August 7 question – Has your writing ever taken you by surprise? For example, a positive and belated response to a submission you’d forgotten about or an ending you never saw coming?
Today is another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. You can also visit the founder Alex J. Cavanaugh for more info and links.
When I’m writing fiction, yes, the characters surprise me. I think the story will go one way, then I hear “the voices” telling me to go another. Also, as I was working on a new project, someone that I thought was a minor character had an interesting story to tell. I might need to save that for another book, but it certainly brought new material to the novel.
As I write this post, that novel has been on the shelf for a while. I’m in a local community theater production of Mamma Mia! It’s fun, but takes up quite a bit of time. Also, it’s summer here in Minnesota, and I’m looking forward to some family time this weekend. Come Fall, I’ll bring the writing back onto the table! Also, I talked myself out of writing a story for the latest IWSG Anthology contest, but now, I think I should at least give it a try! Ack! When to find the time?!
Journaling Prompt: How are things going for you? Is it summer where you are? Are you enjoying some fun in the sun and family time?
I hear ya! I haven’t written anything for the anthology but an idea keeps trying to butt its way into my schedule!
Musicals are so much fun but they do take up an enormous amount of time!
Right! I am having a great summer.
Busy time! Give the anthology a shot. You made it in one and competition is light so far this year for this one.
I’m going to try to get to it this week, Alex. Thanks for the encouragement!
What is it with those characters, anyway!
I know! Right?!
You’re in a play? How fun!
I hope you have time to write a story for the next anthology. Remember what happened last time.
Yes. Thanks.
You should definitely try to write the anthology story! If you have time, of course!
I had a character who was supposed to basically be in the background with one or two lines decide to be a main character in the next book. Sometimes you just have to do what the characters say.
Right! They are full of ideas and action.
Characters do like their time in the sun. Shorts are a good way to practice and get seen. Happy IWSG!
Right on, Juneta!
I wish those characters would behave, don’t you? They cause no end of trouble for us writers. Hope you do get a submission in for the IWSG anthology. Good luck.
I did. Thanks, C.!
Finding time is always a struggle, but all of those life experiences are definitely going to enrich your writing, so it’s still a win-win! Hope you’re able to fall back into writing soon!