Wednesday 2 March 2016

IWSG March 2016

Yes, it's that time once again - 2016's third posting for the Insecure Writer's Support Group. This excellent group was founded by Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh to provide a safe haven for writers to share doubts and insecurities without fear of appearing foolish. This month's co-hosts arLauren Hennessy, Lisa Buie-Collard, Lidy, Christine Rains, and Mary Aalgaard.


First, thanks for all your supportive comments on last month's post. I really appreciate it and reading through them made me feel a lot better. (Go here if you don't know what I'm talking about). It's true that I haven't been around the blogs too much since then - I literally just finished returning the comments from that post! I've been getting a lot of headaches, so I've been reserving my energy for my editing work and trying to make some headway on my WIP. Haven't managed to write every day, but on those when I did I've been averaging about 500 words. However, on that last bonus leap day I managed 1000 and that's the goal I want to aim for going forward. So, in terms of my monthly goal round-up, I'm up to 10,000 words with 4,000 added in the last month. Doesn't sound like much, but at least there's quite a lot going on in those words. Things are happening.

I'm still speaking with the police and they've been taking my attackers in for questioning. I really hope they can do something because these people shouldn't be at large to pose a threat to someone else.

Apart from that, I just keep drinking lots of water and trying to write the next word. Keeping things quite simple at the moment. I didn't meet my marketing goal, but I definitely want to try some new things this month.

Go here to check out lots more IWSG participants.

50 comments:

L.G. Keltner said...

The quality of the writing done matters far more than the quantity. I hope your attackers are brought to justice for what they've done. No one should be able to get away with attacking someone like that.

Nicola said...

Glad you are feeling a bit better, Nick. I think you can be proud of your work this month. You've battled on through a tough time, which says a lot about your strength of character. And just enjoy the rest and peace and quiet on the not so good writing days. That's okay too. Hope you continue to feel better!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Nick - oh gosh I'd almost forgotten - as I should have emailed too. I know it's a month on - but I imagine you're still feeling frightened, worried and anxious .. one just simply doesn't need that sort of thing.

I'm pleased to read the police are taking it seriously ... and I hope the fracture clinics are going to help heal you up. The headaches don't sound helpful ... so yes lots of water, rest and not too much eye strain - as you say keeping things simple.

Thanks for popping by my blog - appreciate the tie in when you've this going on ... all the very best and with thoughts - Hilary

JeffO said...

I hope the wheels of justice turn in a favorable manner. Leap Day sounds like it was a big leap forward, keep it up!

Jennifer Hawes said...

Sounds like you've accomplished some great writing goals! When we add all the words, they amount to a lot more than we think.

Jean Davis said...

Glad to hear the police are working on it and you're doing well. And you're writing! That's wonderful in light of the traumatic events of last month. All new words are good words no matter how many or few they may be.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

Glad to hear you're doing better, Nick. Taking things easier, keeping things simple, is a great idea. Hang in there!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I hope they bring those jerks to justice.
Just take it at a pace you can handle, Nick.

Diana Wilder said...

Nick, I'm so sorry about last month's attack. I'm glad you are just keeping on keeping on. The raise in your words is good news, and I hope it and other happy things help with the healing.

betty said...

Glad you updated, Nick; was wondering how you were fairing. Glad too the police are doing what they can to hopefully get these guys punished for their attack on you (and sadly probably others as well). Do take care of yourself and keep it simple with what you are trying to accomplish; allow your body to heal as well as emotionally too.

betty

L. Diane Wolfe said...

You need time to heal on all accounts. I hope the police do something about those guys.

Elizabeth Seckman said...

I hope you feel better soon. Take it easy and take care of yourself- that's what's important.

Loni Townsend said...

10,000 words is pretty darn good.

I really hope they catch the culprits. Nobody deserves to go through that. I hope you heal up soon.

Rachel Pattinson said...

I've just read your previous post and I think it's awful that people could behave that way, and then make out like it was your fault! I sincerely hope the police bring them to justice. I hope you're doing okay, Nock, like Alex said - just take it at whatever pace you can handle, you need time to recover after all. I'm impressed that you managed to writer 10,000 words after all that! I know I wouldn't have been able to do that! Wishing you all the best

Heather R. Holden said...

Best of luck with your goals for March! The fact that you've been able to write at all, so soon after an attack like that, is incredibly impressive to me. Will keep my fingers crossed that your attackers are finally brought to justice; no one should ever be allowed to get away with something so cruel...

H. R. Sinclair said...

That's pretty good progress, especially considering the stress (physically and emotionally) you've had to endure. I hope the headaches subside soon. Take care.

Crystal Collier said...

You just keep at it. You know we're fine with you getting around as you're able. I'm still just baffled when I think about your experience.

Michelle Wallace said...

I'm so happy to hear that you're feeling a bit better.
That kind of experience can leave you feeling jittery for a long time after...you need time to work through it. Take it a day at a time. Do what you can...

Well done with the writing, Nick. You've got quite a bit done considering that you've been experiencing lots of headaches.
Writing is a form of therapy too...keep at it.

S.P. Bowers said...

Drink lots of water and write the next word. I may hang that up next to my computer. It's perfect.

Cherie Colyer said...

I think you did a great job on word count. Hope things keep looking up for you.

J E Oneil said...

I really hope those guys go to jail. What they did is awful. Good luck with writing this month. Just keep at it.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I feel sick every time I think of what happened to you. A concussion can take a long time to heal. It sounds like you're getting back into the writing.

The Cynical Sailor said...

