Wednesday, May 2, 2018

IWSG: Spring Inspiration

Hello Peoples:

I've been out all the month of April. I did not visit anyone cuz I really needed the break. I don't participate in A to Z as most of my online friends do; and I just find it easier to not post or visit at all during April. Congrats to all the A-Z winners.



I suppose that is my answer to this month's IWSG question: It’s spring! Does this season inspire you to write more than others, or not?

If we are talking "write more" when it it comes to blogging, then I guess my answer is NO. I am not inspired to write  a lot of posts so I can comment on a lot of posts. Hmm, not that I'm opposed to commenting; I really do visit about 100 or so posts every month for the IWSG. Except April. I take a break.

But I think the IWSG administrators want to know if I write more in general during Spring (this year March 20 to June 21). And that answer is also, NO.

I'm a white white girl. The sun and I are not friends. I don't pink up and tan; I burn as soon as I'm exposed more than 15 minutes and my skin never acclimates to the sun with a beautiful shade of brown. Which doesn't take spring or summer to burn me. Despite my sensitive skin, every moment I can be out walking, destroying my yard, or just sitting under an umbrella in my yard, I'm there. If you've ever taken your computer, cell phone, kindle, iPad outside, you know the screen and the sun just isn't compatible.

And when I go inside? Well, over the last couple of years I've gotten out of the habit of writing in the evenings. Most of the programs I especially like during the fall and winter are taking season breaks, and I've made a blog goal to write more during 2018. The need to rewrite two complete novels should get that goal accomplished, lol.

I went to a writers workshop this last weekend, and did learn a few things. Got some insights, and inspiration. I'm hoping completing "writerly things" also counts as writing. I've been researching a couple characters for new stories, making a plotline (I know, weird for a pantster!)

I'm getting there - slowly.

Thanks for stopping by today. I'll be hopping around the Insecure Writers Support Group linky and visiting as many participants as I can. Be sure to visit/thank your host Alex J Cavanaugh, and co hosts: EMA Timar, J Q Rose, C Lee McKenzie, and Raimey Gallant.



And: hot off the Dancing Lemure Press, the third IWSG Anthology: TICK TOCK, A STICH IN CRIME is now available in print and e-book. Check out the IWSG books page for details.

39 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I took a break last month as well.
Glad the workshop inspired you.
And I don't tan either. I fry to a crisp. Maybe I'm part vampire.

Donna K. Weaver said...

Yes, taking a break is good. I've been so out of blogging except for IWSG that I forgot about A to Z was last month. lol

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I'm taking a break from writing since DLP has 3 books in just 5 weeks coming out.

Jennifer Hawes said...

Man, am I a white girl too. I burn instantly. Taking a break seems to help inspire me!

Crystal Collier said...

I love it when people answer "no." Writing shouldn't be determined by the season, but rather by the inner determination that's year round.

Ronel Janse van Vuuren said...

I think research and plotting counts ;-)

Ronel visiting on Insecure Writer's Support Group day: Autumn Decisions

Caitlin Coppola said...

Good luck re-writing those two novels! Hope you had fun at the writers workshop (I love how inspiring they can be)

Chrys Fey said...

The sun and I aren't friends either.

I know what you mean about posting less to do less commenting. I love to comment, but I've gotten so busy that I've decided to post less on my blog. This year, it's three times a month...unless I change it to two later as I plan to do next year. Instead, I focus on commenting as much as I can when my new posts go up and then take a break until the next time. So far, it's helping.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Donna - good to know you went off to a writerly workshop weekend - sounds fun, so good to read you got some things out of it. I guess one keeps on ... take care - cheers Hilary

Natalie Aguirre said...

Yes, you're getting there and I will too. Glad the writing conference was helpful.

Nicki Elson said...

April's a good month for a break - felt extra crazy around here. Maybe I'll make it an annual thing, too. I mean, I did slack off in April, but I didn't mean to - maybe if I mean to next time, it won't feel so much like a fail.

cleemckenzie said...

Spring is definitely sunscreen time for me, too. I had to journey to New Mexico to find the perfect wide-brimmed hat with a string for under my chin. Well, I didn't HAVE to go that far, but I wanted the hat for sun protection and I wanted to see New Mexico. It seemed logical to combine those two.

Thanks for the post today and for mentioning Tick Tock. IWSG members have been very supportive, and that has been a great help.

Anonymous said...

My youngest can't be in the sun for very long either. They burn in about five seconds. Okay, five minutes. My other two get tan so fast it's ridiculous. I'm a little jealous. :)

Elsie

Elizabeth Seckman said...

I totally think writerly things counts toward the word count. Reading does too...or so I tell myself (it's research, right?) I think time spent in the yard counts too. What better way is there to concentrate than by pulling weeds and planting things?

J.Q. Rose said...

