FRIDAY FOCUS
We’re halfway through this creative road trip. How goes it on your side of the screen?
In the spirit of “it’s never too late,” if you’re reading this and have not yet signed up ==> SET YOUR GOALS AND JOIN THE FUN!
As Week Two of March Madness draws to a close, I begin to wonder about the lateness of it all. If we liken the situation to the glass half empty or half full perspective, are we two weeks too late or do we still have two weeks to shine?
Well, you know I like shiny things.
Pfft. Is that all? Then you realize the last sentence and a lightbulb goes on in your grey matter.
You have to ask yourself if it’s worth all the trouble.
And the answer is simple.
Yes.
Of course, there are times you might not have that much conviction in your endeavours.
If the middle of the month were the ‘sagging middle’ of a WIP, what would you do to get yourself out of that rut? How would you turn things around?
It doesn’t matter what obstacle is in your way: plot hole, indecisive character, heck, indecisive writer. What matters is that you work hard to get through it to the best of your abilities.
Keep the end goal in mind.
What book is in your heart? What kind of story do you want to share with the world?
You have to keep chugging along. The only reason to pause is to assess the goals you are striving to achieve. Any other stalls on this road trip can be overcome, worked around, or dealt with before you continue on as planned.
But does that mean you stop? The murky abyss of doubt has blotted out your bright and shining burst of inspiration. Is that it?
Write something. Anything. Do something. Anything. But just keep at it. Just keep going. Those other creative outlets mentioned last week? Give them a whirl. Some of the most unexpected surprises are a delight. Inspiration, when it hits you, will be that much sweeter.
It’s important never to give up on your passion.
You know you have it in you, otherwise, you wouldn’t have taken that terrifying first step, written that first word. You are on this journey and you have to see it through to the end.
Fortunately, March Madness and the #wipmadness family are here with you. While our inner journeys are unique, we’re all headed towards literary greatness together.
So, with all that in mind, are you looking back at days gone by or are you looking forward to the days ahead?
It’s okay to feel uncertain at times. We’re over-thinkers who want to plan everything with precision, and when things don’t go our way, we feel helpless, frustrated. Remember, it’s never too late. It’s never too late to reassess your goals, never too late to tackle your project from a different angle. And, yes, it’s never too late to start fresh. As long as you’re working towards something important, you’re headed in the right direction.
When you go off the beaten path on this writing journey, it may not even be due to confusion or distraction. It might be that delightful surprise called inspiration. You never know when it’ll show up. So it’s okay explore anything and everything around you.
At the end of the day, this is your journey to write. It’s a journey because what we’re dealing with is much larger than a book. The entire writing process goes far beyond what someone will eventually (we hope) read on a page or screen. It’s hardly ever a straight line from point A to point B. And we wouldn’t want it any other way. Life imitates art, and vice versa. Naturally, we expect there to be ups, downs, lefts and rights to the madness that is March and beyond.
Fear not, gentle readers…
Don’t wander too far, though. We’ll see you tomorrow on Carol Garvin’s blog.
Until then, go forth and be creative. 🙂
Textploits of the Writerly Persuasion 
Beautiful post, Tonette. ❤ I'm up at Are-You-Freaking-Kidding-Me O'Clock and this is great to read right now.
My plans this month *did* take a turn. I'm happy about it. I'm loving that I'm at that part of the month where I have sunk into the creativity and the ideas are flowing. I've had three incredible novel ideas so far and I am loving it. (The time to write them … not so much. But they are definitely on the project list.) And I have been outlining another project, getting ready to delve into it fully come April. It's been fantastic. 🙂 Thanks for this!
You’re very welcome!
I knew March would be busy for me, but not as batty as it’s turned out, so far. I’ve been scrambling with the move and multitasking until it’s half past UGH in the early morning.
I happy you’re happy. When the ideas flow like that, I think the only downside is not being able to write them all out at once. However, it never stops the brain from wanting more and coming up with even more ideas to join them.
Can’t wait to learn more about them WHEN, not if, I see you at the next write-in!
Thanks for stopping by!
Such great quotes! I’ve got lots of writing related stuff planned for today and can’t wait to dive in 🙂
Yay! Dive away. And extra cheers for planning. I hope it works out well for at least one of us today!
Those are some of the best writing quotes I’ve seen. I especially love the ones by Gaiman and London. For me, they say, GET BUSY. It’s not easy, and you have to go after it. Greatness is certainly not going to plop down in my lap while I sit and wait.
Perfect post for the “sagging middle”. Thanks, Tonette. 🙂
Onward we go, Wipsters!
