Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Insecure Writer's Support Group



For those of you who are new to this blogging thing, the Insecure Writer's Support Group is a group (no kidding!) of writers (yes, really!) who share their insecurities on the first Wednesday of the month. The idea is to visit each other and leave encouragements, and also to feel better when we realize we're not alone in our doubts and fears.

Anyone is welcome to join, so if you'd like more information, please click here.



So what am I insecure about? Well.... Lots.

See, in October last year already, I had this genius idea to push myself to be more productive. It was a good idea. It still is a good idea. In theory.

In theory, I shouldn't have any problems of devoting about two hours per day on editing or writing. The idea is to write 60k words or edit for 60 hours every month (or some combination of the two.)

The thing is, this should have been easy, since I've just come off my lovely, month-long writing break.

Except.

It's so hot here that I can barely sit in my room (it's been 40degC almost every day for the past week, and it will remain this way until next Tuesday). Which means that even if I have a quiet moment to sit and write in, my brain is feeling like someone soaked some cotton in boiling water before stuffing it into my head.

On top of that, I haven't been without visitors since Christmas. Which means that now my writing time is curtailed. And WHILE my cousin and her boyfriend is visiting, I have to go on a business trip that'll take up all hours of my day from tomorrow (this is Monday. Yes, I have now resorted to scheduling posts.) until Friday. So my life is pretty much double booked at the moment. Triple booked if you count the pool time I'm taking to... you know, not die of the heat.

As if that's not more than enough, I'm worrying about one of my cats, because he went off on the day after my birthday (29 December) and as of this writing (4 January, almost midnight), he still hasn't returned.

Then, there's just this... realization of the scope of what I'm trying to do with my writing goal. Not only do I want to meet and beat the NaNoWriMo goal by 10k words, I want to do it every month. It's a HUGE undertaking. Especially when I'm struggling to find time.

So yeah... if you pray, please do me a favor and ask that my cat finds his way home safely. In the  meantime, I'll be here, trying to juggle my writing goals with my insane life.

What about you? Set any huge goals that you're wondering about now? What has you feeling insecure this month? 

Before you go, I'm looking for news items and guest bloggers starting next week, so if you're interested, please click here for more information. 

33 comments:

  1. Ugg hate when the heat ramps up. Really can screw with ones writing schedule. As can the many guests. Hopefully your cat comes home soon.

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  2. I constantly set huge goal that I then later worry and wonder about. Never seems to stop me from setting them, though.

    Hope your kitty comes home soon! I'd be worried, too!

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  3. Oh dear. I hope your cat comes home soon. And the heat always drains me too. Sounds like your end of the year was as rough as mine. But I'm still setting huge goals. We can do it!

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  4. I'm sorry! I hope your cat comes home.
    Deal with the trip and when you return, find some air conditioned time when you can write. Or stick your head in the freezer and write there. Whatever works.

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  5. My ambition this year is not to push beyond my limits. The older I get, the more I realize that life is meant to be enjoyed while living. Thus, shooting for the stars but enjoying the view along the way is my approach. Here's to reaching our goals in a way that works with sanity. =)

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  6. Sounds like you need an air conditioner/swamp cooler or at the very least ice packs for your neck and feet.

    Sorry to hear about your cat, I hope he returns home SOON, like today, like right now.

    Try not to beat yourself up too much about not getting in the writing. It will happen when it happens.

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  7. Sometimes going away can help to replenish one's thoughts and feelings. Best wishes with everything!

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  8. Sometimes we can't help the circumstances we are dealt. You'll be able to write or edit when it's the right time. I hope 2016 is a productive year for you. :)

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  9. It's not like I'm not writing. It's just that I'm not good at deadlines. I will work on that. PS Temperature plays a big part in my moods. :)

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  10. I don't set goals for this very reason. Life gets in the way and you end up feeling bad. Work at whatever pace works for you, Misha. Keep posting IWSG posts, so I can remind you you're doing a great job. I'm feeling insecure, but I'm still trucking. Which is an old--old term from the 60s. It means I'm too stubborn to quit. And I know you are too. You go, girl!

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  11. Sending some good prayers your way:) And keep up the great writing:)

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  12. Misha, you are one of THE most driven writers I know. You'll work it out. One way or the other.
    I know what you mean about the heat.
    It's excruciating this end. Plus we have the humidity too!
    Hope the cat finds his way home...
    Happy IWSG Day!

    Michelle@Writer In Transit
    January Co-host.

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  13. You have set yourself some pretty steep goals. The question is, do they leave you motivated or dispirited? Only you can answer that.

    I hope your cat shows up soon. I know how worrying that is. Happy New Year!

