A Hundred Quills
"Words.Words.I play with words, hoping that some combination, even a chance combination will say what I want" -Doris Lessing
What kind of a writer are you? (IWSG- October)
Hola friends!
Happy IWSG day!
The purpose of this group 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!
The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day.
The awesome co-hosts for the October 7 posting of the IWSG are Jemima Pett, Beth Camp, Beverly Stowe McClure, and Gwen Gardner!
Do visit them and show some love. The IWSG is a wonderful group for all the compulsive writers. If you wish to join please do so here
Visit the website here for some wonderful writing experience and learning.
And now for this month’s question.
When you think of the term working writer, what does that look like to you? What do you think it is supposed to look like? Do you see yourself as a working writer or aspiring or hobbyist, and if latter two, what does that look like?
Well, a working writer sounds great and it’s every writer’s dream, isn’t it? How I wish I could call myself one. But I do have another job which I find hard to give up. Maybe a few years down the line but I don’t see that happening at least for a while.
I started off as a hobbyist which was great. I could balance work and writing because I was doing it for fun. So, I didn’t quite bother about a writing routine or workshops or submissions. I wrote as and when I wanted to. I don’t know how and when this hobbyist turned into an aspiring writer, and there has been no looking back.
I’m doing a writing course with the job and I’m also doing random submissions along with nurturing the blog. I want to slow down but the moment I do it, I begin to feel upset about not writing enough. I’ve been thinking of reducing the outings on the blog because I never set out to be a full-time blogger. Do you think that would help? Maybe some of you from the group may have practical suggestions to give. They are all welcome.
Right now I’m doing a series on the blog called ‘The Little Girl’ series for children. It is part of ‘My Friend Alexa’ campaign by Blogchatter. For any of you interested, the first two chapters are available here and here.
I am also excited for an artist’s and poet’s collaboration that we are working towards in the month of October. Information will soon be on the blog. Do visit again if it interests you.
That’s all for today. Wish you all a happy IWSG day! Keep safe and keep writing.
Sonia, you have a gift for writing. Not many are overnight successes. Keep writing. Keep improving. Keep loving what you do.
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Thank you Denise. This is definitely encouraging.
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You sound like a working writer to me. You work (even if it is a day job) and you write. I’m the same 😉
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You think so? Thank you!
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Time is such a hard thing to get enough of! I’ve greatly reduced my blogging to find more of it. I tend to blog for IWSG and a couple of more times per month now. Finding that balance is hard – hope you find yours!
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Thank you Jemi. I hope so too.
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I never considered my blog as part of my writing routine. I blog mostly for the two blog hops I participate in – IWSG and WEP – so that would be once or twice a month. Rarely, an additional post appears, when something strikes my fancy too strongly to resist. Otherwise, a blog is a promotional tool for me, a way to keep in touch with other writers, not a writing venue, but that is just my personal take. Yours might be different, and there is no right or wrong answer.
If you feel that you have to use your blog as a place to publish your series The Little Girl, go for it. Your intuition is the only guide you should follow in this matter, not anything anyone says.
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Thank you Olga. I’ve mostly been publishing on my blog because I needed to test the waters. But now I feel it’s time to move out. Let’s see how it goes.
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I think this is very sound advice, Olga.
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Thank you so much for stopping by my blog.
Moving between the role of an aspiring writer to a working writer takes a lot of time. Having a blog is a good way to stay connected to the community, but it should not be your top priority. Less blogging and more writing is a good idea. In any case, don’t rush the process. Let it happen when it’s supposed to. Sounds like you are on the right path. I wish you all the best.
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Thank you Toi. I’m trying hard.
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I’m in a similar boat with blogging. I used to do three posts a week, then it became weekly. Right now, it may have to go to monthly, because I’m in college classes right now on top of writing, and those two have to come before blogging. I tried to change things up and switch what I blogged about, but it didn’t help.
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I’m in a similar space. I hope it settles fast for you. Thank you for being here.
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Good luck with your collaboration. How exciting! I’m a full time writer with a corpo writing side gig. My blog(s) are both good and bad for my creative self. Sometimes I fall down the rabbit hole in a time sucking whirlwind. Happy IWSG Day!