Aww, Candilynn, you’re already well on your way to greatness. I’m privileged to be among such a talented and diverse group of writers. I always said words have power and these quotations are no exception. But I also love my fellow WIPsters because sometimes, as the saying goes, ‘actions speak louder.’ I’m always inspired with and because of this group! Just when I think I won’t know what to say for my blog post, I remember my audience (you lovely people) and know we’re all in this together. 🙂
What a pep talk! Today I’ve got it easy because I’m home sick in bed which means I’ve got plenty of time to write. I fueled up by reading all afternoon yesterday and am ready to dive in. Have a great weekend, Wipsters!
Thanks, Angelina, but boo on being sick.
However, yay for serious writing time.
Feel better soon. I shall drink some cyber-Buckleys to cheer you on as you forge ahead.
Love those quotes, Tonette! Hope all the packing/moving is going well. I’m off to teach at a homeschool co-op today, but hoping I’ll be able to squeeze in a little writing time somewhere….
Thanks, Denise.
Logistical glitch caused the move to get pushed back to Sunday. Not sure if this is a reprieve, a stay of moving-execution, or one day more to muck about aimlessly as I decided if I *really* need something I haven’t seen or used in years.
I’ll be writing vicariously through you all today but I hope to get some work done somehow–hey! I haven’t seen that notebook in ages! *hides behind boxes to commence scribbling frenzy*
Starting my second goal today, rewriting a book that I did the first draft of in 2003. Yes, really. Today is all about refamiliarizing myself with the book and looking over the notes I made when I reread it last year.
That’s great, Nicole. Isn’t it interesting to see the evolution of your writing? I was pleasantly surprised that some of my drafts were still passable today (in content, at least) but there were those glaring technical errors that would pop up here and there. I knew nothing about the craft of writing back then. It was pure storytelling to me. I cringed and/or chuckled (usually both) and am glad that I’ve never stopped learning since.
Congrats on starting your second goal. Perhaps you can share what your story’s about when you’re ready. 🙂
Thanks for the inspirational gems, Tonette! When the writing storm comes, I know that if I keep writing, eventually the clouds will part and a solution will present itself. That’s just what happened to me yesterday as I worked on my new novel for middle grade readers! Hooray for the a-ha moment!
Hooray, indeed!
Funny thing. It was dreary this morning and as I read your comment, the sun literally shone brighter and the clouds seemingly swooshed out of its way. It’s happening right now as I type this. I think that’s a sign that I should grab a late breakfast and continue packing! LOL Fingers and toes crossed I’ll have pockets of time to sneak away and write again later.
Thanks! 🙂
You’re welcome!
Great quotes! I think for me I just want my voice to be heard and hate the naysayers that try to tell me that I have a responsibility to only write ‘uplifting’ material or that some of my writing is objectionable with ‘language’ and/or situations. I once actually had one person tell everyone that Earrings of Ixtumea wasn’t appropriate for teens with mentions of sacrifice, drug use, abuse and suggested that I ‘rewrite’ it.
Yeah, crazy.
I just want to be free to write what comes to me or what my characters whisper in my ear. And basically tune out the naysayers.
This week’s I’ve been good so far with going over my revision.
Thanks for hosting!
It’s super important to stick to your gut when you’re passionate about something. Way to stick to your guns!
Glad revisions are going well. 🙂
I love this post! Thanks, Tonette. Very uplifting. 🙂
I’ve got my proverbial sleeves rolled up (well, the literal ones, too, actually) and I’m happily getting messy in a new story. Joy! But right now I’m taking a short break…it’s time to crank the tunes and bake some pie! (Anyone else celebrating Pi Day with pie?)
Yay. Glad it helped.
My sister had pie at work… I packed boxes and she did NOT bring any home. LOL She did bring dinner, though. 🙂
Great quotes.
I am writing another short story.
Gotta go where the flow takes you!
Yes! Go with the flow! Happy writing!
It’s past midnight in the Pacific time zone, so theoretically I’m late checking in. However, since I haven’t gone to bed yet my brain is telling me it’s still Friday, even if it really isn’t. (Of course, my brain has been known to dissolve in confusion over less important facts, so I’m not too worried one way or the other.)
I think we’re all on a similar track with our posts this week — the calendar says we’ve reached the month’s mid point and we’re beginning to reassess our ability to make those lofty goals that sounded so reasonable two weeks ago. Ha! I have no intention of quitting so there’s nowhere to go but forward. Thanks for the words of encouragement.
That’s the spirit. I’m awake and still packing, so I’ve shunned timezones, for the time being. I’ve got about an hour left of consciousness left in me before I zonk out. I’ll wait until then to pop over to your blog, just in case the post is up already. 🙂