IWSG May 2024 Dealing with Distractions

 

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 members and guests of the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Founded by author Alex Cavanaugh (Thank you, Captain!) and fostered by like-minded associates, IWSG is a comfortable place to share views and literary news as we record our journeys. Check out the May newsletter here.

The awesome co-hosts for this month’s posting of the IWSG are Victoria Marie Lees, Kim Lajevardi, Nancy Gideon, and Cathrina Constantine!

 Today’s entirely optional question: How do you deal with distractions when you are writing? Do they derail you?

May is “Get Caught Reading Month,” and I don’t mind that at all. I’ve already read 18 books so far this year, though that’s a little behind the norm for me ;-) How many have you read so far?

I don’t get derailed, per se. But I do get distracted. Especially when a scam caller calls back after I hung up on him – to apologize for being disconnected. Or when the washer gets off-balanced and threatens to waddle noisily out of the laundry room like it has someplace else to be.

Part of my process is writing quick paragraphs about characters, scenes, or the storyline in general to expound on and refer to as the story comes to life. With advanced notice of a pending distraction (not to be confused with disaster, like that time the dog dragged the garden hose in through the dog door – while the water was on), I sometimes have the foresight to jot down my train of thought before I dash away from my desk. Once, I drove myself crazy for more than a week, wondering about the significance of five letters strung together in a desperate attempt to spell something. “Foonk” remained a mystery until my daughter reminded me she used that “word” for a plastic spoon/fork combination she used for meals in her highchair way, way back in the day. Of course! Where I left off in the story, a member of a homeless camp had been ‘caught’ with a camping tool that had every utensil a person might want to use at mealtime at your fingertips. One man’s dangerous weapon is another man’s foonk ;-)

So, how’s your journey going?

I love springtime!

 

IWSG December 2021 Time Thieves

 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

 

I is for Ironic

Lines of Inspiration

 Melodious expressions, Enduring Truisms

I

“It’s the good advice that you just didn’t take”

Song Title:  “Ironic”

Songwriter:  Alanis Morissette

Speaking of which,

Isn’t it ironic how the best laid plans sometimes just don’t work out? Not that I’m not usually busy enough in my workaday world, but we (the family) seem to have slipped into a veritable vortex of unfortunate events which (it more than pains me to say) render me quite unable to continue this year’s challenge with any confidence in achieving any semblance of blogging entertainment. Sorry, folks. That’s not to say I can’t or won’t still enjoy all the fantastic A to Z Challenge themes or the immensely interesting regular posts of friends and fellow bloggers! In fact, I may finally catch up on my visiting  ;-)

In the meantime, love openly, smile often, and hug your family daily, while you can.

So, how about that line? Does it call to mind a memory? Remind you of an irony? Are you familiar with the song or songwriter?

There’s a whole lotta blogging going on right here!

IWSG Holiday Frenzies!

December arrived with a bone-chilling wind out west this year. I gaze at a dozen summer plumped Dove huddling on a weaving ocotillo branch, and wonder how long before it snaps. Everything has its limits – including me.  And that’s basically what’s on my mind today, this first Wednesday of the month when IWSG members convene through blogging, Facebook and Twitter to talk about whatever is on our writing minds and agendas. See what we’re all talking about here.

By design or curious coincidence, the Question of the Month: “In terms of your writing career, where do you see yourself in 5 years, and how do you plan to get there?” is perfectly timed for the week of ‘National Write a Business Plan Month’! 

Where do I begin when the trouble seems to lie in finishing what I’ve started? 

Five books, five years and who knows what in between. Sounds doable, but something has to give. My day job? Nah, I like the money. Writing? No way! Socializing? But I love it…

Perhaps it’s the holiday frenzies! Right now I delight in the dazzling displays, the renewed sense of hope and plans being made, the promise of bright smiles, big hugs, and good cheer. The roaring blaze can wait, I think, while I enjoy the kindling warmth of the season.

So if I don’t get around as much as I’d like in the next few weeks, know that you’re not far from my thoughts or my insatiable interest and that I wish the happiest of holidays to one and all!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

What was the greatest gift you ever received in a small package?