Wednesday, May 7, 2014

IWSG Post – When the WIP gets sidelined

The year has eaten up four months. It’s time for another Insecure Writers Support Group (IWSG) post. IWSG is a support group for writers which posts on the first Wednesday of every month. We encourage and support each other through our posts as well as talk of our insecurities, fears, anxieties and doubts. IWSG was started by Ninja Captain Alex Cavanaugh. You can check out the IWSG website.

This month my main fear and insecurity is that my writing is going to get interrupted big time. There are so many things lined up for this month: family functions, travelling, editing two novellas (that my editor would like to carry in a serialized form for the newspaper) that my current WIP will not get my undivided attention. I have also heard of two short story competitions which I hope to participate in.

I had planned to finish the first draft of my WIP this month. Looks like I will have to postpone the deadline to end of next month. This is causing me loads of anxiety and irritation. I am seeing the world through grumpy eyes.

How do you all handle it when life and other things push your WIP far, far away from you? How do you handle postponed deadlines?

P.S. My next post will be on 23rd May. I am exhausted after the A-Z Challenge and loads of writing awaits me. I will still be lurking around blogosphere and spying on you all and commenting. Till then happy writing.


44 comments:

  1. Sometimes life does get in the way of writing, and when it happens, the best thing to do is just go with the flow. You never know when you'll squish in a few extra minutes to get some writing done, but when those precious minutes appear, it restores your balance a little! :D

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  2. I think a lot of people will be taking a mini break after the challenge ;)

    Sometimes delays happen. I like Kyra's advice: go with the flow.

    Enjoy your break, Rachna.

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  3. Aloha, and you know what... I sooo could have written a like-minded post.. in fact, I think I did a few months ago...

    I soooo wish I could just sit and write for eight hours a day, but I can't, so it's all about snatching the time I can and diving into what is at the time the #1 writing priority...

    If I can finish *that* well then, my day is immediately better and I feel like I *did* something :)

    Good luck, Rachna, you're obviously not alone, so keep pushing :)

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  4. I welcome breaks, especially if I am in the midst of a long project. These days, I have minimized the no. of hours I sit before the laptop and work only to that extent that I can manage comfortably.

    Destination Infinity

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  5. Well done with completing the challenge, Rachna, and happy ISWG, I'm spending the day in a brewery and I don't even like beer!

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  6. Delays are inevitable at times. I've experienced that a lot of times. I think you just have to wing it. While you have to push things aside and it gets a bit late, at least it's getting done, one way or another. And you'll still get to enjoy those wonderful moments... even if it's late. :-)

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  7. Awesome you have a publisher wanting some of your writing, even if you have to delay your WIP.

    I have SO much going on right now that my writing is on hold. But I know I'll go back to it.

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  8. Life often gets in the way, but after those details are taken care of, I focus on the deadlines FIRST then go with my gut. If those shorts are calling like a rutting animal, then go for it. If the prospect of putting aside that WiP slays your brain, then give it the attention it deserves. There will always be other short competitions in the future.

    Best of luck in whatever choices you make!

    Terri @ Scribbler's Sojourn

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  9. You can only do so much. Maybe take notes here and there instead of having longer writing sessions? Can any project give a little bit, make room for ones with higher priorities and/or deadlines?

    You will be fine. Just hang in there! :)

    Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption

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  10. I'm kind of in the same boat as you, Rachna, but without the editor/publisher deadlines. I have a plan to finish a novella this month and begin planning the next one, but we recently bought a house, and because of inspection and negotiating, already I'm behind on where I want to be a week into May. And then with packing and painting and cleaning and moving and my new job––aaack! Oh well. I just have to remember how thrilled I am to finally own a house, and just write whenever I can, even if I don't quite meet the original goal I hoped to.

    Hey, you just gave me my topic for June's IWSG post. One thing I can cross off my to-do list. Thanks! ;)

    Good luck to you!!

    Happy reading and writing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines

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  11. I'm struggling with the same thing and have had to push my deadline back so many times it's outrageous. I'm hoping to finally buckle down in May and am taking a break from blogging for that purpose. Good luck and enjoy your writing time!

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  12. It's ok to postpone deadlines! Remember, you write because you love writing, not to stress out about it :-)
    Best of luck!

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  13. Life is so unpredictable. Sometimes you just have to do what's most important. Obsessing over what you can't do is unproductive--says the voice of experience. :) Best wishes.

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  14. Yes, the challenge was a bit of a challenge! I've only written the first chap of my new WIP. I too am fearing the interruptions. I don't want to panic and get all grumpy. Instead, I'm "thinking" about my novel right now. It's actually help me plot and plan until I can write uninterrupted:)

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  15. My IWSG post is similar...too many things to do, not enough time to do them. Trying to figure out where to take my blog. Sigh...I feel your pain!

