Finding my voice again--May IWSG

My life has been stupidly busy since February. I won't get into the details, but it sucked all the creative energy out of me and dried up my story words. I hated every minute of it. The worst part is there was time to write, but I simply couldn't do it. My fears and insecurities multiplied with each day that I opened my WIP and closed it with only adding a word or two as I edited a sentence.

There was nothing new. Nothing to make me feel like I was moving forward with all those hefty goals I set in January. Nothing to be proud of.

Then, on Monday, I wrote for the first time in months. It wasn't much, but it was just enough to get me through the scene I was stuck on. I felt so much relief that I got excited to sit and write the next day as well. Here's how I got there.

I spent ten days reading all ten of my romance novels. That helped me hear my voice again and had the added bonus of building confidence in my ability to write. Sure, reading everything at once pointed out my weak spots, but I could also see all the good in my writing. Monday was when I read the first 28K of my WIP and finished the scene I started in February.

I'm back in my head and story and ready to press on. I know my word count won't be huge this first week, but it will be more than the day before. Each day momentum will increase, and I'll once again be moving forward.

Look at what I have to be proud of!

What things have you done to return to writing?

May 3 question - When you are working on a story, what inspires you?

Music has always been one of the things that inspire me. Most of my stories have playlists that go along with them. In fact, when I get stuck, sometimes I'll pull up something instrumental with the "vibe" I'm going for and play it while I write.

The other things are so random it's hard to come up with a list. For example, I was watching a show on missing people last night, and it sparked an idea centered around hollow earth and sinkholes as a means of abduction. I'll probably never write it because I still have 20 other ideas to get to first, but it went into the notebook. :D

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Let’s rock the neurotic writing world! Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG. The awesome co-hosts for the May 3 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Meka James, Victoria Marie Lees, and M Louise Barbour!