Welcome readers, writers, authors, and bloggers!
We’re glad you’re here! It's the First Wednesday of the
month; when we celebrate IWSG Day in the form of a blog hop
featuring all of the members of the Insecure Writer's
Support Group. Founded
by author Alex
Cavanaugh (Thank you, Captain!) and fostered by like-minded
associates, IWSG is a place to share the fabulous views and exciting news that
occurs along our fascinating writing journeys. Check out the December
newsletter here. Perusing the
many tips and resources offered here is definitely worthwhile and highly
rewarding, so pull up a comfy chair, or better yet - join
us!
Our awesome co-hosts for
this month's posting of the IWSG are:
PJ Colando, Diane Burton, Louise – Fundy
Blue, Natalie Aguirre, and Jacqui Murray!
This
month’s optional question is:
In your writing, what
stresses you the most? What delights you?
As to stress, deadlines run a close second to
distractions for me. When it comes to distractions, I have only myself to blame—especially
of late, having entered a radio contest where three correct song titles could
win a sweet canary yellow 1923 Model T-Bucket roadster. Right. I need that.
Doesn’t everybody?
Would winning a hot rod delight me? Absolutely! Could I
then chase down the pesky thieves of time spent writing? Not likely. Can I even drive a 5-speed? Well, no. So why
don’t I buckle down and finish my current WIP? Finishing would more than
delight me; it would tickle me half to death! Yet, here I am…procrastinating.
What I need is a commitment device. Maybe I need a deadline, a change in routine,
or a stopwatch.
A recent study found that extended deadlines practically
encourage dawdling while shorter deadlines require shorter response times. I
have to admit that’s true. This fall, I’ve written three short stories, each
with a one-week deadline, while completing only a single chapter of my WIP. I’ll
sure be delighted when it’s finished ;-)
Are there any scriptwriters out there? Writers, authors,
this is for you as well: According to a rather convincing article at Marie-Claire.com, Hollywood
Loves Books !!
Can you imagine an ice skating rink in the desert? I sure couldn’t before news of a ‘Pop-up Rink,’ courtesy of city officials, was announced. I was skeptical, though I knew it had been done (once) before. But we’ve just had the second warmest November on record, so sure enough, when the generator went out on what was to be opening day, the ice melted! They refroze the rink once the temperature dipped below 80, but I still wonder whatever happened to sunset hayrides.
And, because the weather is so pleasant here, I’m going outside – without the radio ;-)
Merry Christmas, everyone! See you back here next year.
Commitment is the glue that bonds you
to your goals
Hi Diedre - yes the ice-rink seems a little-far-fetched ... but have a peaceful festive time and see you in 2022 - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHi Hilary
DeleteYes, certainly a head-scratcher ;-) We are expecting a cooling trend next week when temps will dip into the 70s.
Meanwhile, folks are really into decorating this year and the lights truly are delightful.
Happy holidays!
I believe short deadlines are more motivating. When you have all the time in the world, why rush?
ReplyDeleteAn outdoor skating rink would be hard to maintain in the desert.
Hi Alex,
DeleteExactly. Sometimes I think I work better under pressure. But then I always worry about what I've overlooked in haste ;-)
We do have an indoor ice rink, though I think it's mostly for sports. I'll take a hayride any day ;-)
Happy holidays!
Deadlines terrify and help me. I'm always sure I'm going to miss one, but if I didn't have them I might not get anything done.
ReplyDeleteHi Lee!
DeleteMy feelings exactly ;-)
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Merry Christmas, diedre! It does sound strange to have an ice rink in Arizona! ☺ Some people work better under pressure. If there's a deadline, I ALWAYS procrastinate until the last minute, then it's go-go-go. Good luck with your WIP. Distractions are EVERYWHERE!
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie!
DeleteThere actually are other places in Arizona that get snow - and ice. Just not usually here ;-)
That's the truth about distractions; the enablers of procrastination ;-)
Have a very merry Christmas, Debbie!
Interesting study, about extended deadlines contributing to procrastination. That's along the lines of busy people getting the most done.
ReplyDeleteHi Jacqui!
DeleteThe findings make sense to me, though I probably didn't need a study to come to that realization ;-) I just need to get after it!
Happy holidays!
Merry Christmas, Diedre! I hope you win the hot rod! You were in it to win it, so you might as well keep going ~ LOL! I personally find deadlines helpful for finishing something, although they are not good for me. I have a bad habit of pulling all-nighters, guzzling coffee and chocolate, and not eating or showering. Fortunately I have a supportive husband who will slap a plate of something in front of me occasionally and not suggest a shower ~ LOL. We've had a very warm, strange November in Colorado, and December is not off to an encouraging start. I love the warm, dry weather, but I am extremely worried about drought and the snowpack feeding the Colorado River Basin. The weather is very far from normal! Have a great Christmas with your loved ones!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you as well, Fundy Blue!
DeleteI'd no doubt pull the all-nighters myself if I had the support you have. Are you sure he's not a character from one of your fabulous stories? ;-) You two make a wonderful team!
I look forward to reading about your visit to Calgary and hope the season brings you unending joy and merriment.
Howdy, dIEDRE! ~
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping you won that hot rod Lincoln-- er... I mean, that hot rod Roadster!
I trust you're getting into that joyful Christmassy spirit. I'm about to take a short road trip (not Roadster trip) with my Brother back to where we grew up - Orange County, California - where I attended school through the 4th grade. That otter be pert-dern fun.
I'm now officially retired (aka "officially old"), so I don't do deadlines anymore. Well, except for BOTB deadlines - and even those I have some trouble keeping up with. There's a line of dialogue that my Brother and I often paraphrase, which came from the Western movie 'Shane'. We like to say, "I'll git 'round to it". Which pretty well sums up my attitude toward deadlines nowadays.
Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year, my friend!
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Hi Stephen T.!
DeleteCongratulations on retirement ;-) By that I mean leaving the workforce, not "Officially old" though both descriptions bring to mind the deflated inflatables you see puddled in people's yards of late ;-) Who really retires anyway? I feel like it's finally an opportunity to do something else every day.
Your road trip sounds like a cool 'something else' Enjoy!
They will announce the Roadster winner in February (!) By then I will have no doubt forgotten all about it.
Wishing you Happy Trails, Merry Christmas, and a Cheery New Year!