Tuesday, February 4, 2014

A Pen and a Phone

Today is IWSG day.  IWSG stands for Insecure Writers Support Group and was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. You can follow other IWSG members here  and on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG. We also have an active Facebook page.

Our purpose is to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds.

I'm not feeling insecure, but I'm not accomplishing much in the way of writing since we've moved from Oklahoma back to Louisiana. Maybe I'm feeling a little weak. I can't really put my finger on why I'm not writing. I've turned in my assigned articles to Southern Writers Magazine simply because I always meet my deadlines. But when  it comes to sitting down and reading through two manuscripts for final edits before submissions, I haven't done it. I have two nonfiction books in various stages but so far, not motivated enough to finish them. Sure, when I sit down and force myself, I get excited about them all over again, but it's the actual sitting down to work that seems to be the problem. There are so many other things that need to be done.

I'm on the 2014 Bayou Writers Group conference committee, trying to line up speakers for approval, but that's like breathing to me. I don't mind researching speakers and sending invites.

It's the day to day stuff that interferes with my writing life.

We've been pulling wall paper off the kitchen and bathroom walls. Yeah, okay, I know, we're the only people in the country who still have wall paper; so we've been told. Anyway, we're starting the renovating process and trying to do some of the mindless, hum-drum work ourselves. Our contractor will oversee the new floors, baseboards, new showers, kitchen counter tops and appliances and paint throughout, along with a few other improvements.

Add to that ... daughter is engaged. We're planning an August wedding.

No wedding planner for us. I'm calling florists, venues, photographers, bakeries.
And, writing checks.
Yes, I have a pen and a phone and I'm using both.

Any tips on how to juggle writing, weddings and home renovations? Your thoughts are appreciated!



10 comments:

Zan Marie said...

Well, I had wallpaper almost as long as you did. We did this type of renovation in the last year. Though we did all the painting, flooring, countertops, new vanities ourselves. Can you say silly? ;-)

Good luck on the wedding. And Best Wished to the happy couple!

SK Anthony said...

Oooh best of luck with all the renovation! I wish I had some good tips, I'm struggling with my own time. Hope you can squeeze it in though ;)

Congratulations to the happy couple, and have fun with the preparations :D

Charity Bradford said...

No wonder you don't feel like writing! Busy, busy, busy. Maybe this is a good time to just live your life for a while. Get renovations, conference and wedding taken care of and perhaps your mind will be free of clutter and ready to write.

Good luck with it all!

Lisa said...

We've done massive renovations as well, but I didn't try to write while we did them. Moving drains you. You shouldn't beat yourself up about feeling uninspired. Give yourself some time, rest, and do what you love when it comes to you...

Lynn said...

Congrats on the wedding! Good luck on the renovations... hey I still have wallpaper! The stuff on our kitchen/dining area is that straw like stuff. Maybe that doesn't count :-) You're going to be a terrific wedding planner!

Diane Burton said...

Jessie, you've had a lot going on. Give yourself a little slack. Moving takes a toll on a person. Do the best you can and esp. enjoy the wedding prep.

Laura Clipson said...

I haven't done much writing in January, but I'm really motivated to get more done this month. I know what you mean about it being hard to actually sit down and write.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

When there's upheaval, it's always hard to get back into a rhythm. Maybe once things have settled, just set a time every day and make it happen.

Toi Thomas said...

Juggling is not a strong point for me. I mean, I usually manage to pull things together, but I couldn't tell you how. I hope you find a balance...Oh and congratulations.

Unknown said...

Exactly! I have the worst time sitting down and persuading myself to write. When I finally do, I don't get much done the first day, but then I get in the swing and my word count will go up every day after that. UNTIL...commitments to others start getting in the way and I have to stop and take care of 101 things. It takes days and the writing inertia builds. When it's finally done, I go through the whole whiny, "I don't wanna write" thing again. :P