Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
The awesome co-hosts for the January 2 posting of the IWSG are Patricia Lynne, Lisa Buie-Collard, Kim Lajevardi, and Fundy Blue!
Click here to view everyone in the Blog Hop.
*****************************************************************
January 2 question – What are your favorite and least favorite questions people ask you about your writing?
*****************************************************************
Writing Questions
Happy New Year, everyone!
Before I jump into the question for today, I want to talk a little bit about New Year Writing Resolutions. 2018 was a bust for me in my writing. Complete and total bust. I lost my muse somewhere among the life turmoil and stress and anxiety. I’ve caught glimpses of her from time to time, but only a glimmer here and there. I was excited about NaNoWriMo this year. I just knew this was going to be the year I would get back on the horse and write something new. I had an idea I was excited about, inspired by a video game that I’m obsessed with, but when the time came to actually write, the sadness of being away from the writing group that I came to love for the last five years was too much. I crashed and burned. I struggled through about 2000 words before I finally gave up. “Not this year.” I told myself. I was defeated, but I couldn’t write. So, I cheered others on, took a step back, and bowed out of NaNoWriMo for the first time in nearly a decade. It hurt, but it was necessary.
“Next year…” I told myself, “next year, you’ll get back on track.”
Here it is. Next year. I can’t really believe that 2019 is here already. I’m still working through the remnant of 2018. I still have a lot of adjusting to do. Many more changes are coming, but I know I’m never going to get where I want to be as a writer, if I don’t get some writing done. I have big plans, that got put on hold in 2018 due to life circumstances. I hope I can get back to those plans this year. I have stories to tell, but they won’t write themselves.
I’m not going to set any specific goals for myself this year like “Edit this novel” or “Write this first draft.” or “Write five songs.” or “Query this draft.” because I’m coming off of a vey rough and unproductive year. I’ll be happy with any writing progress I can make this year.
Alright, on to the question for today. Honestly, I wish more people asked me about my writing! No one, in real life, seems to care that I write, or understand what it is that I do. I’ve had some inquiries online before from people. If someone asks me to tell them about what I’m writing, I preface it with “That’s a dangerous question to ask a writer!” I love to talk about my stories and characters, most of the time.
I guess the annoying question, that comes from non-writers, is the “Oh, you write? Are you published? Why not?” Any question about publication, or lack thereof, would have to fall in the least favorite category. Especially, if the question is from a non-writer who doesn’t actually understand the publishing process. Especially, when followed up by “Can’t you just self-publish?” I suppose those publishing questions are my least favorite. Any questions about my writing in general are usually welcome though! It tends to make writers happy when someone wants to know about what they’re writing.
I hope everyone’s New Year is off to a great start! Feel free to drop me a comment and tell me about your Writing Resolutions for the New Year, and your fave/least fave writing questions!
Thanks for dropping by!
Rosie J.