Note to self: Must be a better blogger - an A-Z Challenge Reflections/IWSG post

I realise I'm kind of cheating here, but I'm rolling my IWSG and A-Z Challenge Reflection posts all up into one little message. They fit into the same bracket at least, and it kind of saves some time and space.

The A-Z Challenge was a spur of the moment thing for me, having decided against it this year. It was less than a week before it started that my theme idea came to me along with the post titles. I managed to keep up (mostly) with the occasional double-posting, and I was only a day late with some of them.

It didn't seem to be as hard to keep going as I imagined it would, which to me suggests that I do still enjoy this blogging malarkey, and the month went by quicker than anticipated. It came at a time when I was teetering on the edge of giving up, but now it's boosted my confidence enough to keep it going.

The one area where I failed massively was in keeping up with replying to comments, and visiting other blogs. This is something I've struggled with a lot in the past, never seeming to have the time to sit and read through other peoples stuff and to comment. 

I know this is such a huge part of the blogging community, and I certainly don't expect people to comment here if I'm not returning the compliment. I have huge thanks for those few who did comment on my Challenge posts, I think I didn't do too badly at replying to your comments and it's on my to-do list to check out all of your posts for the Challenge too.

This is going to be the lesson I take away from this Challenge, and I'm hoping to improve my blogging etiquette and hopefully make some more friends in the process.

Thank you for listening!

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If you want to check out more people reflecting on their A-Z journey, you can find them on the link-up list here.

If you want to find out more about the Insecure Writers Support Group, they have an excellent web page here with everything you could ever need in this crazy game.

 

For those about to A-Z, we salute you!!! - an IWSG post

So, here we are on the first day of the A-Z Blogging Challenge, and I know many of us are wondering what in the world has possessed us to take this crazy ride ...

Why, the fun of it, of course!!!

You may be anxious, you may be insecure, you may be just scared witless, but just hang on for the ride, plan your socks off and enjoy meeting some new blogging buddies in this month of alphabet madness.

Huge thanks must go out to Arlee Bird, the founder and master brain behind this monumental month of posting. Without him our April would be a lot more mundane and probably stress-free.

So, chin up everyone, and

GOOD LUCK!!!!! 

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For more information on the amazing entity that is the Insecure Writers Support Group, click on the link and head over. Here you will find the list of who's participating and it's well worth a browse to see what everyone's insecurities are. Trust me, you're not alone, there are plenty of us on the same wavelength.

 Happy IWSG Day!

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Adaptation is key for survival - an IWSG post

Welcome to the second edition of IWSG for 2015. Yes, it's here already, and the scary thought is I'll be introducing you to December's edition before you know it.

But enough of wishing the time away, instead I'd like to give you a quick introduction to me. I was out of the bloggy loop for the end of 2014 and I missed the memo that asked us to say a few words about ourselves in the New Year IWSG post. So, I'm doing it now instead, better late than never, eh?

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My intro ...

I live in England in rural Norfolk, and my regular day job is working for a world-class scientific research facility in Norwich, concentrating mainly on DNA sequencing.

I'm currently on maternity leave, having had my second daughter in June last year, to go with my six year old daughter. Two children is definitely enough, after all you only have two hands, right? 

Writing is a hobby for me at the moment, but I'm doing more all the time and eventually I'd like to earn enough to give up the day job. I don't need to earn millions (although it'd be nice), just enough for what I need.

So, that's me! It's been fun getting to know you all too, and long may it continue.

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So, recently I've been insecure about missing task deadlines. It used to happen a lot, with the result that I felt like a failure, and the effect is cumulative.

I start off with great intentions (don't we all?), marking out in my diary everything I need to get done and when I'm going to do it. I always plan in advance, with plenty of time to draft and edit before submission dates approach. A detailed diary plan is all very well, of course, until something unexpected happens ...

I'm slowly learning to be prepared for flexibility when it comes to these things. If something happens to delay a task, then I need to just reassess and re-jig the plans a little.

I realise this is a straightforward and simple solution, but it just hasn't occurred to me before for some reason. I know it's good to try and get things planned out in advance, and then if I do look like missing the deadline I can just adjust to fit it in elsewhere.

Just like any other creature on this planet has to adapt to its new environment, as a writer I need to learn to adapt my tasks to fit in around every day life. At the moment, this feels like my new environment.

