What is IWSG?
IWSG stands for “Insecure Writers Support Group.” It’s a monthly check-in for writers of all stripes. Its creator, Alex J. Cavanaugh, describes ISWG like this:
“Purpose of IWSG: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!” – Alex J. Cavanaugh
My big writing fear:
My big writing fear is that I won’t be able to keep up with everything. I love all my writing projects, and I do try to pace myself and be realistic, but…
Wisdom from Pee Wee Herman
In case you never saw Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, then the clip I just shared might seem out of context. In the story, Pee Wee and Simone are sitting together talking about their dreams in life. Simone is telling Pee Wee that she’d like to quit her job as a waitress and follow her dreams, but…
Just as she says, “but,” Pee Wee earnestly laments that, “Everyone I know has a big but,” followed by, “C’mon, Simone, let’s talk about your big but.” (The camera then cuts to reveal Simone’s jealous boyfriend eavesdropping on their conversation and getting the wrong impression.)
So let’s talk about my big but…
The upside to fatigue
The upside to my bouts of fatigue is that they make me value the days I’m energetic. As a result, when I feel good, I dive into my projects head on. I’m afraid to procrastinate, because it’s always in the back of my mind that a bout of fatigue could knock me down again tomorrow. (Of course, I sometimes push myself so hard when I am feeling well that it sets me up for fatigue.)
Trying not to beat myself up
Also, after a bout of fatigue, it’s hard not to beat myself up for falling behind on everything. Of course, I know it’s pointless to do so, and it’s a habit I’m trying to break, but… There’s that big but again!
Tell me about your big but
So… I’ve gotta ask: What’s your big but? Is there some challenge or limiting issue that you run into over and over again with your writing?
Wish me luck!
And that’s my IWSG post for April! Before I go, wish me luck this weekend. My book, The Lynching of the Santa Claus Bank Robber is up for an award at the North Texas Book Festival. I’ll let y’all know how it goes next time, but even if it doesn’t win, I’m still pretty jazzed that it made the short list. (Oh, also: if you know anyone interested in UFOs or quirky history, I’m giving away tickets to to attend an online UFO conference here.)
To read other people’s IWSG posts visit: Insecure Writers Support Group.
Want to check out my books? I’ve got 3, so far…
To read about more weird, offbeat, and overlooked places, check out my best-selling travel guide:
UNEXPECTED TEXAS: Your Guide to Offbeat & Overlooked History, Day Trips & Fun Things to do near Dallas & Fort Worth
.
For ghost hunting hot spots, check out my best-selling travel guide to haunted places:
PARANORMAL TEXAS: Your Travel Guide to Haunted Places near Dallas & Fort Worth
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For a strange-but-true tale of Texas history, check out this bizarre piece of West Texas history:
The Lynching of the Santa Claus Bank Robber
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Tui Snider is an author, speaker, and photographer who specializes in North Texas travel, cemetery symbols, and haunted lore. As she puts it, “I used to write fiction – but then, I moved to Texas!”
Snider’s best-selling books include Paranormal Texas , Understanding Cemetery Symbols, and 100 Things to Do in Dallas - Fort Worth Before You Die.
Snider has several more books in progress, and enjoys connecting with writers and readers all over the globe through social media, her newsletter and her website: TuiSnider.com.
Don’t beat yourself up. You know that unfortunately, it will happen every so often. Like you said, take advantage of your days of energy.
I won’t ask my wife about her big butt though. I’d probably get smacked.
Yeah, Alex! I think I’ve been in denial. After each bout of fatigue, I think “it will never happen again.” Best to just gear my life with enough room to cope with it. As for your wife’s “big butt”… yeah, that’s probably the best bet! lol! Thanks for stopping by! :D
I had some fatigue that slowed me down for a while. It was from my unpredictable schedule and once things smoothed out at the day job and I my sleep was more consistent, I wasn’t as tired.
Yeah, another upside to the fatigue, I suppose, is that I follow so many healthy habits! One thing that helped me, too, was making sure to get enough sleep. Thanks for stopping by! :D
It sounds like you’ve got the right attitude regarding how you’re handling the fatigue. I think we’re always pushing ourselves and don’t recognize often enough when we’ve actually done good, when we’ve actually done enough.
Good luck with the book award!
Hi Madeline, Your observation about not recognizing when we’ve done enough, really strikes a chord with me! I think that is an important thing to realize. Probably gets back to the whole “quit comparing yourself to others” challenge for me. Thank you! :D