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Progress Made #IWSG

Posted on December 7, 2022December 6, 2022 by Loni Townsend

December. Wow. Where’d the year go?

It’s the first Wednesday of the month, making it Insecure Writer’s Support Group day.

I didn’t participate in NaNoWriMo this year because I knew I wouldn’t achieve 50K in 30 days, and I didn’t want to derail my current progress by trying. I did get 5K, which was a boost over the typical 3K, so that’s cheer worthy.

I’ve still got 7 chapters marked as needing to be looked at for this whole POV subplot change. I’ve edited 13 since April, so it’s looking like sometime next year I might get this darn thing done…for the third time.

Yes, I’ve reached “The End” twice already. The first time I had a pacing problem. The second time led to the subplot debacle, and I pulled it back from beta readers before some even started reading.

I’ve got confidence in this version so far (version 6 for anyone counting), and I’m pretty sure it’ll be the one.

It’d better be.

I’ve got 4 other books in this series to write, and I want to finish it within my lifetime.

IWSG Question of the Month – It’s holiday time! Are the holidays a time to catch up or fall behind on writer goals?

As a mother who can’t write once her kids are awake and present, I’m inclined to say “fall behind”. However, my son is now old enough to respect when I say, “Give me until 7:30 AM to write” that he’ll hang out in his room and entertain himself while I get some words down on the weekends. My daughter is old enough that I have to drag her out of bed at 9 on her days off just so she doesn’t mess up her school-time sleeping schedule too much. So I have the mornings pre-breakfast to get stuff done, therefore I don’t expect too much falling behind this year. My husband, if he sees me writing, will take off for another room because he knows I can’t focus if there’s someone around me, which is sweet. Who ever thought one’s spouse running away from them was a nice gesture? πŸ™‚

How did your year go? Is this a busy time of year for you? Do you find it difficult to write with family around?

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.

22 thoughts on “Progress Made #IWSG”

  1. Alex J. Cavanaugh says:
    December 7, 2022 at 5:15 AM

    It will be the one!
    Give your son a couple more years and then you won’t be able to get him out of bed until noon…

    Reply
  2. Natalie Aguirre says:
    December 7, 2022 at 5:57 AM

    That’s great that your family gives you a little time to write in your day. And I agree with Alex about your son sleeping till noon in a few years.

    You’re making great progress on your book, even if it’s a little slower than you’d like.

    Reply
  3. Madeline Mora-Summonte says:
    December 7, 2022 at 7:11 AM

    My husband knows to leave me be when I’m writing. He’s good like that, too. πŸ™‚

    Enjoy the holidays, Loni!

    Reply
  4. L. Diane Wolfe says:
    December 7, 2022 at 7:19 AM

    That’s sweet your husband steers clear. Mine gives me space, too.

    Reply
  5. H. R. Sinclair says:
    December 7, 2022 at 7:50 AM

    “and I want to finish it within my lifetime.” I hear that.

    I think this’ll be the one for ya too! Awesome of the hubby!

    Reply
  6. ChemistKen says:
    December 7, 2022 at 8:06 AM

    β€œand I want to finish it within my lifetime.” I can appreciate that sentiment, Whatever you do, don’t ever take your foot off the writing-gas-pedal.

    Reply
  7. joylene says:
    December 7, 2022 at 8:27 AM

    Your husband is definitely a keeper. Mine reads! How wonderful, eh. Merry Christmas, Loni. Take care of yourself and have a wonderful month.

    Reply
  8. CD Gallant-King says:
    December 7, 2022 at 9:21 AM

    You spouse leaves you alone?? What a novelty! I work from home, and my wife is by far the most annoying “coworker” ever. Can’t ever get anything done with her around. πŸ˜›

    Happy Holidays and good luck with your editing!

    Reply
  9. Chrys Fey says:
    December 7, 2022 at 10:27 AM

    I’m so happy that you’ve made progress and that this one feels like one one for you. That’s saying something. Wishing you all the best!

    Reply
  10. Liz A. says:
    December 7, 2022 at 2:08 PM

    Ah, the joys of children getting older. That gives you more writing time. And when you’ve finally got all your novel woes solved, you’ll be glad you took the time to get it all right.

    Reply
  11. Susan Gourley says:
    December 7, 2022 at 2:51 PM

    Congrats on the progress. 6 drafts is a lot but whatever it takes. Have a great holiday.

    Reply
  12. Olga Godim says:
    December 7, 2022 at 3:03 PM

    Like you, I can’t write when someone is in the room. But it’s easy for me, as I live alone. My kids are grown-ups and live by themselves. Good luck with your current WIP draft and happy holidays.

    Reply
  13. M.J. Fifield says:
    December 7, 2022 at 5:40 PM

    “Get this darn thing done…for the third time.”

    Boy, am I relating to this! I’m so glad to hear you’re feeling confident about this version. Hope you can carry that feeling into the next installment(s) when you start them!

    Wishing you and your family a very happy holiday season.

    Reply
  14. Esther O'Neill says:
    December 8, 2022 at 2:18 AM

    Life gets in the way so much, especially in December, in a glorious white frost, so beautiful. .
    After the past three years, so much catch-up time.
    Last year, when a friend had seven chapters to write, she made that radical move to a cabin in Lapland and write them. Still hunting for the right publisher, but so determined…
    Me ? Told so firmly that I’m ‘ not a writer;, still trying, but December’s for the people I love most. Even if they never sign a single Christmas card. Immediate correction from husband. He’s signed one.
    .

    Reply
  15. Esther O'Neill says:
    December 8, 2022 at 4:56 AM

    Husband ( coder, etc IT everything) is now writing his own book.
    Perhaps the friend who took off to la cabin in Lapland was right.
    No more complaints, can even , in the current weather, dream about a Christmas
    scripted by Dickens.

    Reply
  16. C. Lee McKenzie says:
    December 8, 2022 at 4:24 PM

    You’ve got quite a lot of writing lined up! I give you A+ for even laying out that plan. Have a wonderful holiday season.

    Reply
  17. Sarah Brentyn says:
    December 8, 2022 at 5:47 PM

    πŸ™‹πŸ»β€β™€οΈ

    Reply
  18. Christine Rains says:
    December 12, 2022 at 7:05 AM

    That’s so sweet of your husband. Mine’s the same way. I’m like you in that I can’t write if there is anyone around and certainly not after the kid is awake. I can let him have some screen time, but I only want him playing video games for so long. I get less done in December writing-wise but I do read more. Have a happy holiday season!

    Reply
  19. Nick Wilford says:
    December 17, 2022 at 6:31 AM

    Your family are very considerate. Here’s to making this draft the one. Whatever you do, don’t stress and enjoy the holidays.

    Reply
  20. Sherry Ellis says:
    December 22, 2022 at 5:29 PM

    Nice to have a considerate family! I chuckled at your comment about finishing your series in your lifetime. I know exactly how you feel! It’ll get done!

    Have a very Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  21. Melissa Maygrove says:
    January 4, 2023 at 6:33 AM

    My family gave up a lot for me to write my debut. Finding a balance is hard. Sounds like you’re doing a good job, and so are they.

    Reply
  22. J Lenni Dorner (he/him πŸ‘¨πŸ½ or πŸ§‘πŸ½ they/them) says:
    January 4, 2023 at 6:35 AM

    I hope your holidays went well and you kept up with the writing.
    “Without having a goal, it’s difficult to score.” Paul Arden
    I hope 2023 will become everything you need it to be.

    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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