I think some of it, though, also has to do with my (supposed) OCD. I just don't feel comfortable crossing things off without doing them, it just doesn't seem natural. But I need to stop worrying about this sort of ridiculous thing. After all, my diary isn't necessarily messy, it's just a reflection of a working writers tool, right? RIGHT?

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For more information on the amazing entity that is the Insecure Writers Support Group, click on the link and head over. Here you will find the list of who's participating and it's well worth a browse to see what everyone's insecurities are. Trust me, you're not alone, there are plenty of us on the same wavelength.

 Happy IWSG Day!

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Happy New Year! A new year and a new start - An IWSG post

Happy New Year to all, and welcome to the first IWSG of 2015!

borrowed from http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/

I don't know about you guys, but I've certainly been looking forward to this brand new year. The last six months were very up and down, and writing stuff was put on the back-burner for way too long. It's been an effort to drum up the enthusiasm to get back into it if I'm honest.

There's something about the beginning of a new year though, a chance to make a new start, feeling fresh and invigorated, that gives me the motivation that usually disappears in the waning months of the year just gone.

So, in the spirit of fresh new starts, I've laid down a few goals for myself to aim for in 2015. They aren't extravagant, but will help me on my way to achieving my longer term aims.

I think one reason my writing hasn't taken off in the past is because I haven't been taking it, or myself, seriously enough. I don't mean super-serious like 'this is all that matters and I can't spare any thought for anything or anyone else ever', but I've spent too much time nursing my self-doubt and just faffing basically from one unfinished project to the next.

After being inspired by an article in the January issue of Writers Magazine I'm changing my perspective and will be looking at my writing as a business rather than a hobby. I've made the time to sit down and really outline what it is I want to achieve and have established a workable plan to tick off everything on my list.

To this end, for 2015 I have three main goals to focus on:

1. Write something every day.
2. Submit to one competition each month.
3. Sell at least one piece for publication.

Now, I think these goals are fairly straightforward, and there's no real reason why I shouldn't be able to achieve each and every one. I think the third one is probably the most difficult, but if I get writing and send my work off to as many places as I can, it'll only increase my chances. You don't know until you try, right?

If you are looking forward to a productive and fulfilling 2015, then I wish you all the best on your journey. I hope to see you around the blogosphere celebrating all your achievements.

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For more information on the amazing entity that is the Insecure Writers Support Group, click on the link and head over. Here you will find the list of who's participating and it's well worth a browse to see what everyone's insecurities are. Trust me, you're not alone, there are plenty of us on the same wavelength.

 Happy IWSG Day!

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Falling off and on the writing wagon - an IWSG post

Hello to everyone, on this last IWSG posting for 2014. Just where has the year gone? For me at least, the last six months have just flown by and I'm sad to say that it hasn't included much in the way of writing :-(

I've had a tough time the past few months, and I've been so far under the blogging radar that at times I've forgotten all about it. I've posted the odd couple of times, about my troubles and other issues, and I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has replied in my hour of need. It's one of the best things about this community, having great people ready to help and offer the encouragement we often need. 

As ever, the urge to write is there in my heart, but actually doing the writing has been coming in fits and starts. I've had far more dips than I'd like, but I'm still hanging on in there and I'm determined not to give up completely.

I've been doing a creative writing course with The Open University, and I was really surprised with my first assignment mark. It was much higher than I expected, and has made me wonder if I actually do have something to offer in the way of writing after all. I'm hanging on to this thought as I try and get myself better organised to move forward with my plans.

I'm looking forward to 2015 now, ready to make a fresh start with everything in my life and especially with my writing. I know I probably shouldn't need to wait until then to get myself sorted, but it's not far away now, and I've set myself that target to get mentally prepared.

I'm planning on revamping this blog a little, revitalising it to help me move into a new chapter with what I'm doing. I'm also going to establish a timetable for what I'm posting, to get myself into the regular habit of writing and posting.

I can start with the first IWSG post of the year, and use it to outline an achievable goal list to work through as the year progresses.

In the meantime, a big thank you to the whole of the IWSG team for making this another great year of support and encouragement. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, and I'll see you all in the New Year, fresh and bright and ready to go!!!

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For more information on the amazing entity that is the Insecure Writers Support Group, click on the link and head over. Here you will find everyone else participating and it's well worth a browse to see what everyone's insecurities are. Trust me, you're not alone, there are plenty of us on the same wavelength.

 Happy IWSG Day!

