IWSG August

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.


My insecurity this month is a common one: I'm struggling to find the time to write. I haven't worked on my dissertation properly since I got back from Spain over a week ago. What with unpacking, doing more overtime at work to make up for what I missed while I was away, and getting back into routine, my writing has been neglected. 

I was hoping to spend a lot of time catching up this week, but then I caught the flu - maybe it's nature's way of telling me to slow down a little. I'm feeling a little better today, so hopefully I'll be able to get some work done a little later on. I'm not too worried right now, because I've got plenty of time before the deadline; it just means I'll have to work a little harder to get it all done in time. 

Comments

  1. Alex J. Cavanaugh7 August 2013 at 11:30

    Your body needed rest and your mind needed time to shift gears back into place. You'll get it done!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Suzanne Furness7 August 2013 at 12:17

    Agree with Alex, take it easy, you'll get there :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mina Burrows7 August 2013 at 12:44

    I think it's times like these that you have to slow down. Have faith that it will all get done and it will. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Stina7 August 2013 at 13:22

    I remember what it was like writing a Master's thesis. No wonder you're having a hard time getting back into it. Who wouldn't????

    ReplyDelete
  5. jaybird7 August 2013 at 13:53

    Hey Laura! You are NOT alone. I've read similar posts all across the group this morning already.

    I'm late to almost everything I do because time keeps slipping through my fingers. I always think I have more time than I do! Even when I get up earlier, or stay awake later, it still manages to slip by me.

    Just do your best! That's all we can do. *Hugs*

    ReplyDelete
  6. Tonja Drecker7 August 2013 at 14:13

    Luckily, life doesn't always move as fast as we'd like it to. Sorry, to hear you aren't feeling well but don't stress about it. Relax and you can attack it when everything's back to normal. Plus, who could write after getting back from Spain???

    ReplyDelete
  7. Unknown7 August 2013 at 14:27

    Hi Laura. I'm doing series this month for a the #WipMadness twitter group, Caring for the Creative. I'll be posting on Mondays throughout August. It might be helpful for you. Writers have to find a healthy balance or other areas, sometimes our health goes down the drain. Here's to you getting back on the mend soon!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. S. L. Hennessy7 August 2013 at 15:47

    I hate when I can't find time to write. A feeling I'm VERY familiar with. Good luck making more time for yourself!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Julie Flanders7 August 2013 at 16:50

    So sorry you got sick - I hope you'll be feeling back to 100% soon. Take care of yourself!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Crystal Collier7 August 2013 at 17:13

    You can only do what you can do, eh? I'm part of a writing group where we encourage each other every day to get some words down. Now, there may be days we count "research" as our writerly effort, but accountability goes a long way.

    Take it easy until you're better, eh?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Tyrean Martinson7 August 2013 at 17:20

    It's a daily struggle to find time, and sometimes we just need to rest. Take a day, take a nap, snuggle up to a good book and relax, and then jump back in . . .
    Hope you feel better soon. Hugs! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. M Pax7 August 2013 at 17:26

    I think sometimes we need breaks. If we don't take them, the universe reminds us.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Susan Gourley/Kelley7 August 2013 at 17:34

    I think we all run into those situations when life works against us and we don't have enough to time. Hope things get on track soon.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Rob Z Tobor7 August 2013 at 18:24

    You will be OK and catch up, just pace yourself and don't panic. And sometimes a little break from writing will make you think of new ideas, plots and sub-plots, interesting words and chocolate cake.....

    ReplyDelete
  15. Outcast7 August 2013 at 19:09

    I'm really sorry to hear that you're feeling ill Laura, hope that you get well as soon as possible. Breaks sometimes do us the world of good so make sure to not feel too disheartened and relax yourself.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Spanj7 August 2013 at 19:19

    I've just overcome several weeks of not having time/motivation/inspiration to write, and it feels great! You'll get back to it when your brain and body is ready, and you'll likely return full of enthusiasm. Get well soon!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Annalisa Crawford7 August 2013 at 20:03

    I hope you feel better soon - sometimes you just have to give in and relax.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Vanessa Morgan7 August 2013 at 20:46

    Same problem here. Another writer from the group suggested writing 15 minutes a day. I think it's good advice ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Krista McLaughlin8 August 2013 at 00:12

    Feel better! Finding that time really can be hard. I struggle with it frequently. But I do carve out 3 hours every day Saturday to go write on my favorite coffee shop. It really helps and I rarely miss out. :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. DWei8 August 2013 at 00:31

    No problems at all for me so far. I'm writing as much as I can.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Stephen Tremp8 August 2013 at 01:25

    I'm in the same boat too. I have to sacrifice little things along with sleep. At the end of the day I add up all the small chunks of time writing and it adds up to a few hours.

