Wednesday, August 4, 2021

#IWSG How much is too much?

 Hello and welcome to another round of the Insecure Writer's Support Group! A place where folks can explore what makes up being a writer.


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Today's gnashing of teeth is the too much or not enough issue? For those of you new to my blog--hello! I was bought out by my former day job, so am writing full time now. It's been since Dec 31 2020 and what a weird trip it's been. Now you're caught up :)

I started my full-time writer gig ready to go, certain I could get out a ton of books, market them, get social media up and running, etc. I am a faster writer, not the fastest, but I can get a good speed. Having all of my time open meant I could get EVERYTHING done, right?

Yeah, not as much as you would think.

I have gotten some good work done, a short story--which is in an anthology that's out now, two novellas--both in anthologies out at the end of August, and two books (both started last year ;)).  I have the third book for this year (started this year) that should be out by the end of August--might have cut it a bit tight on that one.

I have my plan: I work 5 days a week on writing--currently aiming for 4,000 words a day. I do them in two-hour and a half blocks of FOCUSED writing. Business is mostly for one of my non-writing days but creeps into the writing days too. I know that I work best when I have multiple projects--when one stalls, I jump to the next. 

I have good days and not-so-good days. Yesterday was an example of not so good. Couldn't get my focus and limped in at 2400 words--and it took way more than a few hours.

I feel like I'm trying to put together a puzzle, I have all of the pieces, but no idea what it's supposed to look like. I go back and forth between feeling I'm doing too much (rushing along at top speed) and that I'm not doing enough.

Once I get this current book off on its own, I plan on having a serious talk with myself and figure out what the balance is.

Any suggestions, ideas, thoughts on establishing that balance are very welcome!

Have a great IWSG day!


16 comments:

  1. Congrats on writing full time! I'm a turtle writer. If I write 1k a day that's a lot. Right now, my writing is lacking and I'm hoping something pops into my head.
    Good Luck!!!!

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    1. Thank you! Good luck on things turning around--they sometimes do when we least expect it. Thank you for coming by!

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  2. Wow, living the dream, Marie! I'm impressed by your willingness to jump into the deep end, and at such speed. (3 books in a year!) I'm going to follow your lead and do two contest stories this month. Strapping on my swimmies.
    --Julia Quay

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    1. Thank you! It's exciting and terrifying! Get those swimmies on and dive in! :) Thank you for coming by!

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  3. Congrats on writing full time! And I get what you mean about trying to have a plan but still sometimes falling short. With my kids being older, I in theory have plenty of time to dedicate to writing, marketing, and all that fun stuff, yet I struggle. I have dedicated writing times, and will struggle to make the words come. You've accomplished a ton and it sounds like you are finding your way and working out the remaining kinks of your process.

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    1. Thank you! It's funny, with my day-job I had to fight for my writing time, now I'm just fighting me! Good luck on your own struggles and thank you for coming by!

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  4. I get that you're working hard, but are you filling your writer's cup.

    Look after yourself. Do some things just for you. Take a walk. Watch a corny movie. Have tea with a friend. If you don't, you'll burn out.

    Anna from elements of emaginette

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    1. Thank you :). I do go for walks down at a local park daily (was doing along the ocean too but too many tourists and too much humidity made me stop until fall). I'm planning on getting a museum pass there as well--once the tourists leave ;) Ironically, I do
      have a favorite tea place too! I'm lucky enough to have different groups of friends I see every week or so now, but I do think I might need to set up another tea!
      Thank you for coming by!

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  5. LOL- thanks! I have a feeling that it's going to be a constant update and upkeep for me.

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  6. I think it's supposed to look like chaos.

    I work from home and you would think I could get more publishing stuff done in a day, but it just doesn't happen.

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    1. LOL! Then I'm doing it right!
      Thanks for coming by!

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  8. I just scrolled down your book list and they fascinate me. I'm most intrigued with your genres!

    I, too, am a swift writer--I can get in 2k words an hour. Sometimes I sit there, wrestling with how to get something down for half the day and feel winded by the time night rolls around! Those are the days I'm extra distracted with online stuff. Ugh...

    Like Diane said, working from home isn't as romantic as one would think--you NEVER get away from work. It probably looms in the back of your mind, having to divide that from creative flow!

    I say, it depends all on how your muse feels on how focused you feel as you fingers fly over the keys. Sometimes my muse is like, "Hey, there's a dissonance in the story, rework it, girl!"

    *shrug*

    I hope you find your groove on the days that are difficult. Maybe having a close writing partner would help motivate you? ;)

    Best wishes to you!

    ♥.•*¨Elizabeth Mueller¨*•.♥

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    1. Thank you! Motivation is rarely the problem, it's more my viewing my actions as not enough ;)).

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