Created and hosted by the Ninja himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writers Support Group posts the 1st Wednesday of every month. Click the image to learn more or sign up.
Look who forgot to schedule this post a day earlier than usual. Oh well.
Happy Independence Day USA!
Optional Monthly Question: What are your ultimate writing goals, and how have they changed over time (if at all)?
I used to want to find a way to write fulltime. That has now changed. While I still want to find more time to write, I don’t think I want to live off my writing (published books). Being a starving artist may work for some people, but I find that my creativity is restricted when it becomes a necessity. Still, I want to find a way to make a living doing something I love; something related to books, writing, and reading, but I’m not sure what that is yet. Whether I ever achieve that goal or not, I plan to keep writing whether I publish or not.
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In case you missed it, I finished my series on The Book to Screen Debate with the controversial stance that some movies can be better than the book. Click the image to read the article.
Also, over at A Small Gang Of Authors, we’re hosting a guessing game to see when we’ll reach 200,000 views. The prize is $50. Click the image to learn more.
Oh, and the IWSG Book Club is reading The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe for the months of June/July. Our discussion on July 25 will focus on description.
Now, on to the personal updates.
I have been practicing my skills as an illustrator and finding that I am greatly lacking. I will continue working on my hand drawings, but for now, I’ll stick with my computer drawings as I’m trying to release more children’s books.
I started a new job that I’m very excited about. It’s only part-time right now, but it can easily become fulltime. I’m hoping this new job will be much better for my overall mental health. Speaking of…
No one likes to hear depressing news, yet people deal with it every day. Some more than others. I’ve been dealing with a lot of changes and drama lately, and yes, I’ve been dealing with depression. I can’t imagine that everyone, at some point, doesn’t experience some form of depression, but that’s a little different from those who are chronic sufferers of it. Please be mindful that the highs and lows of life that you roll with, may be much harder for someone else to deal with. Be attentive to the words people say and don’t say. Be aware of friends who may be in need. And, please, always be supportive and not judgmental.
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So, have your writing goals changed over time?
Ever tried your hand at illustrating?
Do you think it’s possible for a movie to be better than a book?
Any words of encouragement to offer or requests for prayers or thoughts?
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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
Nicki Elson,
Juneta Key,
Tamara Narayan, and
Patricia Lynne!
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Click here to visit other IWSG blogs and sites to receive and share more inspiration and support. (This month, I’m #56).
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords
34 replies on “#IWSG July 2018: Writing Goals and Growth”
Hi,
I don’t like being a starving artist either but sometimes it cannot be avoided. Maybe, the hunger strengthens the impetus to rise above where we are.
Hang in there. I’m very happy you got a new job. It sounds like that is a positive way upward. And I am so please to see you dealing with your mental pain. Keep going, lady. You’re A-Okay.
All the best.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
Thank you so much for your continued words of encouragement. I know many creative people who are wonderfully motivated by the need to produce or the drive to break away from being a “starving artist”, but it just doesn’t seem to work for me. When I take away the pressure to produce, my creativity flows. For now, that’s all I can hope for. Creativity that flows.
Congratulations on the job.
I don’t want to write full time. Too much pressure.
Off to guess!
Thanks, Alex. I’m really happy about this new job. It gives me hope.
Being a starving artist doesn’t appeal to me either. Congrats on the job. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
Thanks for the well wishes. I’m really happy about this new job; plus, it helps keep me from feeling the pressure to produce with my writing. My creativity is free to flow.
Hi Toi. Please hang in there. Illustrating really helps calm me. I have a fine arts degree and loved drawing though I wasn’t the best 🙂 I think books and film stand alone and maybe shouldn’t be compared but that’s me. Happy IWSG day 🙂
Thanks for the encouragement. I won’t give up on drawing, I just know I’m not ready to publish any of it right now. Perhaps I will be, one day. Not to beat this dead horse, but you should consider reading my book to screen series. The first installment explains just what you said and offers food for thought.
Congrats on the new job!
I would love to someday write full time but for now I like having a steady paycheck and knowing how much money I make every week. Takes the pressure off!
Thanks for the well wishes. I totally get the security of a regular paycheck.
Congrats on the job!!
There are stories written specifically for the screen and there are stories adapted from the written word for the screen.
Now, I’m not much of a movie person, but logic dictates that there are some books that should NEVER be made into movies. For example, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. In the story, death is the narrator. How on earth did they expect to translate that concept to the screen? *shrugs*
I didn’t watch the movie (not that I wanted to) but heard that the movie was a total miss and didn’t do the book justice. Not at all.
