Life and writers

Ever feel so exhausted, that feeling that you should just stay in bed? Shut out the world. When you feel that the world is against you. That struggle to keep going. Yes, my posts might sometimes be negative but this is life. I sometimes lie in bed at night reading other writers and bloggers.  This does not help me with exhaustion the next day, but I find it hard sometimes to switch off.

Yesterday my eight year old came home from school early as running a high temperature. This morning I told him he had school today and he protested. I gave in and told him he is not playing on gadgets all day. He is now sat playing games, I’ve given him ‘Harry Potter’ to read, he is cuddling it but not reading it.

He is still reading ‘The animals of Farthing Wood’, but because he is reading it with his class he has been asked to not read on.  This is the only fiction book that he will read at the moment which is frustrating for me as I want him to just read.

I think my son and I are probably sharing the same sickness bug. As an adult I’m trying to just keep going. Going through the motions of exhaustion, work and life.

My writing

I’m still writing my paranormal story, and now considering going back through my ‘‘Little girl in the snow’ story and submitting that elsewhere. Trying to take note of other writers comments to help improve it.

As a writer I’ve learnt that writing friends are very important. Having discussed my paranormal story with a friend in America, who I will probably never meet, she is kindly helping me with my showing. There is so much to learn, trying to show what my characters are doing rather than often telling.

All writers need support, having other writers read your work and comment is essential. It is important to keep learning and to keep growing. Honest feedback can hurt (yes I have cried and felt a little angry), but it is an important part of the writing process. Of course it is also important to have readers reading your work, which is one reason why I write and enjoy writing my blog.

Facebook live

Here are my Facebook lives from the last week,

New blog post today – 19th November 2019

New blog post and today – 22nd November 2019

Today

My Tuesday is usually spent quietly writing my blog posts and general house work. Today I really should face the stress of my daughter’s bedroom, but I tidy it and a few hours later you can’t see the carpet again.

I started this post whilst talking on the telephone. An hour later my eight year old is still watching ‘You Tube’. Why can’t he just lie down with a book, why ‘You Tube? I’ve told him that he has school tomorrow, I am hoping he is well enough.

After confiscating ‘You Tube’ he is now playing upstairs.  His books are just lying here, he has told me that Harry Potter is boring, but he hasn’t read past the first page.

Writing with my son

If I hadn’t had to make phone calls this morning, I realise it would have been a good opportunity to write together.  I always realise things when it is too late.  We still need to look at the  ‘Young Writers’ website together.

However, trying to sort out the phone and internet took priority and took over an hour to discuss.  Balancing everything is hard work, and today I am glad that I work part time as I would have struggled to fit that call into my work day.

Instead of reading or writing he is now lying out his Teddy, cars and Star wars figures,  I’m hoping he takes them back upstairs later.  He has told me that all of these are valuable especially Teddy who he has had since he was a baby.

I’m now going to sort out dinner and then collect my daughter from school.  Maybe my eight year old might look at ‘Harry Potter’ later.  Right now he is tidying his room,  his is no where near as bad as his sisters, her’s is a mission.

Later today I hope to go back through my paranormal story.  There is a lot that needs rewriting and developing. I am starting to hate the phrase ‘show don’t tell’.  I’m sure there are other writers that don’t like it either.  However, it does make a difference to the reading experience so it is important.  Hopefully in time my writing will noticeably improve so my first draft, which my writing on my blogs usually is, will flow better.  It is all a matter of practice and time.

Anyway, I am now going to sort out food, a nice mug of tea and check on my son.  I am hoping to do Facebook Live later.

Newsletter

This weekend I hope to send out my blog newsletter.  If you are interested in receiving my blog links in an email, then please subscribe on the link below.

For more see, Rejection, the pain and the fear of writing

Rejection

Ever heard, it’s not you it’s me? well with writing it’s all me. The pain of writing something, putting hours and stress into it and then it is just not good enough.  That pain of rejection, that need to hide under the duvet and convince yourself that your work will never be good enough.

Being rejected is all part of the course of being a writer. As writers the advice is to continue writing. This may sound easy, but it really isn’t. That need to not be disheartened but just carry on submitting, in the hope that the next submission might be accepted.

I read an article last night that said we should aim to be rejected one hundred times a year. This is on the premise that if you submit to one hundred places then you might get accepted somewhere.  Also to celebrate a rejection and not feel hurt by it, “Yes another rejection!”  Writing something and then not submitting for fear of rejection is maybe a little pointless, what you have written maybe a brilliant piece of writing.  We are all our own worst critics which is why we need others to read and comment on our work.

Support

Whether it be an online forum or a writing group.  Writers need the support of other writers, it can be a lonely job and having someone else to support, encourage, point out problems and cheer us on, is what we all need.

For now, developing a  daily writing habit has been hard, but I’m hoping with the stories I create, hopefully my writing is improving, and someday someone might like my work enough to print it in a book. I’m sat here now surrounded by the breakfast dishes, a pile of paperwork and my daughter has put toys over the front room and her room is awful again.

Writing and being a mum to two young children is never going to be easy. My daughter is worse then my son, he will try and keep things tidy, my daughter refuses. I’m telling myself things will get done when they get done.  I can allow myself to complete my blog post first.

