What I'm Reading
I've read Coraline by Neil Gaiman and The Lottery by Shirley Jackson since last week - I haven't been reading very frequently recently, which isn't good when I'm in the middle of hosting a reading challenge!
I'd like to finish at least one of the novels I'm in the middle of this week, and I'm also aiming to read Fingersmith by Sarah Waters for Week 3 of my Forgotten Histories Reading Challenge, where this week's challenge is to read a book with an LGBT protagonist.
What I'm Writing
Short stories! A little while ago I mentioned a new character who'd started speaking to me, a biracial dragon whose parents own a Chinese restaurant, and how, though she was telling me plenty of things to write down, I couldn't think of a story for her. Now that's changed! I'm finally working on a short story involving her, and once it's written and edited I'm going to see if I can submit it for publication in a magazine somewhere.
Sadly I didn't get 'Piranha' finished in time to send it off for the Mslexia competition - I just ended up having one of those weeks where I couldn't catch a break no matter how hard I tried to set aside time to write. I'm still going to finish it, though, with the hope of publishing it elsewhere - apparently Lightspeed Magazine will be opening for submissions again in June, so I'd love to submit something then!
What Works For Me
Brushing myself off, and getting back up. Several times a year I slip into slumps where I don't write anything I'm happy with, and I wonder why I'm even trying when I'll never be as good as all the other writers out there. I think it's a common thing we all experience from time to time, but the trick is not to give in to those thoughts. Let yourself worry and be scared and get upset, but don't let those feelings overtake the enjoyment of writing. In fact if writing is starting to become something you dread rather than something you enjoy, I think that's a sign you need to take a little break to refresh your creative pallet!
What Else Is New
It was Mother's Day on Sunday here in the UK, and I got my Mum some new earrings and a teeny boxset of baking books which she loved! Also uncovered this old photograph from the day after I was born:
 |
| That's me when I was a day old! Along with my Mum and Dad, and their early '90s hair, and my big sisters Vickie (centre) and Becky (left). |
What's new with you?
Cute photo!
ReplyDeleteI can confirm that those writing slumps still happen after being published (and I imagine after getting an agent, too). Sometimes the trick is writing through it, sometimes you need to take some time away from the words. Best of luck with the short story! :)
Thanks! =)
DeleteI love Coraline, so I hope you enjoyed it! Writing slumps happen sometimes—I had a big one after I signed with my agent. Apparently, that's common for a lot of writers. I'm also kinda in one now, because life is just too busy sometimes :)
ReplyDeleteI certainly did! I think I enjoy the film just a teensy bit more, but the book was still brilliant. =D
DeleteThe Lottery. College Freshman Leslie is crying in her sleep. Nothing against the story, it's just the bain of my existence. Thank for sharing. :D
ReplyDeleteOh dear!
DeleteYour short story sounds great! So original - I love the premise. :) Keep up the good work of writing.
ReplyDeleteMy What's Up Wednesday post.
I enjoyed Coraline, especially the movie version (although it's very different). I know what you mean with those slumps. They hit. A lot. But breaks help. I don't hold much from those who claim a real writer writes every day. We need time to collect new experiences for inspiration too.
ReplyDeleteI agree - what will you have to write about if you don't take a break from writing to try new things?
DeleteI still haven't read anything by Neil Gaiman. That's practically a crime!
ReplyDeleteI liked your What Works For Me bit- very true. I felt like my entire last WIP was utter garbage, but I'm glad I got it finished and I definitely need a break from it for now.
Hope you have a great week!
Really? I definitely recommend starting out with something like The Graveyard Book, or even one of his short story collections like Smoke and Mirrors. =D American Gods is his masterpiece, but I don't know if I'd recommend jumping straight into that one!
Delete"I wonder why I'm even trying when I'll never be as good as all the other writers out there." Yes. This is exactly how I feel pretty much all the time. I think I might be in a downswing right now, actually. It's nice to know that there are others who feel this way, isn't it? Hope you have a great week, Jess!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear you're in a bit of a slump yourself, I hope you manage to work your way out of it soon! I think it definitely helps when you know other writers suffer with the same worries. =)
DeleteI agree that those writing slumps are a regular part of the whole process. It always feels like a roller coaster to me! It's great that you keep at it despite the ups and downs though. Good luck with your new short story! I'm glad you figured out how you want to tell it! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! =)
DeleteThe Lottery is one of my favorite short stories!
ReplyDeleteMissie @ A Flurry of Ponderings
I really enjoyed it - it certainly creeped me out more than I thought it was going to!
DeleteI loved Coraline. Your short story sounds fantastic. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThank you! =)
DeleteWhat a cute photo! And my dad had to live with 6 women. He used to joke that it turned his beard grey too. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, we all have slumps. But you are so right that we shouldn't let it steal our joy of writing. Sometimes you just have to get back to the stuff that made you want to write in the first place.
Hope you have a great week!
Haha, it must just be another dad survival technique!
Delete