The Insecure Writer's Group was set up by Alex J Cavanaugh just over two years ago, and is extremely successful
with over 300 members all supporting each other’s writing. How cool is that? And what's even cooler is that anyone can join.
My understanding of the group, and I hope I’ve got this
right, is that every first Wednesday in the month members share their doubts on
their blogs about certain aspects of their writing, or their writing in general.
Well, I hear you say – what’s new Ms Allsorts? You’re always sharing your self-doubts!
Mmm, I know. But
hopefully joining this group will restrict my writing-worries to the first
Wednesday in the month. So it's win win really!
My writing insecurity for my first Wednesday, is that I’m struggling with a project that is finished, but needs
another 5,000 words. AHHHHHHHH! I find it quite easy to decrease word counts, as I love slashing words here and there to make the text tighter and
sharper. BUT increasing the word count - well that, for me, is a nightmare.
Nothing much else to report today, apart from I got up yesterday to
find it’s OCTOBER. How the devil did that happen? AND … I’ll be popping on another in my series
of ‘Short Story Writer to Novelist’ interviews tomorrow - this time with talented writer, lovely Karen Clarke. I hope you’ll pop over.
22 comments:
Welcome to IWSG! I am the exact opposite. I usually have too many words. However, I, like you, am wondering how is it October already???
Only two months till Christmas, Mandy!
Thank you for the welcome, Jenn - and thank you for dropping by.
That's just cruel, Wendy! ;-)
Hi Amanda .. so many find the ISWG so supportive - great space to be ..
Good luck with those 5,000 extra words .. and October - I know it's way too early!!
Cheers Hilary
I find it much easier to slash than increase so I know just how you feel!
Surely it's not October already?
Rather than attempt to pad out your story with more description, for example, is there an interesting sub-plot or back-story you might tell?
Pleased you found this wonderful group and hope you return next month.
I enjoyed your post , great to read.
Yvonne.
Welcome to IWSG. I agree with you, I too find it easier to slash words rather than add them. If I have to add words I more often than not add a few scenes and try to tie it all up so it does not stand out as an oddity.
Rachna Chhabria
Co-host IWSG
Rachna's Scriptorium
This is my first time with IWSG, too.
I'm great at slashing words. But because some elements (hello setting) are underdeveloped in my first draft, I get to add words as I develop that element. But it ends up balancing in the end. What I slash is added back elsewhere so I start at the same word count.
Lucky you with being able to slash words. That's harder for me than to add. Is there a secondary character you could flesh out a little more? A sub-plot, as someone else mentioned? Best wishes and welcome to IWSG. This is only my second time. What a great way to find other writers.
Welcome, Amanda! You'll love it here and will get all sorts of inspiring pushes. Here's my advice-there's always room for more layers (that's better than saying padding!). Check out your character motivations. Where could they be deepened. Got a scene that could use some expansion? A secondary character that could be explored? On my last book I had to trim 150 pages - now THAT was painful. Good luck on plumping up that story!!
Welcome aboard - it's my second week in and I've been visiting blogs at random. Good luck on the revisions - sometimes just diving in and using an intuitive approach will help you find that character who has just a little more to tell.
No worries. You can do it! That's 10 - 15 pages. three pages a day and you'll wrap it up before you know it.
Thanks for dropping by, Hilary. And I’m already thrilled to be part of IWSG - such a supportive group. :-)
So hard to believe it’s October isn't it Karen, and I’m glad you have the same problem with increasing a word count. Well no I’m not pleased – but you know what I mean. :-)
Great advice, Captain – thank you.
Thank you, Yvonne :-)
Thank you, Rachna – great support!
Thank you, Stina – and hello to another newbie. *waves*
Hello Diane – Yes I’m pretty sure one or maybe two of my characters would benefit for more depth – thank you!
Fab advice, Nancy – thank you!
Thank you for dropping by, Ryshia.
Yes, I’m sure you are right – I have one particular character who has much more to give.
So supportive, Stephen – thank you – I think I’m going to love being part IWSG – what a great group!
Yay! 5000 words, you can do it! Wahoo! Throw in a couple beautiful descriptions, an extra scene you've been dreaming up but didn't dare put in, and a quip about cheese for good measure. ;) Kidding, kidding. Mostly.
Welcome to our group. You're going to love it here.
I've never had to add a word number though I've added scenes. Sounds difficult.
I can't help with those extra words, but I hope introducing you to the group makes up for that.
Welcome to IWSG! It's a great place to be, and it did help me cut down on weekly moaning about insecurities. :)
My only thought on adding words...who says you need another 5000? If you go back and your characters are fully developed and there are no plot holes, maybe it is finished?
Good luck!
I'm always in the same boat - all three of my books required another five thousand words because I'm such a bare bones writer. Just start looking for ways to add description and depth without it becoming an info dump.
Welcome to the IWSG! you are in the right place.
Ha ha, Crystal - I’ll definitely add some cheese – you can never have too much cheese! :-D
Thank you, Susan. :-)
I’ll let you off this time, Patsy! ;-) And thank you for sharing IWSG!
Thank you, Charity. That’s a good thought – perhaps it is ‘actually’ finished.
Thank you, Alex – I’ll do that. And thank you for welcoming me to IWSG – it’s a great group!
Good luck with the word count, I'm sure you'll think of something :)
Thank you, sjp :-)
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