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Caught by the blogging blues - An IWSG post

 
Hello to all! I hope the first day of this new month finds you all well.

I've not been doing too badly of late, but I'm floundering a little when it comes to the bloggy world. I seem to have lost the drive and enthusiasm right now, and I'm not entirely sure how to get it back.

Friday will be the third anniversary of this here blog of mine, and I was determined not to let it just fly by like last year. But here I am again, not really venturing out into the world and the date is upon me once again. Where does all the time go?

I've grown rather despondent, and not just in regards to my blog, but lots of other life stuff too.

I've tried not to mention too much about it, but when I had my baby daughter at the beginning of June my life was turned up on its end, and in more ways than usual with a new baby. 
She was born with a serious defect that could have claimed her life at the time, had it not been for a wonderful consultant at our hospital who saved her for us.

She is thriving now and, despite continued hospital visits and one more scheduled operation, she is in no danger. However, the whole experience has left me feeling very strange. 
At times of crisis, your body just takes over and you get through it because that's what you need to do, but now the dust has settled, all the emotions are creeping up on me. I feel very spaced out a lot of the time if I'm honest. I've felt like this isn't really my life at all, and I'm just going through the motions of what needs to be done every day.

I feel so flat all of the time, writing and blogging are the last things on my mind, and I'm teetering on the edge of giving up on it. It's things like this hop that have kept me hanging on by my fingertips, but I'm struggling to get back into the same groove that I've been in before.

Self-doubt and low self-esteem are the dominant forces at work in my mind right now, and some words of advice and encouragement would be hugely welcome. Tell me I'm not the only one who's been caught in this pit of seeming despair ...

Love and hugs xxx 

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For more information on the amazing entity that is the Insecure Writers Support Group, click on the link and head over. Here you will find everyone else participating and it's well worth a browse to see what everyone's insecurities are. Trust me, you're not alone, there are plenty of us on the same wavelength.

 Happy IWSG Day!

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Easing back into it ... - an IWSG post

Hello to all! This is my first IWSG post for a couple of months and it feels good to be writing one once again. I've been as far out of the blogging and writing loop as I have ever been before, and it's left me feeling more than a little lost. The IWSG post for this month seemed like the perfect opportunity to dip my toes back in the water again.

It's been a hectic and emotional few weeks for me. My family and I moved house at the end of May, two days before our second baby was due to arrive. Thankfully she hung on for another week and was born on the 4th June. We had her home for two nights before she was taken back into hospital, where she stayed for another two weeks and three days.
She had to have an operation and was in intensive care for a few days, and it's probably the most heartbreaking thing my husband and I have ever been through.

I'm happy to say she is on the mend now, and is finally back at home with the rest of us, and I'm now taking the time to reflect a little on the whole experience.

It has made me think about what I have in my life, and what's important to me, and what I really want to do with myself in the future.

And that is to write. And of course, with writing comes the insecurities that go with it. I must admit I am a bit nervous about getting started with it again. It's been so long since I've put anything together I'm wondering if I still have it in me to do it. Even this post has me worrying about the quality of my skills, but I need to take the first steps in getting out there again.

And so that's what this is, my first tentative post back into the world that I've missed for the last few weeks.

I'm starting afresh at the beginning of a new month, writing a little each day and heading towards establishing a new routine involving family, babies and writing. I've cleared my backlog of unread blog posts and I'm ready to start catching up with you all again.

Thanks for having me back, I look forward to joining you all once again!

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For more information on the amazing entity that is the Insecure Writers Support Group, click on the link and head over. Here you will find everyone else participating and it's well worth a browse to see what's everyone's insecurities are. Trust me, you're not alone, there are plenty of us on the same wavelength.

 Happy IWSG Day!

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A-Z Blogging Challenge - A Reflection and IWSG post

 

So, have we all recovered from the intensity that is the April A-Z Blogging Challenge? If you have, then why not head over to the main website and sign up for the reflections post, which is running from 5th-9th May.

Share your ups and downs of the whole experience, what you've learnt, what you'd do differently next time and if you'd even come back and do it again!

I'm rolling this post in with my IWSG post for this month, as the Challenge has left me with some insecurities about my blogging practice.

I enjoyed the Challenge much more this year than in previous years. I had a clear idea of what my theme was going to be and had scheduled more than half of my posts before it had even begun. This was a huge improvement for me I must say. I always have great intentions of getting super organised ahead of time but it never usually comes to fruition.

