Today is IWSG Day. The goal of this blog hop is to share
and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of
appearing foolish or weak. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds.
IWSG is the brainchild of Alex
Cavanaugh, our brilliant ninja leader. Thank you to November
co-hosts, Kalpana, Kim Lajevardi, Rebecca Douglass, Jennifer Lane, and Cathrina Constantine. To read other
contributors, click here.
Knowing an IWSG post would be due today, this past Friday I
looked for the ever-helpful writing prompt, but no luck. I pre-post and it
takes me a few days to get my piece written, so whatever this month’s question
is, sorry to say, I pass.
Recently, I’ve been trying to use tools that have worked in
the past to generate writing topics. My favorite is taking photos and writing
about them, but two weeks ago I was trying to frame a picture of a bunch of
lobster boats when distracted, I missed the curb. Can you say splat? One sprained ankle
and a sore back later, I’m still in recovery mode. With no yoga, Zumba, Nordic
walking, regular morning walks or yardwork to distract me, I’m feeling stagnant
and bored. As a result, you’re getting my second favorite writing tool, stream
of conscious.
Yesterday, I finished reading MY FRIENDS, by Fredrik
Backman. I’ve liked all of his books and am amazed at how he comes up with such
creative stories. As enjoyable as it is, reading him makes me wonder what the
heck makes me think I can call myself a writer. A few years back, I wrote
about that feeling here. Fortunately, the sentiment in that old blog post
calmed me.
Speaking of old blog posts, after receiving another flurry
of rejections for my latest novel, I had to find a way to distract myself, so I’ve
been reading through this blog, perusing seventeen (Gulp!) years of Middle
Passages essays to find my favorites. I have an idea I may edit the best of
them and pull them together for a little book I publish for myself. Something I
can look at on my shelf thinking, Hey Liza, look what you did. I don’t recall
writing many of the posts, so reading feels objective. Aside from it taking
me too long to figure out how to use (or NOT use) a semi-colon, I’ve discovered
quite a few pieces that make me think, Darn! That woman could write! That’s
self-assurance I need, considering my four, count ‘em, four novels rest in all
their critiqued, edited, re-written, re-edited and rejected, rejected, rejected
brilliance on my hard drive.
With that in mind, and because sometimes the things I
confess here come true, I’ll admit to taking baby-steps toward exiting the
traditional publishing cause to research independent or hybrid publishing. (Finally,
you say? I know. I’m nothing if not stubborn, but maybe it’s time to admit I’ve
pounded my head against a thankless wall long enough.) If you’ve
had success through either means, I’d love to hear about it in the comments. Any
suggestions or encouragement will be gratefully accepted.
What exciting things are happening in your writing world
this month?
Oh, and here's one I got before I fell off the curb.
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