Wednesday, July 6, 2016

#IWSG for July 2016


The Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) is the brilliant idea of Alex J. Cavanaugh. The purpose of the group is to share doubts and insecurities and to encourage one another. Please visit the other participants and share your support. A kind word goes a long way.

This month's awesome co-hosts are: Yolanda Renee, Tyrean Martinson, Madeline Mora-Summonte , LK Hill, Rachna Chhabria, and JA Scott!

The IWSG has a new fun feature. Every month, they'll have a question for people to answer. Here is the first one: What's the best thing someone has ever said about your writing?

My answer: Must I pick one? Every positive word someone has said about my writing is priceless. If I'm to pick one, a person once told me one of my stories made her cry. Knowing that I could hook a reader and make her feel that much is awesome.

My IWSG post:
Whether you're on summer break or having a long weekend, I hope you find time to go on vacation this year. Writing is hard work. The muse loves to relax, and she'll come back eager and refreshed.

You don't even need to go anywhere to have a vacation. Just take a break from writing and relax. Go on a hike, read, garden, paint, surf. Whatever you love to do but don't usually get the time to do it.

It will make you a better writer because you'll be rested, happy, and excited to get back into your stories.

But...

Yeah, I know. Mine doesn't either. But getting away from the computer/office/notebook does work wonders for inspiration.

Have you been or are you going on vacation this year? 

56 comments:

  1. We're not going on vacation, but we intend to spend a lot of time swimming as a family. My kids have also both almost mastered riding their bikes without training wheels, so maybe we can get in some bike riding too. Getting out for those types of things makes for a much needed rest, though my muse is always toiling away in the background.

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  2. Vacations? What're those? XD

    And wow, that's amazing how one of your stories was able to make someone cry! Having a reader connect with your writing that much is a dream come true, for sure...

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  3. Right On! Vacations are necessary. It is important to be able to shut your mind off or turn to something else. Do I do it? Yes. I love hiking in the mountains or getting in my car and driving long distance. It makes a big difference.

    Shalom aleichem,
    Patricia

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  4. I do have a trip home scheduled for the end of the month, and I think I'll be too busy to do any writing or editing. Which will probably do wonders for me (if I can control the worry...) But the notebook will forever go where I go. I never leave home without it. :)

    And it's fantastic that you had a reader connect so strongly with your work. I had someone tell me a scene I had written had made them cry, and I remember feeling a little bit like Monty Burns tenting his fingers and saying, "Excellent..."

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  5. I'm hoping my trip back to the UK in August will help relax my mind. But honestly, I doubt it. My mind never switches off from writing and if I've had a relaxing day and not thought about writing, the muse intrudes on my dreams. Most annoying at times :) Great post, Christine.

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  6. Even a little break will help.
    Making someone cry means your story really got to them.

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  7. How excellent you were able to move a reader so emotionally!

    Thanks for the reminder about taking a real break. I need one, and so does my husband. But will we take one? That's the question....

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  8. That had to feel great to know one of your books had that kind of an impact on a reader. Yay!
    Good point about the vacation. I am hoping I will come back recharged from mine! Although sadly my muse has been on vacation for what seems like forever LOL.

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  9. We're going to the beach this month. It'll be hot and muggy and lovely and restful. I can't wait! Love those waves! I hope they inspire my muse to pick one project and concentrate! LOL
    Love that you made someone cry. What better compliment! And so well deserved, you're an awesome writer!

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  10. You made a reader cry? Congratulations.
    Two words - job done!
    Happy IWSG Day!
    Writer In Transit

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  11. Very well put. I had a hard time choosing too. Isn't that a great problem?

    So, since we live in vacation world (aka central Florida), our dollars get spent on season passes to somewhere. We've been living it up at Hogwarts and Hogsmeade this summer...around life.

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  12. I agree taking a rest can be very therapeutic. I take them as I need them. :-)

    Anna from elements of emaginette

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  13. No vacation this year, just day trips. And then I have the writing conference in August. I find those recharge my writing batteries, getting me excited about writing again while simultaneously exhausting me!

