IWSG - January 2016

Click here to find out more and to see a list of other IWSG blogs.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Cohosts this month include L.G. Keltner, Denise Covey, Sheri Larsen, J.Q. Rose, Chemist Ken. and Michelle Wallace 

Okay, I kind of want to laugh at myself. A couple of months ago I posted here about how I attended a writing retreat where the prolific author Kevin J. Anderson was in attendance. He had great suggestions for increasing your productivity, etc. I was inspired. I wanted to emulate him. I wasn't dreaming of becoming as prolific as he is but simply increasing my output.

I had ten days off over the holidays. And I ran into creative roadblocks. It was time well used, but as I've been working through the story decisions, I realized something.

I'm never going to be a fast writer.

Oh, I can crank out a 50,000 word first draft in 17 days, but the finished product? Nothing fast about that process for me. When I try to force my brain to move faster, it resists. It's like that old mule the miner can't get to move for anything.

I'm relieved to admit this to myself. My creative brain is taking a little sigh as I write this. But I'm also disappointed. I keep asking, "When is this going to get easier?"

Do any of you have any secrets? Or do you struggle like I do?

IWSG - Productivity

Click here to find out more and to see a list of other IWSG blogs.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

I'm still on hiatus and editing like a crazy fiend. I'm making progress. In November I attended a writing retreat where author Kevin J. Anderson was the visiting writer. Very nice man and very inspirational. He's all about writing productivity. He's published 130 books.

Yeah, you read that right. Seriously, I'm so motivated to do more than I've been doing. Have you heard about his SuperStars Writing Conference? I would love to be able to afford to go. 

I worry though. I only have so much time. While I want to do better, produce more in a shorter time, what am I willing to sacrifice to do it?

So many things to consider.