
Happy June. Normally June is *my* month due to my birthday, but this year I’m feeling rather blah. I missed posting IWSG in May because my daughter was in town for a visit doing final steps before her wedding in July. Lots of things happening.
One thing that doesn’t seem to be happening, however, is my productivity. I know we’re supposed to keep our eyes on our own paper and all that jazz. Not compare ourselves to others. But how do we not compare ourselves to ourselves??? That’s the trick I’m trying to work out this year. This time last year I had one book out and a second on preorder to release, while actively writing the third. I ended up releasing three novels, plus submitting two short stories for anthologies.
This year… ZERO, ZILCH, NADA. I’ve been working on the same story all year and I’m nowhere near completed. My support squad has been so great trying to get me through the struggles, but so far to no avail. I’ve only managed around 30k on what should be 75k and I can’t seem to get out of my way to just tell the story. I’ve brainstormed, gotten early feedback, tried to free write and yet I remain stuck.
To make matters worse, because I am stuck I get in a cycle of being down on myself and then the comparison to what I accomplished the previous year makes me feel more like a failure. I am my own worst enemy. Am I still trying to figure out how to move forward? Yes. I don’t understand why I’m stuck with the project, but the more I was stuck, the harder it was to produce so I opted to switch gears. The book I was working on was meant for submission, my pockets needed a break after putting out 3 books last year. Hahah Luckily for me, the place I was planning to submit is open to taking proposals.
This is the first time I’ve done things that way and frankly it’s a little scary. Mostly because working under a deadline that someone else sets would be something new (if they take the book) and considering the struggles I’ve had so far, the doubts are already settling in about my ability to get it finished. But again, my squad is helping me keep my head up about it. So for now, it’s out of sight, out of mind so to speak.
While I wait, I’ve decided to switch gears and work on something shorter. I’ve had an idea for some novellas which *in theory* are easier for me to write because they are low/no angst. So far however, the only thing I’ve managed to accomplish is covers I may or may not use. Giving my pockets a break is still very much in effect and thanks to Canva and some very helpful graphic designer friends, I’ve been toying around with making my own covers for the first time. Getting sucked into that is another procrastination technique, I’m well aware, but I needed the break. I’m waiting on the excitement to write to hit me. Hopefully it’ll come along soon.
That’s all the woe-is-me for today.
Until next time,
~Meka

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a home for writers in all stages; from unpublished to bestsellers. Our goal is to offer assistance and guidance. We want to help writers overcome their insecurities, and by offering encouragement we are creating a community of support.
The awesome co-hosts for the June 1 posting of the IWSG are SE White, Cathrina Constantine, Natalie Aguire, Joylene Nowell Butler, and Jacqui Murray!
I hope working on something shorter helps.
Hey, I went almost six years without producing a story! I bet you beat those odds.
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Thank you. Gotta wrangle my attention span and focus so I can remember there’s work to do. LOL Oof I’ve gone 3 years before. It took me that long after my debut book to write the next. It was actually this group that started me up again, so thank you!
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Good luck with your proposal! That sounds like a really exciting new adventure. It may not be what you’re used to, but sometimes a new challenge can stir up the creative juices!
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Thank you. It’s always a bit scary to submit something. Now the waiting game is on. My hope is that having at least the proposal done frees up some frustration which lead to the stop work order my brain put in. hahaha
thanks for stopping by
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That was where I was until a person asked me few questions about my project. Then out of the blue: what should come next? It was weird how I knew the answer and away I went.
I hope you find the answer to that question too. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
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Thank you! I’m hoping that a break from the pressure to get it done will clear a path so I can get it done hahaha I am my own worst enemy sometimes so just gotta work through it.
thanks for stopping by.
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Feel for you, Meka. Been there, done that. It’s okay to be blue. Just know that we’ve all been there, things will improve, and you are a blessing to the writing community and the world. And don’t laugh, because you are.
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Thank you for your kind words! Hopefully this stumbling block will be over soon and I can find my way. We all have our ups and downs in this business but it’s nice to be reminded the stall is temporary.
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Switching gears to a short story might just be the trick to breaking up the slump and getting you off to a new start. And I love Canva, as well! Good luck with the story.
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That is certainly the hope. Though I’m still procrastinating by playing in Canva hahaha. it’s just way more fun.
thank you and thanks for stopping by
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I’ve written a couple of short stories that I swear took me as much time to write as a whole book!
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hahah yes! It’s much harder to write short. Need to get a full story in not a lot of space. I can be wordy sometimes so it’s a nice change and challenge.
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Here’s to having a squad! Support groups are everything.
I feel you. I don’t keep my eyes on my paper when contrasting and comparing myself to others. We’re hard on ourselves. Happy Insecure Writer’s Support Group Day, and Happy Birthday Month!
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Yes, having the support is so great! I’d be worse off if I didn’t have them, that’s for sure. It is hard not to compare. Happy IWSG day to you as well and thank you.
thanks for stopping by
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Happy Birthday month, Meka! Glad to see you blogging again. If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know!
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Thanks Vania. I try for at least the once a month for this blog hop. So many good intentions I have and so little follow through hahaha I gotta figure myself out and get some focus.
thanks for stopping by
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Try not to be so hard on yourself.
Accept that you’ll always have room to grow, so you need to stop beating yourself up for not being 100% productive all the time.
Hopefully, the slump will pass and you’ll be up and moving in no time.
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I’m glad your squad is there for you! They sound like the best.
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