So this month, I aim to blog less, and work more on my writing. This week was still pencilled in for catching up, but starting next week, I want to make a goal of writing something every day. I've heard different different suggestions. Write one paragraph a day, write for thirty minutes a day, write for an hour, finish one chapter. I'm considering all of these. Considering what I want to work on is rewriting an older manuscript I wrote in the late 80's and updating it, most of the work has been done. In fact, so have the next four or five stories. So that's where I am. I have a 'somewhat' plan and I need to figure out what my exact strategy will be. By the end of the month, I would LOVE to finally have this third episode complete and ready for editing.
PS - To all of you who participated in the AtoZ challenge, I hope it went well for you. (I will be doing a reflection post next week)
Goals and such:
Old Goals:
Find test readers for my story.
Something I have put off till third episode is complete.
New Goal:
Go blogger lite
This is going to be a challenge for me because I love blogging so much. And I love to visit my blogger buddies. But I may end up feeling bad I'm neglecting others, even though my ambition is something I really need to work on.
My Encouragement:
Be positive about what you can do.
"If you want to play the Minuet in G, think the Minuet in G." - Harold Hill
Questions to ponder:
Were you engaged in the A to Z challenge?
If not, did you get some writing done? What did you work on?
If you did do AtoZ, how did you do?
What was your theme? My theme was classic TV theme songs and vintage commercials. You can find the 'A' posting HERE to give you a sample of what I offered all month.
How would you advise for someone to go blogger-lite?
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The Insecure Writer's Support Group posts the first Wednesday of every month. Please follow along as my fellow writers and I relate why we feel insecure, or read as we help encourage others suffering from insecurity.
Are you an insecure writer? Why not join the group? Find out more information via the group HERE.
The site is founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh - Thanks for all the support!
Hey, that's what I did - revised an old manuscript. (Wrote mine in the 70's though.) Once you start writing, you'll know what works best for you.
ReplyDeleteAs for blogging lite, I'm back to Mondays, although I will probably skip the last Monday this month since it is a holiday. And the week of IWSG, that might be my one and only post from now on.
I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going lite. Had a guest blogger to fill my r.a.n.t. spot today. And I'm working on a reflections post and another BOTB results post, which I'm late for. I think after the next two posts, I will skip posting more for the month.
DeleteHi Jeffrey - the A-Z challenge definitely affected my other writing projects - but I knew it would so I didn't stress about it. I really enjoyed researching and writing my posts for the challenge, but I'm glad I can return to weekly blog posts now.
ReplyDeleteMy aim is to return to my book idea and carry on fleshing it out with a view to working on a first draft over the next few months. Maybe the IWSG will help - I'll check it out. :)
So... I shall continue blogging, and visiting other blogs, but restrict it to once a week.
Yea, for now, I can't blog more than once a week. It's stopping myself from visiting other blogs that's part of the problem for me too. LOL
DeleteExactly! You have to pace yourself - for the sake of your own sanity;-)I like that you've made a list of goals - good one, by the way - I think it's truly beneficial and something I should try in order to steady my wayward focus. Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteI think the goals will be a regular feature from now on, but they will be fluid. I'll keep only the ones I'm actively working on.
DeleteYour co-host here. I'm seriously thinking of going blogger lite too. I co-hosted the challenge and this too! Let's go to the beach and call it day, for a few days. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful idea.
DeleteExactly why I'm taking a break, enough is enough, and now back to the fun stuff!
ReplyDeleteHappy Writing!
Sometimes you have to know your limit. After this week, I think I will have reached mine.
DeleteI say...first don't feel guilty about blogging light...we will still be here. Don't feel guilty about not writing what and how much you want to write. If one puts pressure like that on oneself, it can backfire and just make one have writer's block. I say, if you love to blog but don't want to do it 3 or 4 hours or whatever....blog but blog for an hour then set it down and write. If you don't know what to write about or how to get started write about anything even if it is crappy.
ReplyDeleteI agree about the just writing. I have often started writing a crap chapter only to get a great idea later as I'm concluding it, then I go back and the beginning seems to flow easier and more enjoyable.
DeleteHello, fellow frazzled friend. ☺ It was a long but interesting month, wasn't it? I enjoyed your theme a lot, especially the vintage commercials. It sounds like you've set up a feasible plan to follow. If you're looking for volunteers, I'd love to be a test reader. The A-Z challenge also inspired me to continue the book I started a few years ago. Maybe I should join this group as well? Another blogging commitment seems a bit overwhelming just now though. Most of us are fried at this point.
ReplyDeleteThe nice thing about the IWSG is it's only one post a month. Which I can handle. As opposed to the BOTB which is four. From what I read, Mary has joined the IWSG.
DeleteThat's awesome if you'd be a test reader. I have one full 8 chapter YA story complete. Actually stories are complete, but I want to work on one at a time. I'm a little scared as I've never had test readers before. But I'm more than willing to be one for you. Your ancedotes of dog escapades during the challenge were very enjoyable to read.
We could be mutual test readers. :) Yes, I saw that Mary has joined the IWSG. Still thinking about that one. Too burnt out right now to add any more commitments. I love BOTB and will definitely continue doing that.
DeleteLet me know how best to send you a copy of the first story.
DeleteI'm pretty sure I've mentioned this several times before, but it's a YA story (so it's rather light reading). The main character is a writer (not unlike myself) who has a vivid imagination and longs to do more with his writing. When he's not suffering from "Writer's Block".
