Lately I've been having some serious issues with writer's block. It seems like all the time I have so many ideas just floating around my brain until I sit down to actually write. The second I pick up a pen/pencil, or sit down at the computer my brain just empties. It's beginning to make me insane. I have all these things plotted out and notes written down, but when it comes time to turn them in to something -- *poof*.
Sometimes I get lucky and can get a few words down, but then if I look them over I am horrified. I start wondering who on earth would read this? It's worse than the worse thi...
Hi everyone!
I'd like to apologize for the long hiatus. Many things have been going on in my personal life. I won't go in to too much detail, but I've had a lot of health issues and a couple of surgeries in the interim time. I've also lost three close family members in the space of the last couple of years that have thrown me and I have still not really absorbed their loss.
Another reason that I have been absent so long is that I've also had a lot of self-doubt as a writer. I have actually gotten some writing done, as well as a bit of my first novel started. After the first bit I was hi...
Just recently I began submitting my blog to various blog related listing sites, and found I had a small problem. All of them ask me to classify what this blog is about. Uh-oh. For some reason they all seemed to lack the proper category. The neglected to add the "whatever strikes my fancy" category.
That led me to sit down and really think about what this blog is about.
I've been told it's a "mommy blog" since I have posted parenting relating things, or it's a "contest blog" because I post giveaways. Ok, I can get with that, sort-of. Those are parts of me, but I have a problem with cla...
Many of you don't know that I have both a sister and a niece with special needs. My sister suffered brain damage as a result of her belirubin climbing to record heights as an infant. Her functioning level was put at that of a six year old, even though she is 30 years old. She is the sweetest person, but has had a very rough life due to this and other unrelated problems. My niece has been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, and I have been learning all I can about this very common Autism Spectrum Disorder.
As a result, I am a proud supporter of sites and causes that promote information and f...
Lately I’ve been having some serious issues with writer’s block. It seems like all the time I have so many ideas just floating around my brain until I sit down to actually write. The second I pick up a pen/pencil, or sit down at the computer my brain just empties. It’s beginning to make me insane. I have all these things plotted out and notes written down, but when it comes time to turn them in to something — *poof*.
Sometimes I get lucky and can get a few words down, but then if I look them over I am horrified. I start wondering who on earth would read this? It’s worse than the worse thing I’ve ever read. (And let me tell you I have read some pretty bad writing while surfing the web, lol.) I start to freak out and think maybe writing isn’t my thing. Maybe I really don’t have the talent it takes to make people want to read what I’ve written? Then of course that starts another round of writer’s block even worse than the one before it.
I have this entire world and cast of characters that I want to introduce to the world that I just can’t seem to bring out to play. They’re banging around in my head and screaming to let them out. Then when it’s time to put up or shut up I just can’t seem to find them. It’s just so frustrating and depressing and makes me just want to scream! (Or find some time wasters that will distract me. I must say — Facebook is a double edged sword for that.)
Anyone out there have any tips to help get past the blank page? Or to get past the fear of what you are actually producing? I’m open to pretty much anything at this point to try to save some of my sanity.
I’d like to apologize for the long hiatus. Many things have been going on in my personal life. I won’t go in to too much detail, but I’ve had a lot of health issues and a couple of surgeries in the interim time. I’ve also lost three close family members in the space of the last couple of years that have thrown me and I have still not really absorbed their loss.
Another reason that I have been absent so long is that I’ve also had a lot of self-doubt as a writer. I have actually gotten some writing done, as well as a bit of my first novel started. After the first bit I was hit so hard with doubt of my skills that I allowed myself to be hit with the biggest case of writer’s block that I have ever had.
On the positive side, we have also welcomed a new member to our family. We have grown from a family of six to seven, and the youngest has everyone wrapped around his little finger already. Hard to believe that he is already two years old. We also welcomed a new nephew that is only a month older than our little guy. It will be great for them to be able to grow up together, though I know if my nephew is anything like my brother they will be adding some serious gray to my hair.
I have again decided that the only was that I will ever know for sure if I can make my dream come true is if I actually write. Even if what I produce is absolutely horrible, I can always clean it up in editing. I’ve realized it’s a little difficult to edit a blank page.
So with that decided, I felt my next step was to resurrect my old blog as a way to motivate myself to actually produce. Not only will it let me warm up with writing and get my creative juices flowing, but now I have people to answer to if I don’t follow through. (I figure there should be one or two of you that will call me on it if I don’t start writing about having something ready for submission.)
I have also decided that I will refocus to a smaller beginning. I plan to hone my skills on some short stories first. Then submit them to paying markets and see what the response is. My initial goal of producing a complete novel is just so large that it seemed to overwhelm me to the point that I couldn’t function. Yes, I know I will be risking rejection, but I have tried to prepare myself for it. I will not let myself be stopped, because I realize no matter how good my writing may (or may not) be, it could still be rejected for various reasons not related to what I have written. (Not the least of which may be this wonderful economy that I am sure has been effecting the writer’s market as well.)
