Every month a question will be posed that may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Remember, the question is optional. You can write about anything that relates to your writing journey.
Let's give a warm welcome to our co-hosts: J Lenni Dorner, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, Lee Lowery, and Rachna Chhabria!
This month's question is: For how long do you shelve your first draft, before reading it and re-drafting? Is this dependent on your writing experience and the number of stories/books under your belt?
Usually I let the first draft rest for a couple of weeks before I delve into revisions. But that's when I'm seriously working, which I haven't been, in which case a story can sit around for years and years and....
***
I have nothing to say. I feel myself falling away from this wonderful, supportive blogging community. I am uninspired, lazy, procrastinating, and generally in a long slump. I should care, but I don't.
"The trouble is you think you have time." – Buddha
That's me... I think I have time.
I could say something about it being my birthday this month and that maybe I'm feeling like I'm getting too old to bother.
Oh woe is me... Pay no attention to these moanings and groanings. But that's kind of a lie as I've just written it out here and have posted it. (Hypocrite!) Am I looking for sympathy or what?
***
Being Thankful
On a bright note, today I'm thankful that we've had more much need rain. Although we're getting a bit tired of the days and days of overcast which covered the lunar eclipse.
Our yard is blooming and the grass is green.
There are a couple of Cooper's Hawks nesting in a tree in our neighbor's yard. We've been enjoying watching their comings and goings (and the talking they do to each other) and are looking forward to see how many babies they have. This is the second year we've had a nesting pair in the same tree. Last year they had one baby.
(Not my photo)
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What are you thankful for? Do you let your story rest before beginning revisions/edits? Are you in a slump?
I was in a writing/blogging slump for about three years! Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteHappy birth month! June is mine too!
Kathy--Imagine Today
I hear you. I wish I could wave my magic wand, but I seem to have misplaced it. Dear Bish, hang in there. Thinking of you. Know that you're not alone.
ReplyDeleteCool about the hawks.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about getting older...
Hi Bish, even I'm in a writing slump. Sadly I'm unable to read too. This lockdown is affecting both my writing and reading.
ReplyDeleteI once watched a film on the sinking of the Lusitania where a small clock insert in the right bottom screen ticked off the time til it sank. People were shown arguing about silly things, making plans for things that would never happen, and young lovers destined never to grow old together. It taught me never to depend on tomorrow. Last year with Covid, 2 hurricanes, a flood, and an ice storm reinforced that lesson. HAPPY REST IF THE YEAR,BISH!
ReplyDeleteDon't be too hard on yourself about your writing slump. You can read and support other authors while you're not in the mood to write. I was in a slump that I thought was permanent for years after I lost my husband. I'm only now getting back into it, and I'm not as excited as I used to be about it all. But that's okay with me.
ReplyDeleteA lot of us are in that slump with you, Bish. This has been one long slog through the mess called Covid, and you've done well to keep going in spite of it. Hope you have that book of yours out for publishers to grab because it's a good one.
ReplyDeleteRoses are red
ReplyDeleteViolets are purple
When you feel yourself slipping
Go crawl in a burple
What is a burple?
You mean you don't know?
A burple's a blanket
As soft as the snow
Pull it in tight
Then give it a squeeze
Watch out, be careful
Don't even sneeze
When you can't take a breath
Give up or fight
If you fight, you win
Step into the light.
Legend has it
That if the burple loses
You can master anything
From your mind to your bruises
I don't know where this came from. The words were in my head and flew to the page. It's from someone else, not me. Maybe it brought a smile. Hugs!!
I hear ya! I haven't had the time to devote to a writing career lately and I really haven't cared. Maybe this summer I'll get inspired!
ReplyDeleteSlumps can happen. It's ok to not want to do anything for a while.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday!
I love your picture of the Cooper's Hawks. We've had some in the park near us most years, and they are so interesting to watch!
ReplyDeleteHang in there with the writing slump. Sometimes I find if I take time away and do something totally nonwriting, it comes back.
Happy Birthday!
I think quite a few of us have the blahs these days. I think it is a Covid hangover. Enjoy your flowers, birds and birthday. Things are bound to improve.
ReplyDeleteNope, never too old to bother! I published a book of 70 renshi-style linked poems for my 70th birthday - five years ago. It's this whole last year of covid that has everyone questioning the next step. When the time is right, you'll be flying again.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you're feeling down and doubtful. It's definitely never too late, and you've already done wonderful things. When you're ready to get back to it, you will. In the meantime, I hope you can be kind to yourself.
ReplyDeleteHi Bish - I suspect many of us feel like you ... I plod along ... but happy birthday when it clicks along - we're not that old! The Cooper's Hawk is beautiful and no wonder you enjoy watching it ... stay safe and all the best - Hilary
ReplyDeleteHi Bish,
ReplyDeleteI see what you mean. I feel the same. Ugh. At least everything there is blooming, and you have rain. We haven't seen a drop in a few weeks. To keep up my garden, I am watering like crazy, and my water bill will be astronomical for sure. Not to mention the intense HEAT. We are at least ten degrees warmer than it should be.
Of course, I am grateful to have a wonderful home and wonderful neighbors. I recently moved here a few years ago from Chicago...I am now three hours west by car and it's another world. Only 3500 residents and it's so charming. Since Galena is a Historical town, we have over a million visitors a year, so it's hardly country life, but I do enjoy it. I am in the process of restoring my 1914 Craftsman home and although it is taking ALL MY MONEY, the task is rewarding. I hope to open soon as a B&B and recoup some of the money I have invested. It may take a few years, but that's fine. In the meantime I am grateful to own such a special house.
Rain (just as long as it's not too much) is definitely something to be thankful for.
ReplyDeleteI've been in a slump, too. For a while with blogging. I got some new ideas, though, that had given me some motivation. I don't know how long that'll last. As for writing, it's been spotty. I haven't written on my main WIPs in a long time.
Hi Bish.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you're feeling a bit better.
Take care.