Serious Wednesday: Timeline for Writing

You, authors, who love deadlines and can peel off book after book living such a life---how do you do

it and still keep your sanity? I mean, don't you have other responsibilities? Demands from a family you love? Activities that are either required, enjoyed or good for you? 

Now, I've already shared about keeping a schedule for most days that helps me a lot, but that doesn't stop the unexpected from hitting me high and low. Like last week and this one. It was like a meteor shower with constant something coming up or interrupting my time. I managed to get most necessary things done, but when it came to writing these two weeks, I failed. Not nearly enough words were written. So...

Why have a schedule? 

Because things will eventually calm down. 

Life will flow evenly again. 

Inspiration will hit, and I'll get those words written. 

So the days that seem futile (in my writing) or wasted, really aren't. Right now, I choose to look at them as a time of resting, refreshing my spirit and mind, thinking, plotting and getting ready to write several more thousand words and quite a few more chapters. 

The deadline I've set for this book is real, but I do believe I've got this, in spite of the interruptions.

 I will finish this novel!!!

Serious Wednesday: Working Hard and Hardly Working

Some would call it Working hard; others might say, 

hardly working. I say, both! 

Mondays--after the weekend--is a day that usually ends up being closer to the "hardly working" sort of day. And though I felt as if I accomplished a little, it wasn't enough, at least according to my standards. 

You see, I have a list: A chore and writing list. Some days it's longer than other days, but I almost always use it. I spread my chores, with possible length of times to complete each one. Interspersed between these chores, I have my writing chores/writing goals. 

Here's how it looks:  

Carole's Chore & Word Crawl

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Rise, shower, dress, 30 mins:  

Devotions, 30 mins:  

Breakfast, 20 mins:  

Exercise, 20 mins:

Open/delete email:  

Soc Media (promotion), 1 hr:  

Sweep, 20 mins:  

Write 100 words:  

transplant a flower, 20 mins:  

Write 150 words:  

(and more...)

Word count for the day:  

Overall word count:  

Now, I'm not saying you have to do it MY way, but I do recommend setting a positive and attainable schedule to your writing routine. Even if you gain only 200 words a day to your manuscript, you're farther up the road than you would have been.

You don't want to set goals so high, you're not going to reach them. Not saying I reach all of mine every day. Sometimes I only complete half; sometimes none, BUT most times I do have favorable success with this list. 

I do recommend you consider using something similar! I think you'll find it helpful! 

Serious Wednesday: The Break Thru...

I saw online today where a woman felt God called her to write on a certain subject, but the words wouldn't come. She was struggling whether to give it up and questioning whether she'd mistook her feelings. 

Should she give up the idea? What to do?

Much like my post last Wednesday, most, if not all, writers, come to that stage at times. It's called a plateau where nothing comes, no next word, no next idea, no next scene, and so and so. It's a most miserable place to be. 

But you can...

Here are a few ideas of what may help you break free from that plateau:

• Reread what writing you've done. Sometimes that will prompt you on to another thought.
• Talk to another writer, your critique partner, or your editor. If they have the experience, they'll be able to provide the encouragement you need to move on. They may even have a suggestion or two that will get you through the tunnel of darkness into your writing light.
• Take a break. If you're overwhelmed, tired, stressed, etc., some rest will renew your strength mentally and physically. 
• Try going at that writing project a different way. Do some research on a particular topic you're bringing into your writing. Make a list of different items in your work. What about the plot? Check to see if it's progressing the way you need it to go? Check out your characters and see if they're holding true to your initial creation of them. Do they need improvement? There are all kinds of ways to go through your work. You'll find it will be stronger.
• Try working on something new. Sometimes when you come back to the original work, you'll feel more relaxed and stronger to have a go at it.
• Allow yourself to take a break. Life happens, and nothing is more important than keeping your sanity and health, both physically and spiritually.
• Last, pray. Trust God when you don't know how to proceed, what to write, which way to turn. He has your roadmap, and will not leave you stranded. You'll get through this just as I did last week. You'll be all the better for the pause in your writing life! 

The Sun Will Rise!

Serious Wednesday: Passionate About Writing

I Love being an author!

I didn't discover writing after I got older. I've always loved it, from grade school to today. I went from writing fun school assignments, to poetry, to children's stories, to teen stories, and then adult inspirational fiction. 

Although I was good in English, etc., when I seriously began to pursue writing fiction as a career, I had to re-learn and update my writing. I went to classes, had edits by professionals who critiqued my works and encouraged me toward publication. I joined critique groups who gave me honest critiques, some harsh--and I could have quit, but my LOVE for this stood me in good stead. I didn't quit. I kept going.

Writing gives my happiness and satisfaction. I enjoy the creating, the work of research, the finishing that is like nothing else. 

Yes, it's work. 

• Creating the characters and getting them right. Developing a plot and making sure timelines and all events line up correctly. Have an appropriate beginning and ending. So-o-o satisfying! 
• Hitting a plateau is hard and discouraging, but then...then when you get that right thought on where to go next...it overwhelms and makes you forget the struggles. 
• And one of the best parts: Writing the Words:  THE END!   

I did it!

Don't quit!

Keep writing!

Push on! 

Work hard!

Believe!

You can do this! 

Rambling Friday: What's wrong with Me?

I'm making a confession today.
A Writing confession, that is.

Last year, as some of you may know, I wasn't able to write.
Inspiration felled me.
Interest played a part.
No words would come.
Life was too busy.
Problems plagued me.
Depression over NOT writing consumed me.

I struggled for three quarters of the year to write.
Nope. Didn't work.

So I didn't write.
I told myself this year I wouldn't write.
I didn't.

I prayed.
Confessed to God.
Struggled with myself, my problems, and myself.

God answered my prayers.
I healed some.
I regained my strength.
I regained my interest in writing.
I made some tough, but good decisions.

I felt God's help, his strength flow through me.


A new year began.
I began writing.
I finished one novel in record time.
Saw it published.

I began the second one this year and can see the end nearing.
Publication date is fast approaching.

Ideas are bubbling for a third book this year.
But I'm not stressing over this.
If God wills, I will finish it.
If not,
There's always next year.

I'm praising God for a good year in writing.

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:13-14

Rest, Read, Relax this summer. 
After all, what's better than that? 

Serious Wednesdays: When You're Stuck in the Mud

Have you ever had your vehicle stuck in the mud?

We have, and it's not a pleasant thing. Spinning tires, flying mud, frustration rampant. Definitely not a fun event any way you spin it.

That's kinda what it's like being a writer, especially when you've lost your inspiration. I've had that experience a time or two, and, to repeat the above phrase: it's not a fun event.

I know there are seasons in our lives where writing is nearly impossible. Health. Death of a loved one. Moving. A serious issue that suddenly appears. Busyness.

So I've learned a few things these past few years of writing.

When I'm lacking in that inspiration and excitement to keep writing, when I can't find the next words, the next paragraph or even the next chapter, then I know it's time to spend some time with writing buddies.

Laughing, talking, plotting, brainstorming together stirs my creative juices. By the time I head for home, I have ideas and an enthusiasm that has me skipping over mud puddles and dancing in the rain of discouragement.

For now, at least, I've plowed through those mud puddles and left them behind...

Till next time, but we won't dwell on that for now.

Happy writing!