Wednesday, October 3, 2012

The Insecure Writer and Getting What You Wish For



Today is October's contribution to Alex Cavanaugh's Insecure Writers Support Group.




What makes me insecure as a writer this month?
Answer: Time.

As some of you know, I have a day job – research chemist, of course – so I have to squeeze my writing in at night – after I’ve fulfilled my other obligations as father and husband. This doesn’t leave a lot of time for writing. Now I’m not complaining. I’m sure many writers are in similar situations, but the simple truth is that I’m a very sloooooow writer (just ask my CP) and the lack of writing time hits me harder than most.

I’ve often wondered how much of my slowness stems from being forced to do most of my writing in quick fifteen or thirty minute spurts. Seems like I’m just getting started when it’s time to quit. On those rare occasions when I can spend three or four hours straight working on my story, I (usually) make good progress. So I occasionally daydream about what it would be like if I could stay at home all day and just write. How much difference would that make?

Be careful what you wish for.

Due to circumstances at work, I just learned I will be spending several weeks at home this November. And while I’m not happy about the hit to the wallet, I’m cautiously excited about the prospect of having all that time to write. Of course, my wife has her own ideas on how I should spend that those days at home, but I should still have oodles of time left over for writing.

But I also admit to being nervous about the whole thing. What if it turns out I don’t write any faster even when I have plenty of time? That would be pretty disheartening.

So wish me luck and I’ll keep you posted on my progress when the time comes.

Is it coincidence or fate that this will occur during NaNoWriMo? You tell me.

11 comments:

  1. Neither. God granting your wish. I just have enough life experience to know that be careful what you wish for is a saying for a reason. That said, I'm totally jealous of you having that time. I'm in your boat - stay at home mom of impossibly complicatedly scheduled kids at two schools - 7th and 10th. And a hubby who expects silly things like food on the table, clean clothes, and an organized house. Meanwhile, I'd rather write and blog. I consider them two sides of the same coin. I blog to practice writing and to vent, and I'm working on my first novel which I'm so excited about. How I got the idea for it is a great story which one day I'll tell.
    Nice to meet you Ken the Chemist. I'm Tina the math-nerd/word nerd former math and English teacher and an insecure writer. Today is my first time joining the group.
    Tina @ Life is Good
    http://kmdlifeisgood.blogspot.com/

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    1. All we can do is use the time we get, although sometimes I still feel guilty when I don't do much writing.

      Congratulations for joining IWSG.

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  2. Nothing is a coincidence! Take the gift and run... and you must keep us posted! I'm excited for you...

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    1. I'll be sure to keep you guys posted. What with all that time I'll have, there won't be any excuse for me not to keep up with the blog.

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  3. In my IWSG post this month I was wondering how on earth people with "real" jobs like yours do the whole writing thing. I admire your commitment and dedication to writing that you can still set aside those brief snippets of time to pursue it! Although the circumstances of your free time may be unfortunate, take it as a gift and RUN WITH IT! You may still be a slow writer, a ponderer, but that doesn't mean you are wasting your time. This is a great opportunity, so enjoy it!!

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    1. The main reason I stick with this is because I really love my story and because I find writing fiction to be addicting (although a lot of hard work). I just can't stop.

      Thanks for stopping by.

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  4. I can't wait to hear how you spend your valuable writing time. The best laid plans... :)

    I do hope you get to do just as you wish.

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    1. So do I, but the wife is already working on my to-do list. :)

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  5. I vote for divine providence. I hope you don't get stuck with too many extra chores. Check out Susan Kaye Quinn's blog about her 10,000 book sales milestone and that might light a fire under you. It did for me, but mine keep going out.

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  6. It's hard sometimes, but I'm so excited about my story that I'll put up with what I have to in order to finish it.

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  7. I think the universe wants you to write a novel. Make it a good one :)

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