This is my first post since I took my June break. I’m shocked at how slow I am in putting it together and how fast June vanished into the past. Ireland was an adventure with so many exciting and wonderful experiences. I’ve been there twice before, but each time I find more to explore and more to enjoy.
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| ALEX CAVANAUGH |
I’m back in time to consider the topic of insecurity and how it affects our lives as writers.
Mine creeps in on tiptoes when I’m trying to pay attention to a work in progress, then grabs me by the throat with questions. Will I be able to tell the story I want? Will it be as good on the page as it is in my head? Will anyone besides me “get” what I’m trying to say?
Since Ms. Insecurity is repetitive in her questions and I respond pretty much the same way every time, I should be able to deal with her very efficiently. But even with the sameness factor, I have to cope with her each time as if it were the first.
So what’s your Insecurity today? Be sure to visit others who share the fun with you! And here are the Co-Hosts! Check out their sites along the way. Charity Bradford, S.A. Larsen, AJ, Tamara Narayan, Allison Gammons, and Tanya Miranda!
I've been traveling to England every couple years for the last few years and have yet to have the urge to drive over there. I can't imagine the roads in Ireland are any wider….. To me, it looks like a very fast game of dodge the car coming at you.
Liked reading this post. Hoping you had a lovely weekend!
Ireland is the dream. Go glad you got to hang out on the Emerald Isle.
Funny how insecurities can become so repetitive they nearly cease to exist.
Glad you had such an adventure in Ireland. I'd have to take a bus or cab everywhere.
I have the same worries while I'm writing.
I'm never the one to drive in a foreign country. Someone else does it. It looks complicated.
Oh yeah, you have to keep a look out for the creepers on tiptoes. They can be the most dangerous of all.
Woof!
I'm not even a good driver on the 'good' side of the road. I can't imagine what it must be like in the UK.
I'm glad you enjoyed your trip. I was recently reminded that some of my ancestors came from Ireland and I hope I can go there someday. I have that insecurity sometimes, I wonder if my point comes across to others the way I intend it to.
I think everyone has ancestors from Ireland. 🙂
I don't think I'd ever be able to drive on the wrong side! Yikes! I'm glad you had a great trip and didn't crash into anything. Insecurity … yes. I'm at the climax of my novel, but have doubts about the whole thing now. I'll just have to push through it, as we all do. 🙂
Yes. It's that last push that takes the most energy. You can do it.
An Ireland excursion. That sounds like a wonderful reason for a blog break. Can't wait to hear more about it? Was it research? Unintentional research? Or, just a lovely time away?
It could have been for all three! I never know. Thanks for the visit, Mary.
Woot! Glad you made it back safe, and I hope you had a fantastic time. I think we all wonder if someone will get our writing. I know I wonder that. 🙂 Welcome back!
Thanks, Loni. I enjoyed my time away, but am glad to be home.
Welcome Back Lee, My insecurities? well I'm fighting my bank's travel insurance's age limit to travellers. I renewed my policy only to be told a few months later that due to a mistake on their part I have reach the age when I can no longer travel with them. Have got the fighting spirit back.
Yvonne.
Talk about discrimination! Keep fighting, Yvonne.
Your trip sounds amazing! And I relate to the insecurity — starting a new WIP is always difficult.
Great to go. Great to return.
My insecurity is that I'll never be satisfied with this novel I'm working on…
Glad to have you back, Lee!
Oh, yes. That's a biggie. Thanks, Bish.
Going to Ireland is my dream. 🙂
I'm always afraid that the story I want to tell won't be as good as it is in my head.
Then we share a lot in common!
Hey Lee!
Welcome back!
Sounds like you had a blast!
We also drive on the left hand side of the road… but we have other 'road challenges' which are unique to our country… I could start an entire series about it. LOL
I'd love to read about it. Driving challenges are very interesting to me right now.
June vanished in a puff of "Oh my gosh what was that?"
Sounds like you enjoyed Ireland. Australia has the same drive-on-the-left roads.
Oh yes. Been there. That was where I practiced. I kept telling those Aussies to stay off the road. American on the loose. 🙂
I'm glad June is over. It was a wicked, evil month.
I'm feeling writing-insecure this month because a scene from my fantasy book might cause it to be a leper in the book world. SMH
Always something.
I can't imagine your book would become a leper. Maybe a best seller instead.
Welcome back! I think your description on insecurity sneaks up on is right on the head!
She needs some stilettos to click on the pavement, then I'll be ready for her.
I've alreay determined I may have to stick with cabs and buses if I go overseas 🙂 You are adventurous for taking on the task!
Insecurity is a bugger that doesn't like to go away, even with the same questions over and over again. Le sgh.
I bet you could do the driving thing. It just takes practice.
I hear that sigh!
You are incredibly brave to drive in the U.K.! We did not attempt that, but hired a driver whenever we needed one.
I ask many of those same questions — plus the additional "Will this be marketable?" Because after telling several stories I loved which were fairly different from the ones on the market, I was astonished to see them not sell. Apparently, you can't repeat what's already out there, but you also can't stray too far from it. This can be a paralyzing decision that causes promising ideas to become "stillborn" – never coming to life.
It seems that the Catch 22 exists in all phases of our lives. Different is good. Different is bad. Good grief, Charlie Brown. Give us a break.
Your trip looked amazing!
I know what you mean. For me, it's like a phase. The insecurities come out of the corner less often these days, which is awesome.
And may that continue!
Oh goodness! I ask the same questions and most of the time I find the answer is, "No, you can't tell the story as well as you see it in your head." Luckily I ignore Ms. Pessimist and do it anyway. Then I've got some lovely people willing to read and tell me where the biggest holes are in the story.
Welcome back and good luck with the driving. 😉
You're doing exactly the right thing then! Good for you.
