I'm a co-host this month along with the terrific bloggers:
Stephen Tremp
Stephanis Faris
Bish Denham
Fundy Blue
M.J. Fifield
Loni Townsend
The first order of business is to announce the release of IWSG first fiction anthology. Parallels: Felix Was Here, showcases the talents of our group.
Exploring
the fantastic, ten authors offer incredible visions and captivating tales of
diverse reality. Featuring the talents of L. G. Keltner, Crystal Collier, Hart
Johnson, Cherie Reich, Sandra Cox, Yolanda Renee, Melanie Schulz, Sylvia Ney,
Michael Abayomi, and Tamara Narayan.
Hand-picked
by a panel of agents and authors, these ten tales will expand your imagination
and twist the tropes of science fiction. Step through the portal and enter
another dimension!
It's already garnering great reviews. Check it out.
I've been really busy and I find my writing progress falling by the wayside. It's happened before and some days, when I get those minute paychecks, I wonder why I keep doing this. I know it will pass, but I'm having some of those moments. A fellow writer shared this with our group because others were feeling the same way as me.
It’s you against you. — Creed (2015 boxing movie with Sylvester Stallone)
90% of being a successful artist isn’t talent. It’s physical fatigue, mental energy and emotional maturity. — Keith Urban
So, I'm going to be mature and get over myself. Never stop fighting for that dream.
Have you picked up the anthology yet? What is interfering with your writing progress this month? Ever feel like your greatest opponent is you?
I feel where you are. I haven't even got representation for my first book and I sometimes wonder is it all worth it. Especially coming off The A to Z Blog Challenge left a big hole and I had to break the fall by making myself keep going. So I like the quote you've posted by Keith Urban. It is very encouraging. No, I haven't picked up my copy of the anthology yet but I plan too.
ReplyDeleteThank you also for co-hosting this month.
Shalom,
Patricia @ http://www.patgarciaandeverythingmustchange.com/2016/05/the-second-milestone-iwsg-article-may-4.html
All the talent in the world won't help if there isn't a whole lot of effort behind it!
ReplyDeleteIt' worth it. Never give up. Thanks for hosting.-Book Bling
ReplyDeleteI understand those poor pay outs. We just keep spinning our wheels in hopes that things will change, eh? I heard a metaphor once that being an author is pushing a car up a hill. You are pushing forever. It strains every muscle in your body and as you get close to the crest, you're pushing the very hardest...but eventually that car starts rolling away on its own. Here's to making it to the top!
ReplyDeleteMy greatest obstacle is me. My husband says I am the worst boss ever. LOL
ReplyDeleteThat Creed quote is great! Comparing ourselves to others only makes things worse. Of course, battling myself is no easy task either. :)
ReplyDeleteThat Keith Urban quote is great. We need to do the work, get a little sweaty, then get back on the wagon, and do it again!
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting IWSG this month.
Mary at Play off the Page
Great post. I think we writers go throug the same insecurities. That's why IWSG is so great! We can share and understand.
ReplyDeleteYep, all comes back to us. Have to keep at it and screw the fuss.
ReplyDeleteYes, I am a menace to myself. I would be much better off if I could simply swear off Netflix.
ReplyDeleteThis month's interference's are a college graduation, house sale, vacation plans, warm weather for fly fishing, work, and procrastination. But a book release coming soon! Thanks for co-hosting IWSG this month.
ReplyDeleteI moved house recently so that definitely sapped my writing energy. I have no excuses now though--time to get back to it!
ReplyDeleteI like the quote from Keith Urban :)
ReplyDeleteHow cool with the release of the book! A great achievement for all who had a hand in putting it together!
betty
I also love that Keith Urban quote. I have a toddler and a newborn so my writing time has been scarce lately, but I'm not giving up.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan - you've got lots going on ... but so pleased to see the Anthology up and being promoted ... good luck with your projects - but enjoy May - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteGreat quote from Keith Urban. Nothing keeping me from writing this month! Well except Mother's Day festivities, grandkids track meets and soccer games, birthday parties (including my own), but it's all good! And that's what keeps me writing. The busier the better.
ReplyDeleteSusan, my motto is Never Give Up and Never Surrender. I should add to that: And post for IWSG! I'm cheering for you. Glad we're online friends. Glad you're already feeling better.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of posts today about not giving up. For me, the timing couldn't be better. "It's you against you"--perfect. Thanks, Susan
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, I know I'm my own worst enemy. :)
ReplyDeleteThe Keith Urban quote is great. Thanks for sharing!
Yay for Parallels! And yes, one of my greatest opponents is myself. I fight me a lot. I'm the worst boss too! But I just have to push on past and carry on.
ReplyDeleteYou know, this is the first time I'm realizing it's not Paraljels? lol Thank you for co-hosting AND writing that out.
ReplyDeleteKeith Urban is a well of wisdom. That's a great quote. Keep your head up!
