IWSG and What's Up Wednesday

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.


I can't believe it's July already! Time flies when you're having fun (or when you're really busy with work!)

I'm not feeling too bad at the minute with regards to my writing. Camp NaNoWriMo started yesterday, but I haven't actually written anything for it yet. My boyfriend came to Hull on Monday (he lives about an hour away). It's usually me going to visit him, so it was nice that he came here for once. However, it did mean that I didn't get any time to write. He's gone home now, so I should get started tonight. I'm really excited because I'll be writing lots of short stories instead of one novel, and I've got some really good ideas. 

One thing that I was insecure about this month was putting writing up on my blog - something that I haven't done in a long time! I'd forgotten how nerve-racking it can be, and also how much I love hearing people's opinions about my writing. I got a couple of negative comments, but that was more to do with the subject matter than the writing itself. If you want to take a look, you can find it here. 


Now time for What's Up Wednesday, a weekly meme hosted by Erin L Funk and Jaime Morrow. The idea is to let other bloggers know where you are with any writing and reading goals you may have.



1. What I'm reading 

I finished reading The Trouble With Flying by Rachel Morgan, and I loved it! It was such a sweet story. I'll be posting a review next week. 
I'm currently reading Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff - it's taking me a while to get into it, but hopefully it'll get better once the story picks up. 

2. What I'm writing

I'll be concentrating on Camp NaNoWriMo for the next month, so all my writing will be focused on that. I'm looking forward to getting started tonight - I just need to decide which short story idea to concentrate on first.

3. What else I've been up to

My boyfriend and I have had a great time while he's been visiting over the last couple of days - I've been showing him around; we went to the shopping centre yesterday and for a meal last night. I've also joined a new gym, and I've been three times already - I only joined it on Saturday. It's so much better than my old gym, and I'm enjoying going there.

4. What inspires me right now

A new month, and lots of interesting story ideas. 

Comments

  1. SK Anthony2 July 2014 at 16:09

    Glad your boyfriend came to visit you! Now giddy up, and write, write, write tonight! lol Having good ideas waiting is big PLUS. Negative comments are okay, we learn from them, but yay for the fact that it was about the subject and not the writing, that is awesome! ;)

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  2. ELAdams2 July 2014 at 17:10

    Best of luck with all your new ideas! :)

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  3. Alex J. Cavanaugh2 July 2014 at 17:11

    Sorry you've gotten harsh words on your writing. And your boyfriend should come see you now and then! Only fair.

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  4. laboyden2 July 2014 at 17:26

    Whoot Camp NaNoWriMo is go much fun. Good luck. :D Thanks for sharing.

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  5. Patrick Stahl2 July 2014 at 17:56

    Almost every flash fic I've ever written is available on my blog (over 100). I don't believe I've ever received a negative comment. With this community, I would say it was probably an isolated incident. You might get a bit of constructive feedback, but that is for the better.

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  6. Rob Z Tobor2 July 2014 at 18:13

    July so that means . . . . . . . .its almost Christmas. . . . . . .

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  7. Julie Flanders2 July 2014 at 18:46

    Good luck with Camp this month! And kudos for having the guts to share your story, that is hard sometimes. I'm glad you had a good time with your boyfriend.

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  8. Miss Cole2 July 2014 at 19:18

    I read Stormdancer... kinda reminds me of How To Train Your Dragon... or How To Train Your Lightning Tiger... :P

    Best of luck with Camp NaNo!

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  9. S. L. Hennessy2 July 2014 at 20:40

    Good luck on Camp NaNoWriMo!!! I hope it all goes well!

