IWSG

The Insecure Writer's Support Group was created by Alex J. Cavanaugh as a place where writers can talk about their insecurities once a month, and receive encouragement and support from other writers. It's such an amazing group, it even has its own website now, which you can visit here.

This week I'm a co-host! Be sure to go to Alex's page and visit the other people who are co-hosting. 


I had such great plans for my writing this month, but not one of them came through. There were three short stories I wanted to get written, and I also wanted to get back to my NaNo edits, but none of that happened. I still have a little time for one of the short stories, though; it's for Kyra Lennon's cat anthology, and it's due Friday! Not much time to do it, but I made a commitment and I will follow through with it! 

Even though I haven't got much writing done in the last month (or the couple before that!) I'm not going to let it get me down. I'll just double my efforts this month, and force myself to write if I have to. 

I have figured out one of the reasons why I haven't been writing, though. When I moved house last December I went from being in quite a big house with just my mum and I, to being in a smaller house with my mum, her boyfriend and his son. My computer was put in the family room, where everyone watches TV, and that's one of the main reasons why I haven't been getting any writing done. I've started to put earphones in whenever the TV is on, and putting my writing playlist on, and it works! I've done more writing this month than I have in a long time (although I still haven't done much). Therefore I'm confident that I'll be able to get more writing done this month. 

The only other problem is I've just started in my new position at work, so instead of just being a colleague I'm a section leader, which means I (along with two other section leaders and a manager) am in charge of an entire department! That means longer hours and harder work, which could mean less time for writing. I'm hoping not to let that happen, though. In fact, I got home from an 11 hour shift the other day and wrote about 500 words, which is pretty good for me at the moment - I wasn't doing that when I was working 7 hour shifts! 

Here's hoping September's a better month for writing. 

Comments

  1. You've had a lot of changes over the last few months, I'm sure the productivity will return when you get into the new job. I too would find it hard to write with lots of noise/distraction but it sounds like you may have found a way to work round this. Good luck and thanks for being a co-host this month.

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  2. Wow! Busy busy bee. No wonder you've had to let something slide a bit, but you're right not to let it get you down. You've acknowledged why your writing has taken a hit, and responded to yet another challenge to fix the "problem." Bravo, and congrats on the new position! Thanks for co-hosting this month!

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  3. Thanks for co-hosting! TV sometimes also lure me away from writing time. I hope September would a great writing month for you. All the best!

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  4. Enjoy your new job, sounds amazing. Writing 500 words is a gift, keep going and it'll get done!!

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  5. I'm in the same boat--it's so easy to get distracted, isn't it?

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  6. Earphones are a good idea.
    Don't let the pressure of time get to you. Just write a little bit every day and you'll get there.
    Thanks for co-hosting today!

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  7. I'm in the same boat. I finally got the kids back into school, and it's been one long to-do list and interruptions, one after the other. Ugh! LOL My desk is in the family room, too, so I can relate. Earphones are a godsend.

    Congrats on your promotion! And thanks for co-hosting. :)

    IWSG #179 until Alex culls the list again.

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  8. I'm wishing you a laptop and less of a need for sleep. ;) Keep at it, my friend. You're going to accomplish great things, even in the midst of the rush.

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  9. Hope you find more time for writing soon! I find it difficult to write with distractions, but putting headphones in definitely helps. Thanks for co-hosting!

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  10. I don't think I could get anything done in that writing space either. Headphones were a great idea.

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  11. Your writerly drought was everywhere this summer. Blogs went un-posted, manuscripts set aside. Really, I think it was a virus of some kind :P

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  12. I sounds like you are on the right track with the headphones. If you can be productive in a house full of people, I commend you. I have trouble getting much done with my family around.
    Keep up the good work.

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  13. Good for you for making adjustments as your environment changes. Keep that up and you'll have a finished book in no time!
    Thanks for co-hosting the IWSG this month!
    Play off the Page

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  14. I've been working on my piece for the cat anthology as well. That's about all I've had time for over the past few weeks of summer. Most of my goals went by the wayside. Like you, however, I plan on honoring my commitment to the cat anthology first, then I will see about everything else.

