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.
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!
Sharon K. Mayhew says
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.
Romance Reader says
Liked reading this post. Hoping you had a lovely weekend!
Leslie S. Rose says
Ireland is the dream. Go glad you got to hang out on the Emerald Isle.
dolorah says
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.
Medeia Sharif says
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.
Stephen Tremp says
Oh yeah, you have to keep a look out for the creepers on tiptoes. They can be the most dangerous of all.
BUDDY says
Woof!
Vanessa Morgan says
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.
Elizabeth says
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.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I think everyone has ancestors from Ireland. 🙂
Lexa Cain says
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. 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
Yes. It's that last push that takes the most energy. You can do it.
Mary Aalgaard says
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?
C. Lee McKenzie says
It could have been for all three! I never know. Thanks for the visit, Mary.
Loni Townsend says
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!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Loni. I enjoyed my time away, but am glad to be home.
nashvillecats2 says
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.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Talk about discrimination! Keep fighting, Yvonne.
Yvonne Ventresca says
Your trip sounds amazing! And I relate to the insecurity — starting a new WIP is always difficult.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Great to go. Great to return.
Bish Denham says
My insecurity is that I'll never be satisfied with this novel I'm working on…
Glad to have you back, Lee!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Oh, yes. That's a biggie. Thanks, Bish.
Chrys Fey says
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.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Then we share a lot in common!
Michelle Wallace says
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
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'd love to read about it. Driving challenges are very interesting to me right now.
Lynda R Young says
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.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Oh yes. Been there. That was where I practiced. I kept telling those Aussies to stay off the road. American on the loose. 🙂
J Lenni Dorner says
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.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I can't imagine your book would become a leper. Maybe a best seller instead.
Sheila Renfro says
Welcome back! I think your description on insecurity sneaks up on is right on the head!
C. Lee McKenzie says
She needs some stilettos to click on the pavement, then I'll be ready for her.
Angela Brown says
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.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I bet you could do the driving thing. It just takes practice.
I hear that sigh!
Dianne K. Salerni says
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.
C. Lee McKenzie says
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.
M Pax says
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.
C. Lee McKenzie says
And may that continue!
Charity Bradford says
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. 😉
C. Lee McKenzie says
You're doing exactly the right thing then! Good for you.
Southpaw HR Sinclair says
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.
C. Lee McKenzie says
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?
Southpaw HR Sinclair says
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
Melissa says
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.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It was the Bye Bye, right? Didn't think of that. Come with me next time.
Pat Garcia says
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
C. Lee McKenzie says
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.
DEZMOND says
I do love me Ireland and Irish folks!
I've no idea who let July in! Scandal, I say, scandal!
C. Lee McKenzie says
And you'd be so right, DEZ!
Shah Wharton says
I've only been to Ireland once – Dublin. Great time! Glad you've had a wonderful time and welcome back! 🙂
shahwharton.com
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks Shah. Go back and see the countryside. It wins over Dublin hands down.
Chemist Ken says
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!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Be sure your castle comes with central heating. They are some of the chilliest accommodations I've ever been in.
Julie Flanders says
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. 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
It helps to have other cars around to guide you. Alone on back roads requires more concentration.
Elizabeth Varadan, Author says
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.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Re-entry is always a challenge. Here's to both of us making it and soon.
Patricia Lynne says
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.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I do have pictures. I'll get around to putting some up this summer. Great to be home.
J.H. Moncrieff says
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.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hurray for you. A month free of insecurities is a blessing.
Cherie Reich says
I'm glad your trip went well. Sometimes the only way we can find answers to our questions is to keep writing. 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
I know. And it isn't always easy. Guess the need to know is greater than the need to feel comfy. 🙂
Jennifer Hawes says
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:)
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thank goodness we get second chances!
Madeline Mora-Summonte says
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.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Absolutely. Wrap up one at a time and kiss 'em goodbye.
Hart Johnson says
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…
C. Lee McKenzie says
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.
Carol Kilgore says
Glad you had a great time in Ireland. I'm a wee bit envious 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
Green is the color of the month! 🙂
Tyrean Martinson says
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.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Excellent way to handle those devils! Good for you.
SA Larsenッ says
Oh, the strangulation visual! Been there. I'd like to sock it in the face like Crystal. Sending you positive writing vibes….
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks. And be sure to take aim for her jaw. She'll duck.
Crystal Collier says
If I could give insecurity a face, I'd punch it every time it appeared. Glad to have you back, Lee.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Getting used to this again and glad to see everyone. Thanks, Crystal.
L. Diane Wolfe says
Happy to hear the trip was good. I don't believe I could drive on the wrong side without a mishap.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It was a great break. Driving the opposite direction didn't seem as hard this time. Returning to the US has been interesting though.
TBM says
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.
C. Lee McKenzie says
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.
TBM says
Any tips on places I should check out?
Natalie Aguirre says
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.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Writers can really benefit from strange surroundings. It hones their observation and processing skills–that's my take anyway.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
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.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I just worked with 1, 2, 3 and 5. 4 was too close to reverse!