Happy Insecure Writer’s Support Group Day!

IWSG is the brain child of writer, Alex J. Cavanaugh. Click to join.

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html

Every month, we announce a question.

December 1 question – In your writing, what stresses you the most? What delights you?
The awesome co-hosts are PJ Colando, Diane Burton, Louise – Fundy Blue, Natalie Aguirre, and Jacqui Murray!

3 Ways To Turn Stress Into Delight (kinda, sorta), or What Works For Me Sometimes (IDK).

1. When collaborating with other artists –

Whether we’re at odds with our editors, working with graphic artists or other writers – collaborating with artists we admire and respect should be a positive growing experience. Art isn’t created in a vacuum, but there are pros and cons to each stage of the process when working with others. Managing multiple stubborn personalities is stressful. Dovetailing together when it finally gains traction makes it worth the required patience and time.

Tip – Don’t try to put your process on top of theirs. Learn, listen and expand your process with them.

2. Subplots – Avoiding dross.

Joseph Campbell’s, The Hero’s Journey is a fantastic source of multiple perspectives. I’ve been told you can judge the depth and perspective of work by its subplots. Am I in trouble? This made me analyze a few of my recent subplots. They tend to develop organically as the story grows. Love triangles. Secrets. The inevitable letting go of vice to achieve character building. The basic ‘human condition’ vs inevitable growth stuff.

Tip – Use tools that direct your creative energy. Table sized sheets of graph paper, dollar store notebooks and Moleskins are my thing. No, I don’t always tie up every loose end, but it helps to shift from a micro-perspective and pull back to a bird’s eye view when fleshing out details.

3. Deadlines & Deadlock –

We all miss our deadlines. No? Maybe not all of us, but I do. Writer’s block is stressful. Sitting still is death. I self sooth with familiar things like walks and Moleskin notebooks. Moleskins can take a beating and fit in the pockets of my larger jackets. On a walk of procrastination I can carry a Moleskin with me through sleet and hail and get back to how I fell in love with writing. By hand and with the hope I grow new muscles and have a breakthrough.

Tip – Gift a young creative something that helped you gather your thoughts. Example:

Books Inc. San Francisco

Me: “It’s a Moleskin notebook. For centuries artists have used these to direct their thoughts.”

Little girl: “Oh.” -tight smile-

Me: “Ok. Major yawn… but inside it has a history. See? It’s been used by Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway and Bruce Chatwin. Not one woman? Seriously?”

Little girl: -frowns-

Me: -shuts book and hands over Moleskin- “It’s very durable.”

Wishing everyone a safe and pleasant holiday season. What delights and/or distracts you about your writing? Happy IWSG Day!