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  15. Thanks for cohosting this fab group. Change is hard and so distracting. You've got a great attitude, though. That should help. Best wishes.

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  16. It sounds like you're adapting, definitely. I certainly hope that September is a great month for meeting your writing goals.

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  17. You have great spunk, Laura. That's going to take you places. Adapting is what makes us so adventurous and intriguing. It took me a lot longer than 23 years to figure that out. Bravo to you! And happy promotion!

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  18. Thank you so much for co-hosting!

    I think you have a great "go get 'em" attitude about your writing situation. There are times when the mood to really dig in and write hit me but the noise around here can be a bit much for me to concentrate. Best of luck!

    ElsieI

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  19. Great reasons for slowing down the writing, Laura. Also, fodder for future writing. No way could I write with my computer by a TV set. I hate TV often because it's so d*** distracting!

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  20. Once again Life tries to butt its way into our writing time. I know the feeling well. Good for you to find creative ways to stay (or get back) on track. Writers write, regardless of how little or how much we can each day. Thanks for co-hosting this month.

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  21. I always find listening to my music helps me when there's outside distractions. Good luck in Sept!

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  22. We all have those slow-down moments, especially when we go through changes in our lives. Like Jacqui sad - great fodder for future writing.
    Best wishes for your writing and life in the next month!

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  23. Hey fellow IWSG Co-Host! Congrats on your work that with more responsibility should also provide better financially. Glad your writing is improving and you are getting more done. Life throws curve balls but you just have to move with it.

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  24. Co-hosting? Awesome!

    Glad you're not letting anything get you down. 500 words a day is about what I'm able to pump out these days, too. If only a little is still better than nothing. You got this. :)

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  25. Good lord, I can't believe you're able to write at all! If I were living in that small space, and my writing room was so public and full of distraction, and had a new and challenging job, there's no way I'd be getting any writing done. So, the fact that you are is a huge accomplishment. Give yourself some credit, and then yes, keep writing :)

    Thank you for co-hosting!

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  26. I agree with the last comment. I would never get anything done with all the distraction. Good Job. Thanks for being a co-host this month. Hope you find a routine that falls into place for you around life and chaos.
    Juneta at Writer's Gambit

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  27. Yep. Every once in a while life steps in and takes over and you have to do without writing for a while. It's happened to me several times. Eventually you'll get the chance to jump back into the writing, so be sure to grab the opportunity when it comes. Thanks for co-hosting the IWSG!

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  28. Thanks for co-hosting! I wouldn't be able to get any writing done at all in that situation. It's great that you can work with ear phones. Good luck with your new job and hang in there!

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  29. Thanks for helping co-host this month and I'm glad to see you've made the old adage of "where there's a will, there's a way" come true! Best of luck.

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  30. Thank you for co-hosting the IWSG this month!
    Good luck with the new position at work. Remember, whether you write 50 or 500, it all adds up, so every word counts!
    Writer In Transit

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  31. Congrats on your new position Laura! Sounds like a lot of hard work, but I'm glad you're making time for your writing. Keep it up!

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  32. You've definitely had a lot of changes that could wreck havoc with your writing. Best of luck with getting back to it, you'll get there. Thanks for co-hosting - hope you're having fun with it!

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  33. I hope September goes well for you. And good luck with the story for the cat anthology. :)

    Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption

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  34. I sympathize. I don't have a designated writing area in our house. I just take my laptop into whatever space is going to work for me. I've gotten better at writing in the middle of family life, but it's definitely difficult when distractions are pulling at you. I'm glad to hear you're finding some solutions that work for you!

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  35. Good luck this month! I'm sure it'll go better. Your positive attitude will surely be an asset!