    D.B. McNicol
    Romance & Mystery...writing my life

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  16. It's tough to get writing done in the midst of life's excitement and busy-ness. I just try to get in a little at a time. And as for missed deadlines - well, I just decide to remake them because that's all I can do after I've missed them. Forgive yourself and write onward and upward. You can do it!
    Best wishes on all that you do this month. Happy Writing!

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  17. I'm concerned about the same thing. I just recently found a productivity schedule that really works for me, and I'm one month in. A crucial part of it is writing everyday for at least an hour, but soon I'll be in China for a month. I'm terrified that this trip will completely derail me.

    As far as your schedule, your WIP may be delayed, but at least a lot of your delays are writing related. It sounds like you have a lot of amazing projects coming up, so I'd enjoy the ride and not sweat it too much. The WIP will always be there.

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  18. It's hard to keep a balance between life and writing life. I don't write every day but I do read and try to do something writing related every day. GL with your projects!
    lucindawhitney.com

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  19. I had to push back the completion of my manuscript until this month due to the Challenge. It happens. Just set a new deadline and keep moving toward it.

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  20. May tends to be a little quiet after the hyperactivity of the AZ Challenge. Worth taking a step back and regrouping.

    mood
    Moody Writing

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  21. Yes, the A-Z tired a lot of us out! I feel your frustration at not getting things done. Just try to hop back into writing your WIP - at least once a week until you have a little more time to write regularly. And don't beat yourself up if you don't meet your own self-imposed deadlines.

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  22. Oh, man--it sucks a lot, but it totally happens. I find if I have to set a work aside, that what I ACTUALLY do when I come back to it is first edit, then fill holes and write the ending. I can't leave it and then just jump back in. It might be me. My memory sucks rocks. But even things like character voice need some time to fall back into. You are not alone! Good luck!

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  23. This happens to all writers. Life gets in the way sometimes. But the thing to remember is this - you can't write about life if you don't experience life. Taking breaks from writing is important, and all those real-life things - file them away in your brain as writing inspiration.

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  24. Looks like you're doing one good thing, taking a blogging break. Some things have to go while others take priority. Real life, real people almost always come first. Best wishes.
    Play off the Page

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  25. Goodness, I wish I knew how to deal with it in a mature manner. I get annoyed and in a bad mood. However I must say sometimes the break works wonder. I had a break this past month and so far I'm waiting for my wonder, ugh. (clearly I'm still annoyed lol) You will make it work. I know you will! Good luck with the competitions if you enter. :)

    S.K.Anthony: IWSG

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  27. Sometimes life gets in the way of our plans. It sounds like you have a good plan, though. I hope can take a break from your WIP and return to it with a renewed enthusiasm.

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  28. Rachna, I know how you feel! Try to enjoy life and not worry about the writing too much. It'll get done when it gets done :)

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  29. I deal with that, too, and it's frustrating. I suppose it might be mitigated, depending on how you feel about the other things. Still, part of me is counting the days until I have an 'empty nest'. LOL

    IWSG #224 until Alex culls the list again.

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  30. Enjoy your time away Rachna--you deserve it.

    I am not sure there is a sure-fire way to overcome life frustrations that infringe upon writing time. I just try to keep a positive attitude and make the most of each opportunity that is presented.

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  31. Sometimes you gotta just let go of the things you cannot get to. If nobody gets killed or seriously injured, then everything will work out in the end.

    Enjoy your down time. You'll be a better writer later for the break.

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  32. All the best to you! I'm also lagging behind on some urgent as in requested work I had to do.

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  33. My schedule is always crazy, and I really am itching to get back to my current wip. I'm going to a write-in at a coffee shop on Monday morning to get myself motivated, then hope to set aside a few days to do nothing except write (another one of my binge writing episodes).

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  34. I guess you have to set priorities and go with them. Be flexible with your deadlines. It helps avoid frustration. I wish you good writing!

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  35. I have several drafts I've abandoned because of editing and promoting, so I'll return to them this summer. Life does get in the way.

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  36. The break does a lot of good to bounce back ! happy writing and holidays till 26th:)

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  37. Hi Rachna
    You are sensible having a break from blogging. It will help to ease the frustration of not being able to concentrate on your writing.

    I found the A-Z exhausting, too. I'm determined to take a break shortly. See you when you return.

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  38. Your schedule does sound hectic, but I'm sure you will handle it with a little bit of readjustments...I wonder how you manage to pack so much in your day! Great!

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  39. Have a rest, Rachna, and thanks so much for your kind support.

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  40. Wow sound like you're having a wild month. Just do what you can, when you can. :-)

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  41. Like they say, "everything in moderation." It's good that you have some irritation. Use it to motivate you:) I have complete faith in your abilities and I know you will succeed, Rachna:)

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  42. Everyone who participated in A to Z deserves a rest! Hope you got a bit of rest and a break. :)

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  43. A step at a time. You can only do so much.
    Hope you're enjoying your break, Rachna!

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