It's the first Wednesday of the month, so it's time for The Insecure Writers! The IWSG is an online group created by Alex J. Cavanaugh for writers. You, too, can join us anytime!I have to give a huge CONGRATULATIONS to all of you who completed the A-Z Challenge this year. It's a huge accomplishment, and I'm sorry I missed a couple of weeks of it! Give yourselves a huge round of applause, and then go sleep for a week.
In fact, I think that's what I did last year. I also shut down my computer, because I couldn't bear to look at the screen for one damn second longer than necessary.
Yes, you can begin to see why I didn't participate this year...
Anyway, I took a slightly longer hiatus there than I planned to. Oops. Sorry about that. Vacation is wonderful but work has this annoying habit of continuing even when you stop for a break, so that you come back from your refreshing travels only to find a mountain of work waiting for you. Isn't that ridiculous? Clearly, everything else should stop when I do. I mean, obviously.
I'm still catching up - I also happen to be taking another writing class right now, which is adding to the mountain of work - so I will attempt to be brief.
I make no promises about my success, but I will attempt.
Most of my insecurity this month is coming from time - as in not having enough of it. Normally, when I take a writing class, I like to really dig in and give as much to it as I possibly can. But life has been extra specially nuts these past few weeks, vacation notwithstanding, so I find myself in a sweating panic the day before my class meets, desperately trying to cram in some writing and finish a piece in time for class. It doesn't help that all of my classmates are really, truly gifted writers, and I keep feeling like I'm not doing my best work and not impressing anyone and need to work harder or better or more originally or with more humor and should perhaps just give up and curl into a ball and disappear.
Whew, that was a whole giant truck-load of insecurity, wasn't it? Sounds a little high-pressure there, doesn't it? Hmm. Maybe I should cut myself a break, shouldn't I?
I should, I think. And so, I think, should all of the other insecure writers out there. We give ourselves a very hard time sometimes.
What are you feeling all IWSG-ish about this month? Are you recovering from the A-Z Challenge?
I need to take your advice. But that's so hard to do, isn't it? I'd count you among the very gifted writers in your class, so definitely cut yourself some slack!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'll try to do the same.
Glad you're back!!
Thank you, Ava!! I appreciate the support! :)
DeleteWe always judge ourselves poorly against others. I bet a few of those truly gifted writers in the class are thinking the same about you! Once you get into the swing of it, I'm sure you'll be more organised and have pieces written earlier :-)
ReplyDeleteGood for you for taking a writing class! I'm sure the other writers feel the same way comparing their work to others' work. It's in our genes or something. Sounds like you had an awesome vacation. I know how it is coming back to work to a mountain of stuff that didn't take a vacation with you!
ReplyDeleteI can relate to life being extra nutty. Last month was difficult with A to Z, moving to another city, and an eBook release. I'm still trying to wind down from the Challenge and get back into writing. I never give myself breaks. Not physically or mentally, but I should.
ReplyDeleteLiz, I'll have to wait for this weekend to recover as I'm helping th Captain Ninja with IWSG this month. Taking writing classes are great! It's been years since I took one but you've inspired me to look for one to take this summer. Good luck with yours!
ReplyDeleteStephen Tremp
IWSG Co-host
I didn't do the challenge (I always run for cover in April). My life has enough challenges of its own.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a nice trip. Sorry work piled up on you, though.
IWSG #134 until Alex culls the list again.
With the reflections post on Monday and ISWG today, it hardly feels like a break after the A to Z challenge. I want a break from blogging to write, but at the same time, I feel this month I need to step it up because I have a published work at a reduced price. Argh!
ReplyDeleteAs for the writing class, I would try not to think about what the others are doing and focus on your own progress. Try to see this as a learning opportunity, not a contest. Easier said than done, I know.
I'm sure your writing is measuring up fine to your classmates. Is there every enough time? Never, it seems.
ReplyDeleteI always felt that way in my writing classes! I guess it's just an insecurity we tend to feel even if it isn't true.
ReplyDeleteI never feel like I have enough time. Or maybe I just have way too many things that I want to do...
Time is always a concern for me. Almost every day my daughter asks me how much writing I did that day and I feel bad when I have to answer "none." Sometimes it can't be helped, but other times it's just me not making the time.
ReplyDeleteFor me it's procrastination and distraction. I actually have the time to write, if I just sit down and focus. But I start and then remember, "Oh, I need to . . ." And I get up and go do something. Because if I don't do it when I remember, I won't remember to do it later. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteWe all see our own flaws and other people's strengths. I'm willing to bet everyone else in the class feels the same way! Keep trying, it's only when we stand still that we become stagnant.
ReplyDeleteTime. The most important commodity. As long as you keep working and trying, it'll pay off. Believe in yourself and your talent!