My eight- year -old, has had a poem accepted by ‘Young Writers’ to be printed in a book after Christmas. I am very proud of him but at the same time feeling a little jealous. I keep telling myself to just keep going, a day at a time and not give up.

Show don’t tell

Yes, those magical words, and yes, I’m struggling with them. This is why I was rejected, I have a book and I need to read it. In fact, I have quite a few books that I need to read. However, I also want to read my fiction book and get my writing done. Maybe it sounds like sense to take a break from writing, catch up on my reading and then actually do some learning.

Sounds good, but with my current short story I’m working to a deadline. I think with writing I’m playing a long game. I feel it will take me longer then doing a university degree to master writing, and mine took me six years as it was an evening class.

With writing as with life, as with a lot of careers, I think I will always be learning and developing, and right now I am at the very beginning. I haven’t taken a course in creative writing, maybe that would help. I’m just trying to write and create, hoping that people along the way enjoy what they read.

Frost

So, the weather today in the UK was minus one this morning. My daughter loved slipping and sliding on the frost when we got to school. Running around the climbing frame with her friends, slipping up on her bottom and then carrying on. I had to brush frost of her jumper, but she was happy.

I made the decision last night that I need new Ugg Cardy boots, these are maybe ten years old. I’m still wearing them, but I don’t think they are doing my posture much good. They also illustrate that I walk a bit funny. It is sad because the top of them is still in immaculate condition, it is just the heels. After contemplating ordering a new pair I am hoping that they are reduced in a sale nearer Christmas.

Facebook live

Here are my Facebook lives for the last week,

New blog post – 12th November 2019

New blog post today, Write the story – 15th November 2019

Today

My quiet time is nearly over.  I am now going to do the washing up and  tidy the front room.  Soon will be time to get some food and then collect the children.  Back to the stress of family life and children’s demands, my peace shattered.

This evening I hope to do more work on my short story.  If once submitted it is rejected, it is just one more step forward towards one hundred.  However, I might be surprised and be accepted.  Writing is not easy and I don’t think it ever will be.  There are always critics and as writers all we can do is our very best. We have to keep on writing and not let rejection or the fear of it beat us down.

For more see, Dedication, time and work of writing

Writing is not easy!

Whoever says writing is easy is having a laugh! It’s not easy, not at all, its hard work! When I feel I’m getting some where, there is always someone with a big stick, or words, to knock me back again. Have you ever felt like this? Struggling to balance everything but feeling you keep falling over life’s hurdles. I keep telling myself that I can do this, but so frequently feel that I can’t.

I’ve taken a break from time travel and I’m writing about the paranormal. Not something I have ever tackled before. I had a discussion with my husband last night about demons, I’m not sure if we have ever discussed them before, other than in the context of children. I was stuck for a name and couldn’t think of anything demonic, unless you look at the bible for fallen angels. So, I’ve side stepped that and given him a nickname.

Self doubt

With writing, as with life, it’s easy to get caught up on the little things. Other people’s words can really hurt, but as a writer I need to let it wash over me. Easier said than done and right now I’m questioning my own abilities, but I know I need to keep going.

Dedication to my novels, my stories, and my blogs, I intend to continue writing, but worry constantly that I’m wasting my time. As they say though, the only way is up and I can only improve, surely?

So, how are you feeling about your current work in progress or your writing in general? I know I need to take comments as helpful, which I’m sure is how they are meant, but I can’t help feeling rubbish.

Am I alone here? I’m sure I’m not, writing is flipping hard work! Time, dedication, sacrifice and then put downs.

So, what am I doing?

1. Trying to remain positive, I’ve started so I will finish.
2. I’ve tidied the house and the prize for the messiest room goes to my six-year-old as despite tidying it last Tuesday, today it is a mess again. I can’t see the carpet for Care bears, clothes and paper.
3. Trying to focus on my paranormal story.  I need to keep writing, its hard work but a day or evening at a time and I will get there.
4. I’m trying not to sink into the pit of despair, but right this moment I’m close to walking into it.

My reading

I know I need to read more, life has taken over and the children’s reading and homework takes priority.  When I do get time to myself I’m writing or working on my blogs.

I’m still reading ‘Survivors’ and my six year old still has to read ‘Hounds of Penhallow Hall’.  So far I have renewed it once at the library, it will be a miracle if she reads it.  The intentions are there but drawing and playing are of more interest.

Odd sock day

My daughter has odd sock day today, for an anti bullying campaign. She is wearing my socks over her tights.  We had a protest because she didn’t want to wear tights but it was three degrees outside this morning, to cold for just socks.

She has ‘Tigger’ on one sock and Christmas on the other. It was amusing this morning seeing the different odd socks on display.

Facebook Live

Here are my Facebook Lives from the last week.

Today and life – 5th November 2019

New blog post and continued stress – 8th November 2019

Today

I’m enjoying the peace, I love time to myself and time to rest with my thoughts. I’m hoping to do some more of my paranormal story later.  Trying to stay positive and keep writing, trying to stay away from despair!

For more see, Being creative, my novel, and writing