IWSG: Finding the Time to Write
It's the first Wednesday of the month, which means hundreds of us will be posting about our insecurities. And this month, I'm a co-host, along with C. Lee McKenzie, Rachel Pattison, Elizabeth Seckman, Lori L MacLaughlin, and Elsie Amata! So thank you to all the visitors stopping by today.
Each month we have a question. This month's question is:
How do you find the time to write in your busy day?
This is a tough one, since my day is busy because I write! My daily goal is 2,000 words for my freelance writing clients, so most days are like this:
It's important that I work my own writing into all the writing I do for others, though. That includes personal blogging, which technically is part of the crazy world that is this:
I use my Gmail account to manage everything. When a new assignment comes in, I star it, which puts it in my "starred" folder in Gmail:
My latest email from my agent or editor is also in that starred folder. Throughout the day, I just go down the list, doing assignments, un-starring anything I finish. Every time I come around to that agent/editor email, that means I have to write one to two pages on my current manuscript (depending whether I'm on deadline or not.)
I've always felt that if you write a little bit on your manuscript every day, no matter what else is going on in your life, you'll stay "in" your story. Over time, those pages add up to this:
We also have an important announcement this month. The IWSG is holding an anthology contest!!!
Last year’s contest was science fiction – parallel world/alternate history, and the result was Parallels: Felix Was Here. This year, we have a new theme and invite all members to submit.
Eligibility: Any member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is encouraged to enter – blogging or Facebook member. The story must be previously unpublished. Entry is free.
Word count: 5000-6000
Genre: Fantasy
Theme: Hero Lost. It could be about a hero turned villain, a villain's redemption, a hero's lack of confidence, a hero's lack of smarts, etc. It can be about any kind of hero including superheroes, mythological heroes, unexpected or unlikely heroes, or a whole new kind of hero. This theme has plenty of scope and we’re open to pretty much anything along these lines. No erotica, R-rated language, or graphic violence.
Deadline: November 1st 2016
How to enter: Send your polished, formatted, previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your contact details and if you are part of the Blogging or Facebook IWSG group.
Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges.
Prizes: The winning stories will be edited and published by Freedom Fox Press next year in the IWSG anthology. Authors will receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will have the honor of giving the anthology its title.
We’re excited to see the creativity and enthusiasm that’s such a part of this group put into action. So don your creative caps and start writing. And spread the word!
Our amazing judges this year:
Elizabeth S. Craig
Richard Harland
Laura Maisano
Russell C. Connor
Dawn Frederick
Michelle L. Johnson
Ion Newcombe
Lynn Tincher
How do you find time to write in your busy day?
Each month we have a question. This month's question is:
How do you find the time to write in your busy day?
This is a tough one, since my day is busy because I write! My daily goal is 2,000 words for my freelance writing clients, so most days are like this:
It's important that I work my own writing into all the writing I do for others, though. That includes personal blogging, which technically is part of the crazy world that is this:
I use my Gmail account to manage everything. When a new assignment comes in, I star it, which puts it in my "starred" folder in Gmail:
My latest email from my agent or editor is also in that starred folder. Throughout the day, I just go down the list, doing assignments, un-starring anything I finish. Every time I come around to that agent/editor email, that means I have to write one to two pages on my current manuscript (depending whether I'm on deadline or not.)
I've always felt that if you write a little bit on your manuscript every day, no matter what else is going on in your life, you'll stay "in" your story. Over time, those pages add up to this:
We also have an important announcement this month. The IWSG is holding an anthology contest!!!
Last year’s contest was science fiction – parallel world/alternate history, and the result was Parallels: Felix Was Here. This year, we have a new theme and invite all members to submit.
Eligibility: Any member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is encouraged to enter – blogging or Facebook member. The story must be previously unpublished. Entry is free.
Word count: 5000-6000
Genre: Fantasy
Theme: Hero Lost. It could be about a hero turned villain, a villain's redemption, a hero's lack of confidence, a hero's lack of smarts, etc. It can be about any kind of hero including superheroes, mythological heroes, unexpected or unlikely heroes, or a whole new kind of hero. This theme has plenty of scope and we’re open to pretty much anything along these lines. No erotica, R-rated language, or graphic violence.
Deadline: November 1st 2016
How to enter: Send your polished, formatted, previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your contact details and if you are part of the Blogging or Facebook IWSG group.
Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges.
Prizes: The winning stories will be edited and published by Freedom Fox Press next year in the IWSG anthology. Authors will receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will have the honor of giving the anthology its title.
We’re excited to see the creativity and enthusiasm that’s such a part of this group put into action. So don your creative caps and start writing. And spread the word!
Our amazing judges this year:
Elizabeth S. Craig
Richard Harland
Laura Maisano
Russell C. Connor
Dawn Frederick
Michelle L. Johnson
Ion Newcombe
Lynn Tincher
How do you find time to write in your busy day?
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