I was pleased with how my theme worked too, the posts were nice and short which I think is key for something as huge as this. I for one will revisit more blogs if I know the posts aren't too lengthy or involved. There are a lot to get through on that sign up list!

There was one aspect of the Challenge where I know I failed, and that was the social and networking side of it. I didn't get around to visiting half as many blogs as I would have liked to on the list, but hopefully the list will be around for a little while yet so I can work my way through and catch up with them over the coming months.

My commenting was also pretty rubbish. I managed to comment on a few of my regular follows who were taking part, and I commented on a handful of new blogs too, but it was a pretty poor show really.
I was also very slow to reply to all you lovelies who took the time to comment on my posts, in fact there are still plenty outstanding. Add to that the new people who discovered my blog through A-Z and commented, to which I still have to respond ...

All in all I'm feeling pretty lousy about the whole commenting thing right now.

But still, I'm going to pick myself up as best I can, I know where my weaknesses are now and all I can do is try and improve.  I must say a huge thanks to anyone who did comment on any of my blog posts, you truly are the best and have given me the kick in the Yaris I need to sort myself out!

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For more information on the amazing entity that is the Insecure Writers Support Group, click on the link and head over. Here you will find everyone else participating and it's well worth a browse to see what's everyone's insecurities are. Trust me, you're not alone, there are plenty of us on the same wavelength.

 Happy IWSG Day!

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Battle Your Insecurities - Daily Haiku with the A-Z Challenge and IWSG!

A Haiku is a short, unrhyming poem of 17 syllables across three lines following structure: 5, 7, 5.

For the A-Z Challenge 2014 I am doing a daily Haiku for each letter of the alphabet. Today ...

 

Battling Your Insecurities

Insecure feelings

creeping their way through your mind.

But don't let them win!

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This post forms part of the A-Z Blogging Challenge, posting every day in April except Sundays, sequentially through the alphabet. To see who else is taking part, check out the list here.

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For more information on the amazing entity that is the Insecure Writers Support Group, click on the link and head over. Here you will find everyone else participating and it's well worth a browse to see what's everyone's insecurities are. Trust me, you're not alone, there are plenty of us on the same wavelength.

 Happy IWSG Day!

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That age old question, to plan or not to plan ... - An IWSG post

It's the first Wednesday of March (already??!!) which can mean only one thing ...

it's IWSG Day!

 

The brainchild of the Ninja Captain, Alex J Cavanaugh, this wonderful community now has it's very own website. Make sure you check it out for plenty of useful tips about all things writerly, as well as the sign-up list where you can check out everyone else's insecurities and join in with your own.

For the past few weeks I'm been contemplating the question we all must have asked ourselves at some point on our writing journey, should I plan or just go with the flow? It's not the first time I've had a worry about it either, and it's just possible it could have been a topic for a previous IWSG post.

There is a certain beauty about the thought of simply sitting down and letting the entire story flow through my fingers and out onto the page, the story unfolding itself before my eyes so it's as much of a surprise to me as to anyone else.

Unfortunately, I only get so far with this method. The initial enthusiasm I have for the idea soon begins to wane, I start floundering with where it could possibly go and then abandon the project altogether.

So, I'm going to have to try plotting, and given the kind of person I am I think this is probably the best approach for me anyway. I used to feel that perhaps this doesn't make me a 'proper' writer (whatever that means), that I should just produce everything from the heart in one wonderful stream, but I'm now beginning to realise this isn't quite how it works in the real world.

Writing isn't just the initial draft, the first labour of love. It's numerous edits and redrafting and polishing to get it right. And if I need some kind of plan, an outline and structure to keep me focused, then so be it. I shan't be shamed of that fact anymore.

How do you write? Plotting or not? If not, how do you keep your focus and strategy?

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Getting to grips with my inner voice - an IWSG post

So, here we are with the first IWSG outing for 2014! Doesn't the new year come around quickly?

For those still unfamiliar (just where have you been?) this is the IWSG, or Insecure Writers Support Group, a great place to find and give encouragement to fellow writers, whatever stage you may be at in your journey. 

Founded by the Ninja Captain, Alex J Cavanaugh, the IWSG has grown into an entity all of its own and has a new home over at the IWSG website. 
It has a plethora of places to go to for advice and opportunities for anything to do with writing.

