August Insecure Writer's Support Group

Insecure Writer's Support Group

8/3/2016

IWSG is posted the first Wednesday of every month, but I'm posting early this month. Explanation is below with my writing goals. It is the brain child of Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh. Get your fears and insecurities out or give words of encouragement. We're writers, let's support each other!

The awesome co-hosts for the August 3 posting of the IWSG will be Tamara Narayan, Tonja Drecker, Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor, Lauren @ Pensuasion, Stephen Tremp, and Julie Flanders!

This month, I have an insecurity many writers have: am I wasting time when I don't spend every second writing?

The other night, hubby was swearing at his new computer. He's building one and was waiting on a motherboard. First it got delivered to the wrong address and then when he finally got it and plugged it in, it didn't work! But it worked on his old computer. I found it really hard to write while he was trying to solve this problem. I wanted to be writing, but I couldn't help but want to help hubby out even though I know nothing about putting together computers. An entire evening down the drain, and when I went to bed, I felt quite guilty.

Along with our dishing our insecurities IWSG wants to know...

What was your very first piece of writing as an aspiring writer? Where is it now? Collecting dust or has it been published?

The first story I wrote when I started writing is definitely collecting dust on my hard drive. It's a hodgepodge of fantasy and paranormal with people from my real life as characters. What got me writing it was I was bored one day and thought, "Why not?" It was just for fun and I didn't intend on showing it to anyone. But that was probably the start of my writing journey.

18 Comments

Crystal Collier link

8/3/2016 08:49:16 am

I get you there. When my hubby is feeling crazy tension, we all feel it. Sometimes it's more important to commiserate with our suffering family members than to get words recorded.

C. Lee McKenzie

8/3/2016 10:02:42 am

I keep telling myself that if I pay attention while I'm doing things other than writing that none of it will be a waste. There's always something I can learn in different situations.

Alex J. Cavanaugh link

8/3/2016 11:06:19 am

If it started you writing, that's what matters.
When i have to work on a computer, my wife hides. I feel your husband's pain.

Tamara Narayan link

8/3/2016 11:20:40 am

There's never enough time, is there? I'm just trying to hold on until school starts and when it does? I bet there will be something else pulling my attention away from the keyboard. Small steps. Somehow I have to be satisfied with small steps.

Cherie Reich link

8/3/2016 11:26:43 am

I've been listening to the musical Hamilton, and he makes me feel like the laziest writer. One of the questions Hamilton gets from pretty much everyone is "Why do you write like you're running out of time?" The man was non-stop. But for most writers, we need times when we aren't physically writing. That's when ideas and experiences come for us to use when writing. :)

Stephanie Faris link

8/3/2016 11:43:36 am

I sometimes feel guilty not writing, especially if I'm just hanging out with my husband doing nothing. But then I remind myself that balance is the key. We need those interactions so we'll fuel our souls/brains to be ready to kick butt on our next scene!

Madeline Mora-Summonte link

8/3/2016 12:58:16 pm

Sometimes we just need to let the guilt go and do what we need to in that moment. Don't be so hard on yourself! :)

Anna link

8/3/2016 01:08:04 pm

Good wife and a writer than can express guilt. All your bases are covered. hehehe

<a href="https://emaginette.wordpress.com/2016/08/02/iwsg-27-who-understands-talent-as-a-kid/"> Anna from elements of emaginette</a>

J E Oneil link

8/3/2016 01:29:53 pm

I feel for your hubby. One tiny little thing goes wrong with the hardware and you can't get the computer to work, even enough to tell you what's wrong.

Pat Garcia link

8/4/2016 03:50:04 am

Hi,
I don't believe that anyone has to feel guilty because he's not writing every second. Even the muse takes a vacation or goes away for an hour or two. Regeneration by thinking or doing something other than writing is necessary.
All the best.
Shalom aleichem,
Patricia

Lidy link

8/4/2016 04:45:45 am

I feel your pain. On the bright side you might use that experience in your writing one day. As for me, I try to stay out of the way. Unless he asks for help. I'm not good with fixing anything and I'm clumsy...deadly combination. So you, I stay out of the way.

Diane Burton

8/4/2016 07:20:44 am

Sometimes it's better to give up writing when turmoil is going on around you. We all need breaks. Either that or get a pair of noise-canceling earphones. LOL

L.G. Keltner link

8/4/2016 01:15:39 pm

This post reminds me of life in my house. My husband frequently works on computers, so I know how hard it is to write when he's frustrated with how things are going. Try not to feel guilty about time wasted. We've all been there.

Gwen Gardner link

8/4/2016 04:38:07 pm

I'm like that too. If my hubs is dealing with something, then there's no way I could sit and write when I can hear him dealing. I guess it's because we want to make things easier on our loved ones by helping in any way we can--even when we can't. LOL. Did that even make sense?

That's cool how you got started writing. I put people I know in some of my stories. It's fun.

Liz A. link

8/4/2016 09:18:23 pm

No need to feel guilty. Sometimes things prevent us from writing. It might make a scene in another novel someday. (There's something about tension in the house. It makes the writing not quite work.)

Shannon Lawrence link

8/4/2016 11:07:38 pm

I constantly feel guilty when I do something instead of writing. Especially when it's not something constructive.

Christine Rains link

8/5/2016 07:35:36 am

I feel the same way a lot of the time. Yet when stuff is going on in the house, I can't write. I need quiet.

J.H. Moncrieff link

8/8/2016 09:43:27 pm

I can relate. I always feel guilty, but yet I wonder how much this will all really matter at the end. Taking time out to help someone you love is never a waste...nor is taking a break when you need one.

*hugs*

Sorry I'm so late!