Happy Wednesday, and happy February, everyone! And Happy 11th Birthday to my oldest.
I'm here today with February's edition of Alex J. Cavanaugh's IWSG! I greatly enjoyed my first ever ISWG post, and want to thank everyone for the support and encouragement that they gave me regarding what to do when I grow bored of a story. I think, for me, the best thing to do is remind myself why I loved the story in the first place, and then push through until the words are flowing again.
Since last month's post, I've been thinking long and hard about what I wanted to post for February, and although a few topics entered my mind, one really stuck out for me.
Remembering How Far You've Come
While I was trying to re-inspire myself last month, I took to reading my old novels - that are now shelved, to be looked at in the future - and I realized how far I've come. Sure, my writing still isn't perfect, but in the past two years, I've learned a lot about what I'm capable of; where my strengths and weaknesses lie.
I think everyone should do this from time to time. It's a great source of motivation, inspiration and encouragement. It's so easy to get caught up on the woes of the here and now - to focus on the current negatives - that you forget the past positives.
I've seen so many awesome writers in the blogosphere achieve things that awe me, and you guys should never forget how far you've come.
Each success, whether big or small, is inspiration for yourself and others, showing everyone out there that writers can succeed. For every rejection letter or abandoned project, there's a book release, a finished manuscript or something else worth celebrating.
So, if you're feeling down about your writing, or doubting yourself, just remember how far you've come, and all you've achieved up until this point. It's something to be very proud of!
Thanks for visiting this month. And thanks to the fantastic ISWG hosts, Alex Cavanaugh, Julie Musil, Jamie Ayres, Mike Swift, and Sheena-kay Graham.
And before I go, don't forget that there's still a week left to enter my two-year blogaversary giveaway, and there's still time to sign up for Kyra Lennon and Rachel Schieffelbein's WIP: The Movie Bloghop!
I have trouble reading my old stuff, seeing those mistakes immortalised in print, even if it's occasionally under someone else's name.
ReplyDeleteReading my old stuff usually inspires me to start working on it again. I don't think anything I write will ever be completely shelved, just on a very long break. It's great you can see how you've improve - it all about growing and learning.
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiring post and just what I needed to hear. You are a wonderful addition to this group Clare. And an amazing writer. Thanks for the encouragement!!
ReplyDeleteInspiring! :) This is something I need to remember to do! I still have most of my old notebooks and my early attempts at writing novels, and they can be great inspiration for future books.
ReplyDeleteI usually cringe at some of my old work, but it's also a great reminder of how far I've come as a writer. No one starts out perfect, and no one ends up perfect either. Writing is a forever work-in-progress, and we'll always learn new things about it as we go.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! It's so fun to look back and see some of the old stuff I've written. I laugh at myself, and then feel good knowing that I've learned so much over the years.
ReplyDeleteExcellent advice! Looking back is a good way to see how your skills have improved, although I fear I might be tempted to divert from my WIP to start editing the old, shelved stuff!
ReplyDeleteOh, this is such a powerful reminder to appreciate our accomplishments! I recently opened a manuscript that had been written two years ago. It's cool that I can spot my own funky stuff and fix it. Cuz I've come a long way! Thanks for the great reminder.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great thought for the IWSG post, Clare. So glad you joined up. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right that we get bogged down in the now while forgetting how far we've come!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to your 11 yr old! That's definitely one of those moments where you pause. gasp, and marvel at how...mature you're becoming. =) (I've got a teen. Eek!)
ReplyDeleteClare--what a great reminder, to look back. I'm actually astonished when I pull out old pieces, how much love and raw talent there was hidden in them, things I needed to cultivate more. (And have.) Doesn't it make you wonder where you'll be in another 5, 10 years?
I'm shocked, horrified, and amused to read the books I wrote as a preteen and in my very early teens. I ended up junking or radically rewriting 99% of the original 1993 material in my first Russian novel, because it was just that bad. Apart from the bad/immature writing and how the storylines and characters didn't match with what ultimately developed, I had them acting like silly American teens of the early 1990s instead of young adults of the late 1910s. I'm so glad I prematurely stopped querying it after I finished it in 2001. That book needed so much editing, revision, and rewriting, particularly in the earliest sections.
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely be proud of all you have accomplished Clare. Your writing, personal/family life, joining C.Q....I'm sure there are lots of things there alone that you're proud of. Thanks for the shout out!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to boost our writing spirits! I keep a scrapbook of my published stories - maybe it's time to flip through it again…. :)
ReplyDeleteI do that with old blog post's as well. Nothing more inspiring then begin able to see how far you've come and how much better you are then you used to be.
ReplyDeleteExcellent advice! I love it. We get so lost in our fears and insecurities that we forget to look back and realize how much we've accomplished. Thanks for this!
ReplyDeleteAnd happy 11th birthday to your oldest :)
That's a great message, Clare. I think it's marvelous that we all keep growing and improving. Our posts kind of go together this month... like chocolate and chocolate. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Clare. The more I know about the craft of writing the more intimidated I get by it. It is good to remember this is a journey taken one step at a time.
ReplyDelete.....dhole
This is great advice, sometimes we get too caught up in what's happening to us now, and forget how far we've come. Two years ago I never would have dreamed of being where I am now.
ReplyDeleteExcellent reminder, Clare! :D
ReplyDeleteGreat advice! It's been a while since I went back to re-read any of my really old stuff; maybe now I'll have to! :)
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