Here you can find the IWSG sign up list where you can find others writing about their insecurities each month, and also sign up yourself to make new friends and gain encouragement.

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Since getting back into my writing, I've been struggling a little with the idea of finding my own voice. It's not an idea that sits comfortably with me and I'm trying to understand just why that is.

Whenever I start a piece of fiction I always worry in the back of my mind whether anyone will like it, or whether anyone will even be remotely interested in it. I think this goes some way to shaping the end product and most of the time I'm not entirely satisfied with what I've done.

I've lost count of the amount of competition entries I've started, most of which have a theme to focus on, and I've stumbled half way through because I keep stopping to ask myself 'Is this what they're looking for? Will this make an impact? Does it follow the theme closely enough?'

I read an interesting article on the Waterstone's blog the other day by guest host Melissa Harrison called Against all advice ...
It went a long way to making me realise that I really need to set off on this journey in my own pair of shoes and walk the way I want to walk, rather than trying to fit into someone else's and wondering why I keep falling over.

I'm gradually beginning to feel more comfortable with the feeling of being a writer, which I know sounds odd but you all know what I mean right? I'm sitting back now and relaxing with what I'm doing, I'm going to work on getting pieces to a level I'm happy with and I'll worry about the public reaction (if any) later.

Right now, my writing's for me.

Have you found your writing voice? Did it take long or are you still on the journey?

Happy IWSG day everyone!

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Trying to regain some rhythm - an IWSG post

Welcome to this installment of the Insecure Writers Support Group, or IWSG as it's known around these parts.
This Group is an excellent place to find and give encouragement to fellow writers out in the blogosphere, whatever stage you may be at in your journey.

 

Founded by the wonderful Alex J Cavanaugh, who always seems to go above and beyond for his fellow bloggers, the IWSG has grown so much since over the last two years it now has its very own IWSG website. 
It has a whole host of places to go for advice and opportunities for anything to do with writing.
You can also find the IWSG sign up list where you can find others writing about their insecurities, and also sign up yourself to make new friends and gain encouragement.


As I came to write this post I noticed how little I have posted over the last two months, something that was wholly unintentional I assure you. I planned to take a sabbatical over October and it just kind of spilled over into the whole of November too.
I'm not going to use this post as an opportunity to apologise for my extended absence, I've been in serious need of the break. A few things have happened since September and I haven't been feeling at my best, it's been a struggle just to manage my normal everyday things of family and work life.

Now though, I can feel that I'm coming out of the quagmire that has been sickness and fatigue, and I want to start getting myself back into my writerly habits. I'd started to build a good rhythm as this year progressed and my confidence has been growing as a result. I feel a little like I've taken a step backwards, but I'm not quite back at square one.

One advantage I have now over then is that I know I have it in me to write. I enjoy it, and others seem to as well, so I haven't got as far to go this time to get back to where I was. 
The bonus this time is that I know I need to perhaps slow my pace a bit so I don't find myself close to burnout again. It was not a nice place to be and so I will be trying to avoid it as much as I can in future. 

It feels good to be back amongst you all again. How have you all been? Do you have any insecurities to share?

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A delayed IWSG post - with apologies

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This post is part of the Insecure Writers Support Group. A great place for sharing all those insecurities we writers have, and for offering advice and support for our fellows. To join in head over to Alex J Cavanaugh's blog, you can check out what other people are posting about and sign up yourself too. Enjoy!

 

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I would like to start by saying a huge apology for the lateness of my IWSG contribution this month, but it does kind of demonstrate some of what I'm feeling at the moment.

 

My enthusiasm for blogging has taken a complete dip in the last couple of weeks, something that is filtering through to my reading and my writing too.

 

After spending a little time contemplating this phenomenon, I've come to the conclusion that I need to take a step back and slow down a little with everything.

I've still been posting things on a more regular basis than when I first started, but it's beginning to feel like I'm going through the motions with it rather than enjoying it. Things have started to feel more like a chore and I feel I'm not putting quite as much effort in as I could, or have done in the past.

 

A few days ago I checked my blog feed and there were over 200 posts waiting for me to read, and the thought of it made my heart sink a little. I'm also in a couple of book clubs, and find myself rushing through the current read just to meet the deadline and not fully absorbing whatever it is I'm reading.

I don't know about you, but this is not really how I like to enjoy my book reading.

 

I may have to cut down on a couple of things, and get back to doing one thing at a time and enjoying it as I go. I've heard that it's better to do one thing well anyway, rather than many things but not so well.

