time to develop but once it blossoms it will take your breath away.

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    1. Thanks, Michael. You are such a wonderful supporter of all of us. Best wishes to you.

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    3. Thanks so much for your kind words, Michael. You really know how to lift up person when they're down.

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  5. Diane - I'll have to say it's nice to hear someone else voice what I am often feeling as a writer trying to finish a book I've worked on (off & on) for a long time. Some days, I wonder why I even bother to sit down at the computer. Some days, I can't write fast enough. You are such a talented writer - keep on, keeping on. The words will come!

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    1. Thanks, Sandra. I really appreciate your support.

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  6. Wow, I feel like I could have written this post myself. Doubts, stagnation, and procrastination pretty much sum up the past year and a half for me. I FINALLY feel like I'm coming out of it. Here's hoping you will soon as well. Take care!

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    1. Thanks, Julie. When I look back on my posts this year, I'd say we've been twins. I'm glad things are looking up for you.

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  7. I've been working on a book with four novella length stories for at least two years now. Like you, I could have finished a full novel much faster.

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  8. What do you mean you'll be without internet service?!! Oh, sorry, that just terrified me. I'm back now. It's obviously the piece. I think Michael's advice is sound. It's harder to write concise. Maybe it you write it and then edit the hell out of it to write tight? LOL! Good luck! I know you will do it.

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    1. We were on vacation Up North at a cottage without WiFi. Not as bad as you'd think. :) Thanks for the boost, Elizabeth.

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  9. Slumps happen. Maybe this slump is trying to tell you something. Re-read it and see if there is a reason to putting the work off. I'm afraid this is as close to a butt kicking you'll get from me. :-)

    Anna from elements of emaginette

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    1. Thanks, Anna. LOL I'm eager to get back to it.

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  10. I've been getting ramped up and dragged down a lot lately, too.

    I agree with Crystal. Maybe it's the novella. The fact you're in the editing/revising phase is a good sign, though.

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    1. Thanks, Chrys. I left it a week ago and now I want to get back to it.

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  11. Did someone say kick in the pants? Here I am! Maybe it's the length of the book. Writing short is SO much harder than writing long. Just ask me how my novella came in at 93K! Write it the way you feel it. Trim later.

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    1. I can always count on you, Nancy, for that kick. LOL I think you're right about the length. Not my usual.

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  12. You should keep writing! It is hard to write short stuff, sometimes, and then, other times it's hard to write long stuff. It just depends on where we're at - and taking three years is okay.
    Happy writing - at whatever pace suits you!

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    1. Thanks for the pep talk, Tyrean. Just what I need.

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  13. I'm in the same position right now with a novella I can't seem to finish. I thought it was done, but beta readers said no and then the publisher said it'd make a better book. Oh dear, where do I go from here? Any answers? I'd love to hear them.
    Wishing you all the best! And me some guidance. :)

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    1. LOL Yolanda, not to wish anyone ill, but I'm glad you can empathize with me. I wish I had the answers. Good luck!

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  14. Special thanks to Yolanda and Tyrean for co-hosting this month.

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  15. As I ready my MS for my agent to sub out, I'm still plagued by doubts. I've decided to give my doubts seats in my writing room-- they're there, but they aren't aloud to speak or move or interrupt :).

    Damyanti

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    1. Love that image, D. Good luck with the submissions.

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  16. **kick**

    Having internet means you can write instead of procrastinate; I mean, research marketing strategies on an unfinished project!!

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  17. Is it because you don't normally write novellas? I think each length of story is an entity unto itself, and they each take a different general writing style. Good luck with finishing it up!

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    1. You may be right, Shannon. This is my 1st novella. Usually, I have to be careful not to let my stories get too long. Thanks for stopping by.

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  18. Wow - it's as if I wrote that line - This year I have been full of doubts, stagnation, procrastination.
    Last year - wrote - edited - made my own covers - published - this year - oh - look the cupboards need to be cleaned.
    You give me a kick and I'll give you a kick and we'll get our focus back. :-)

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    1. LOL I hear you, Victoria. Last year, I was so busy and this year, nah. I haven't cleaned cupboards yet. Doing a lot of reading though. Consider yourself kicked. LOL

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  19. I'm so thankful for the IWSG, because even though I've been writing for about 30 years, I continue to think my writing is crap. Is that fair for me to think that? I don't know. Like my answer for the question of the month hinted at, it's been a long time since I've really received a postive feedback on my actual writing. Not blogging, mind you, writing.
    Don't worry about how long it may take from time to time. Just let it flow naturally. When we force things, we seldom are happy with the results.
    Keep up the good work!

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    1. Thanks, Jeffrey. I'm so thankful, too, for IWSG. The members really know what we're going through and try to lift each other up.

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