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Happy IWSG day. Thank you for being here.
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Now, this is a question that I really wonder. But I haven’t found an answer to it, it seems to me like an eternal dilemma, or until I actually have an answer. But I am really excited about your next venture.
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Thank you Moushmi. I’m thrilled too. Stay tuned.
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I see myself in a similar way–aspiring writer–trying to write fiction, blog and take writing courses. It’s a balancing act, and I’m afraid the blog suffers the most.
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I’m going to stop giving the blog attention. Like not more than once a week. I need to write other things. Thank you Donna.
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I agree with C. Lee. It sounds like you’re on a good path. I suggest having a regular schedule for your blog that fits around your writing time – so once a week or once a month, but not too much. Then, you can focus on writing and finishing work for submission – whether it’s short stories, poetry, or longer works. I suggest some of all three (but then, that’s because it’s worked best for me). And don’t wait for something to come back after you’ve sent it out, just write the next thing. It really helps to keep on going.
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Thank you. I do see some useful advice there. I’m going to be doing a lot of this.
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I’ll follow this post, because I am also interested in your question about blogs. I have done a dismal job of keeping mine going. I have some ideas on how to create content more frequently, but my writing time goes to my WIP and the blog takes a back seat. We shall see if I can do better in the near future.
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I’m planning to put the blog on a back burner for my WIP. Let’s see how it goes. Thank you.
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You’re working hard on this. I think a lot of people I started with had bloggers burn-out after about five or so years. Some reduced to once a week, some to once a month. A couple stopped blogging. I cut mine down to two or three posts a week, and sometimes only one when I’m really busy. Just make it regualr, so your followers know what to expect.
A caution about putting all your WIP on your blog. Some organisations count that as published. Some don’t. But if you want to use a short story you’ve posted on your blog to submit anywhere you may have problems. Also I’ve heard stories of plagiarism that way. Just be careful.
Good luck!
Jemima
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Thank you Jemima. That’s good advice. I shall certainly pay heed.
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I agree with Jemima. There are very, very few calls for submission I’ve seen that will consider work that has already appeared on a blog.
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Yes Liz. I’m mostly just going to rant on the blog…And may be rave too if I have reason😄😄
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Sounds like you’ve figured it all out. 😉
Anna from elements of emaginette
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I hope so. Thank you!
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I write on my blog just to keep a small connection to the outside world – especially outside writers. I don’t have a lot of contact outside of my family and a few coworkers. It keeps me more accountable with my writing if I think anyone is paying attention.
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Yes I do see that in my case too but I guess I could go a little slow on the blog. Thank you.
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It sounds as if you’ve set yourself on the right path to success as a writer. I hope your class is helpful.
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Thank you Lee. I hope it works too.
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It sounds as if you’ve set yourself on an excellent and very doable path. Hope the class gives you what you need at this point in your writing journey.
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You could try reducing the time you spend on the blog, to see if you spend that time writing anything else. It might work, but there’s no guarantee!
Personally I find that a little time spent writing my blog, or short articles, doesn’t make any real difference to the time I spend writing fiction – but we’re all different.
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I’ve been thinking of doing that. Let me see how it goes. Thank you.
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Hi Sonia, happy IWSG Day! 🙂 I’m glad to have found your blog, because I’d like to say – keep at it! I have found that writing as often as possible has helped me improve as a writer. If you do want to keep some of your writing off the blog, since all that formatting and stuff can be an extra chore (don’t I know it!), you can always save things up to post another time. Focus on what’s important to you, and the rest will come. All the best with your work and good words for the future! 🙂
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Thank you
Those are reassuring words and I’m so glad to read your comment.
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Hi,
You’re slowly discovering what gifts you have inside of you. That doesn’t mean that you have to quit your job. Give those talents inside of you time to grow. Let them flourish within you. If you are supposed to be a full-time writer, you will know it, someday, because your heart will wake up yearning for only that.
All the best with your series and your collaboration.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
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Hi Pat
Apologies for the late response. I’ve been up with a lot of work.
You are always encouraging Pat, through your words and your work. Thank you so much for these inspiring words.
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Sometimes I feel fear to publish my writeup. This is a great post.
https://swarnaz.com/
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Thank you.
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Welcome
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