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INSECURITY |
This WIP stinks.
I’ll never be a perfect writer.
Everybody writes better than I do.
Why did I ever think I could write a good story?
Nobody likes what I write.
Nobody will ever read this, but me.
Please pass the repellent. It’s really called Buzz Off!
Everybody’s WIP stinks at some point.
Not everybody will like what you write, but a lot of people will.
The answer to the question of the month is I can’t answer it. If our democracy fails and a totalitarian regime takes over and monitors our searches, I’ll be arrested based on my research history. They’d pegged me as an arsonist, a gun runner, a juvenile delinquent dodging the police, a failed suicide and a potential rapist. Then there are the drugs and the illegal smuggling operations and the armed robberies that I’m probably planning. I should start writing picture books. They won’t arrest writers for looking up bunnies, will they?
So there you have it. Another first Wednesday and another #IWSG post to kick off a new month. Enjoy May. Buy Hero Lost and if I’m arrested for suspicious online searches and need character references, I hope I can count on you.
J.H. Moncrieff says
I really need some of that repellent. Please send it over my way when you can. ๐
Liesbet says
Let's hope our democracy won't fail! And not just because I would not want you to get arrested! ๐ What a fascinating research life you have…
Nas says
True! Everyone has issues at some point in their lives.
Michelle Wallace says
They won't arrest writers for looking up bunnies, will they? LOL. Certainly not. Unless the cute bunny is a decoy for something more sinister.
I'll leave it to the imagination…
sage says
maybe you should get a VPN? My tech guy at work suggested I use one especially when traveling. It is weird getting ads in different languages
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee – I guess they'd think I was boring – nothing slutty, or rough, or cruel or murderous … but c'est la vie … can they see curiosity via the browser! Cheers Hilary
DMS says
Research can definitely get us into trouble if people start getting prosecuted based on what they have looked up. Interesting to think how wrong someone could be who is analyzing our searches! ๐
~Jess
T. Powell Coltrin says
Me too on the research! I explained to my daughter recently that if she finds things on my computer when I'm dead and gone, I didn't mean it. ๐
Yvonne Ventresca says
I agree about the potential problems with writing research! I was looking up some interesting things for my train-murder story recently.
Lynda R Young says
lol, in this context, I'm kinda I glad I write scifi and fantasy–they're as safe as bunnies, aren't they? Oh wait… maybe bunnies with fangs.
dolorah says
Your research list looks like mine. Of course, so does that insecurities list . . . We must be writers.
Stephen Tremp says
Thanks for the laugh!!! Yeah, Get well soon!
Kelsie Engen says
I think bunnies are safe. Maybe use a private browser for the rest? ๐
Fundy Blue says
I got a chuckle out of this, C. Lee! Glad to hear that you're feeling better too. Take care!
Olga Godim says
Oh, boy! I needed a dose of laughter. Great post!
Tyrean Martinson says
Lol … if the bunnies are like the white rabbits in the Holy Grail, there might be a problem. ๐
Love the buzz off comments!
Beverly Stowe McClure says
Just holler and I'll bail you out. ๐
Botanist says
Yeah, I usually research with a guilty peek over my shoulder to see who's watching! Something cool and innocuous I researched was what would Greenland look like without its ice covering, but even that could get me into trouble with the current US administration ๐
Liz A. says
They'll arrest you for dissent first, I think. We can share a cell.
Cathrina Constantine says
Haahahaaaa….good post, Lee. Thank you for the buzz off comments, so true!!!
Sarah Foster says
LOL I think a lot of us have some questionable searches. My stories are never about happy fluffy bunnies, either.
Denise Covey - Author says
Heh, heh, Clem. We live in dangerous times indeed. Undercover research is the word. Thanks for a positive spin on the writing game. ๐
Birgit says
I like how you answered all those negative thoughts. At first I thought you loved investigating about the mosquito…hahahaaaa. We will be sharing jail cells…along with Stephen Colbert:) whatever happened to Freedom of Speech? Bunnies, even though they don't believe in planned parenthood and they must all be catholic since they have tons of kids, they can never get ahead and always need help from the government which many feel is communist thinking so the bunnies are dangerous red commie traitors
Juneta Key says
Congrats to Hero's Lost authors.
' Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
Cherie Reich says
The things we have to research can definitely get us on some lists. Heh.
Congrats to the authors of Hero Lost!
Elephant's Child says
At least you will have lots of friends in jail. And, as a writer, have more excuse for your searches than those of us who are just bitten by the curiosity bug.
Chemist Ken says
They may already be monitoring internet searches. It's best to be on the safe side and browse anonymously. Good luck with staying out of jail. ๐
C. Lee McKenzie says
I keep forgetting to do that, and it's so easy!
Victoria Marie Lees says
Well thought out advice to all writers, Lee. Thanks for the reminder. I'd be a little worried if someone tracked all that I research, too. All the best to you. Thanks for sharing this with your followers.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks for the visit! Glad you enjoyed your time here.
Laura Clipson says
I think we'd all be arrested if our search histories were out in the open! Love your message at the beginning, especially "there are no perfect writers" – so true, and important to remember!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Wouldn't it be awful if there were a Perfect Writer Award?
Patricia Lynne says
Thanks for the motivation at the beginning. I might need that stapled to my forehead.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hard to see that way, but perhaps it will work.
Pat Garcia says
I love the way you expressed this. It made me laugh and encouraged me.
Excellent post.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
C. Lee McKenzie says
Laughter is the best!
Suzanne Furness says
Oh those insecurities can really knock us off course, but you are right, they only win if we stop writing.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I've been tempted many times.
H.R. Sinclair, Southpaw says
Yeah, I think the weirdest stuff I've researched I would want to publish either. ๐
C. Lee McKenzie says
Sometimes I research because I can't write an interesting word.
Elizabeth Seckman says
I once searched how to make napalm and then worried who'd be knocking on my door. LOL.
Never trust perfection. It's a lie.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Yep. That could be a perfect trigger for that midnight visit!
Natalie Aguirre says
Can totally relate to that negative thought. Maybe we should all worry about the FBI.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm afraid that may be in our future.
Christine Rains says
So true we can't please everyone. I think maybe the FBI might have a special tag for writers. Hopefully!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Guess we'll find out!
Crystal Collier says
LOL! I'm with you. I actually have to close some of my research windows when the kids come into the room because I don't want to destroy their innocence. "Mom is researching what?!?"
C. Lee McKenzie says
Oh yes. Kids! That would be another whole issue.
Nancy Gideon says
Were you listening in on my whiny @ss self-talk this morning? The things we say to ourselves . . . LaLaLa, I can't hear me!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I was listening in. Thanks for the wonderful post idea!
emaginette says
Very likely I'll be in jail too. Oh well, more time to write. ๐
Anna from elements of emaginette
C. Lee McKenzie says
We could call it a writers retreat!
Pat Hatt says
Very true, can't please all.
If you go from arson and raper to bunnies, that may make things worse lol
C. Lee McKenzie says
When you put it that way, yes. I'm skipping the bunnies.
Bish Denham says
I can so relate to this post! I don't know how, after all these years, I can still feel so insecure about my writing.
If "they" don't arrest me I'll be sure to come visit you in jail.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thank you, Bish. I knew I count on you. Bring cake. ๐
L. Diane Wolfe says
Not everyone will like it and that's okay.
I'm so proud of the authors in Hero Lost. They wrote some amazing stories and have worked hard to promote the book.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It's at the top of my list to read.
S.A. Larsenใ says
So this post is perfect for me, today! I've been struggling writing book 2 of my MG series. I've totally lost faith in myself. And I have valid excuses, too – parents' health is failing, have college/high school/junior high kids keeping my life spinning silly, finishing final edits with YA editor for my YA release in the fall…. I could go on, but it wouldn't matter. I still think I suck. I need that bug spray.
Thanks for writing this. ๐
C. Lee McKenzie says
Yes you do need that spray. But no you do not suck. Any time you have a failing parent you have a lot to deal with and all of it is terrible on your self-worth as a writer.
Julie Flanders says
LOL at Alex's comment. ๐ ๐
I would be arrested right along with you. It's funny the crazy thing we end up researching!
C. Lee McKenzie says
All authors leave a trail of odd and suspicious searches.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
They might if you start researching that bunny from Monty Python and the Holy Grail!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Oh, yes. Terrible bunny.