    Every little bit helps. Good luck to you!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Chancelet8 August 2013 at 06:18

    I'm of the opinion that the body knows best. I do hope the flu goes and stays away, that you can catch up with the rest of life, get in your rest, and that you then are able to get back into the grove of writing to complete your dissertation with time to spare. Writer’s Mark

    ReplyDelete
  23. Sheena-kay Graham8 August 2013 at 09:58

    All you can do is prioritize. You did get a vacation so now it's time to buckle down and get back to work.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Rachel Schieffelbein8 August 2013 at 14:33

    Everybody needs a break some times. You'll get it done. :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. A Beer for the Shower8 August 2013 at 15:03

    There's nothing worse than having the itch to write and no time (or no ability). That was last week for me. Free time will come eventually, and when it does - capitalize! It's all we can do.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Mark Means8 August 2013 at 17:51

    I know the feeling...all too well, unfortunately.

    All we can do is our best, so don't worry....time will avail itself soon enough.

    If not, who needs sleep? :D

    ReplyDelete
  27. Unknown8 August 2013 at 18:05

    Glad to hear you're feeling better. It would be nice if there were more hours in a day- wouldn't it?

    ReplyDelete
  28. Kimberly Gabriel8 August 2013 at 19:27

    I feel like this has been my insecurity for the last year. Glad to hear you're feeling better! Sounds like you have quite a bit going on right now! I'm trying to realize my writing will be waiting for me when I find the time for it again. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Heather Musk11 August 2013 at 19:34

    The human body is usually pretty good at saying when it needs a rest.
    Don't worry though, I'm sure you'll get back on track.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

WEP August - Change of Heart

Image
So I actually wrote this piece for April's WEP, but I was ill so didn't get to post it in the end. I'm quite glad, as it suits this month's theme so much more. Change of Heart ‘Are you ready for this?’ Paul asked. Brian nodded, trying to steady his shaking hands. ‘You’re the only one who can defeat him,’ Molly said. ‘We believe in you.’ She stepped back to join Paul. Brian balled his fists as he looked at the huge stone doors before him. He took a deep breath and pushed them open. Before the doors closed, Brian glimpsed Paul and Molly turn and begin to walk away. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the darkness inside. With a whispered word he created light in the palm of his hand, raising it so it would light up the room. It was empty apart from another doorway, much smaller than the first, hidden away in the corner. Brian marched through it and found himself in a large chamber, lit by many flickering candles mounted along the walls. Someone stoo...
Read more

IWSG

Image
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. It's such an amazing group, it even has its own website now, which you can visit here . This week I'm a co-host! Be sure to go to Alex's page and visit the other people who are co-hosting.  I had such great plans for my writing this month, but not one of them came through. There were three short stories I wanted to get written, and I also wanted to get back to my NaNo edits, but none of that happened. I still have a little time for one of the short stories, though; it's for Kyra Lennon's cat anthology , and it's due Friday! Not much time to do it, but I made a commitment and I will follow through with it!  Even though I haven't got much writing done in the last month (or the couple before that!) I'm not going to let it get me down. I...
Read more

A is for Arachne and Arlee!

Before I get to my Greek Mythology part of this post, at the request of Alex J. Cavanaugh  (great idea by the way, Alex!), I'd first like to thank Arlee Bird for coming up with the challenge in the first place. If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't be taking part in this amazing experience every year. Thanks, Arlee! This is one of my favourite tales from Greek mythology, so naturally I chose it for my first letter. Arachne was the daughter of a shepherd, and was famous for the beautiful tapestries she weaved. Nymphs would travel from all over to see her work, and to watch her weave. One day, a nymph asked her if her talent was a gift from the goddess Athena. Arachne protested, saying her skill was all her own, and that her weaving was better than Athena's. Athena heard of this, and challenged the girl to a weaving contest. Both sat at their looms and began to weave, nymphs gathering round to watch. Athena weaved a tapestry based on the glories of the gods, showing the...
Read more