Come join Alex J. Cavanaugh and the Insecure Writer's Support Group. We discuss our fears, insecurities, ups and downs of the writing process and post the first Wednesday of every month! http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.htmlMarch IWSG Day Question: Have you ever pulled out a really old story and reworked it? Did it work out?
Several years ago I felt compelled to write a sequel to a MG mystery I had written. Yes, I understand that is considered taboo. No, I don't care. Locked away in my laptop, my story will be revived soon. The killer plot in this murder mystery (see what I did there?) and amazing setting still give me chills.
Got stress? The answer to that question is a no brainer. Writers eat, breathe, and sleep heaps of stress. And if you have kids and laundry and games and practices, you deserve a trophy. Moving past the rough draft phase in my WIP, I dove into editing and polishing and more editing. Editing makes me positively giddy. I know. Weird.
So, after making the final edits on my shiny, new MG mystery, I decided to submit to Brenda Drake's Pitch Madness contest. The winners are announced on Monday. Until then, I may need a paper bag or a stress kitty. Here are two to choose from: Oliver and Sniper. I finally caved and surprised my teenage boys with Christmas kittens. When I'm stressed, my youngest son hands me a kitten.
Have you been stressed this past month? Are you reworking a story from your archives? Are you excited about editing? Are you getting a kitten?
Just breathe and allow the magic of the cute kittens to soothe you :-) Like you said: writers eat, breathe and sleep heaps of stress. So yes, the stress doesn't stop. Have you read Sunday's post on Anne R Allen's blog with Ruth Harris about stress and burnout? Feels like a fine line some days...
ReplyDeleteI reworked something from my archives in February and I think it turned out fantastic. As for editing: as long as I can have my favourite dictionaries with me and my Rottweilers keeping my feet warm, I can wade through any story happily. It's a "no" on the kitten, BTW, my Rotties don't like other pets ;-)
My coping mechanism for stress is humor (and kittens;) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteTwo cats are enough at our sea for now haha editing I enjoy some, but by the time I hit the 5th edit, I just want it to be done.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya. It's all fun and games until the thousandth time through your ms.
DeleteI have a stress kitty for you. She causes more than she takes away though.
ReplyDeleteGood luck and I hope you get good news on Monday.
Aww! I'm really loving our kitties. They are stinkers though!
DeletePeople who are raising families and writing amaze me - where do they find the energy. They certainly do deserve a trophy. Cheers - Ellen
ReplyDeleteHave you ever heard the saying, "If you want something done, ask a busy person" ??? That's me. :)I have lots of trophies.
DeleteYour kittens are ADORABLE! I think most pets are good stress relievers. Go ahead and write your sequels. Yes, agents don't like it but you can use ideas from it or publish it. Good luck on your pitch with Brenda!
ReplyDeleteNow, I jot notes in a journal. In fact, with this new ms, I have ideas for an entire series. Like 4 more books!!
DeleteRight now I could use a dozen kittens! LOL Lovely idea!
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, yes, stress, stress and more stress, in the editing process now. I love it and hate it!
Hee hee. They are cute, aren't they?
DeleteYeh for stories that give us chills! Good luck on your pitch - fingers crossed for you!
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm stressed, I pet our tortoises' shells. It's very soothing. :)
How interesting! And thanks!
DeleteOh, I know about that stress! We caved and got my son a cat a year and a half ago. The cat is now giving me dirty looks because I'm staring at the screen and not him. *LOL* Adorable kitties.
ReplyDeleteOne kitty loves to walk all over my laptop. They're too cute to scold.
DeleteAll we've got left is a craggly old senior citizen kitty. At some point since we've had him I developed allergies, so now I can't even pet him without my face puffing up and my nose running like a faucet. So he's not much help at relieving stress. :-/
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your pitch!
I think one of my kids has a slight allergy. But he's on allergy meds now:) Thanks!
DeleteI have to admit that I have fallen in love with revising. I don't know when it happened. Maybe last year or the year before, but now I get a kick out of revising my stories and that is a relief for me. It reduces my stress tremendously.
ReplyDeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat
Me too. I agree. When I know the initial task of pre-writing and the rough draft are over, I get super excited to edit!
DeleteGo for long walks, listen to music, eat cake and chocolate, I'm sure your stress level will come down. Good luck for the pitch madness contest. I am sure you will sail through to the final round, Jennifer. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks!
DeleteVery cool! Way to take the plunge. I think that's amazing. And I'm hopeful for you. The worst people can say is no, which is better than no answer at all, eh? When I'm stressed, I go read a good book. Or take a walk. Or bike. Or watch a sunset. And definitely eat cheese. Whatever happens, happens, eh? It's out of your hands.
ReplyDeleteThanks! At some point, you have to put yourself out there if you're a writer.
DeleteGood luck! Hope you get great news.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I've been in contests in the past but never this one. Just a little excited.
DeleteYour youngest son sounds really supportive! Either that or well trained.
ReplyDeleteI do get frustrated at times, but not particularly stressed, I don't think.
He is. Especially because I wrote the main character based on him. Can't wait for him to read it:)
DeleteAww those kitties are so cute! Great for stress too. Good luck with the pitch, hope all goes well.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteReturning your most welcomed comment on my blog, Loved the photo and good luck with your new book.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Thank you!
DeleteTaboo? Nah. Write what you want. :) Good luck! And your stress kitties are adorable.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I said. :) Thanks!
DeleteWhen I'm stressed, my youngest son hands me a kitten.<--LOL
ReplyDeleteHe doesn't say a word. Just hands me a kitten. :-)
DeleteI am stressed all the time, which is why I, too, depend upon the kindness of stress kitties. My Hemingway actually plants himself in my lap and noozles my neck when I am trying to write. As to reworking something from my archives, mostly I was just appalled! Quick - stress kitty!
ReplyDeleteStressed? Yep. With an injured husband, a cracked foundation, and too much snow, things were definitely stressful for me. Thankfully it's calming down. I hope your life does as well.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute pair of fluffballs! Best of luck for the results of the competition.
ReplyDeleteAwww. I'd love kittens everywhere, all the time. I am celebrating the one year anniversary of adopting our sweet cat Dove. Good luck with your submission!
ReplyDelete