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  14. Loved the post. Have not been on vacation since Christmas 2014, not sure when I might get to go again, but one day. Happy IWSG Day.
    Juneta @ Writer's Gambit

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  15. I have a garden this year and it forces me away from the computer.

    We will be hitting a theme park later this year. I need my roller coaster fix.

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  16. L.G., awesome! My son still hasn't mastered bike riding, but we haven't any place to practice around home. Swimming we've been doing lots of too.

    Heather, yeah, I haven't had a vacation since 2008. Next year, though, it's planned already!

    Pat, I do love hiking too.

    M.J., oh yes! That Monty Burns moment. Love it.

    Nicola, thanks! My muse does the same thing. She's a workaholic!

    Alex, most definitely.

    Madeline, my hubby needs one too, and he'll get his next month when he goes to a gaming convention. Me, I'll have to wait until next year.

    Julie, your muse will be back super charged! :)

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  17. Yolanda, the beach sounds wonderful. Have a great time!

    Michelle, thank you!

    Crystal, that's fantastic. I'm jealous. One day I'll get to Hogsmeade!

    Anna, thanks for stopping by.

    M, it's not that far away now! Have fun.

    Juneta, sometimes it's hard to get away. I haven't had one since 2008, but next year, I'm changing that!

    Diane, awesome! I need a roller coaster fix too. My son should be tall enough to ride them now. :)

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  18. Well, you just left me an awesome review, so I'd have to say Christine Rains has given me the best praise ever! :)

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  19. Usually taking a break helps recharge the writing muse. My vacations are basically just travelling to see my family. We're spread out all over the place.

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  20. We'll be going on vacation in a couple of days and I definitely plan to be thinking about writing during that time. Maybe even actually write--assuming my family lets me.

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  21. Sounds like great advice! I will go on a couple of short vacations in August and I can't wait. :)

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  23. We're mostly doing a stay cation this year. Getting some fix ups done. We'll probably go somewhere in the fall but you're right. Even when away, out writing mind keeps working.

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  24. My husband is good at planning weekend getaways for us. He does all the driving, and we usually just relax, eat at a cool restaurant, and then do one special activity. It's enough to get us both back into the swing of things full force.

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  25. I like to swim or hike when I'm getting frustrated. The sunshine and being outside recharges me. Good post. And making someone cry is quite a compliment!
    @DoreeWeller from
    Doree Weller’s Blog

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  26. I would like to go on vacation someday. Perhaps when my son is older than two years old and has excelled enough in speech therapy that I can understand his demands as opposed to getting screamed at. Hmmm... maybe that's a sign I need a vacation right there. ;)

    Happy IWSG day!

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  27. Anytime you can make someone cry or laugh out loud or display other strong emotions, you've done your job well. Pat yourself on the back!

    I totally agree about vacations and breaks :)

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  28. I don't think I've made a reader cry...yet. To cause emotion like that, no praise is bigger. :)

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  29. Mark, I cannot say enough great things about your book. It's brilliant!

    Sherry, traveling for me, too, is mostly to see family. I'm taking back summer next year and we're going on a real vacation!

    Ken, have a great trip! And hopefully you'll get some writing done. :)

    Erika, enjoy your trips!

    Susan, fall trips appeal most to me. Enjoy your staycation. :)

    Toinette, how wonderful you have a thoughtful husband.

    Doree, hiking is wonderful.

    Loni, yes, going on trips with toddlers is not a vacation! It's just more work.

    Carol, thank you!

    Chrys, thanks!

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  30. Very Wonderful Compliment, Christine!!!

    Thank you for the advice!!! You're right!!! We're going for a mini vacation this weekend just to visit my son, but it's away and relaxing.

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  31. Great compliment! I already went on vacation this year, but I feel like I need another already, LOL. My birthday is next week though and I have the day off.