So, that’s basically where I’m at with everything. I will be posting progress along with my usual bits of this and that. My pledge is a minimum of one post per week, though I am hoping for more. Feel free to yell at me if I don’t.
I just wanted to take a few quick minutes to wish everyone a happy and safe Fourth of July. (For those of you not in the US, have a happy weekend.)
We will be seeing fireworks in our town tonight, and in the neighboring town tomorrow night. We’ll see what the baby thinks about fireworks. His next oldest brother would cry hysterically when they went off and I spent the night in the van where it was just a touch quieter. We will also be going to a carnival tomorrow. The kids can barely stand the wait for any of it. Personally all the running around has me tired before we’ve even started.
I’ve been keeping busy with several web related projects, both my own and clients as well as working on getting my gift business programs up and running. I will admit that my writing has taken a back-seat again, but I do have it scheduled for next week if not sooner. (Yes, I’m not above using my sister-in-law being in town as an excuse….)
What are you all doing for the holiday (or weekend, for those that don’t celebrate)? Feel free to leave me a comment. I’d love to have some new ideas for things to do or ways to celebrate.
I hope everyone is doing well.
Have a great day!
Heather
How to Eliminate Stress and Anxiety from your Life
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Also, thanks for the heads up on the commenting problem. Sorry to everyone that had problems posting a comment without an account. This is now fixed.
With this great MommyFest Blog party I thought I should put together for a new intro.
I am a 31 year old mother of five. I have four boys ages 12, 11, 6 and 7 months and a daughter that is 9 years old. I am a writer, web/graphic designer, web host, and WAHM for many different businesses. I like to have many different avenues to express myself. I actually counted the other day and I currently own 18 domains! (Unfortunately hubby was around for the count and gave me a raised eyebrow. )
In my spare time, what little there is I either read or play World of Warcraft and Second Life. I find that I am more apt to work or read in my spare time than play though.
That’s about it for getting to know who I am. I have many blogs and web sites that you are free to wander around. They’ll help in getting to know me. (Though many may wonder if I’m schizophrenic based on the wide variety of things I’m involved with… I’m not. Just, ummmmm… Diverse. Yeah. That’s a good word.)
If anyone is interested in exchanging links with any of my sites, please let me know in the comments below.
I look forward to getting to know everyone during this party. Now I’m off to surf some more mom blogs.
Well, it seems that my lofty ideas for my budding writing career have been put on hold.
In the past couple of years that I started this web site I have been going through some serious life changes. Both of my maternal grandparents passed away within six months of each other. I had a surprise pregnancy and miscarriage, followed by another pregnancy and new baby boy. I’ve also had the joy of seeing my businesses actually start bringing some income in. (Slowly, but enough to rekindle my zeal towards them.) I’ve also started a new business with a brand new but very close on-line friend.
I haven’t given up the dream of writing for a living, but have just realized that somewhere along the way it got shoved to the side. With all of the craziness that has invaded my life I have made a new vow to make time to write at least every day. There are days that I feel no one listens to me, so at least this way I will get some feeling of being heard.
If anyone is interested in seeing what I have been up to, they can visit the following web sites:
As I said I have been very busy, but over-all I’m more content that I have ever been. Now that I have started paying attention to my creative side I am much happier. (Gee, imagine that. Those of you that know me would never have guess that’s an important aspect of my personality. )
That’s it for now. I hope that you are all happy and healthy.
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Well, it seems that for every step forward I have to take two big leaps back. I ahve been trying to write my first spec fiction novel and have hit a wall. I have the world, the story line, the main character, the plot, and only two pages. I’m not sure if I have just been over-thinking this and have built it up into such a huge force it’s stiffling my creativity or what.
I have decided that I will step back and let it percolate in the back of my mind for a while and see what happens. I’ve started a new story (see how I am starting out small – finally, lol) about a woman with an affinity with the forces of nature that has a disfunctional family. So far that’s all I know about her. I have no idea where the story is going, but maybe that’s for the best. If I can’t analyze it to death maybe I can actually produce something.
i think I was going in to this the wrong way. I started with the goal of publishing a novel. I made this my last chance effort of fulfilling any of my childhood dreams. That’s enough pressure to crack anyone’s creative spirit, isn’t it? I’ve had a complete attitude adjustment and realized that I have a beautiful family and a fantastic husband which is more than a lot of people have. I am raising four amazing little people and that is more than enough.
I am going back to writing because it’s something I love and it fills a void in me that it has taken many years for me to realized exists. It’s taken me even more to realize that that void is my creative soul slowly dying from lack of attention. I’ve tried various ways to feed it, but it seems that writing in any form is the only way to truly nourish it.
Quite a bit of self-analysis for a couple of days, isn’t it?
On that serious note, I will take my leave. I need to get myself and children ready for my day job. I hope to be posting some of me actual writing up here soon for comments and feedback. In the meantime I will enjoy what I have rather than what I don’t.
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