Wednesday, June 1, 2016

IWSG: Back in the Writing Saddle



It's Insecure Writer's Support Group Day! Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh and everyone who puts this event on every month. They sure do put a lot of work into it and it's much appreciated. If you want to join, go HERE.

I do believe I might be at the end of my writing studies journey. As far as actively studying the craft goes, I mean, because the learning never ends. I finally just read On Writing by Stephen King. I don't know why I held out for so long. I don't read horror, so I don't read Stephen King as a rule, so there's that. But I do recognize how talented he is. Anywho, I loved it! He's down to earth and witty. And of course, a great storyteller!

And it always comes back to story.

I don't know what the heck I've been going through for the last year or so. I come up with ideas and then I outline and move on to the next idea and outline again. I have about four outlines, people! Based on about four different ways of writing an outline that I've read about in my studies. LOL. I don't even know where to start. My brain is on overload.

But at least I feel like I am ready to start writing again. I don't know if my hiatus hurt or helped my writing career, because I know I should have been writing every day to sharpen, hone and improve my skills. In a way, I feel like I'm starting over. But at least I have some better tools! And after I get that rust out, I think I'll be okay.


Ever been on writing hiatus?

How long did it take you to get back in the groove?








42 comments:

  1. I haven't read On Writing, but everyone who does seems to praise it highly. Glad this book was worth your time!

    As for hiatuses, I've been on an art one before, which lasted at least a year. (Except it wasn't so much a hiatus as it was a quitting-for-good-until-something-random-made-me-unquit. LOL.) Returning definitely felt like starting over. Hope it doesn't take you too long to get back into the swing of writing!

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  2. You spent time learning so it was the right thing for you to so. The only way you could hurt yourself is if you laid still like a lump and moaned for a year. Thankfully you did not do that.

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  3. Yes, I've been on lots of breaks from writing because my blog would take up all my writing time. When I picked up my writing, it would be okay though. Now I'm writing so much for my job (and the blog) that I don't have time for fiction writing, but I'm okay with it for now.

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    1. I hope you can get back to fiction soon, Natalie, but at least you're writing something.

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  4. You're starting in a better place.
    I've been on hold before. Actually, I'm on hold right now...

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    1. I feel antsy when I'm on hold. Hope you don't have to wait too long, Alex!

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  5. The longer the hiatus, the longer the lag. We're creatures of habit. We reprogram our brains all the time. In fact, we're constantly rewiring our systems dependent on where we focus. You'll get into the groove quickly since you've been there before, but be patient with yourself, eh? You have to dig up that old trench that's been filled in and overgrown.

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  6. I am still in search of that groove! I recommend THE VIEW FROM THE CHEAP SEATS just out by Neil Gaiman, a wonderful non-fiction book like King's ON WRITING. :-)

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  7. I enjoyed King's On Writing, although I like some of his horror books better. ;)

    Sometimes we need a writing hiatus, and it sounds like you have more tools in your writing box to get you back to writing. Good luck!

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    1. I know you enjoy horror, Cherie. Unfortunately, I think my sleep would suffer if I read it, LOL.

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  8. I was pleasantly surprised by King's book. I guess I thought zombies would somehow be a part of it. It was excellent and I often open it to read passages.

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    1. I was surprised too, Lee. But he's really normal, not a zombie in sight!

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    2. After reading your post I pulled out my copy and went through the places I'd underlined. That helped me do some repair on a manuscript! Thank you Mr. King. Thank you Ms. Gardner.

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  9. I've been on a writing hiatus. It lasted about 2 months, I think. A lot of personal stuff was going on in my life and I just didn't have the energy to deal with all of it and write. Sometimes we just need a break from writing for various reasons.

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    1. Ugh, that's it, Patricia. Real life just wears you out.

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  10. I'm stopped writing once after a loss in the family. I just couldn't sit by myself and be alone with my thoughts. It took a long time to get by it but I came back more determined than ever.

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    1. It is hard to concentrate on anything else when you lose someone, Susan. I'm glad you were able to get back to writing.

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  11. Stephen King's book is awesome! I've never been on hiatus, but sometimes a vacation is nice. :)

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  12. Welcome back Gwen and yes I do a summer writing hiatus posting only for IWSG. On Writing made a lot of sense to me but I lost the book. i nee to buy it again. I still remember Stephen King's advice to leave a lot of white on the pages, especially for ebooks that are often read on small devices like a cell phone. The reader will greatly appreciate this.

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    1. His book is a little outdated (it came out in 2000) but it's still motivational and he's such a good storyteller, even when he's telling his own life story. Such an interesting person.

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  13. I read that one by Stephen King and enjoyed it. Like you I will always be learning and I love learning about the writing craft, however, I do need to work on getting the daily practice back in.
    Happy Writing and IWSG Day!
    Juneta @ Writer's Gambit

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    1. Daily practice is my problem, but I know I just need to do it.

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  14. I've been re-reading On Writing by King and loving it!
    I recommend trying some timed writing warm-ups - five minutes, then ten, then twenty - for a week or two until you find your groove again. That's what I do after a hiatus.

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    1. That's one thing I've never done is timed writing. I think I'll try it. Thanks, Tyrean!

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  15. I keep meaning to read On Writing. And sometimes a hiatus is needed... I've definitely taken them before. Gotta recharge the creative batteries :)

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    1. Definitely read it, Alexia. I didn't read it for years because he's a horror writer and the book isn't really a how-to book. But I'm definitely at the point where his book helped me.

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  16. I'll have to get that book by King. Sounds like I need it. A hiatus can be good to get the jumbled pieces of the puzzle back together again. I'm wishing you much success in writing your next book.!!!

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    1. That's it exactly, Cathrina. I have a bunch of jumbled pieces that need to go together.

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  17. I've been on several writing hiatuses and keep telling myself 'it's not over until it's over' because especially lately maybe I've been a little midlife crisis like. Reading posts like this are helping me feel like okay maybe there's still hope. I haven't messed things up totally yet. Getting started (again) is half the battle right? I loved that Stephen King book.

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    1. Yes, getting started is half the battle! It costs nothing but time, but time is at a premium, especially when you have a day job.

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  18. I'm also coming out of a non-writing place. It's been odd not writing everyday, and for a while, I felt guilty about it. But after giving myself a little credit for maybe needing a little time away, I'm back ready to start attacking writing.

    I'm not sure what to say about my writing career. So many expectations and hopes that I had, have, and still don't know how to deal with.

    Le sigh...will this ever just be easy peasy?

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    1. I'm with you, girlfriend! So many hopes. It's never easy.

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  19. I seem to have been on writing hiatus for about two years. I still plan to get back into my projects, soon. Very soon . . .

    Learning craft is good, but yeah, it can be overwhelming, intimidating. And sometimes confusing; one expert will say do something one way, then someone else will say opposit. Like everything else, gotta go with whatever grabs you, and works with your own style. I am a horror reader/writer, but I have found good writing instruction from childrens authors and romance writers also. Even found good plot/sequence techniques from game writers. No matter your preferred genre, you can always learn something about the craft of writing from a variety of sources.

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    1. If I'm honest, Donna, it's been about two years for me too. I have a lot of tools to draw from now, so I just need to jump in.

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  20. I've been focusing on story structure for the last couple years and consequently not producing much. I have a lot of projects started. Now I feel that I need to go back to each one and start over with a new outline before continuing. Check out the Story Grid Podcast if you haven't already.

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