This is my monthly post as part of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, a great group of supportive writers, helping one another through our writing ups-and-downs.
There is also a great Facebook Community for more daily connection! More posts from the group are tagged on Twitter at #IWSG.
February was a bust.
I had intended to complete another chapter of my novel – but it seemed that my health was conspiring against me in that regard.
I struggled over Chapter 4 as it was. And the weekends, normally my best shot at getting sustained work done, ended up going quite differently than I planned. There was one weekend in the month where I was fighting something, and slept the entire weekend. But I did manage some work during lunch-breaks I stared down the chapter, trying to find my way to a proper rewrite.
It wasn’t until I was on the train on my way up to visit my sister over President’s Day Weekend that I realized one of the reasons I was having such a struggle. The chapter needs to be completely restructured. It has all the information I need to get across, the conversations are great, but it’s in the wrong order.
I need to pull apart the chapter, map it out, outline things, and put it back together.
But over that weekend I suffered from some severe Gallstone pain and was out of commission for a week. No story outlining happened
So now I approach March with the intention, again, to get Chapter Four revised. It isn’t as though this month is any less busy, but I know that if I allow myself to put it off another month it’ll be even harder for me to jump back in.
I love the question for this month – “How do you celebrate when you achieve a writing goal/finish a short?” – because it is something good to reflect on just now. As I plod my way through to this goal of having a complete revision of my novel by the end of the year I need to have ways to celebrate the smaller milestones (like completed chapters). But, what? Due to the health stuff I’m trying to move away from food-based celebratory things, but what else can I do that I enjoy, that doesn’t cost a lot of money?
It’s a tough thing to figure out.
Eclectic Alli 
Someone on another IWSG blog post suggested rewarding ourselves with something writing-related, like a fancy new pen or blank journal. No calories! Happy writing this month–I hope your health gives you more room and time to finish your chapter rewrite.
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Oh man.. more blank journals! JUST what I need 😉 I bet I could figure out something writing-related though that wouldn’t end up just being added to the pile – great idea!
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I’ve seen a lot of people say they reward themselves with a little NETFLIX binge or tending to a different artistic hobby (like gardening). There’re lots of things you can do! Good luck with your chapter re-write!!
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Hmm.. that MIGHT get me to stop letting myself binge on Netflix at other times. I think that’s the real challenge — there aren’t a lot of things I enjoy to do that I don’t try to incorporate into my everyday life as it is.
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If you don’t want to clear away old stuff, like I do, how about a long soak in the bath or some aromatherapy? I have food allergies, so I rarely celebrate that way too.
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Self-care kinda stuff. That’s an idea 🙂
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February was a bust for me as well, mostly due to the pressures of my day job. Hopefully March will be a better month for writing for both of us.
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Here’s to March!
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As you suggested, Alli, when you visited my blog – video-games which are my escape/reward. In fact, I use them most days to keep me going and my mind tested in a lateral way.
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It sound like you are stuck with the number four (4). Depending how far you are done with this chapter, maybe you start writing what you want say for the next chapter. It might give you a little nudge for completing chapter four (4).
It may sound “bonkers”, but it may work.
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I’m in revisions – so the stuff that comes after chapter 4 is already written. I just need to re-organize what I have in chapter 4 so it is presented in an order that makes more sense — that would flow more naturally in the situation.
Thanks!
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Good luck! 📕
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I hope March is a better month for you!
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Drive time is good thinking time. You could celebrate by buying yourself flowers, taking a walk, making something off-line, or spending time with a friend or family member.
Write on!
Mary at Play off the Page
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Sorry to hear about the gallstones. 😦 I hope you get your chapter worked out.
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I like to do something nice for myself, like take a bath, paint my nails, or meditate. Something to just relax and clear your brain is always helpful
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I think part of the problem is that a lot of these things are things I try to do for myself relatively regularly — so they aren’t quite celebratory. But definitely good things to do!
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