Contest Jitter Bugs
So my brain is trying to recover for lost fiction writing time (See? Another drawback of working full time AND out of the home) by discovering and contemplating more than a few writing contests with deadlines this summer. Where am I going to find the time (insert dramatic hand sweeping across my forehead)?
Shrug. Who knows really. Am I going to still participate in them? Hell, yeah. Especially if they don't require an entrance fee. As a unpublished fiction writer, it can NEVER hurt to get an honorable mention, or even a win and publication credit to my name.
I have three lined up so far. Two of which, I already have pieces written and in pretty good shape to submit. Now it is a matter of logistics. The third, which in my mind is the most prestigious, is another story. I have at least two ideas I could try to merge or go at them each separately to see where they lead. And this indecision, is causing me heartburn (and sleepless nights). I can't seem to get moving on either idea. As the deadline approaches this deadlock seems to become worse. It isn't writer's block--as I have rewritten and started at least a couple new stories, as well as continued on my latest novel. So what is it?
I'm going to call it Contest Jitter Bugs. I'm hoping if I own these jitter bugs, give them a name--I can appropriately scold them and move them to the side and get this writing started. Why? I need to give myself incentives as well as create small successes. Writing novels is a hard business and one that doesn't give you instant, nor short term feedback in a timely fashion. I have one agent who has my manuscript over 3 months! When/if I get a letter, it could be a form rejection--and that isn't particularly feedback is it?
Off to scare the Contest Jitter Bugs away (and get some work done for the day job)....
Shrug. Who knows really. Am I going to still participate in them? Hell, yeah. Especially if they don't require an entrance fee. As a unpublished fiction writer, it can NEVER hurt to get an honorable mention, or even a win and publication credit to my name.
I have three lined up so far. Two of which, I already have pieces written and in pretty good shape to submit. Now it is a matter of logistics. The third, which in my mind is the most prestigious, is another story. I have at least two ideas I could try to merge or go at them each separately to see where they lead. And this indecision, is causing me heartburn (and sleepless nights). I can't seem to get moving on either idea. As the deadline approaches this deadlock seems to become worse. It isn't writer's block--as I have rewritten and started at least a couple new stories, as well as continued on my latest novel. So what is it?
I'm going to call it Contest Jitter Bugs. I'm hoping if I own these jitter bugs, give them a name--I can appropriately scold them and move them to the side and get this writing started. Why? I need to give myself incentives as well as create small successes. Writing novels is a hard business and one that doesn't give you instant, nor short term feedback in a timely fashion. I have one agent who has my manuscript over 3 months! When/if I get a letter, it could be a form rejection--and that isn't particularly feedback is it?
Off to scare the Contest Jitter Bugs away (and get some work done for the day job)....