ReplyDeleteI’m with you there about needing a break. I’m definitely in need of one but I’m worried about what if the break takes longer than it should. When would I feel that I’m ready to throw my pen in and get back to my writing? If only time can stop and then pick up right where you left off.
ReplyDeleteAh, yes. Time. I never have enough. I'm always asking my children to wait, "Just a second..." Those seconds add up. And then it becomes, "Just a minute..." If only I could pause time when I need a rest. That'd be wonderful. :)
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with your writing class. And you are an awesome writer.
Liz, there is never enough time; that's life. It's when you have enough time for everything you want to do, you should start worrying. As it is, keep going, and you'll get there.
ReplyDeleteYou're really gifted as well!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I think the world should stop when we go on vacation.
You are a gifted writer (from what I've seen you share on here), but I totally get the insecurity of being around others who seem better. I've realized that a lot of that is my own perceptions of things--and it always amazes me that what I think is my worst work is sometimes the best (according to others). Anyways, at least for me, my judgement of my own stuff is never quite right.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh-still in recovery:) I am glad you had a great vacation and I find the same thing happens when I return to work but I refuse to give up any vacation. I will get through the crap. I think the people in your writing class are thinking the same way you do. I know you are gifted and can write wonderfully. No matter the fears, keep plugging and you will find you will feel so great for finishing what you have started. It doesn't matter how long it takes, when you are done this class you will feel great
ReplyDeleteI know, I so wish there was more time. Or if I could just stop the universe for a few hours so I can do all the things I want to. Classes just make things worse because you're being graded!
ReplyDeleteFeeling your pain, Liz. I just finished a class, checking for my grades when I realized I missed the first two days of my next class. Holy crap! Where does that time go?
ReplyDeleteIf it helps, odds are good everyone else in your class feels like they're surrounded by "really, truly gifted writers" and doubt they're impressing anyone with their work too. There's a reason IWSG exists, y'know. ^_^
ReplyDeleteBut I hear you on time. I currently have nothing but time to myself, and I still feel like I'm not doing enough, like I'm not getting enough done. I keep thinking I'll have all that time when I'm doing the writing thing for a living, but... yeah, probably not.
I blame the weather. The nice weather is making us all insecure now. We got too use to the cold.
ReplyDeleteI remember reading something someone said about 'time'. I think it was C. S. Lewis. An account written by a friend of his, who met him after WWII in London, when he was a Don. He said, "Do you notice how often we are surprised by time? 'Where has the time gone?' or 'It just seems like yesterday!' or 'We should always be like this!' As I recall, the notion was that time is not something native to our consciousness, and everything we find beautiful, everyone we have ever loved, all the beautiful moments - all really were meant to last forever, and some day will.
ReplyDelete*sigh*
Now go and write for that class! ;)
Kudos to you for even signing up for a writing class. That's huge.
ReplyDeleteNeuro Linguistic Programming, Liz, I use Paul McKenna tapes on my ipod.
ReplyDeleteI need to sign up for a writing class, but can't seem to figure out how to make the time for it ;)
ReplyDeleteYou can find me here:
ClarabelleRant
Oh, how I know this feeling. Time. Need more of it or to manage it better or something. Also, giving myself a break.
ReplyDeleteSo, cool, though that you are taking a class—is it another nonfiction one? And, I’m sorry, maybe you’re not doing your best work in there but I think you are a fantastic writer. Just saying.
yes, def cut yourself some slack! I once took a creative writing class in college that was the worst thing ever...the teacher hated me for whatever reason...it almost turned me off to writing completely! never get so insecure you feel like you're not doing your best, b/c as long as you're writing it's your best!
ReplyDeleteI wish there was more time in a day. I need to do so much...
ReplyDeleteI feel you, Liz. I've had so much going on lately that I've had to cut some things out. I hope to be back in the swing of things soon, but there's just so much to do and the list keeps growing. Don't feel insecure about your writing. I bet you that the other writers in your class feel just as insecure about their writing as you do. They probably feel like they aren't as gifted as you are! So don't worry about that. Your voice is your voice and your style is your style. As the kids are saying these days, "Do you, boo." lol.
ReplyDeleteI love taking classes, but, like you, I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself. I hope you can enjoy the class and get something great out of it.
ReplyDeleteTime. Ug. That's been my big challenge lately too. BUT I just turned in the main culprit (a project for work) and hope to maybe breathe a little easier now...except for all these damned tiny things that got shoved aside that I nee to take care of...
ReplyDeleteYou're probably a better writer than most of those in your class & I'll bet they're all having the same insecurities.
Thank you SO much for your offers to post something about my new book. I will absolutely put something together (assuming the offer's still open). Just, eh, no promises on when exactly----but by the end of the month for sure, and then you can work it in or not work it into your posting schedule whenever you like.
Of course the offer's still open! I'd be glad to :)
Delete