I just went back and read your last post and can't believe what happened to you. So horrible. I used to live near Carluke and have this picture in my head of the area where you were attacked, which makes it even more shocking. I'm so sorry this happened to you. It's amazing how you've kept on with your writing - well done and all the best as you move forward. Cheers - Ellen

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the words. I'm glad the police are dealing with those guys. That really sucked. Do you think the headaches are related to the concussion or is it something else?

Tyrean Martinson said...

Way to go on your writing!
Please take care of yourself and feel better.
Prayers and virtual hugs coming your way.

Liz A. said...

I'm so glad the police are doing something. And it's not the quantity of the words that you write. It'll get finished eventually, and you'll have the energy to do more eventually. Take care of yourself now. And one day, you might just have a great story come from this horrible experience.

emaginette said...

I'm glad to see your post and hear that things are moving along for you. Keep at it. I'd be very pleased with 500 words a day. :-)

Anna from elements of emaginette

Anonymous said...

You're being productive in the face of this horrible act. I hope there's justice and that your headaches vanish.

Christine Rains said...

I hope justice is served. Great work with your writing! I've flunked last month with marketing myself. Need to get going with that!

EEGiorgi said...

one month later those bad guys haven't paid for what they did yet? I'm so sorry, I hope you're not sore anymore, but I know the trauma will be there for a long time :-(

Cynthia said...

I hope the law sides with you, and I'll continue to think positive thoughts for your healing.

Good luck with the writing.

Julie Flanders said...

Oh my gosh, Nick, I missed your post last month and just caught up. I'm so sorry that happened! It made me sick just to read it. I'm so sorry you've been suffering from headaches because of that assault. I hope that there will be some justice for those horrible creeps.
Glad that you have been able to get back to your writing. Take care!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Staying hydrated is important for the creative process. And even if you only get down 200 words, it's a step forward. So you are doing great!!

Heather M. Gardner said...

So very sorry for all you've had to go through.
It sounds very stressful, but take time to heal.
Time and lots of hugs will be the best cure.

Heather

diedre Knight said...

I'd say 500 words a day is terrific, especially considering everything else on your mind! You'll be rockin' 1000 or more before you know it :-)
Just take your time and try not to dwell on the snail's pace of justice.

dolorah said...

I hope justice is on your horizon soon Nick. Find some peace.

Mary Aalgaard said...

What a shock to be attacked, and with your dogs with you. So sorry that happened to you. Of course, you'll have some physical distress from it. I hope you are recovering well. The headaches could also be from the trauma of the attack and the blow to the face. Take care! Write when you can, and be safe.

Thanks for visiting my blog. Mary at Play off the Page
IWSG co-host

Karen Lange said...

Glad you are making some progress and feeling a bit better! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog for Hilary's interview. She's a treasure, isn't she?

Shell Flower said...

Glad to hear you are able to write despite your headaches. I do hope there is justice with your attackers so that you can move past this in that sense. With time, your headaches should lessen. Take care!

Shannon Lawrence said...

You've done great this month! Don't let goals get in the way of progress. I hope something comes from the police interviews.

Unknown said...

Sending you healing vibes, and happy to know you're coping. Take care, Nick.

Misha Gerrick said...

I really hope that justice prevails. It would be terrible if those people just walked around free to hurt others. It's bad enough that it happened to you.

Michelle Wallace said...

Hey Nick.
I mailed you but I'm not sure if you received the e-mail, so I PM'ed you on Facebook.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Quality over quantity every day of the week and twice on Sundays

Rhonda Albom said...

I think your doing great. Keep that word count up.

ViolaFury said...

Keep on a keepin' on. I didn't say anything, but 2 months ago. I had a home invasion. I live alone, and I was sleeping. I sleep like the dead because I'm on medicine for essential tremor. However, I "felt" something in my deep sleep, and without opening my eyes, I reached over - I was laying on my right side - and grabbed the heavy-based lamp on my night stand. I turned to my left and there was a man, grabbing for my head. At my feet, was another man, getting ready to grab for my ankles.

I am not physically afraid of anybody, or anything; it's just a weird quality I possess. I swung that lamp and missed the guy at my head by and inch; it put a dent in my wall, then I came up out of my bed, like all the furies of Hell and went after these a-holes. They ran like the wind. I live in a very bad neighborhood, but because I am on a fixed income, I cannot move. This isn't the first time I've gone after someone, nor is it the first time I've had a home invasion.

What's sickening to me, is a colleague, a bass player, who supposedly lived in a good part of town, suffered a home invasion last Friday and was killed. I don't know what the answer is. I just know that when I present the most hostile, deranged part of me, people do not want any part of what I may bring to the table. I am so sorry this happened to you, Nick. I'm so sorry for all the victims of crimes of opportunity and just plain stupidity and I see why people take the law into their own hands. Be well, my friend and keep on writing! Your co-host, ViolaFury, aka Mary

Ella said...

I am so sad to hear you were attacked~ I hope you are okay! This is so scary~ I wasn't sure which blog to visit you on?! I hope things get better and keep writing and do try something new~ All my best!
Take Care

Michelle Wallace said...

Please swing by my blog to see what you've won!
Writer In Transit

Sherry Ellis said...

I didn't know about your attackers. That's horrible! I hope they are brought to justice. Hope you feel better, too. I'm impressed that you're still writing in spite of the nasty things you've been through. Keep going! Hugs!

Michelle Wallace said...

Hi Nick
I'm just doing a follow up...
Have you received your copy of Beneath The Rainbow by Lisa Shambrook?
Writer In Transit