ISWG - June

The Insecure Writer's Support Group was created by Alex J. Cavanaugh as a place where writers can talk about their insecurities once a month, and receive encouragement and support from other writers. 


I've had a few ups and downs this month. In last month's ISWG post, I was worried about the two assignments I had just handed in (on the 24th April). I got the results back for them this month, and I did well! I'm really pleased with the results - they aren't as high as my first Creative Writing assignment, but much higher than I used to get in undergraduate!

However, I also got another assignment back, and I didn't do as well as I had wanted on that one. It was life writing, so I had to write a biographical style piece about myself, and I really didn't like it! I guess it's not too big a surprise that I didn't do brilliantly on it. This got me down for a bit, but rather than making me want to give up, it spurred me on to work as hard as I could on my dissertation. This motivation was helped later by finding out about my other grades.

I've been struggling with my dissertation this month. I had an idea that I really wanted to do, but when I sat down to plan it, my brain went blank. I had the bare bones of the idea, but something seemed to be missing. I didn't like the plot I had come up with, I couldn't relate to my characters; in the end I dreaded sitting down to work on it. I had no passion for it at all. 

So I decided to change my idea completely. I was worried about making this decision, since I'd already done so much research, but now that I've done it I'm glad I did. I have a couple more ideas; both involve short stories, revolving around a theme. I'm leaning towards one idea more than the other, and I'm really excited about it! I can't wait to get stuck in and start planning my stories. My characters aren't even fully formed, and I'm more passionate about them than I ever was for my other idea. 

I'll probably tell you all more about it later on in the month, when I've got a little further in my planning :)

Comments

  1. Tonja Drecker5 June 2013 at 10:33

    Yay to those good grades! So glad you found some ideas you're excited about that. :)

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  2. Outcast5 June 2013 at 10:49

    Sorry to hear that the piece didn't get graded too well but I wouldn't worry Laura, you're a great writer and that potential will always be there even if an occasional piece doesn't live up to the standards of the person doing the marking for you.

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  3. Alex J. Cavanaugh5 June 2013 at 11:18

    Whatever you're excited about, go for it!
    Writing a biography just sucks. Don't feel bad you didn't score high on it.

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  4. Unknown5 June 2013 at 13:01

    You go Girl! I must agree with Alex on this one...
    ~Just Jill

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  5. Stina5 June 2013 at 13:28

    Passion is all it takes. :D

    I couldn't write a biography either. Where's the excitement in that?

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  6. Unknown5 June 2013 at 13:43

    It seems that bad grade had to happen to show you to only write what you're passionate about.

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  7. Julie Flanders5 June 2013 at 14:50

    I think writing a biography is so hard, sorry to hear you didn't score as highly as you wanted to but don't let it get you down. Congrats on the other grades and also discovering some ideas you're passionate about for the dissertation. Yay! :)

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  8. Morgan5 June 2013 at 16:44

    Yay for inspiration! Keep that excitement! And it would be SO HARD to be in school right now. You're amazing! My hubby is finishing his masters now and I can't imagine having to deal with classes and tests!

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  9. Suzanne Furness5 June 2013 at 16:58

    As others have already said, don't feel bad about your biography marks it is a hard thing to do. So glad you have found an idea you are passionate about, I'm sure this will prove more rewarding for you. Good luck and keep going.

    Suzanne
    IWSG co-host

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  10. Laura S.5 June 2013 at 17:19

    I'm glad to hear that changing your idea turned out so positively. It can be difficult to make such a radical decision. But you know what's best for you and your writing, so good for you for listening to that inner voice. Good luck and have fun with it!

    Happy reading and writing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines

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  11. SK Anthony5 June 2013 at 18:19

    Sometimes we just have to follow our guts! It really is awesome that you are moving forward with this new idea and that it is working out for you, woot!

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  12. ELAdams5 June 2013 at 21:11

    I just handed in my final-year dissertation and I remember having a similar crisis this time last year - I must have changed my idea at least twice! But it's better to go with something you're passionate about :)

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  13. Mark Means5 June 2013 at 22:37

    It's the passion that can really make the difference. Congrats on the 'better than expected' grades, too!

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  14. Rob Z Tobor5 June 2013 at 23:18

    If in doubt try writing the biographical style piece about yourself in the style of my diary. The worst that could happen is you get no marks and have to stand in the corner of class all day (much like myself)

    Keep the faith you are a jolly good writer.

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  15. Unknown6 June 2013 at 00:24

    So glad you found your passion with the new plot idea! There's nothing like the feeling of loving what you write. :)

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  16. Susan Gourley/Kelley6 June 2013 at 00:48

    Being passionate about what you're writing will help your planning move forward. Good luck.

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  17. Sanderella6 June 2013 at 00:50

    Hi Laura! It seems as though your now on the track to reach your goals with your short story! Congrats on the one task coming through well for you, and I am certain was great too...just the teacher!

    sandysanderellasmusings.blogspot.com

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  18. Allison6 June 2013 at 01:54

    Yay for being excited about the change of plans! That probably means it was the right decision.

    Allison (Geek Banter)

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  19. Anonymous6 June 2013 at 03:37

    Congratulations on doing well...learn from the times you don't, so you can grow and keep improving. Challenge yourself with change and trust in who you are!

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  20. Sheena-kay Graham6 June 2013 at 03:46

    Best of luck in working it all out and congrats for getting good grades.

    Queendsheena
    IWSG Co-host

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  21. Chancelet6 June 2013 at 05:26

    I would love to take a creative writing class again, even with those kinds of stresses that come up. My last CW class was at a community college about 13 years ago, and I learned so much. Another to-do for when I retire!

    But, I'd hate the idea of writing a memoir piece too. I'd be afraid that my history would only be my own memory and perspective and totally different than what anyone else in my family would believe or remember! Writer’s Mark

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  22. Annalisa Crawford6 June 2013 at 16:17

    Well done on the grades, and also for making the decision to change the dissertation. It seems like a big thing now, but if you'd waited until much later it would have been even harder.

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  23. jaybird6 June 2013 at 16:23

    Keep up the good work Laura! Go with your gut. If you thought you needed a change, you most likely did.

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  24. Heather Musk6 June 2013 at 17:47

    The fact that you're so happy with your new ideas means you've made the right decision. Good luck with the rest of your planning!

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  25. Tina6 June 2013 at 20:47

    Congrats on the good, and just let the bad go. It's great that you've found ideas you're excited about! Good luck with your dissertation.
    Tina @ Life is Good

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  26. Michael Di Gesu7 June 2013 at 05:45

    Good luck, Laura,

    Passion is the SINGLE most important aspect of writing. If a writer doesn't have passion for their story, it won't be convincing to the reader.

    I know you'll great now that you found a topic your passionate about!

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  27. Unknown12 June 2013 at 22:20

    Finding passion in a new idea changes everything! Best of luck with getting it down on paper just the way you want it. :)

    ReplyDelete

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