Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Insecure Writer's Support Group--Me vs. The Universe



Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen! In this corner, weighing in at 20 pounds past the ideal, writer, complainer, and occasional blogger--me! And in the other corner, weighing in at (well, that's complicated since we'd have to discuss mass and known vs. unknown matter--argh--just go here)--the Universe!

(Early October) Round One: Ding-ding!

Me: I am so going to finish my short story even though it bloated into 26K novella on time. I can do this! Plus, I'm going to enter the IWSG Anthology contest. Take that, Universe!

Universe: Here, have a cold that will whip you abs in shape with a nonstop, near vomit-inducing cough. Wham!

(Mid October) Round Two

Me: I don't care if I have to expel a pound of snot! I'm writing that IWSG story come hell or high tissues!

Universe: Oh really? How about I give the same cold to your daughter? WHAP!

Me: Mother!

Round Three

Me: I will tell my daughter I have deadlines. She will understand and go into a mind meld with her iPad mini. 

Universe: True. But only for the first day. Then she'll stick to your side like velcro. For funsies, I'll let her cold develop into pneumonia so it'll last ten days instead of five. BLAMMO!

(Final week of October) Round Four

Me: I still don't care. I will give up Netflix in the evenings and finish both of my writing projects. Nothing will stop me!

Universe: The pneumonia isn't keeping your darling up enough. Let me throw in an ear infection. She's got super sensitive ears and now she'll want to stay up way past her bedtime to keep you company. And while I'm at it, here's a migraine to take away your last evening of work.

Me: I hate you.

(Saturday, Oct. 31) Round Five

Me: HA, HA, HA. I finished both writing projects and turned them in on time. I ROCK!

Universe: Bully for you. But you've forgotten one little thing. 

Me: What?

Universe: Marketing. And here. Have another migraine. KER-WHAM!

Me: NOOOOOOOOO!

Winner by a knockout: Universe.

How was October for you? Did you enter the ISWG Anthology contest?

Thanks as always to Alex Cavanaugh for creating the ISWG. Be sure to visit this month's cohosts: Stephen Tremp, Karen Walker, Denise Covey, and Tyrean Martinson.

27 comments:

  1. Oh no! It always seems that bad things (usually sickness) happen when we're trying to be productive. But I'd say if you got both projects done, then you won in the end.

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  2. The Universe is a tough opponent. But hey, projects done is an awesome thing. Good job!

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  3. I was holding my breath wondering what the end would be - and - wham-mo, you beat the universe at its own game! Success! Congratulations, keep writing! Sorry for the added stress of illness though!

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  4. I feel so badly for you! I hate being sick. October flew past. I blinked and I missed it. Try to enjoy November and the holidays!

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  5. The universe was really determined. You still beat it though.

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  6. Boy, does it feel like the Universe does this! But at least you got those writing projects done, despite all the sickness... good for you, that's awesome!

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  7. You should totally be proud of yourself for getting those projects done and subbed!

    I hope you're feeling better!

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  8. Sometimes it seems like the universe is against us. But to balance out the universe, it has to give you equally great days so be expecting good things.

    Stephen Tremp
    November IWSG Co-host

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  9. So familiar, your sparring with the Universe. Great post.

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  10. Ouch! I hope you feel better now!!! :) hugs

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  11. I hope your November is nicer to you than October was. At least you finished the stories.

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  12. Hiya! Tamara! So excellent you got both your projects in on time. Deadlines are good sometimes. Will be interested to see the winners! May November be kinder to you!

    Denise Covey November co-host IWSG

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  13. Well, you had a good run before the universe finally got to you. It's something.

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  14. The Universe isn't always the nicest of peeps. Just saying. As for me, I have other things sucking up my time, and I haven't even turned in half the number of words I would need for a successful NaNo. Oh well, another year of not winning isn't going to kill me. (stupid universe with it's plans--at least I didn't get the flu on my birthday again!)

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  15. The universe won out at my house too. I need a year long break, lol.

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  16. That was so much fun to read. Loved it! :-D

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  17. Universe seems to beat a lot of those, but I guess we hold out for the minor victories, but the war is not over or won yet.
    Juneta Writer's Gambit

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  18. Universe seems to beat a lot of those, but I guess we hold out for the minor victories, but the war is not over or won yet.
    Juneta Writer's Gambit

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  19. It's inspiring you managed to meet the deadlines even in spite of all those crummy cards you were dealt. I finally got back into my WIP in October, and now have to put it aside to start my NaNo book. I'm trying to work on it a little on the side, though it can't be my major focus.

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  20. The universe sucks doesn't it? Hope your daughter is feeling all better now. And that next time you'd give that damn universe the KO.

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  21. Why does that always seem to happen? We're finally on our way to getting somewhere and BLAM, the universe gets us! Hope everyone's feeling better and you can concentrate again!

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  22. The universe can be quite a nasty foe! At least you got your stories finished :) With my IWSG entry, I spent the ENTIRE day on the last Thursday of the month (my last day off before deadline) working on it and I still wasn't finished. So, I had to stay up really late Friday night adding in paragraphs to make it to 5k words (I have never written that much in one piece!) I hope the universe gives you a break this month!

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I will do everything in my power to visit commenter's blogs unless I've been abducted by aliens or my children get sick. (If my children get abducted by aliens, I will be very busy, of course, catching up on my sleep.)