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  32. Making someone cry is a huge compliment! I like what you said about vacation. Although I try to get a lot of writing in during the summer since it's my downtime, what you say is so true. Taking a break always helps your writing.

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  33. Awesome advice! I completely agree. We need breaks - small or large - to recharge. I can tell I'm tired because I'm starting to unintentionally rhyme.
    I agree with you on the compliments - each one is so precious and meaningful.
    Happy Writing!

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  34. Cathrina, have a lovely time!

    Jenni, summer is my slow time. Hopefully you're getting lots done!

    Tyrean, thank you. :)

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  35. Great comment! Yeah, taking a day off in a mini-vacation works too. I did that just recently and it recharged me.

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  36. Such a good point! I am hoping to get a few days next month to get away, because I really need it right about now :)

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  37. You're so right. We all need some time off to recharge.

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  38. Boy do I agree with this, Christine. No, I can't shut my brain off--even when I sleep. But stepping away from the computer is key to resting both your eyes and your thoughts. And sometimes this helps clear your brain and helps you to look at the world around you. Thanks for sharing this with your followers.

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  39. May have a stay-cation where we stay at home and pretend we've gone somewhere nice by eating out for dinner for like two or three days in a row. That's big for me and my kiddo :-)

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  40. It is good to remember there is still life outside the writing cave, lol.

    Every genuine compliment I receive is a blessing to me too.

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  41. Making a reader cry is such a testament to your writing, Christine. Great compliment. As to vacation--I've had mine and I'm kicking back at home for a while.

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  42. Holly, awesome!

    Meradeth, definitely get some time away before school starts up again.

    Olga, we do.

    Victoria, you're welcome. Yes, just stepping away and doing a few chores helps me too.

    Angela, that sounds wonderful!

    Dolorah, sometimes that's hard, but yes, there is!

    Lee, nice!

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  43. Yes, having a break is a good chance to recharge the writing batteries! Isn't it great to get a nice compliment about our writing. Love this new IWSG feature.

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  44. Yeah, writer brains don't like to go on vacation. As for traveling somewhere as a vacation, I haven't done that in years, but I do take days off from the day job here and there. They're always nice to have, especially if I can sleep in and take a nap. :)

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  45. What amazing feedback on your story.. that is huge:) Congrats and very well deserved of course. You're stories rock!! Enjoy your vacation... lots of time for your stories to marinade in your head during this time.

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  46. It's always awesome to reach a reader emotionally, so congrats on making someone cry! I bet they weren't the only one. We're going on vacation in two weeks, actually. I'm really looking forward to it since we're visiting a friend I only get to see every few years. Plus, I'll be having genuine Chicago-style pizza in Chicago one of the days. It looks soooo good.

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  47. I love your writing, Christine. When I pick up one of your books I know I'm settling in for a great read.

    This year for vacation we're going to stay in a Creekside cabin for a while--the whole pack; me, the hubs and the furbabies. Our Koko is diabetic and elderly so a dog sitter is out of the question. Thank goodness a lot of places accept pets these days.

    Hope you're having a great summer, Christine!

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  48. I think I'm the only one who missed the question this month! I was on vacation when this all took place, though, so my pre-written post just went through as it was.

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  49. I guess we're always writing but I do take time to recharge - as often as humanly possible. :)

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  50. No vacation for me, but hubby and I have gone on some weekend getaways and gone sight seeing.

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  51. No, no vacation. But some weekend outings. I have a self-made holiday coming up end of the month. Enjoy yours! And excellent work on making someone cry.

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  52. I could use some time off, but no rest for the weary. Have a great time!

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  53. Most of my blogging break has been a vacation away from writing. Although I still tuned in every IWSG day. Other than than I've been reading like I was the book monster version of the cookie monster from Sesame Street. Yet, even then I was always thinking about writing, making mental notes and revisions/edits to my work in progress novels to work on later. Now, I'm back to writing and focusing on my first adult romance as planned from my 2016 writing goals. Plus I entered it in the Wattys, so now that my brain is refreshed, it's time to get the ball rolling.

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