Welcome back! I 'm glad you had a good time.
I love how you expressed how the insecurities creep in and what they attack.I experience that myself. I still worry if what I envision is what I actually wrote, and if it will appeal to anyone. –That's a though one.
I often think about how "seeing" the story in my head is so much different than reading it from the page. Aren't we interesting creatures, though?
Yes! Now I wonder when I'm seeing books I read play out in my head…is that what the author saw? I guess it will never be exactly the same since we all see things based on our own experiences. Oh, now I'm totally going to think about this all day! LOL
I gasped when I got here. I though you were saying goodbye to the blogosphere, or at least IWSG! LOL
I would never have the guts to drive on the wrong side. You're my hero(ine).
IWSG #123 until Alex culls the list again.
It was the Bye Bye, right? Didn't think of that. Come with me next time.
Hi,
I know you had a great time in Ireland. It is a beautiful country. I've been there and have a problem with crossing the streets. The driving is okay, but crossing the streets are a problem for me.
I was shaky today. I thought the first Wednesday was on the 6th of July and realised this morning that the first Wednesday was today and I had a couple of very important things to do. So, I pushed Ms. Insecure aside and got to doing one task at a time and I made it.
Happy that you returned safely.
Shalom,
Patricia
One task at a time is the best way to tackle those days when the list is long and has a deadline attached. Good for you. And thanks for the wonderful welcome home. I agree. Walking over there deserves hazard pay.
I do love me Ireland and Irish folks!
I've no idea who let July in! Scandal, I say, scandal!
And you'd be so right, DEZ!
I've only been to Ireland once – Dublin. Great time! Glad you've had a wonderful time and welcome back! 🙂
shahwharton.com
Thanks Shah. Go back and see the countryside. It wins over Dublin hands down.
I've always thought trying to drive on the opposite side of the road would be a real challenge for me. I've never had to do it, and with luck, I'll never have to, although if someone died and left me a castle anywhere in Britain, I'd be up for the challenge!
Be sure your castle comes with central heating. They are some of the chilliest accommodations I've ever been in.
I don't think I could get used to driving on the other side of the road. I shudder to think how many accidents I would have! It's all I can do to manage driving here LOL. But your trip seemed so exciting and I'm glad you had such a wonderful time. 🙂
It helps to have other cars around to guide you. Alone on back roads requires more concentration.
Ireland! How I would like to go there one day. It's on my bucket list. We've been traveling lately and enjoying it very much, including a nephew's wedding, so no insecurities at present. I do have to get back into my rewrite this week though. Getting started after all the zipping around might take a couple of tries before I'm back into my routine.
Re-entry is always a challenge. Here's to both of us making it and soon.
Glad to see you, Lee. You have pictures to share right???? =D
Also, where did June go? It was just the 15th the other day.
I do have pictures. I'll get around to putting some up this summer. Great to be home.
No insecurities today, for a change. June has been a great month, even if I didn't get a ton of writing done.
Welcome back! I'm glad you enjoyed Ireland. I hope to get there one of these days.
Hurray for you. A month free of insecurities is a blessing.
I'm glad your trip went well. Sometimes the only way we can find answers to our questions is to keep writing. 🙂
I know. And it isn't always easy. Guess the need to know is greater than the need to feel comfy. 🙂
That's the beauty of revisions! I love editing. My mind can relax as I begin the first draft. With the editing process, I can make everything better:)
Thank goodness we get second chances!
Isn't it funny how those insecurities repeat, as if they're on some awful never-ending loop? Wouldn't it be nice if we could deal with one and it be gone for good. Sigh. if only.
Absolutely. Wrap up one at a time and kiss 'em goodbye.
Trip to Ireland sounds wonderful! And I've always been too terrified to drive in another country–not just the wrong side, but the whole experience of it seems intimidating. And man, the story in my head is ALWAYS better… I hope someday I can fully get it out there…
I prefer taking their transit systems, but this trip was a bit crazy and involved meeting family in some out of the way spots, so a car was a necessity.
Glad you had a great time in Ireland. I'm a wee bit envious 🙂
Green is the color of the month! 🙂
Cool driving pic! I'm glad to hear that your trip went well.
Familiar insecurities suck, but at least you have an idea of how to handle them. I had a splurge of insecurities attack like harpies this morning, but I beat them off with prayer, a giant mug of coffee, and a determined self-talk reminder that they are just wrong and I'm just a wee bit tired this morning.
Excellent way to handle those devils! Good for you.
Oh, the strangulation visual! Been there. I'd like to sock it in the face like Crystal. Sending you positive writing vibes….
Thanks. And be sure to take aim for her jaw. She'll duck.
If I could give insecurity a face, I'd punch it every time it appeared. Glad to have you back, Lee.
Getting used to this again and glad to see everyone. Thanks, Crystal.
Happy to hear the trip was good. I don't believe I could drive on the wrong side without a mishap.
It was a great break. Driving the opposite direction didn't seem as hard this time. Returning to the US has been interesting though.
Welcome back and happy to hear the trip was good. I'm heading to Dublin next month for a long weekend. Haven't been and I'm looking forward to it. I won't be driving, though. Not enough insurance in the world.
Well, Dublin has good transportation systems and the parking is a horror, so you'll do well not driving in the city. I steered clear of DUB this time around.
Any tips on places I should check out?
Glad you had such a great trip. I think traveling to a different country always makes us realize how we can get into living on auto pilot instead of being aware.
Writers can really benefit from strange surroundings. It hones their observation and processing skills–that's my take anyway.
Glad you had a good time on your trip! I imagine it would be challenging to do everything in reverse. Shifting with the left hand would be awkward.
I just worked with 1, 2, 3 and 5. 4 was too close to reverse!