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  14. I stick with small goals. :) I don't expect a lot from myself.

    I wish you luck with your goals! You've pulled out some amazing feats already. I just hope you don't wear yourself out while pursuing them.

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  15. I hope your cat will come back or be found safe. Ugh about the heat! I don't want to do anything when it's too hot. Good luck with your goals! Whatever you do end up accomplishing will be all the better from having big goals. :)

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  16. Since my life seems to be on a roll with curve balls, I've decide to roll with the punches. I'll write when and where I can.

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  17. The heat can be tough to deal with sometimes. I hope your cat comes back safe!

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  18. Oh no. Not the cat. Its raining where I am.

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  19. Hi, Misha,

    Happy New Year!

    I hope by now your kitty has found his way home!

    You are doing a tremendous undertaking. WOW. Just remember to keep breathing. I wish you could send some of that heat my way. Chicago is FREEZING. Thankfully not as bad as the past few years, but still ICY...

    The one thing I would like to accomplish is to get back on track with my writing. Since the insane rehab, moving,holidays, and now a 12 week old puppy (Holy Terrier is his nickname), I haven't written anything. I'd also like to get my second novel back out in the querying pool again. I've just been so overwhelmed with life.

    So, I think keeping my goals low is a good idea. I don't need any extra pressure.

    I wish you all the best for 2016!!!! YOU are one determined young woman and you WILL do it!

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  20. I think your ambitious goals are admirable! Just be careful not to make my mistake - time spent worrying about writing is NOT the same as time spent writing. You can do it! And if you can't, know what? You'll still get a lot done. That's not so bad, is it? :)
    My prayers are definitely with you and your kitty. I hope it comes home soon!
    And I'm pretty well versed in living in air-conditioning-less apartments, and it is a misery. Keeping a squirt bottle full of water and a fan next to me at ALL TIMES helped out a bunch, as did keeping the windows wide open during the night and closing them all/shutting the blinds around 6 AM. It can definitely be a trial!

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  21. I wouldn't be able to do anything if my Rocko was missing. Add that kind of heat and my brain would shut down. Just do what you can and don't beat yourself up.

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  22. Hi Misha,

    That's awful about your cat and I would really struggle to concentrate on writing during such a time of worry.

    From my own perspective, I think you put way too much pressure on yourself in regards to writing. Although I think you commitment is admirable. I suppose that because I'm so laid back when it comes to writing, aka, I don't give a crap, that my perspective is somewhat out of kilter.

    Take care and may your beloved cat return home safely, Misha.

    Hugs, hope and happy writing,

    Gary

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  23. I really hope your kitty comes home soon... I'll pray for him Misha... I sure hope the heat cools down a bit... I don't like it too hot or two cold ... Good luck with your writing xox

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  24. I live in Florida so I certainly understand heat! Hope your kitty comes home soon. Once my cat was gone for 8 weeks and then someone turned her into the pound and they called us because she was microchipped. So, keep faith! I had given up on her and she found her way back to me!

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  25. Happy New Year!

    I have such a hard time being productive in the depths of family visits. I'd say give yourself some slack, but I know you have some really big plans. My advice would be to figure out what you can handle and go with that for a while before you push yourself too much.

    I'll keep your cat in my prayers.

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  26. I find that the harder I push myself, the more stubborn I am about NOT accomplishing anything. I can get distracted by anything.

    I hope you find your cat, and that you can enjoy your trip. Sometimes you gotta take care of the day life for longer than expected.

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  27. Happy New Year, Misha! Sorry about your cat. I hope it finds its way back to you soon. The heat has indeed been awful. Good-luck with your writing this year. You can accomplish anything you set your mind to, because you are amazing. Wishing you well.

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  28. When I wrote my guidebook to London it was the hottest summer in living memory. I wrote much of that guidebook in various states of undress.

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  29. Hoping your cat comes home soon. All the best with all your goals.

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  30. I hope your cat comes home soon and the heat gets bearable.
    Best wishes for 2016!

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  31. Oh, so sad about your cat. Hope it returns safe and well.
    I feel the heat, too. It's sweltering in Oz. Hard to work unless you're in the air-conditioning.
    It's kind of you to open up your blog to others. I will email you.
    Happy New Year!

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  32. May there be a good way for you to cool off and may the cat find his way home.

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  33. When I'm in the plotting stages, the only goal I set for myself is to work on something every day, and even then I know that I need days off. It's different when I'm writing an actual book, though; then I work on it every single day so not as to lose momentum. But those are more guidelines than goals. I think if I set goals, I'd get stressed out about completing them, and that would have a negative effect on my work. Oi.

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