This is my third post for The Insecure Writer’s Support Group.
So, there’s always an optional question to answer for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, for which I am very grateful, because I don’t always know what to write about. I am also very grateful that they are optional, not required.
Especially this month. This month, I know what I want to write about. I’ll keep that optional question and maybe bring it out at a later date. This month, I want to talk about last month.
The month started strong. I went to a fantastic workshop by Bernadette Marie about building an author platform, and I did start posting on Facebook more. I have an ambiguity about Facebook because it has been bad for me in the past, but I think I am finding the right balance, at least for now. I also got a lot of revision done that first week of August.
But then things went downhill. Now, I should say that I have typically been a “spurt-and-slump” writer: getting lots of motivation and big word counts/productivity during certain periods of the year, and then having dormant periods where I don’t write much of anything at all. Since April 2017, I have been trying to focus more on consistency: to lower the peaks and raise the valleys. In general, it is working, but it’s still my pattern.
And August, well, other than that first week, turned out to be a slump month. I haven’t had a whole month be a slump in a long time, so it caught me by surprise, but I can see the work of my inner Rebel. So September, I am going back to the basics, so to speak. While I would love to continue pushing on my revision, I think what is most important is to develop and maintain a structure.
I have created morning, evening, and night routines. Writing is part of the evening routine, but it’s only 10 minutes. And to be honest, pretty much the only routine that is solid is the morning routine. So my goal for September is to focus on building and maintaining those three routines. I might not be writing much, but I will still be writing. Just as important: it will help with the other slumps I had in August, too. Because, as it turns out, when you start giving up on one thing, you start giving up on everything else.
I need to stop giving up on myself.
INSECURE WRITER’S SUPPORT GROUP
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Writers supporting, encouraging and learning from each other. Post on your own blog about your struggles, your triumphs, and your successes. Talk about your works in progress the good, the bad and the ugly or some other writing relating topic on your mind. Read others, interact, comment, and grow within this wonderful author community. Every month there is an optional question for those who may need help figuring out what to post about.
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And here are the awesome co-hosts for the September 4 posting of the IWSG!
Gwen Gardner
Doreen McGettigan
Tyrean Martinson
Chemist Ken
Cathrina Constantiner
Slumps happen to all of us. Just be inspired to write what you need to write.
Teresa
Yep! And to be honest, I AM glad they are getting shorter. Going a whole year practically without writing was much worse. Thank you!
Routines are important. The big fight for me this past year has been making sure I write for at least fifteen minutes in the morning. I’ve found that if I get those fifteen minutes in early, it’s easier for me to follow up on that and get more writing done later in the day.
I have tried the write-in-the-morning thing, but for new fiction, it just never caught on. It’s perfect for revision though. And forget the days I have to work early — I have tried getting up earlier, but if it’s just for myself, sleep always wins. That’s not really a complaint, and I’m not looking for a solution — I understand the biggest solution is to have a regular sleep schedule where you get up the same time every day, and I . . . I’m just not interested right now. I enjoy the days I can sleep in :). And I also like staying up later, especially when I’m writing. The words come more easily at night.
Slumps happen. I’ve had a number of spurt and slump moments this year. I have been struggling with slumps and I understand the need to stop giving up on yourself (I have a nasty habit of doing that, too, especially in the slump moments). Timed writing helps me, too, because then I can say the following to myself:
10 minutes of writing is writing. Celebrate the words that get onto the page! You can do this!
I think you can tell yourself that, too: You are a writer. You are writing. 10 minutes of writing is good writing. Celebrate it! 🙂
Thanks! I agree — timers are fantastic for that.
You’re absolutely spot on about routines – when I let one slide, slowly but surely they all slip. Like you, I struggle to write fiction in the morning. I can blog, but the creative stuff usually flows better later. Changes in lifestyle due to my partner’s work require that we’re early to bed, so I’ve been working hard on creating new routines – and fiction writing is a big part of them. Hope we’re both successful 🙂
Thanks! And yes, I agree! I had a lot more difficulty arranging my schedule when I was teaching. I hope we are both successful, too!
I struggle to find a structured schedule that works for me.I tend to flit between shiny objects, and that is no longer good enough. Here’s to both of us finding our writing groove.
Yes, shiny objects! Good luck with your process.
Slumps are a part of life. No matter what you do, there will be times when you look back and cringe at how little you did. It sounds like you have a good plan going forward to combat your slumps. Good luck.
True! And it’s also true that it is much less extreme than it was, so really, I should be happy. I hope the plan works — thanks for the luck!
We all go through slumps. Sounds like you’ve got a routine that’s working for you. Just keep at it, you got this!
Thank you!
I’ve never heard of it described as spurt and slump. but that’s exactly how it feels and I’m so there with you.
Here’s to more peaks and less valleys… best wishes for your September goals and beyond 🙂
Yeah, the term I’ve heard before is “binge writer”, but that sounds so negative to me. And yes: more peaks and less valleys! Thank you, and best wishes to you as well!