Why am I an Insecure Writer this month?
Because I’m only four weeks into uploading my story to Wattpad and I already feel as though I’m falling behind.
My plan was to upload one chapter a week, and so far it’s worked out pretty well. The early chapters were already in pretty good shape, needing only my critique partners to add the final polish. But the later chapters require significantly more editing and that’s what worries me the most. I planned on using the months of October and November to whip them into shape, but life stepped in and made a mess of those plans.
Three days before I uploaded the first chapter, my ninety-two year old father-in-law was admitted to the hospital. Six days later, he passed away. A week later, I flew down to Missouri to help my mom move to an assisted living center up here in Michigan. And all this happened after my wife and I had recently started taking turns spending evenings with an elderly neighbor with health issues. As you can imagine, the stress on the family has been enormous, and my writing related endeavors have fallen to the wayside.
Only time will tell if I’ll be able to keep up with my one chapter a week schedule by the time the new year rolls around.
On to this week’s question:
How has your creativity in life evolved since you began writing?
To be honest, it’s probably gone down. I need all my creative energies for my stories now and I’m loathe to spend it on anything else. That’s probably a shame, but it’ll most likely remain that way until I finish my first publishable story.
Don’t forget to stop by and thank this month's co-hosts: Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor, Ann V. Friend, JQ Rose, and Elizabeth Seckman!
ChemistKen
Ken, I'm so sorry about your dad. And moving your mom is tough. I'm hoping things start looking up soon.
ReplyDeleteAnd...I promise you. No matter how much you think your story needs work, it's incredibly polished compared to 90% of what's on Wattpad. 20% of the readers there like to offer suggestions for changes anyway...I know that I've used them as a hivemind for edits before.
Sending warm wishes your way.
You never can dictate how life will turn out. Keep up the good work in writing and in life! Sorry to hear the bad news.
ReplyDeleteVery sorry about your father-in-law. That and helping your mother move is a ton of stress and sadness.
ReplyDeleteAnd what Elizabeth said. She's a Wattpad expert.
So sorry about the loss of your father-in-law. And I know how stressful and time-consuming it is to move your mother to assisted living. I just moved mine from Florida to independent living earlier this year. It was time-consuming and emotionally draining. Pat yourself on the back that you are writing at all. I haven't got back into a schedule of writing yet.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you lost your father-in-law. We'll have to move my mother-in-law to assisted living one day, plus I had to do that with my own mother, so I know how stressful it is.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about all the stress. Life can definitely step in and redirect your plans. The fact you're doing any writing is great given the circumstances.
ReplyDeleteYes, life can get in the way. That was also me last month, but for different reasons. I'm sorry for your loss. Take care of yourself first, the writing will come, and a chapter a week is a good steady pace, too. :)
ReplyDeleteThat pesky schedule stuff. Yours is made worse because you have a family that depends upon you (which is a good thing). I had to give up the idea of meeting my self-imposed deadlines this month. I'm so far behind, it just depresses me to think about it.
ReplyDeleteThat's rough. :( I thought about emailing to check in with you and your family/life situation, but figured you already had enough crap going on and didn't need emails on top of that. I hope things improve for you. And you'll get your story out there. I know you will.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for your loss and for the stress in your life. I hope things lighten up and get better for you so you can meet your goals.
ReplyDeleteTake heart, Ken. Creativity is a slippery eel. You got and then you don't. I think there are a lot of out here who can relate.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about Wattpad. As long as you don't leave us hanging, we'll wait for the next chapter. I've heard (read) horror stories about people really getting into a long work and then nothing.
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Wattpad seems to be a recurring theme this IWSG. So interesting! It sounds like you have a lot going on. I think there's probably etiquette for when your Wattpad schedule is delayed, like letting your readers know when you expect the next installment, but maybe check with some other Wattpad authors on that one. I'm so sorry for your loss, Ken.
ReplyDeleteYou are your wife are good people! Sending you both hugs and hopes things improve on the home front.
ReplyDeleteI still haven't found the time to check out Wattpad - one of these days!! I don't imagine a delayed schedule will cause too many problems though. Hope it works out!
I'm feeling for you, Ken. I was recently in a very similar position. Bless you for watching out for your neighbor. Life sometimes rears its head and says me first and you last.
ReplyDeleteGod bless your kindness to your neighbor. I am sorry to hear about your father-in-law.
ReplyDeleteCongrat on your novel. I followed you on Wattpad.
Happy IWSG Day.
I'm the same way. I used to be very creative in many ways, but now spend what time I have writing.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as if your family is in dire need of your time, which I was in a somewhat similar situation in the beginning of the year. My mother passed away in June. I agree with Juneta, taking care of an elderly neighbor is great mercy. So sorry to hear of the loss of your father-in-law. And God Bless you for helping your mother.
Life has really thrown you a few curves lately. I'm so sorry for all you're going through. We just have to go with the flow. Do what you can and try not to stress out over what you can't. Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteLife has really thrown you a few curves lately. I'm so sorry for all you're going through. We just have to go with the flow. Do what you can and try not to stress out over what you can't. Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your dad. Sometimes life just butts in and you have to put writing aside to deal with it.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your father. I hope your mother is adjusting to her move to the assisted living center. Keeping you in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteMy sympathies to you and your family. Don't worry about keeping up with Wattpad. Family first. Readers will understand.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for your loss. The best thing about Wattpad is that you can post the chapters whenever, so if you get behind, it'll still be okay.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to read about your loss and the recent challenges you've faced.
ReplyDeleteHope everything settles and you can continue with the plans on Wattpad. Just take it a step at a time. No rush.