Squirrel Syndrome: #IWSG & #ROW80

The  Insecure Writer's Support Group  (or IWSG) is a wonderful group put together by the amazing Alex J. Cavanaugh (which now has an equally cool Facebook group ). 

The first Wednesday of each month is the perfect opportunity to share my insecurities on the #IWSG therapy couch, get encouragement and support about such insecurities, and to read how other writers are faring. 

In the summer, I have a severe case of squirrel syndrome. I have it all the time, but it's so much worse this time of year (holidays rank a close second).

This is me...


So many things bombard my brain. I'm getting better at avoiding the major distractions to productivity--social media, Twitter, FB, phone dinging--but that leaves me with a to do list a mile long. Then, there's the added craziness of a summer with all three kids at home and visitors. I love company, but it does make balancing it all that much harder.

Then, a new phenomenon for me. I have WAY too many characters and stories in my head right now. I am so not complaining, because one of my biggest fears as a writer is having writer's block. However, I'm worried I'll either lose passion for my current trilogy characters/story or miss out on some new characters/ story. Or, worse, I sit down to a blank page and get overwhelmed by voices and end up paralyzed. 

Any suggestions? 

Can't wait to see how others are doing!

*****
Wednesdays are also A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) check-ins.

I'm sinking a bit with productivity. I've let the to do list get too long, and I'm overwhelmed. Still, I did meet with my anthology group and received some great feedback on my story. I'm going to finish up some rewrites this week.

In addition, I am working on a final edit of a NA Contemporary novel and have set a deadline for finishing the Chasing Forgiveness rough draft (9/15).

Now, to keep the Squirrel Syndrome at bay until I can get some things done.