Wednesday, May 3, 2023

IWSG - Inspiration & Struggle

Time for the May IWSG!


Created by Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer's Support Group exists for writers to give and get support. Anyone can join. Simply click on Alex's name and put your blog on the linky list, then post on the first Wednesday of each month.

The co-hosts this month are Joylene Nowell Butler, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Meka James, Victoria Marie Lees, M Louise Barbour.

The optional question this month is: When you are working on a story, what inspires you?

Music and a walk are go-tos. Of course, a good book or movie can also be inspiring. Another author's success can be inspiring. Lots of things!

As far as insecurities, I'm struggling right now. When life things are rough, my creativity takes a nosedive. But I was so productive while working on Happy Ghoulidays II, so I'm hoping to get back there. I had several trips and it's the end of the school year (and I have a senior, so it turns out it's a LOT!), so I'm trying to give myself a break until the end of May. Not to say I'm not going to write or edit at all, just that I'm trying not to punish myself if I don't get as much done as I feel like I should.

Short version: I'm looking forward to things normalizing!

And I did get through initial edits on the horror comedy, so I have gotten something done. Some of my problem is probably that my focus is on edits, and they are my least favorite part of the process.

I also think I need to figure out a time/way to get out of the house to write. My hours at work increased, and I sit in this chair so much of the day that when it comes time to write I just want to shut my brain off instead and put the laptop away. I'm sure plenty of you can relate.

Subject change!

This upcoming Saturday, May 6, I'll be a spotlight author at Mountain of Authors, which is put on by the Pikes Peak Library District. It's one of my favorite events. It used to be there would be two panels then a keynote speaker, but it changed for a while because of COVID, just as everything did. I was excited to see that this year they're bringing back a panel in addition to the keynote speaker! I've been to events where authors were second class citizens, but this event has always treated its writers so well.




And bonus: it might just give me that energy I'm missing, spending time with fellow writers.

What are your insecurities lately? What inspires you? What's your favorite writing event?

May you find your Muse.

16 comments:

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Shannon - I've been thinking of you ... and wish you and the family all the best. Take care - I just need to get my act into gear ... cheers Hilary

Liza said...

Wishing you a successful and inspiring weekend. There are lots of distractions when you have a child about to graduate. Your writing focus will come back. Don't be hard on yourself before it does.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Getting around a bunch of writers this Saturday will definitely fire you up a bit.

Jemi Fraser said...

The conference sounds great - have fun with it!
I've given up on life normalizing - every time I think I'm getting there, another curveball comes winging our way.
Keep well!

Natalie Aguirre said...

I hope you have a great experience at the conference. When I'm going through life challenges, I don't always have the energy or time for my writing. I hope things normalize for you soon.

Rachna Chhabria said...

Hi Shannon, music and a walk are my go-tos too. And also a good book :)

cleemckenzie said...

I wish you luck in that "normalizing" of life. I'm not sure I'm ever going to find that, but if you do, let us know! That will be great.

Computer Tutor said...

Good luck with your Saturday presentation. Those can be lots of fun.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

That's wonderful about the Saturday event. I'm so glad they are back now.

Rebecca M. Douglass said...

Take time and enjoy the senior/graduation stuff. Writing will be there when the kids are gone.

I also find going for a walk a good way to jump-start my thinking on a story. In fact, most of my work is plotted, at least in the initial stages, while I'm walking. I am gradually learning to take time to make notes of some ideas!

Patricia JL said...

My writing always takes a nosedive when life gets stressful, too. But it never lasts, so I keep trucking until things calm and I can finally write again.

Jen said...

That's wonderful about the author event! I know you'll enjoy that.

Everything inspires me! I usually find new story ideas or ways to get unstuck with a current story through music. As for insecurities, just that ever revolving thought of, "should I submit this? what if they don't like it? what if it's rejected? what if it's accepted? is it edited enough?" Blah, blah, blah. Never ending!

Have a wonderful afternoon!

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Congratulations on your child graduating. Nice that it was this year and not last. Our granddaughter missed out last year on all the celebrations. Everything was cancelled. Made me sad for her, tho she took it in stride. The world we're living in...

Steven Arellano Rose Jr. said...

Yes I can definitely relate to my brain wanting to shut down when I should be writing after a day of work at my day job (which much of is also at a computer)!

Other authors' success is also one of the many things that inspire my writing. In fact, when I've for whatever reason lost the motivation to write, I'll often read about those authors and how they work and then that gets me motivated again.

Sometimes I'm so worn out especially when I see how long of a way I have to go on a story I'm writing that I wonder if I was wrong about being meant to write fiction. But as I said, when I hear or read about other authors' work I'm enthused and motivated to write again.

J.Q. Rose said...

Oh how I would love to be hanging out with a bunch of authors on Saturday!(today) Have a great time. I'm sure it will be inspiring and a great opportunity to grow your network. I'd love to hear all about it.
I have someone graduating from HS this year too. Well, uh, I hate to say he is my grandson! How can that be possible? I'm only 39! Congratulations to the graduate. Enjoy the activities!

Snapdragon said...

When there too much going on in life I always find it hard to sit down and write.