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  36. Be glad for 500 words. WTG! You do have some obstacles to overcome to get to your writing. I know how distracting it is to try and sit down to write, but people keep bothering you with the coming and going. Congrats on your promotion. It's early in your new responsibilities, so get settled in your paying job first. Don't get discouraged. The words will come again when you can concentrate. Best wishes!

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  37. I'm pretty sure August is just a slow month for everyone and everything. Summer crazies. You've totally got this next month whooped!

    Sarah Allen
    (From Sarah, With Joy)

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  38. You want to know something? My desk is in the living room, too. I always have to use headphones, but sometimes having the TV droning in the background works for me. Not if the house is busy and loud though, I wouldn't be able to concentrate then.

    I can't wait for Kyra's cat hop and look forward to reading your post. :)

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  39. Hi Laura
    I share your frustration. the TV is just behind me and right now my grandson and his friend are playing a video game. This involves a lot of jumping around and yelling. I still managed to edit 8 flash fiction stories I intend to publish and got all 8 sent to my editor.

    Good luck.
    Nancy

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  40. Sounds like you're on the right 'write' path!
    Keep moving forward.
    Thanks for co-hosting!

    Heather

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  41. Good luck balances all of your life changes and your writing.

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  42. Hi, Laura,

    Thanks for co-hosting. Here's hoping your writing time doesn't get crimped any further.

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  43. Hi Laura! Your blog's fab. 500 words after an 11 hour shift is pretty impressive. I'm drained after a 7-hour shift and stare at my document. I couldn't write with the TV on, though. Far too distracting for me.

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  44. Hi, Laura,

    Hang in there.You'll get back in the grove again. You had a lot of life changing events happen to you, so it does take time to fall into some sort of new vibe/rhythm.

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  45. Well done for working out what's stopping you from fulfilling your writing plans and finding ways around them. I must try to do the same.

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  46. Laura, congratulations to the extra responsibility at work. It would be hard to write under the conditions you mention at your home. I hope you get back to writing. Am missing you at WEP. Will be good to see you back again when you can.

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  47. Aloha Laura :)

    Congrats on the extra responsibility and GOOD LUCK with the writing goal :)

    Thanks for being a fab, fellow co-host, even though I suck at on-time commenting :)

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  48. Congratulations on your new position! Lol! It sounds like a lot of us were weak on the writing end the last months. Yay to getting your 500 words.

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  49. Sounds like you have the perfect attitude for getting back on track despite all of the obstacles in your life. Congratulations on your promotion or new position. You know what they say, "If you want something done, give it to a busy person." You managed to still find time to get in 500 words and I'm sure you will pick up the speed in no time.

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  50. Thanks for co-hosting, Laura! I wasn't able to visit IWSG posts yesterday, so I'm visiting today. Finding a good place and time to write can be challenging. You'll get there! It must have be fun and challenging to do a Masters in Creative Writing! Every word down is one word closer to your goals. Good luck!

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  51. Maybe the longer the shift, the more desperate you are to do some writing, so you get more done!

    Here's to a productive month. I just think summer is a funny time for writing for most of us - you're outside a lot, and many have kids around all the time! Look forward to reading your cat story - I'm taking part too, but only finished mine yesterday!

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  52. Sounds like you're on the right path to get back into it! :D Thanks for co-hosting!

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  53. Thanks for co-hosting. I think headphones, and blocking out all those family sounds, is a great idea. I've been writing with other people around for a while now, so I'm kind of used to it. Although sometimes, when everyone's talking at once, it's hard to completely zone out.

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  54. Good luck with your writing this month. 500 words after an 11 hour shift? Go you! I work 9 hour shifts sometimes and afterwards I am done. No energy to do anything.

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  55. Thank you for co-hosting! I am having trouble finding the time and the quiet to finish the editing of my second book. I have committed to making the time this month to finish.
    Good luck getting back on track this month!
    doreenmcgettigan.com

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  56. Thanks for sharing this. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only struggling to find time to write, but of course that's silly. I hope your September goes more as planned.
    Thanks for co-hosting.

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