 

I hope this post makes sense today, the inside of my head is far from making sense right now.

 

Happy belated IWSG day everyone!!!

 

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Why running is like writing - an IWSG post

This post is part of the Insecure Writers Support Group. A great place for sharing all those insecurities we writers have, and for offering advice and support for our fellows. To join in head over to Alex J Cavanaugh's blog, you can check out what other people are posting about and sign up yourself too. Enjoy!

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Before I get to my post for today, I need to tell you that this installment is part of the 2 year anniversary of IWSG! It has been two wonderful years since the Ninja Captain gave this group to the world, and to celebrate he has a special announcement.

Make sure you head on over to check it out - once you've read my post of course!

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Yesterday I went running for the first time in a year. I was a bit nervous about going, seeing as it had been so long, and although I've done other kinds of exercise in the last year I was concerned whether I'd make it all the way round our route in one go.

Two of us went, and both had concerns about our stamina and had suggested stopping for a few minutes at the half way point. When we got there though we both kept going, worrying that if we stopped we wouldn't be able to start again. I knew if he'd stopped I would have too, and vice versa, but we both kept going and managed to get round in one.

We'd spurred each other on and kept the momentum going until we finished, and both felt good that we'd achieved something like that after so long a break.

I find that writing is like this. It's easy to put it off every now and again, but when that couple of days starts to stretch into weeks of inactivity I find it hard to pick it up again. 
My running buddy is also a writing buddy, and we have been working on a writing project for about two years. We've both had breaks from it now and again, but we alternate with the enthusiasm.

When I feel despondent about it he is usually in the middle of something exciting, and when he's talking to me about his ideas and works it gives me that push to get on with something too. And it works both ways.

We each give the other the boost to keep going, even when we feel like we can't, just as we do when we go running.

I know writing can be a very solitary activity, but it certainly pays to have some encouragement and someone to talk through ideas and problems with. I have that both in person and in the bloggy community with all you lovely guys, and I wouldn't give any of you up for anything.

Thanks you guys for all your help, both in the past and I'm sure in the future.

Have you got your writing buddies that keep you going through thick and thin? 

Have you checked out Alex's big announcement?

Happy IWSG Day!

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Space to write - An IWSG post

This post is part of the Insecure Writers Support Group. A great place for sharing all those insecurities we writers have, and for offering advice and support for our fellows. To join in head over to Alex J Cavanaugh's blog, you can check out what other people are posting about and sign up yourself too. Enjoy!

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Do you have a designated place to do your writing? Is it always the same spot regardless?

I've been trying out different places to try and find where I can be the most productive. It's difficult a lot of the time, the house we live in is really quite small and our five year old seems to have a lot of things. Whichever room I go into there seems to be toys somewhere, even in our bedroom!

I'm beginning to realise that to get any proper work done I need peace and quiet, which we all know is probably the hardest thing to come by on a regular basis. I can't work in the living room as my husband usually watches something on the tv and the sound is too distracting. If I go upstairs to our bedroom I can close the door and drown out the noise, but I can't get comfortable, there is no desk or anything to get set up properly.

We have a conservatory, but there is no heating or power for lighting so I can't go in there when it's dark. I find I'm just carrying around my laptop and notes from one place to another without any proper base of operations to work from. 

I'm managing to get some things done, but it's not easy. I'm looking forward to when we move to a bigger place next spring, then I can get in there and find a spot all for myself. In fact, I think I'll probably be bearing it in mind when we're viewing places.

At the moment I'm very tempted to set up shop in my car to enjoy the quiet and solitude. I could even get a little caravan to set up on the driveway to escape to, but that's not a cheap answer and I'm not sure my husband would be keen on it.

What do you do to get away from the bustle of the house?

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PS. While I write this my daughter is noisily playing hopscotch in the living room and slurping very loudly on an ice lolly. 

Please, help me!!!

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Believing in the story - An IWSG post

This post is part of the Insecure Writers Support Group. A great place for sharing all those insecurities we writers have, and for offering advice and support for our fellows. To join in head over to Alex J Cavanaugh's blog, you can check out what other people are posting about and sign up yourself too. Enjoy!

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I began writing a short, 1500 word story last week which I am planning on submitting to a competition. When I started out with the story I was quite keen on what I'd planned, and the first half of the story flowed quite easily. 

