Energize!

It's easy to find the energy to do the things you love. If my kids ask me to play a board game, I suddenly get a second wind, even after a day of shopping and cooking and it's probably past my bedtime =D. Or, if an idea sparks, I am energized to write down a whole scene or a new character's backstory. For December's IWSG, I'm brainstorming ways to...

For some things, I have to scrounge up energy to get them done - like housework. I love to write, but sometimes after a long day of work, I don't have the energy to be creative. Responsibilities come first and can wear us out! So here are some things to try to Energize:

• Promise yourself a Reward - You deserve a treat for getting chores done. And a treat doesn't have to be food; it can be just relaxing, watching a favorite show, playing a video game, or strolling through social media--though a little chocolate or a glass of wine are also quite rewarding.
• Alternate - Do a chore, do something fun, do a chore, watch a show, etc. 
• Take a Walk - Exercising can give you energy, seriously =D
• Take a Power Nap - If you're exhausted but still have to finish up some work, a 30 minute lie-down can be quite refreshing

If you have any suggestions for getting energized, please share!

Hope you enjoy the Holidays and all the Festivities that go along with the Season! 

Time to Write!

Time to Write - that phrase has multiple meanings...

It's time to write! Time to get back to the keyboard and let the words flow.

Also,

I can't find time to write! I wish I had time to write! This isn't a good time to write!

All of the above. My life is so busy with responsibilities, writing is low on the priority list. When I do have some extra time, I'm usually not in the mood. It takes a lot of time just to get my mindset back into my WIPs. I had to take a hard break from my summer writing streak when school started. So, I would need a big chunk of time to review my stories and re-invest in the characters and remember where I was headed with the scenes. By that time, something usually comes up to divert me again.

On the other hand, I expect to have more time this month. School has settled down. And my son and his puppy have moved to their new place. It's very quiet without them, and writing could be a good way for me to keep my mind off missing him. Wish me luck!

Where are you in your writing journey? Are you making time to write? How do you get in the mood to write?

In other news, I had a terrific book event in October. I met some great folks (readers & writers), sold some books, and I even did a quick interview! I also have 2 more events in November. Slowly but surely re-entering the book scene.

Thanks for stopping by for the IWSG monthly get together. Check out the link to find out more and get to know more writers!

November is here! 

Snuggle up for cooler weather and shorter days!

What a Writer is Made of...

A writer is the sum of her life's experiences.

Welcome readers and writers to this month's session of the Insecure Writers Support Group--one of the last threads of blogging that keeps writers connected. The other social medias are not as personal as the blogging we once shared. When I started blogging about 15 years ago (holy cow!) I was so thankful to find other writers through blog hops and challenges, especially the April A to Z and then the IWSG.

I like to think blogging faded away because we all started writing more, and the thing we had to give up was blogging. I'm very thankful for the writer friends I've made and the IWSG keeping us posting at least once a month! And I try to keep in touch as much as I can. We understand each other...

• For most of us, writing isn't what pays the bills; we have real jobs to support our writing habit
• We have to find spare moments to write
• Sometimes, we go for days or weeks or more without writing a single word
• A song, strangers, mishaps, dreams, and more can all be sources that spark a new story or scene
• Our characters speak to us--usually at inappropriate moments =D
• Editing sucks the life out of finishing a manuscript
• We are our own worst critics and struggle putting ourselves "out there"
• Queries & Submissions are so strenuous to write, yet so easy for agents/publishers to ignore or negate
• We are perseverant because we have to be strong for our stories
• We crave reviews and critiques, while at the same time dread them--it's hard to share our work (it's a piece of our souls)
• A kind word or comment from a single reader can inspire us to keep writing
• Talking with other writers keeps us sane

Do you feel some of these? What would you add to this list?

Our writing journeys all started in different places for different reasons, but we are compelled to share our stories. It takes special people to suffer through the ups and downs of writing. Keep at it!

Lastly, I hope to get at least one more Tuesday Writers Chat session in before the holidays, but October is going to be insanely busy with my hub traveling all over creation for work. Then the end of the month will be bittersweet as my oldest son moves away, on to his next big adventure. I might consider NaNo this November to fill the void. But life usually fills the void for me, so we'll see!

I hope you wear your writer's costume this October and find time to work on your stories!