But maybe I’m not really in a position to make the comparison, since I didn’t watch the movie. *shrugs again*
I’ll also admit that it’s one of my favorite books so I’m biased. 🙂
Just my two cents…
Now I’m off to read your article.
Thanks for the well wishes.
Books are for book lovers; movies are for movie lovers. Whoever is left in the middle can decide for themselves which they prefer. I do, however, agree that some books should remain just books.
Hope you like the article.
I totally think movies can sometimes be better than the book. But I might be influenced on which version I saw/read first. If I read the book first and loved it, the movie won’t measure up. If I saw the movie first and loved it, the book’s got an uphill climb.
Congrats on the job – I hope it works out just how you want it to.
I write about your point in my article. Sometimes, no matter how masterful the book is, if you see the movie first and love it, the book just may not hold up for you.
Thanks for the encouragement about the job.
Yeah sometimes movies can be better but so far my experience more often the book is better. Congrats on the job. Wishing you much success and Happy IWSG!
Yeah, it is a rare occasion indeed for the movie to be better than the book, but it is possible. Thanks for the well wishes.
I have always avoided starving. For a while, when I might have, I dated people for the free meals (really, just dinner). I provided lively conversation and they paid the bills. I didn’t starve.
OK, as I read this, it sounds pretty weird.
I totally get where you are coming from. I had three jobs in college, but still let other people buy me meals whenever they offered.
Congrats on the job. I used to be a starving artist and believe me it’s a horrible way to live!
Thanks for the well wishes. I have no problem holding down a full-time job and being a part-time author. Besides, these are all relative terms. I still spend more time writing and blogging than I do anything else after working, eating, and sleeping (oh wait, forgot about reading 😉 ).
Hi Toi. Trying to answer all your questions, so I copied them:
So, have your writing goals changed over time?
Yeah. I was dying to be traditionally published. Now that I’ve had the opportunity with my Paris story, I’m all into the self-publishing idea so will probably take it back. I’ve learned so much about making a living writing through the FB group,, 20Booksto50k which is my morning reading. Bottom line, you have to write A LOT!
Ever tried your hand at illustrating?
Yeah. I’m not a bad artist. I’m considering doing some illustrations for my books, but it takes a lot of time, so I may hire someone.
Do you think it’s possible for a movie to be better than a book?
Yeah. I liked Power of One as the movie better even though it Hollywood-ized the plot in some parts, but oh, that Zulu singing couldn’t be heard in the wonderful book.
Any words of encouragement to offer or requests for prayers or thoughts?
Be relaxed in that most writers suffer from depression at some time. Actually, since I started taking my writing seriously I’m so busy plotting and planning and writing, I have no time to be depressed. I think it’s super important to keep busy. I used to get depressed every time I stood at the ironing board. I avoid ironing except in small spurts.
Now this is a comment!
Hope you do join WEP in August. You’ll probably hear about some changes before then!
Denise x
Wow! This is a comment.
Thank you so much for the encouragement. It’s cool that you’re an artists and considering the time commitment, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with hiring someone to do illustrations, especially if you have the means. I love your point about the music you hear in a movie that can’t be heard in a book. The soundtrack is a great selling point for a book to screen adaptation. Oh, and I agree. Keeping busy has always been one of the best ways for me to cope with depression.
I think it’s crucial to write for the love of it. Turning it into work does kill the love a little.
Good luck on the new job!
Thank you. I’m excited about the new job and relieved from the pressure of trying to produce somethin to sell all the time.
Depression is such a bear. I hope you find relief soon.
I loved reading The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe as a kid. I wonder if anyone will ever make any of the later books (past the first three) in the series into films.
I too enjoyed the book as a kid and am liking it, still, as an adult.
Can’t say I’m keen on being a starving artist either.
Some people thrive creatively when it’s a necessity, but I think it just causes too much pressure for me.
Being disabled, writing is the only thing I can, so you can definitely say I am a starving artist. LOL
Thanks for mentioning the IWSG book. I have neglected to put that announcement in my IWSG posts.
Your message at the end about depression…yes. I’ve been wanting to say something like that for a long time but could never come up with the right words that didn’t sound too preachy. You said it simply and perfectly.
I honestly forgot to post about it, but when I saw a fellow moderator post it on their blog, I thought, “I should probably do that too.” Thank you so much for your thoughtful response.
Great news about the new job! I hope it continues to go well.
Thank you. I have high hopes for this new position.
So sorry to hear you’ve been struggling with depression, Toi. It happens to the best. Hope it passes soon.
Congrats on your new job.
And I agree, sometimes the movie is better than the book. I thought The Joy Luck Club was much more powerful as a movie.
Thank you for the encouragement.