I'll also be doing some catching up with my writing this month too.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with reaching your goals!
Thanks for saying so. Enjoyed your theme for A-Z last month.
DeleteThank the Lord that I'm not the only one feeling a little, how did you put it? Frazzled! My mind is mush. I like the "blogger lite" description. I'm pretty much doing the same. Taking some time to rest and recoup (oh, and to get through the end of the school year)! Congrats again on finishing A to Z! Have a good one!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping over and visiting as much as you have. I have two more posts I'm doing this week, then I'm going to rest till June.
DeleteAfter a very chaotic month of April, I am back to posting Monday, Wednesday, and Friday each week. I've managed to get posts written for this week, and started the writing for the battle of the bands results (will finish that on sunday to include final vote tally) But I am struggling to find energy to write the scheduled posts after that. I just need motivation! Personally, I don't want to cut back too much, because that would be too easy of a trend for me to fall into. I need to get myself back on track and find some time to actually write.
ReplyDeleteMary
#AtoZChallenge Reflections and #IWSG
Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one who is behind in posting results. I'm hoping to get my results posted today or tomorrow.
DeletePS - awesome to have you join IWSG.
I know just what you mean. After last year's A to Z, I felt so burnt out that I finally feel back to normal, and that's because I didn't do the Challenge this year. Next year when I do it, I'm taking May off to recuperate.
ReplyDeleteThat's always a good recourse I think.
DeleteYes, blog lite this month. Do what you need to do. I won't be doing the challenge again, but I'll be cheering on those of you who do! So few people read other people's blogs, it's just not worth the stress...so do what makes YOU happy!
ReplyDeleteHmmmm, sorry you felt that way. I know myself personally, I felt I found several new bloggers and started visiting a few new people. I also seemed to receive the same. But like you said, you have to do what makes you happy. The past two years I've enjoyed your AtoZ postings. Last AtoZ is one of the reasons I discovered your blog and have been continuing to visit.
DeleteYou're way ahead of me! I'm so stalled in my writing but you mentioned some strategies to get back into writing and I'll think I'll give those a shot. Thanks for that. I've thought about joining the IWSG but I'm really insecure!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI always feel like nobody's going to really want to read what I write about. I find that I always compare myself to others and that's dangerous territory.
Sounds like you really have a handle on what you're doing with your writing so that alone should be enough to keep you motivated. You're father ahead than you think...
I'm still resting up for the April A-Z madness but I did manage to get my weekly series out on Wednesday. Haven't written my reflections post yet but will work on that this weekend... Looking forward to reading yours.
Michele at Angels Bark
Those are some of the same insecurities I have. The IWSG has helped me see past a few of those. It's great to have a support group when you don't have family or friends who are interested in what you write.
DeleteAs for my reflections post, I hope to get mine out this week.
I was disappointed in the amount of new writing I accomplished during the A to Z but I've been doing better this week. May is so busy for me.
ReplyDeleteI hope the writing schedule improves.
DeleteThat is what I'm working on for my current project. I have a novel that I wrote back in '07/'08 that sorely needs to be updated. While the plot works, everything connected with it does not. Which requires a major gut job/rewrite, which is not easy when you're re-writing each chapter from scratch. What works for me is taking each chapter, identifying what the basic plot is for that chapter (beginning and ending) and re-writing it so that it better coveys the beginning and ending for that chapter.
ReplyDeleteAs for blogging less, the first thing you want to do is to let your readers know that you want to concentrate more on your writing and less on your blogging (check). Then, announce a different blogging schedule (say like once a week), then have at least a two week lead in to prepare everyone for it, then do it.
Father Nature's Corner
For the most part, I think everyone knows I'm going to be blogging less. That, in part, is what this post will help others appreciate. I'm starting to get very anxious to get back to my writing series.
DeleteI did A-to-Z two years ago and stressed myself out so much that I gave myself shakes. I decided that's not quite the event for me. This year, I did Camp NaNo instead. I got down 5K in the story I wanted for the month, so that's good! Plus I got an extra story on top of that. Bonus!
ReplyDeleteI hope you figure out what works best for you to avoid burn out. All those suggestions sound like good ones. Here's to many words!
Sometimes, you have to go with what works best for you.
DeleteAs for figuring out what works best for me, I'm still working the bugs out.
Hi, Jeffery! Sorry I'm just getting back to you! I've been busy away from blogging for a few days and didn't realize that you had visited my blog. I've never done the A to Z Challenge ~ I know myself too well. If I could get it done in advance, then maybe I could participate. Your theme sounded like fun. I've been forced by circumstances to go blogger-lite since the beginning of the year, and I am not happy about it. I'm going to be without internet access in the near future, and that will drive me nuts! I too love the blogging world. But I'm hoping the second half of the year goes better, and I can get back to my regular blogging and more writing. Whenever I set up a plan for writing and blogging, I get knocked off of my feet by one thing or another. If I can consistently get down to my writing area, put my butt in the chair, and start working, that's when I make my best progress. It's making it to that chair that's most important! Like just getting in the gym door is the key to my working out. Good luck with your writing!
ReplyDeleteGood luck on the rest of the year. Sometimes it's nice to have a bit of quiet, or away time from blogging. But it's always nice to get back to it. If I had to choose, I'd go without cable before going without internet. Which is what I'm currently doing. But since I've decided to force myself to go blogger lite, I'm going to spend my own quiet time doing some writing. Thanks for the well wishes, and all the same back to you.
Delete