Ceara Comeau's Blog: Lessons From A Struggling Writer - Posts Tagged "inspiration"
Who Will You Inspire?
This past weekend I attended a writing event at nearby library. A friend of mine from there asked me to come and take part. I was grateful for the opportunity as I was trying to reach out to more people. Unfortunately, no one, aside from other authors, showed up. But that's not to say nothing came out of it. In fact, this was a major learning experience for me.
You see, I've always considered myself an ambivert. This is not a term one usually hears, but its a combination of extrovert and introvert. Although, over the past few years, I've become more introverted. This, I found, doesn't really help when you're trying to show the world your masterpiece.
My introverted side has a tendency to come out when I'm surrounded by writers who I believe are more experienced than I am. But my friend at the event expressed to me how glad she was I could make it. According to her, I was a huge influence to the kids who came. But when I had to leave for college, many of those kids lost interest in writing.
I had no idea how much of an impact I made on them. I felt quite guilty that I lost contact. I tried to convince myself that I was at college and there was nothing I could do. That's not true though, I could have definitely kept everyone updated and even communicated more with my friend at the library.
This weekend I've learned that it's really important not to cut ties with people, even accidentally. Networking is a HUGE part of being an author. Even if you aren't in the process of publishing your next big project, that's okay! Take the time to reconnect with people. You never know who you'll inspire!
You see, I've always considered myself an ambivert. This is not a term one usually hears, but its a combination of extrovert and introvert. Although, over the past few years, I've become more introverted. This, I found, doesn't really help when you're trying to show the world your masterpiece.
My introverted side has a tendency to come out when I'm surrounded by writers who I believe are more experienced than I am. But my friend at the event expressed to me how glad she was I could make it. According to her, I was a huge influence to the kids who came. But when I had to leave for college, many of those kids lost interest in writing.
I had no idea how much of an impact I made on them. I felt quite guilty that I lost contact. I tried to convince myself that I was at college and there was nothing I could do. That's not true though, I could have definitely kept everyone updated and even communicated more with my friend at the library.
This weekend I've learned that it's really important not to cut ties with people, even accidentally. Networking is a HUGE part of being an author. Even if you aren't in the process of publishing your next big project, that's okay! Take the time to reconnect with people. You never know who you'll inspire!
Writing When Not Writing
After last month’s blog post, I actually took my own advice and decided to stop being so hard on myself. No, seriously, I actually stopped! Now, some days are easier than others, I’ll admit. But, it wasn’t until I joined this writer’s zoom meeting that I actually realized just how much writing I’ve actually done this year.
I write this blog on a monthly basis and I have another blog (and possibly another on the way) that I write for my family history. This I do on a weekly basis. To top it off, I’ve been editing the second book of my trilogy (which should be nearing it’s second to last stage soon) and I’ve also added the first 1300 words to the third book of my trilogy.
Phew! Yes, I have been writing a LOT lately, but it’s not entirely about my book. Like a lot of authors, I don’t have inspiration strike me every single day. Sometimes it comes on the weekends when I’m finally able to relax after a long week of working. Some days it comes randomly during the week when I’m watching my favorite show.
I guess, what I’ve learned this month, is that I don’t have to ALWAYS be punching out words right and left for my latest WIP (work in progress). It’s okay to expand my brain to other things so I don’t get super burned out.
If your WIP has you stressed out, it’s time to take a breather. Write something different. There are TONS of free write starting phrases on Pinterest and other websites. Who knows, maybe writing something different will inspire your main project!
I write this blog on a monthly basis and I have another blog (and possibly another on the way) that I write for my family history. This I do on a weekly basis. To top it off, I’ve been editing the second book of my trilogy (which should be nearing it’s second to last stage soon) and I’ve also added the first 1300 words to the third book of my trilogy.
Phew! Yes, I have been writing a LOT lately, but it’s not entirely about my book. Like a lot of authors, I don’t have inspiration strike me every single day. Sometimes it comes on the weekends when I’m finally able to relax after a long week of working. Some days it comes randomly during the week when I’m watching my favorite show.
I guess, what I’ve learned this month, is that I don’t have to ALWAYS be punching out words right and left for my latest WIP (work in progress). It’s okay to expand my brain to other things so I don’t get super burned out.
If your WIP has you stressed out, it’s time to take a breather. Write something different. There are TONS of free write starting phrases on Pinterest and other websites. Who knows, maybe writing something different will inspire your main project!
Creativity in Unlikely Places
I’d be lying if I said that I had been thinking most of the month about this blog post. Truth is, I’ve only really thought about it in the last hour!
Although February is the shortest month of the year, it seemed to be shorter this time around. That’s probably because my film team and I have been working nearly around the clock sifting through auditions that have been flooding our emails.
Honestly, I’m floored by the number of creative people I’ve seen audition for the different roles in the first episode of the Amber Oak series. It’s really inspiring. In fact, seeing these people act out my characters inspired me for other characters in the trilogy that has been going eternally slow. And, believe me, it has nothing to do with the film. There are so many moving parts in the last book of my trilogy it’s felt overwhelming to me.
But, Ceara, it's your story and ideas…how can that be overwhelming?
Great question! My brain is always moving constantly, I’ll get an idea, then another, then another until finally I’m so overwhelmed that I can decide on what a character is supposed to do and the usual internal conversation I have with them is silent.
But, being around creative people has gotten that flow going. I can’t say I’ll have the third book out immediately or even in the next few months. But hey, this is what I call progress!
Although February is the shortest month of the year, it seemed to be shorter this time around. That’s probably because my film team and I have been working nearly around the clock sifting through auditions that have been flooding our emails.
Honestly, I’m floored by the number of creative people I’ve seen audition for the different roles in the first episode of the Amber Oak series. It’s really inspiring. In fact, seeing these people act out my characters inspired me for other characters in the trilogy that has been going eternally slow. And, believe me, it has nothing to do with the film. There are so many moving parts in the last book of my trilogy it’s felt overwhelming to me.
But, Ceara, it's your story and ideas…how can that be overwhelming?
Great question! My brain is always moving constantly, I’ll get an idea, then another, then another until finally I’m so overwhelmed that I can decide on what a character is supposed to do and the usual internal conversation I have with them is silent.
But, being around creative people has gotten that flow going. I can’t say I’ll have the third book out immediately or even in the next few months. But hey, this is what I call progress!
