Staying Motivated

One of the things I have found most difficult lately is staying motivated to write every single day. My life, for a short while at least, had become a little busier when I joined a local writing group. We were meeting nearly every week to critique and discuss each other's current projects. Unfortunately we are on hiatus because the founder of our group has fallen ill. Just when I was ready to get back in the swings of things after my own tangle with not feeling well. Too bad.

My current project is taking my short story, Youthanasia, (that you can read here) and expanding it in to a novel. (Youthanasia was entered into the Chilling Tales for Dark Nights short story contest in June 2014.) I started it during NaNoWriMo in November 2014. During that time I got about halfway through Not too bad, really for my second attempt at that particular challenge. But since then I haven't gotten that much further. Say 35,000 words or so. And, no, it's not the word count that matters, but I do not have a whole a story. Yet.

And I am the ultimate procrastinator when it comes to actually finishing anything. Why? Because I never feel that anything is ever good enough (even these silly little blogs). Because I don't think that anyone will want to read my story (even though you are supposed to write for yourself). Because I feel like I am wasting my time (again, what if no one likes it?). Because after this, what do I have (even though I have plenty of ideas for future stories)? Because I am afraid of rejection (from publishers, from readers, from critics). Because I keep changing my mind (that's what editing is for). Because I need to do more research (actually I just love to read more than anything). See? I'm full of excuses not to finish.

I haven't even been participating in Flash! Fiction Fridays lately, either. It used to be because I was busy on Fridays going to my writers group. But I haven't had that excuse lately. Now I'm just being lazy. I need something to jump start my creativity again in a serious way. I started looking up short story competitions again. (I'll post a link to the ones I found at the bottom.) I need something to get me out of this rut.

I still do my words on most days. I found a site called 750 Words maybe a year and a half ago. I use it as sort of a diary. The point of the site is to use it as a "brain dump" before you start writing. To sort of get it all out so you can start your day with a clean sheet of paper. Problem is, I do my 750 words - and that's it. Then I fool around the house the rest of the day. Tinker with our budget. Read. Watch some recordings on the DVR. Do some laundry. Do a word puzzle (love Penny Dell Puzzles!). Help the kids with homework. Probably yell at one them. Cook (a fabulous) dinner. Read. Sleep. Repeat.

So stuck in rut right now. Help!

What do you do to keep yourself motivated and write everyday? Or at least stick to a schedule? Leave your tips in the comments below!

Writing contests I found for April/May (That I was interested in)

sweatpants & coffee
Seeking fiction and non-fiction stories about transformation and redemption. They like well worded works, with "lyrical turns of phrase."

haunted waters press
Seeking fiction and poetry depicting life in rural America. Think country living, Midwestern tales, Southern Gothic and Country Noir.

September Writing - Taking Time for Myself

In July and August I had set out to write short stories according to a prompt or a theme and for those two months I have failed to finish writing my stories. Summer has been difficult for me to find time to write. Not that I am complaining, but between the kids and vacations and the doctor appointments and outings, writing took an unfortunate backseat.

For September I have decided to get back to basics. During the last eight months I have learned a lot about myself, the way I think, write and react to deadlines and pressure. For the remainder of this month I am taking the time to work on a personal side project that has been rattling around my brain for the last few weeks. I am hoping it turns into an interesting story that will expand into a novel. But only time (and dedication) will tell.

I still participate in Flash! Friday every weeks. It is a great way to exercise my brain and write a killer story within 150 words. This month, Toasted Cheese Literary Journal is hosting Three Cheers and a Tiger's 48-Hour Science Fiction/Fantasy writing contest. During the weekend the weekend of September 19-21, they will provide a prompt and writers are encouraged to write a story within 48 hours. I have tried my hand at sci-fi/fantasy before and failed beautifully. But I am never one to give up easily, so I just may throw my hat in the ring again. For those who are interested, We Said Go Travel's Fall writing contest will open on September 11. Please read my inspiration travel article, Welcome to the Double J, that I submitted to their February writing contest.

I hope that taking time for myself will allow me to ready for what is ahead. I already know of a few challenges that I want to be prepared for come Fall and Winter. If I can't get my ideas out of my head and on (electronic) paper now, I know that I won't be able to focus on the challenges I have lined up in future months. Taking time for myself is, in itself, going to be a challenge.

What challenges do you face in your writing? Share your thoughts below.

Wish me luck and I'll do the same for you.

Six Month Check-Up

I started an experiment six months ago in order to force myself to expand my horizons and stretch my comfort zones. If I was going to try to be a serious writer than I wanted to prove that I didn't have to limit myself to just one genre. Sure, I had the most experience with play writing, but that was just because of my background doing theatre in the Houston area. Since my stroke I have had to seriously consider the fact that my amateur stage career, and any chances at a real career were over, giving me the rare opportunity to take my time and explore my options.

