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One More Month #IWSG

Posted on December 1, 2021 by Loni Townsend

It’s the first day of December and Insecure Writer’s Support Group day!

What makes me an insecure writer this month? Well, I’ve had to redo that companion novel WIP I’ve been working on, and now I’m losing steam. I submitted my second chapter a while back and my group didn’t have the response I’d hoped. The unlikability of my main character out-weighed the interesting aspects of the story, leaving them meh on the whole thing. I’d worried about this, and now that they confirmed my concerns, I went ahead and redid the whole chapter, which has led to a ripple effect through all the chapters that follow.

*sigh*

I suppose that leads to this month’s question:

IWSG Question of the Month – In your writing, what stresses you the most? What delights you?

Redoing stuff stresses me out the most. That’s probably why I’ve avoided book 2 all year, because that’s got a massive rewrite waiting for it. What I love the most, however, are those moments when the scene just bursts from brain to fingertips and I pour out character interactions that leave me grinning. Other people might not appreciate them as much (take chapter 2 for example), but the pure joy of these characters coming to life, no matter how petty they may be, is the reason I write.

As 2021 comes to a close, I find myself in a positive place. I’ve done some self-examination and realized I’m not quite who I try to be, but I’m accepting of that. For years, I considered myself an ISTJ because of how I try to manage my home life and what I actively work to portray to my family. But my procrastination, disorganized/messy personal space, and the fact I switch projects on a whim all point to me being a P more than a J. I retook the test with a more truthful answers of how I am versus how I try to be, and sure enough: ISTP.

Strangely, that knowledge is freeing. I used to feel guilty that I could never stick with one thing for too long, whether it be in writing, art, exercise, or whatever. Now, I’m just “yeah, that’s me.” It gives me a new perspective as I head into 2022, and I’ve got the rest of this month to figure out how I’m going to use that information.

What do you find stressful or delightful in writing? Have you ever looked at personality types? Are things looking up for 2022 for you?

About Insecure Writer’s Support Group
Insecure Writers Support Group Badge
You can find the sign up for the IWSG here. We owe Alex J Cavanaugh a huge thank you for thinking this blog hop up.

25 thoughts on “One More Month #IWSG”

  1. Melissa Maygrove says:
    December 1, 2021 at 9:54 AM

    You amaze me with all you accomplish. Don’t be too hard on yourself.

    Reply
  2. Alex J. Cavanaugh says:
    December 1, 2021 at 11:13 AM

    You are what you are, right?
    Sorry the response to that chapter wasn’t what you hoped for – maybe redoing everything else now won’t be as bad as you think.

    Reply
  3. Madeline Mora-Summonte says:
    December 1, 2021 at 12:36 PM

    Yes on accepting ourselves for who we are! It’s not easy, but it’s something I’m working on. 🙂

    Reply
  4. ChemistKen says:
    December 1, 2021 at 12:39 PM

    I’ve never taken that test to see what I am, but I’ve always been one who likes to juggle many projects at once, sometimes with the result that I don’t finish any of them. I did finish my story, but that was only because I kept at it with a dogged determination where I didn’t worry about how long it was taking.

    Be happy with knowing who you are and what you want to accomplish. It’ll lower your stress levels.

    Reply
  5. Jennifer Lee Hawes says:
    December 1, 2021 at 1:47 PM

    I did one of those personality tests! It was spot on. I hope you have a great holiday season!

    Reply
  6. Jacqui says:
    December 1, 2021 at 2:37 PM

    We all have these sorts of months. It’s part of the job. Wait till 2022.

    Reply
  7. Rosemary Johnson says:
    December 1, 2021 at 2:52 PM

    I had to look up ISTJ and ISTP… Whatever, you are you. You are unique and probably don’t have a label.

    Reply
    1. Natalie Aguirre says:
      December 1, 2021 at 3:03 PM

      I think it can help to acknowledge who we are and our truths. Like you said, it’s liberating.

      Reply
  8. Louise (Fundy Blue) says:
    December 1, 2021 at 3:09 PM

    Hi, Loni! My husband is an INTP, and knowing that has helped me understand him more, especially that go-with-the-flow P kicking in. I am an INFJ, and I’m off the charts on the N and F. I drive my husband crazy ~ LOL! I hope your positive feelings about the new year lasts the whole year through. Good luck with your editing! Happy writing and happy holidays!

    Reply
  9. J.C. Jackson says:
    December 1, 2021 at 3:19 PM

    You reminded me of one I forgot to list which is the same delight of a scene basically writing itself. Where your fingers are struggling to keep up getting the words down.

    I hadn’t taken that test before now, but apparently I’m an INFP.

    As for 2022… I have no idea.