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  10. Unknown2 July 2014 at 21:15

    2nd July 2014
    Dear Laura,
    Thank you for visiting my IWSG-post for July about reading how-to-write books.
    Oh my, I see that you have a Master's in Creative Writing. You are just the sort of person I was thinking about when I wrote my post. If you pursue this as a career and find work at a publisher you will be helping good books get published. I think you should read both the books I wrote about, especially Harry Bingham's book. It's the one to read if you are interested in novels.
    Save the Cat was fun to read, but I felt that it was only for people who live near Los Angles California. I live a lot closer to London.
    What is Asda?
    Best wishes,
    Anna

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  11. Chrys Fey2 July 2014 at 21:26

    Good for you for posting your writing on your blog! Don't even be bothered by the negative comments. Good luck with Camp NaNoWriMo! :)

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  12. Tonja Drecker2 July 2014 at 21:48

    Ugh! Posting on the blog is SO hard! Good for you for doing it :) Good luck with NaNo. I always find short stories refreshing - maybe because one can jolt from one story to the next instead of concentrating on the same one month after month...year after year... decade after *cough*. You know what I mean.

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  13. Mark Means2 July 2014 at 22:00

    I totally know what you mean about putting writing up for all to see. After a while, though, I just thought "The heck with it" and decided there was no time like the present to get used to getting wide and varied criticism.

    Also, congrats on the new gym and let us know your progress.

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  14. Anonymous3 July 2014 at 00:21

    Sounds like you've had a great week so far, Laura! And good on you for being brave enough to put your work up, I'm sure the feedback you get and the cheer squad you'll inspire will be well worth it!

    Have a wonderful week, best of luck with Camp Nano!

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  15. Erin L. Funk3 July 2014 at 00:30

    Good luck with Camp NaNo, and I hope whatever writing project you choose gets off to a great start tonight! :)

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  16. Jennifer3 July 2014 at 01:08

    Good luck with Camp Nano. I started yesterday, and so far I'm doing well.

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  17. Kimberly Gabriel3 July 2014 at 02:30

    Good luck with Camp Nano! I'm so amazed with anyone who takes that on! ;)

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  18. Krista McLaughlin3 July 2014 at 03:18

    Good luck with Camp NaNo! I'm too busy this month, but I love doing it! My writing has been on the back burner lately, but I still love it. I have the same problems about posting on my blog, and worried about how people will respond. But have fun with it and take it all in stride! Good luck!

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  19. Susan Gourley/Kelley3 July 2014 at 03:59

    Congrats on the gym. Stay with it. Hope your writing keeps the month rolling along.

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  20. Jessie Humphries3 July 2014 at 05:19

    Yeah, a new month! That's true. Much to look forward to for sure.

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  21. L.G. Keltner3 July 2014 at 07:52

    Good luck with your writing! Writing lots of short stories can be exciting because you get to explore lots of possibilities.

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  22. Denise Covey 3 July 2014 at 10:07

    I love short stories Laura, I hope you share some with us. I'm hoping to finish rewriting my manuscript for when NaNo starts in November. Was great that you wrote for WEP this month, even though you got a couple of negatives regarding the subject matter. Don't let that put you off. So looking forward to the Picture prompt. I came up with my story today...D

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  23. Miranda Hardy3 July 2014 at 12:23

    Short stories can be fun to write. It's important to write what you want, despite how others may feel about it.

    Enjoy your month full of writing.

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  24. Suzanne Furness3 July 2014 at 16:24

    I haven't written a short story in a while, I might have to rectify that over the summer. Sharing work can be scary, well done on taking the plunge! Glad you enjoyed time with your boyfriend.

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  25. Annalisa Crawford4 July 2014 at 09:05

    You sound really eager about the short stories - good luck with the month :-)

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  26. Bevimus4 July 2014 at 17:04

    Good luck at camp! Write like the wind!

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  27. jaybird5 July 2014 at 14:05

    Love all of the up-dates. I am glad your boyfriend came and saw you! It's nice that you had some time to go out to eat and spend some time in some of your fav places. I can't believe that July has come upon us either! This summer is going WAY too fast for me.

    I hope you accomplish all of your goals and have a wonderful summer!!

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