In January I taught myself how to write a radio play for BBC World Drama's International Play Writing Competition. The format is different from that of a stage play, which I still need to work on. In fact, I am currently in the market for some new software to help me with that very problem. The judging will likely take place in August.

In February I wrote a short piece for travel website, We Said Go Travel. I was really proud of this piece. The theme was to write about a place you were influenced to spend your time wisely. My Grandma and Paw Paw, both influential themselves, had just passed away and I couldn't think of a better place to write about than the time spent growing up on their property in the Big Thicket in East Texas. You can read my piece here, if you are interested. And a hearty congratulations to the winners. I hope one day I can be half the world traveler some of those lucky writers are.

In March I participated in Three Cheers and a Tiger's short story mystery writing challenge. You are given a prompt at Just the Place for a Snark, a writing forum, and in 48 hours required to write a short story. Twice a year, Three Cheers hosts this type of competition. In the Spring it's all about the mystery, in Fall they want your sci-fi/fantasy stories. You can win the winning entries in the June edition of Toasted Cheese.

April was a tough month for me. I was having some health issues that kept me from completing my personal challenge of writing a poem a day for National Poetry Month. I managed to do it about half the time, which only makes me determined to try again next year. I submitted my poems on poet Robert Lee Brewer's Poetic Asides Blog where he challenges writers to write a poem a day every day for the month of April.

In May, I wrote a short story about an object for Haunted Waters Press's Summer issue of From the Depths. It could be any object in the world, real or imagined, however tangible and what did I do? I missed the deadline. But the editors at Haunted Waters Press read my blog (how cool is that?) about learning my lesson, and gave me a chance to submit my story anyway. What a fantastic opportunity and thank you from the bottom of my heart. Also, check out their Penny Fiction. I haven't been able to think of any yet, but they get some fascinating entries.

And here we are, halfway through June. So far I have submitted my horror story to Chilling Tales for Dark Nights. I admit that I have yet to start on a sci-fi/fantasy story for L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest. I'm having a hard time thinking of something to write about. 

One more fun thing I have found to do is Flash! Fiction Friday hosted by Rebekah Postupak. As many Fridays as I am able, I participate in writing a flash fiction story (about 150 words) that has to do with the prompt given. I have had so much fun reading everyone's entries and trying to come up with something creative and original. It's a great writing exercise, if nothing else. Fiction Friday is on Twitter.

New things I have learned/done:

Written a radio play

Written a horror story

Missed a deadline

Been given a second chance

Been disappointed at what I have produced

Realized I do better with specific guidelines rather than being giving unlimited reign (my imagination goes into overdrive and then shuts down - for days)

I write terrible poetry 

I write pretty good poetry

Quit second guessing myself!

I hate writing author bios

Sci-fi/fantasy may not be my thing...

I need to be less fearful

First Lesson Learned

I learned my first lesson this month in paying close attention to deadlines. Yes, I messed up.

Haunted Waters Press held a writing contest for their summer publication of From the Depths. I admit I struggled with the theme for a while and it took me some time to settle on an object to write to about. But I did it! I have a completed short story that meets the specifications laid out and it is sitting on my computer as we speak. Their deadline was May 25. That day I was out enjoying myself at a pool party and completely forget to send in my story. I have a bad habit of waiting till the very last minute to submit my writing. I never feel like they are good enough and I am known to make changes and alterations up until I hit 'send'. A very bad habit and I know that I am setting myself up for disaster, case in point, but I do it anyway.

The good news is I found another fun project. I discovered Flash! Friday on Twitter through a six degrees of separation coincidence to Haunted Waters Press. Every Friday, founder Rebekah Postupak posts a new photo prompt and theme to use in a flash fiction story. She has created a fun and encouraging environment where writers share their mini-stories. Unfortunately I had to miss the last two weeks because of sick kids and a brief hospital stay, but I am really looking forward to next week.

Looking forward to June, I found two new things to write about. Chilling Tales for Dark Nights is asking for short horror stories for their July contest. Submissions are open through June 11. There is a photo prompt with which to inspire you. The top ten finalists will be voted on by the public. The second contest is L. Ron Hubbard's Writers and Illustrators of the Future. Sci-fi and fantasy stories are due by June 30. I'm really excited by both of these subjects. I have tried my hand at mystery, but never at horror or sci-fi/fantasy. I accept the challenge!

Incidentally, congratulations to the winners of We Said Go Travel's writing competition. There were so many amazing writers that have traveled to so many amazing places that I have no idea how they were able to pick their winners. The theme for the summer writing competition has been announced. Write about a place that allows you to feel free. All entries are due by July 4.

Wish me luck, and I'll do the same for you.