It’s been a minute since I’ve posted to Alex J. Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group. Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
These last few months I’ve missed reading other members’ writing progress and experiences. I began my second graduate degree to become a licensed psychotherapist. Balancing my academic and art life is a work in a progress. Being around psychologists who are writers, therapists and social justice pioneers is motivating. I’m asking, “Where they get the time?”
I’m in awe.
The awesome co-hosts for the January 4 posting of the IWSG are Jemima Pett, Debs Carey, Kim Lajevardi, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, and T. Powell Coltrin!
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. Join IWSG https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
My word for the year is balance. The way my writing has evolved while studying psychology has been paradoxically grounding and chaotic. My characters have more depth, but have me tripping down internal rabbit holes that are just as confusing as they are fascinating. This year I don’t want to fall into old habits of taking on too much and losing sight of my allurements. I have many (yikes) unfinished projects I’m still passionate about.
My story telling skills helped pull off the loads of papers on case studies and theory I’ve had the challenge to produce. This next semester I’m setting aside time to pick up the last project and find balance in my process. I had to prove I could ace the work load before attempting to mix it up. My characters have more depth and backstory, but my confidence in my ability to balance my work and writing life is super shaky.
I have so much more gratitude for IWSG monthly check-ins now that I’ve missed a few. Joining others in sharing our vulnerabilities and insecurities is grounding and inspiring. Looking forward to reading everyone’s January posts!
I always return comments, but it might take a day or two. Still working on that time machine. Happy New Year!
So glad you’re back. It’s hard to balance school or work with writing and your personal life, but it’s really good to try to create a balance that works for you. That’s awesome you’re working on your graduate degree.
Thanks, Natalie! I love everyone’s posts. Collecting words is way better than resolutions.
I love your photos, Adrienne! Bravo on all you are trying to achieve. Balance…hmm…I need more of that in my life, too. Happy New Year!
The camera does love Peaches. Thank you, and Happy New Year, Victoria!
Congratulations on beginning your journey to your second graduate degree! That is exciting.
Balance is a lovely word and goal for 2023. I hope you find the perfect balance.
Thanks Chrys! It’s exciting and all consuming for sure. I’m very grateful. Happy New Year!
Finding a way to balance all the things you want to do can be tricky. Good luck pursuing your degree and finding that balance!
We’ll see, Sarah. I’ve got the tools to make an honest attempt. (i.e. monthly, weekly and 90 day planners.) Here’s to balance!
Good luck finding that balance. Psychology is fascinating. And you just know it’s going to do wonders for the depth of your characters.
I’m excited, Nick. It’s endlessly fascinating. As a mystery writer my studies have me focussed on character driven side plots for sure!
Congrats on starting a new degree! I actually just finished a master’s in December and feel like I can have more time to write now. I’ve always been fascinated with psychology and I love hearing how you apply it to your characters! That’s awesome. Good luck in finding your balance!
Congrats on your new masters, Rosie. Thank you, and Happy New Year!
A) I LOVE your dog! B) “Paradoxically grounding and chaotic” perfectly describes my lifestyle at the present. Also, my spice cabinet. Happy New Year!
You can learn a lot about a person’s lifestyle looking through their spice cabinet. lol. Peaches will be 12 this year! So thankful the littles have a long shelf life. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, and welcome (back) to IWSG! Good luck with balancing your class load and writing time. My partner has been taking classes toward a Master’s degree, and it is grinding her down. And she isn’t even a writer!
Thanks, John. Sending power study vibes to your partner! Supportive partners are everything. You rock. Happy New Year!
Hi WOTY buddy! I picked the same word. It is a good one 🙂
I have a WOTY buddy. Great neurotic minds, and all that. Happy New Year, Steph!
I love “Balance” as a yearly word!
I’m embracing it. Happy New Year, Yvonne!
Glad to have you back. Sounds like your workload has been heavy but you managed to handle it. Hope you can work the writing back in.
Thanks Alex!.Break’s almost over, but I think I got my writing groove back. We’ll see. Happy New Year!
Balance is a good word.
I’ve found the answer to where people get time for something is prioritizing, though it’s not always possible if something like health decides for you that it’s going to be the priority.
“Without having a goal, it’s difficult to score.” Paul Arden
I hope 2023 will become everything you need it to be.
J Lenni Dorner (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Reference& Speculative Fiction Author, OperationAwesome6 Debut Author Interviewer, and Co-host of the #AtoZchallenge
I almost chose focus, or fecundity. Balance feels right because its less about productivity and more within reach of wellness. Goals are there, we’ll make them when we make them and root for each other. Happy IWSG day!
Now there’s a super challenging workload you’ve chosen for yourself, but how fabulous to have such great tools at your disposal to create characters. Balance sounds like the perfect word to help you achieve all you want this year – all the best for doing so.
Debs posting today from Fiction Can Be Fun
Also found at Debs Despatches
Thanks Debs. I’m super grateful for the colleagues I landed in my cohort through Uni. Here’s to an awesome 2023 for the IWSG tribe!
Welcome back! I had to take time off last year for personal reasons and I know what you mean. I really missed everyone!
Balance is a great key word!
Thanks Hedi. I didn’t fully appreciate how grounding it was visiting everyone’s posts until forced to take a break. Happy New Year!