    Reply
  10. Olga Godim says:
    December 1, 2021 at 3:59 PM

    Oh, yeah. Completely revamping your story is stressful, all right. It takes courage and conviction, and you seem to have both in abandon.
    I want to take that test too.

    Reply
  11. Cathrina says:
    December 1, 2021 at 4:17 PM

    You’re already ahead of 2022. Just realizing who you are, and being acceptive, has you on the right track. I need to come to terms with my own self, and accept it too. Many people do not have an inkling of their own personalities.

    Merry Christmas

    Reply
  12. L. Diane Wolfe says:
    December 1, 2021 at 5:01 PM

    I’ve never done that test, just the Choleric-Phlagmatic-Sanguine-Melancholy one. I am half Sanguine (outgoing) and half Melancholy (introvert.) Supposedly one of the oddest mixes. Lucky me!

    Reply
  13. Liz A. says:
    December 1, 2021 at 7:08 PM

    There’s nothing wrong with switching projects up as the mood changes. In fact, I think that might work better for some, as sometimes you need to get out of your ruts. But I’m with you on reworking stuff. I have trunked a novel and dropped out of a compilation project once I knew what I had started with needed massive rewrites.

    Reply
  14. C.G.Coppola says:
    December 1, 2021 at 7:31 PM

    I’m starting to not like this critique group of yours. If all the magic of the brain-fingertips is eliminated from your work, what’s the point? You’re a wonderful writer and I say keep writing from your gut! With that being said, I’ve just gone through 2 (or 3?) massive rewrites due to a few critiques so I DO feel your pain…

    But I think 2022 will be a great year for everyone. At least, hoping it will be!

    Happy holidays and a happy new years!

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      December 2, 2021 at 7:51 AM

      Heh. Thanks for being protective, but my group’s pretty good. I’d worried my character was too unlikable long before I submitted the chapter to the group. Still, I do smile when Rhea pettily throws Alberich’s boots out the door just because they’re ugly, even if that scene isn’t surviving the cut.

      Reply
  15. Sherry Ann Ellis says:
    December 1, 2021 at 8:17 PM

    Those personality tests are interesting. I am an INFJ.

    Revising takes time. But if you put it away for a while and come back to it, you may see it with fresh eyes.

    Have a wonderful holiday season!

    Reply
  16. Shannon Lawrence says:
    December 2, 2021 at 2:39 AM

    I’m glad you’ve been able to figure out a bit more about yourself, and I hope it helps! Sorry about the dismal feedback. That sounds rough, but important to know now. Good luck on your rewrite.

    Reply
  17. Patricia Josephine says:
    December 2, 2021 at 9:29 AM

    Rewrites stress me out too. I have a few that I really need to do but I just keep putting them off because of the work that will be invovled. I really just need to suck it up and do it.

    Reply
  18. Arlee Bird says:
    December 2, 2021 at 11:30 AM

    I can see how redoing things would be stressful. To me it seems like a potential prelude to getting stuck in a rut if one gets too obsessive about it. It has to be done, but there can also be limits I think.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

    Reply
  19. JQ Rose says:
    December 2, 2021 at 2:53 PM

    Oh yes, I was a member of a group that decided to do the personality traits and who works with whom..blah blah blah. We never did much with it. We pretty well knew each other without the test. hee hee. I bet re-writing the second chapter, yeah it had to be #2 so it would mess up the next 30 chapters, etc. Anyway, I bet it helped you look at the rest of the ms in a new light and will be a better product once you get going on it. Best wishes with the writing project!

    Reply
  20. joylene says:
    December 3, 2021 at 7:02 AM

    You’ve inspired me to think about my own writing life. But please, Loni, don’t be too hard on yourself. You are amazing.

    Reply
  21. Lori says:
    December 5, 2021 at 1:02 PM

    Congratulations on your new perspective! I hope it continues to perk you up.

    Good luck on the rewrite. Better to know now rather than later? Maybe?

    Happy New Year!

    Reply
  22. H. R. Sinclair says:
    December 6, 2021 at 4:55 AM

    Ack, it’s hard when the response is not what you wanted (eve though you anticipated it). And that trickle down and through the story is a huge task.

    The hardest thing for me in writing is getting past myself and be free in writing, not to get all worked up on the detail and letting things flow.

    Reply
  23. Michelle Wallace says:
    December 6, 2021 at 11:56 PM

    I think that you are an amazing writer.
    Cut yourself some slack (says the person who is always hard on herself…)
    Keep going!

    Reply

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Welcome to my blog. I post here on Wednesdays most of the time, but you can find me on social media any day of the week. My topics include my stories and writing, life at the Town's End, creating and tinkering with graphics, things I learn and think might be helpful to others, and the occasional amateur photo. Thanks for stopping by! I hope to see you around.

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