Purpose: To share and encourage.
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
Huge thanks to Alex Cavanaugh and his awesome co-hosts for the June 7 posting of the IWSG will be JH Moncrieff, Madeline Mora-Summonte, Jen Chandler, Megan Morgan, and Heather Gardner!
June 7 Question: Did you ever say “I quit”? If so, what happened to make you come back to writing?
I've never experienced the Hollywood version, where you make a loud announcement, yelling "I quit," and march out the door in triumph. I have a stubborn streak in me a mile thick that keeps me committed when others around me are shaking their heads and wondering why I haven’t quit. For me in general, giving up on anything or someone when you believe in their potential is a bad thing. It carries over to my writing, and so, barring family emergencies, loss of health, or nuclear war, it would take a lot to discourage me.....although the latter would send me hunting for a pencil to record everything.
I've had my share of startups and slowdowns, but never a full stop. I’m this way with characters too. Total commitment once established, when it might make sense to remove them. I once had a secondary character attempt to take over a story. I finally removed her so I could tell the story, but brought her back after a while. She was well behaved at the point, I might add. My husband, who read the manuscript and liked this character, still thinks her story is worthy. Meanwhile, I wrote my current novel three times, trying to get it right. “I quit” was never an option.
My degree of commitment may change over the years but I see myself writing for the rest of my life. Once it gets into your blood, we appear to be permanently hooked.
I really enjoy writing poetry so why give up something you enjoy? I did come close to it way back though.
ReplyDeleteLoved your post.
Yvonne.
Exactly. Why give up something you enjoy?
DeleteLOL. It is addicting. The book sounds fabulous, by the way.
ReplyDeleteThanks :) A long time coming!
DeleteGiving up would be a bad thing. We'd certainly regret it.
ReplyDeleteI agree. The whole idea makes me dig in my heels.
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon - yes once one is writing and dreaming ... it's 'impossible' to put it away -let alone stop ... I'm stubborn too ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteIt would seem we all are here. People quickly discover if writing is for them.
DeleteThis is really inspiring! I'm laughing at your character though--trust me, I know from experience, you think you've seen the last of her, but you certainly haven't! Muhahaha!
ReplyDeleteHa-ha. My husband keeps wanting to see her developed.
DeleteSounds about right. My problem is that, if I don't write, I feel like I'm just slowly going mad by not getting my imagination out. I've never been able to 'quit'
ReplyDeleteI'm not NICE to be around either when I'm not writing. So frustrating at times balancing it with the day to day, because other things and people in my life are important too.
DeleteYou have a great attitude. And sometimes characters just need to tell their story. Congratulations on your story.
ReplyDeleteTrue, true. I may have to let her loose someday. LOL. Thanks for the Congrats! Quite excited to say the least!!
DeleteI'd like to write forever as well.
ReplyDeleteIt really is a wonderful profession when you realize you could do this your entire life.
DeleteYou and I share a common trait: we don't give up on most anything. I like that in people. Some call me stubborn, I prefer determined ;)
ReplyDeleteElsie
Ooh, good way to describe it. Nice to meet you!
DeleteI have long pauses in between but once I start something, I finish.
ReplyDeleteWho knows - you might still write that character's story.
And your productivity shows too. I get lazy if the pause is too long.
DeleteMaybe on the character's story....she's pretty strong willed and opinionated, gets herself into trouble when she overthinks things. Hmm...she's starting to grow on me.
I enjoyed reading about your back and forth journey with your ill-behaving character. Yes, it's in your blood, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteTrisha Faye
Writer’s Zen: www.writerszenblog.wordpress.com
ha-ha. It has me thinking about doing something with her. Nice to meet you!
DeleteFirst off, the cover of your upcoming release is absolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteIt seems people who are hooked on the written word are hooked for life, huh? Could be lots worse.
Your misbehaving character cracked me up. My darned characters staged an uprising about a third of the way through the first draft of my current work, and have taken the story in directions entirely different than what I'd oh-so meticulously planned. (The ingrates!)
Thank you! Very pleased with art by Evernight's digital artist, Jay Aheer.
Deleteha-ha. I must admit it's a blast when characters come alive and assert themselves. What happened in this book is I was developing a YA main character when suddenly an adult in her life decided it was really her story. Had to nip that in the bud fast!
I think we're all addicts in our own way.
ReplyDeleteYes, it does seem to be the norm. Nice to meet you!
DeleteI'm not in the IWSG Sharon but I always enjoy your writings and hear hear never quit barring emergencies! Once writing is in the blood there it stays - it may be stagnant for a while but always those blockages can must will be removed to allow for fresh new blood ...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan. So glad you stopped by to comment! I miss our communications during the a-z and with others I met. IWSG is a great way to link with other writers too. I highly recommend :)
DeleteYour determination should be admired!
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
Thank you,
Heather M. Gardner
Co-Host/Admin IWSG