I had a break before writing the second part though, and since picking it up again doubts have tried to creep into my mind about whether it's actually any good.

I have had this before in the past, and it's largely responsible for my long list of unfinished stories. The idea seems great when I get started but after a while I begin to doubt it's suitability or quality.

I'm pushing on through with this story, and I plan to submit it just to see what happens. If it's interesting enough for the competition judges then that's great, and if not I'll leave it for a while and then go back to it to see where improvements are needed. It's a good feeling to know that I'm breaking down another one of those barriers that have been holding me back in my writing.

Does this ever happen to you? How do you get over it?

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Two blogs or not two blogs? - an IWSG post

This post is part of the Insecure Writers Support Group. A great place for sharing all those insecurities we writers have, and for offering advice and support for our fellows. To join in head over to Alex J Cavanaugh's blog, you can check out what other people are posting about and sign up yourself too. Enjoy!

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At the moment I'm feeling a little insecure about my blogging. Well, maybe insecure is a bit strong, let's just say I'm a bit unsure.

I'm really happy with how this blog is going now, I'm getting into a rhythm with it and I'm just about keeping up with posts and hops and things. I'm improving with my commenting too, and responding when someone comments on a post of mine. I can feel my networking coming along nicely.

I've been debating with myself for a little while as to whether I should start another blog or not. I have a page set up on Wordpress which is pretty empty right now and is waiting for me to do something with it properly. I like the look of Wordpress and I'm finding my way around now, but I need to have a think about what it would be for.

I've heard some horror stories about peoples Blogger accounts being randomly deleted, losing everything they'd posted and their followers. This makes me think about transferring everything from this blog over to the Wordpress one, for security. There is a risk though that not all my followers will come, and I'll be taking a step back in that sense.

I've also wondered about having it alongside this one, perhaps purely for fiction and keeping this one for all the blog hopping fun. I'm not sure if I could keep up with posting for two blogs though, I've only just got myself on track with this one.

I have times, when I'm feeling more positive, when I just think 'yeah, it's a great idea let's just do it!' But then another part creeps in saying, 'why do you need another one? This one is perfectly fine.'
I realise I'm probably overthinking too much about the whole thing and should just get on with it, but I want to be sure before committing I suppose.

Do many of you have multiple blogs? How do you find managing them?

Happy IWSG Day!

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Lesson learnt from the A-Z - An IWSG post

This post is part of the Insecure Writers Support Group. A great place for sharing all those insecurities we writers have, and for offering advice and support for our fellows. To join in head over to Alex J Cavanaugh's blog, you can check out what other people are posting about and sign up yourself too. Enjoy!

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I missed last month's IWSG post because of the A-Z Blogging Challenge. Although I had planned in advance what my topics were going to be for each letter, I was still writing the posts themselves on the day they were due. I often do this with my IWSG post (as with this one) so I decided to forego it for one month rather than try and rush something that wouldn't be quite as good.

The challenge this year has made me think a bit more about how I've been dong my blogging and how I'd like to improve it. 

The better posts that I had were always the ones that I took more time over and put more thought into, rather than the ones done at the end of the day or night in a mad rush to get it in. It was certainly evident to me, and I'm sure it must have been evident to you lovely readers. From this I've learnt to give each post a little more time, and enjoy what I'm writing about rather than have it feel like a chore.

I've been thinking about whether I need to get more organised but I realise now that I'm not doing too badly in this department. I'm already managing my studies around my job and family life, and I've managed to complete the A-Z so my organisation must be working. 

I want to get more involved in my blog but at the moment my focus is almost completely on my studies. Once the exam is out of the way I can divert my efforts to here and my writing more fully.

Finally, having been whizzing around the blogosphere throughout the challenge, I've thought a bit more about what I want to get out of my blog. As the title suggests, it was intended to be primarily about reading and writing, with some of the extra joys of life thrown in, but the last few months feel as thought I've lost sight of this a little.

I have spent a lot of time second-guessing myself, and worrying about whether my content is interesting or worth reading at all, which means I've been struggling with my confidence. This is something that I've been dealing with in many aspects of my life, not just writing.

The main thing I've learnt though from the challenge, is to go with what my interests are, and enjoy what I'm writing. If people enjoy what I'm doing then great, but if not I'll try not to lose to much sleep over it. I can't please everyone after all!

Don't forget to check out more IWSG posts over at Alex's blog. Until next month ...

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