I've had some health issues getting in the way of writing currently. But I do my best not to stress about it. Sometime life gets in the way of writing and we have to focus on that.
ReplyDeleteWoot on the anthology! Focus (or lack thereof) is what impedes my writing progress. If only I could stick to one thing...
ReplyDeleteLife does get in the way sometimes and there's not much that can be done about it. You just have to roll with it and not beat yourself up over lack of production in the writing department. You'll get back into it again. Yay for Parallels! Looking forward to reading it! Thanks for co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteMostly it's blogging that's keeping me from working on my writing. Actually, I'm whipping up (term I use lightly in this context) a synopsis. So I have to take June and get that done.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the Anthology!!!
ReplyDeleteI definitely have the mental, physical, and emotional drain when it comes to my writing....but I'm far from successful.
Thank you for co-hosting this month, Susan.
Wow I totally spaced this release. I see it everywhere in Blogdom today. Except my blog. D-oh!
ReplyDeleteMay 2016 IWSG Co-Host
May the 4th Be With You
Stephen Tremp’s Breakthrough Blogs
Yep, read and review the anthology. Great stories. I know I am my own worst enemy. This month so far so good. Thanks for co-hosting, Happy IWSG Day
ReplyDeleteJuneta @ Writer's Gambit
The Anthology sounds wonderful, congrats to all who have written work inside.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
I hate those moments. Keep going :). And the anthology looks great.
ReplyDeleteI love your fighting spirit! It's something I need more of. Loving the quotes this month, I'm going to keep them in mind! Thanks for co-hosting :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting (smile) Blessings!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting today, Susan! I'm making the rounds as a co-host today too. It's a lot of fun! Life is aways throwing up hurdles for me to jump over or barricades for me to get around. I just keep moving. If I were writing for the paychecks, I'd have given up long ago! I think we write because we have no choice in the matter. It's a compulsion! Good luck with your writing!
ReplyDeleteAh, but what happens when you have no mental energy? That's okay. Working on it, always working on it.
ReplyDeleteWonderful advice. At some point I entered to win a copy of Parallels and did! But I forgot about it, probably because of the challenge. I'm running on empty and nearly brain dead!
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting today. Love the quotes you shared. My biggest obstacle is me but I’ll be working on that and my writing on my blogging break. Never stop fighting!
ReplyDeleteThe Keith Urban quote is right on target. All the talent in the world is no good without perseverance. Thanks for co-hosting this month and good luck with your WIP.
ReplyDeleteIt can be so hard sometimes to find the time to write, but we've got to do the best we can to make that time happen. I'm so excited about the anthology!
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting!
I so get this, Susan. After last month, I am just mentally drained, but still trying to write every day. I hope your paychecks improve as well as your writing!
ReplyDeleteI love the quote by Keith Urban.
ReplyDeleteWhen my students are struggling with challenges in the classroom, I tell them: Don't fight it. Go with it. Don't give up.
Now I need to take my own advice.
Writer In Transit
Yes, I know I am my greatest opponent. I am struggling, but also trying to recover from major house emptying to sell our abode. Really love the quotes. Hope to be back, snappy and sassy in a few days... Thanks for co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on you guys releasing an anthology. :) Good luck with it. I'm feeling good this week because I finally have a desk again after 6 years. And like I was hoping it would, just having a place to work has made me want to start writing again. Can't wait to get started.
ReplyDeleteWhen you can control the person in the mirror, you will win out, whatever you are trying to do.
ReplyDeleteI did buy a copy of the anthology - not home to see it on my kindle yet though. I'm sure it will be great. I've considered myself a "hobby writer" for a long time as I don't put the energy and sweat into writing and publishing. Used to work for me; but lately I don't even think I'm doing any writing just to please myself. I don't have writers block, got plenty of ideas, just not the initiative to write at them. Shame, shame.
ReplyDeleteThis month I'm spending a week with my mom for her 97th birthday. The preparing to go and then the recovery and catch-up when I get home pretty much zaps my writing schedule for the first three weeks.
ReplyDeleteI am my own worst enemy. I keep telling myself I well get back to my writing but I keep letting my blog get in the way. I want to go blog-lite, but here I am; still writing, still reading, still trying to catch up. Maybe next month. Or maybe I need to stop making excuses and get to work.
ReplyDeleteI have fits of writing and spans of doing writing related things that need to be done, but I always feel guilty doing them because I should be writing. However, without reading, networking, and submitting, the writing part suffers. It's a wicked little circle.
ReplyDeleteThe anthology looks great. Can't wait to start it, but it'll have to wait on the shelf like many others. I can relate to your insecurity and appreciate the reminder to get over it. Thanks for co-hosting this month.
ReplyDeleteI must get that anthology as it sounds fabulous. As for my writing process - what's interfering is my job as an English teacher, the merciless heat, my obsession with blogging and my lack of belief in the value of what I write.
ReplyDelete