Good for you--taking a break in April. I think you are refreshed and ready to go. I suffered too many sunburns when a teen and now am dealing with the dermatologist who happily freezes pre-cancer spots and chops out the skin cancer too far gone to freeze. Sigh. So, I must stay out of the sun now too. Have fun in May writing your heart out.
JQ Rose

Olga Godim said...

Taking a break is always good. It rejuvenates you.
As for the sun - I have the same relationship with it as you do. I'm a red head, so I burn, not tan. I try to stay out of the sun as much as possible, which is not hard for me, as I don't like the outdoors. I like my home and my computer and my books. So sympathy all around.

Pat Hatt said...

Good when one can find a great workshop. I'm no fan of the sun, takes me a little more than 15 mins to burn though haha

Stephen T. McCarthy said...

WILD THING ~
I'm truly sorry to hear that you didn't find those two missing novel manuscripts. And I'm surprised, too, because I REALLY thought you would!

Well, this is bullcrap! It means there's a novel-napper on the loose! Call Scotland Yard! Call CSINorthernCalifornia! Call the police! ...No, on second thought, DON'T call the police. That always just makes a matter worse.

~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS'

Carol Kilgore said...

I burn easily, too. I'm also allergic to bee stings, so... as much as I love being outside in beautiful weather, I don't get to do so very often.

Gwen Gardner said...

I've seen so many posts saying they are not inspired by spring. I prefer writing in winter, myself. Good luck with your new goals, Donna. And thanks for the Tick Tick shout-out!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I love the sun, but I had to work out in for so many hours when I was a teacher that I try to avoid too much otherwise. I do wish it was easier to work outside without the sun blinding the screen.
Attending workshops always inspires me no matter how little I learn.

Juneta key said...

I don't tan. Burn every time and go white again, redhead. Happy IWSG DAy

JEN Garrett said...

You know what's funny? I'm the opposite! I blog like crazy only in April for the A to Z, then take a break pretty much the rest of the year. I guess that's not very good practice for getting followers, but I figure if people want to know what I have to say then I'll wait until I have something to say.

Denise Covey said...

Hey Donna. How's married life? Exhilarating I hope.Glad to see you getting into more writing. Going to writerly things and planning new books/stories is always a good idea. My head's always in my WIP lately, LOL!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

As long as you are getting there, it doesn't matter about the pace.

Christine Rains said...

I burn really fast too, and then get super sore and red and freckly. I think doing writerly things does count as writing.

Botanist said...

Yeah, sun and screens are problematic, but I still like to sit on the deck under a parasol with my laptop. Maybe squinting a bit, but I make it work.

Diane Burton said...

I'm glad you found some inspiration from the workshop. I went to one day of a weekend retreat and came home with so many ideas for my wip. Slow is good. It means forward movement. Good luck!

E.M.A.Timar said...

I'm glad the workshop was motivating. I believe learning your craft counts as writing even though it isn't putting words on the page. Good luck with your rewrites!

Raimey Gallant said...

Taking a break in April sounds like a lovely idea. I'm excited for the warmer weather and hope it does make me a more productive writer. We'll see!

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

I want to hear more about this "destroying your yard" thing. It sounds like there is a fun story there.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hi, Donna,

Take care in the SUN..... I have sensitive skin as well, but I do TAN eventually. I just don't like the intense heat from it, but LOVE the light it brings!

This Spring, as you know, I am busy with MOMMY KAY... I hope to send it to you once it's done.. Love to know what you think.... that is if you have the time!

Miss our chats! I hope all is well!

HUGS!

Nick Wilford said...

I was away during April too. My laptop was getting fixed for part of it and then I thought I'd just wait til May. Hopefully all that time outside helps you gain inspiration. Plotting definitely counts as writing!

Loni Townsend said...

Sometimes, a break is exactly what we need.

J.H. Moncrieff said...

As much as I got from it, and there were plenty of benefits, I'm relieved not to do A to Z anymore. It was just too much work. It's probably one of the most challenging things I've ever done. Just the thought of it exhausts me.

Hope you find a nice spot in the shade.

Cherie Reich said...

I burn too in the sun, and I'm allergic to sunscreen and most outdoor pollen, so I try to stay indoors as much as possible. LOL!

It sounds like the workshop was useful. Writerly things definitely counts towards writing.

Michelle Wallace said...

Hi Dolorah.
It's autumn my side of the globe... and still very warm.
I'm in one of the warmest spots in the country, a place where all the locals flock to during winter...we don't get much cold weather.
We're lucky if we have a few days of extremely cold weather during the winter season. With all this in mind, I had to smile at your "The sun and I are not friends" comment.
Good luck with the goal to write more during 2018. I also need to get back into the swing of things.
Writer In Transit

Lisa said...

Breaks are good to take now and then. Lucky you to have gone to a workshop. They're always good for me for inspiration. I burn too, so have to be careful outside, but love it when the weather is good and pollen count is low!

Kelly Steel said...

Awesome on finding a good workshop!