Finding a Routine

A routine is what I need right now. It’s a comforting safety net that keeps me sane. When I don’t have something to do, I feel useless. I can’t sit still and enjoy free time for too long. Free time to me is a void that needs to be filled by projects or chores I’ve put off because I was too busy to get to them on a regular day!

As you may know, I just moved out of state from “dreary” Ohio to sunny Florida. I am not a fan of change, especially starting over again this far into my life. Uprooting my beautiful routine, leaving my awesome job, good neighbors and friends, I’ve been apprehensive and stressed. And I will miss the change of seasons. So much NEW!

I also have loads of time on my hands. Is there such a thing as too much free time? Ha ha. It’s ironic I’m usually wishing for more time to write. Well, I have an abundance now. So much time I don’t know what to do with it all. As a teacher, summer was my writing time. But with the stress of having to get re-established I’m hard-pressed to get into the writing frame of mind… sigh

Now, it’s time to buck up. I’ve never been one to shirk a challenge. I need to create a new routine for my new life. I love lists! I’m writing things down to organize myself and take some stress out of the daunting new atrocities of this monstrous change. And look, I finally wrote a new blog post! Many times blogging helps me figure things out.

Things I’m looking forward to incorporating into my New Routine:

• Write every morning! (I hear some groaning, but it’s the quietest time of the day around here)
• Finding a writers group
• Travel - visit family, but also do some Writerly Events
• Start subbing again? Subbing is where I got the bug to write so many years ago. It will keep me busy and still give me time to write. It is also chock full of inspirational characters!

I’m also encouraged by some new neighbors we met at one of the functions we were invited to. It’s so nice to meet people in the same boat, then it isn’t so lonely and scary. And I have a new hairstylist to try (after going to the same one for 20 years). Check!

Hugs from the new roost!

Hope your summer is off to a sunny, productive start!

Would love to hear how you’ve been doing!

PS - I hope to start the Writers Chat back up soon — I miss that big part of my routine!

How to Transition and Survive

Change is hard.

And life is full of changes, getting older, moving, job changes, relationship status, health issues, etc. And if you have to go through more than one at the same time, your stress level can go through the roof!

I'm in the midst of several changes, almost all of the above. I'm dealing with it in the best way I know how, but I know I've been snapping people's heads off when the stress gets to me. Then I feel horrible. I try to keep positive, but juggling all these new headaches is making me crazy.

The hardest part has been losing my writing life and missing out on book events. It's hard enough to be a writer, but when you have a good thing going and it falls apart, it's so hard to start over. It's easy to doubt and wonder if this is the part where I'm supposed to give up and move on...

So for IWSG this month, I'm looking for ways to deal with change. Here's what I came up with:

• One thing at a time - It doesn't all have to be done at once. I have to ask myself: What can I handle today?
• Ask for help - I'm so grateful for this community. I got so much help this summer. When you're down, you've got a friend!
• Don't overdo it - I tend to work, work, work until I fall asleep. I feel overwhelmed and rushed, like I have to get everything done ASAP! But I know many of the things can wait, so I decided to shut down at a certain time every day. Then I can relax a little before going to bed.
• Make time for family - they're the ones usually taking the brunt of my sharp tongue. I have to show them I can be nice and fun and still love them.
• Organize the mess - I have several unfinished projects I want to get to, but they are low priority. Seeing them sitting there unfinished is a big stresser. So I write myself a list of the things I need to get to when I make some project time and put the projects away out of sight.
• Go shopping - or sit outside with my dog and a glass of wine or watch a favorite show... just do something away from the stress. The stuff will still be there, but if I'm too irritated, I won't be able to concentrate and get things done anyway.

Setting aside time each weekend morning in August, I was able to type up, then edit down my submission for the IWSG Anthology Contest. I'll let you know if I make it... Probably keep it to myself if I don't. But I'm proud of myself for getting it done!

I'm just trying to get my life back into a groove, then I think things will start looking up, right?

Do you have any advice for an over-stressed workaholic? 

Hope September is falling into place!

Time for a Change

Welcome to the Insecure Writers Support Group for May 2018.

Most of the time, I don't like change. I just had to switch phones, which means I need to re-customize my perfectly chosen alarm tones, figure out which songs in my playlist didn't make it to the new phone, and get used to the new "upgrades" I didn't want. That's actually not so bad when you factor in: I may have to switch phone numbers! That's the WORST! I've had the same out-of-state phone number for 15 years because I wanted to avoid telling everyone a new number, much less memorize one. Egads! What a headache.

But I have to look at the bright side. At least I have a phone. At least we don't have to move, just yet. And my family is doing ok - for the most part. The phone stuff is a minor annoyance taking up time I don't have to give... like dealing with a broken garage door (a side story for another time...)

All things considered, sometimes change can be good. Yes, I'm finally getting to the point. I felt like my header was too loud, and visiting around some other blogs, I wanted to give it more of a writer feel. I also need to update my side bar... an easy thing to procrastinate. But the change that needs my utmost attention is concentrating on connections.

I feel like I've become an isolationist in the writing/blogging world. I barely reach out to my writer friends anymore. And it shows with my lower numbers. I need my writerly friends! And I need to find balance with my job to make it happen. I also want to make my articles more content rich so folks will want to come read them!

So here's the changes I have planned:

• Done with the surveys. It's been fun, but responses have declined, and it's becoming too much effort for the results. Even after I added a prize! Maybe I'll do one again sometime...
• Rebuild connections. I will dedicate an allotted amount of time to spend reading blogs and writing articles.
• Reaching out. I want to tweet more (which also shows up on FB) I think I need more visibility. I just have to come up with awesome things to tweet!
• Posting weekly. This is going to be tough, but I need to get back to a regular posting schedule. I'm going to write more about writing--going back to the roots of why I started this blog. I know I'll have more fodder as I'm breaking away from my two series and diving into a new direction with my latest WIP: FARTHER ALONG, a Christian YA
• Paying it forward. I'd like to have more guest posts. This is a great way for us to help each other and broaden our reach. Twice the audience! Let me know if you're interested.

And here's the final results from the last survey - A-MUSING

Do you have a personal muse?

What is your muse's name?

• Hoho the Magic Newt
• It's unnamed and mysterious.
• Monster, Librarian Linda, and High-heeled Helen
• The Muse
• Styx
• Unknown
• Nigel
• Same as mine. 
• Erato

Who was your greatest influence to become a writer?

• Authors - Anne McCaffrey, Terry Brooks, Tolkien, Stephen King, Holly Lisle, C.S. Lewis
• No one in particular - from classical authors (Dickens, Poe, etc.) to comic book writers like Stan Lee!
• My mom x 2
• My kids
• It's my calling

How long have you known you were destined to be a writer?

And the lucky winner of the A-MUSING survey is...

Christine Rains!!

Thanks to all who have played along.

And finally, the big, huge, awesome announcement...

TICK TOCK, A STITCH IN CRIME is NOW AVAILABLE!!

Exploring the facets of time, eleven authors delve into mysteries and crimes that linger in both dark corners and plain sight. Featuring the talents of...

• Home
• Gwen Gardner
• C. D. Gallant-King
• Rebecca M Douglass
• J. R. Ferguson
• Yolanda Renée

• Tara Tyler
• S. R. Betler
• Christine Clemetson
• Mary Aalgaard
• C. Lee McKenzie
• Jemi Fraser

Official Tick Tock Blog

Amazon == B&N == Goodreads

Thanks so much for stopping by!