This came up on me way too fast. February always seems to end so abruptly that I forget it's even happening. I almost forgot to pay a credit card bill, mail my rent, and yes, write this blog post. Usually you get a few extra days each month but February likes to trick me.
So what the heck do I write about? I'm actually not feeling all that insecure. Overwhelmed at times, maybe, but not insecure. Well, there's always the optional question! This month's is: Have you ever pulled out a really old story and reworked it? Did it work out?
No.
CRAP.
Ok, I guess I'll talk about the overwhelming stuff.
I have about a gazillion things to do for the anthology. I have to do my final edits. I haven't written anything for the joint blog yet, and I have interview questions for pretty much everyone to write. Plus we're trying to set up a blog tour and do more marketing stuff.
SPEAKING OF WHICH. We have a sign up form for the blog tour! I literally finished it while writing this post!!! Because I wanted to include it! Look at the exclamation points!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway, click HERE to sign up! The tour is going to run from May 2 through May 31. There are a few different options for posts. If you sign up for a review, we'll hook you up with the publisher to get a review ebook copy.
It can be really hard to balance real life and all of the stuff I need and want to do. I'm halfway through my edit of Chapter 5 for Uneven Lines. The end of the chapter needs a bit of work (which is a little frustrating since the first half was pretty much perfect). So I've kind of been avoiding it since I want a large chunk of time to sit down and figure it out. Usually I have too much to do or I'm just too tired after work.
So I've been working on Shiny New Story quite a bit. I guess I'll take any progress with writing as a win. I really really like it, even though it's super complicated (yeah, because UL is simple *pfft*). I love my characters and I want to hug them. But I swear to God, I cannot write a story without a secret romance to save my life. Can't do it! I've never had nor wanted a secret romance why do I keep doing this???
Well, that's about it. I set my alarm for 5 AM every morning but I always wake up at 4:37. EVERY DAY. I don't know what that is either.
Ever feel overwhelmed? What time do you wake up in the morning?
The blog tour form looks great - thanks for all your work setting it up! I know exactly what you mean about being overwhelmed. I have so much to do stuff (including the anthology) before we take off and it feels like some of it might never get done. Cheers - Ellen
ReplyDeleteI'm overwhelmed all the time! I signed up!!!
ReplyDeleteI haven't felt overwhelmed in a long time. Or there are times when I don't get things done that I should, but being *retired* I don't feel guilty about putting things off for another day. I've signed up for the blog tour!
ReplyDeleteI haven't felt overwhelmed in a long time. Or there are times when I don't get things done that I should, but being *retired* I don't feel guilty about putting things off for another day. I've signed up for the blog tour!
ReplyDeleteMaybe 4:37 am is a sign that you need to work the numbers into a story somehow. :)
ReplyDeleteOh yes. I know that overwhelmed feeling. I signed up for the tour! :)
ReplyDeleteI am right there with you. Overwhelmed and stressed...lol but I am still smiling. I also posted the tour sign up on my blog. Yay! I am happy you are writing too on something new. Thank you again for putting it together :)
ReplyDeleteOh man! I totally want to help with the tour but I'm booked until the middle of June. What are the chances of doing a late post for the Truth or Lie game? (With a review, because I love reviewing books.)
ReplyDeleteI feel overwhelmed all the time, but that happens with 4 kids, a big house, writing, home schooling, church music responsibilities, social media, and whatever writing I can squeeze in. I find I have to take it one day at a time. One task at a time. Focus and planning totally save my bacon.
Deep breath! It will be all right.
ReplyDeleteYou know I will promote the heck out of it anyway, but I'll sign up for the tour.
Woot for book tour! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you're struggling with the second half of Uneven Lines, but it will probably all the better for it. I always put off things that I have hard time with.
I don't know how you are working on two books at once and promoting another. That is pretty amazing! I don't think I could do it…
I like Madeline's suggestion that you work 4:37 (or at least the numbers) into the story somehow. Your very own Easter egg. :)
ReplyDeleteI have a chapter in my current WIP that needs its opening revamped, but the rest of it is fine. I saved it for last because I had/have absolutely no idea how to actually rewrite it. Best of luck figuring out yours!
Like Crystal said, one day at a time. One task at a time. You'll get there.
I set my alarm for 5 am every weekday too, but I don't get up until after 5:30. And then I have to go to work. No early morning writing for me. :(
ReplyDeleteUneven Lines is jealous of Shiny New Thing. It wants your full attention.
All signed up for the tour.
ReplyDeleteI always forget to pay rent this time of year. Hubby just asked me if I had written the check and, of course, I hadn't! LOL
Oh yeah I get that overwhelmed feeling too sometimes! Deep breaths, Sarah. I always think it's a great idea to set the alarm early and get up to write before work but somehow it never seems to happen like that!
ReplyDeleteOverwhelmed seems to be my state of being. At least you're making progress on shiny-new-idea story!
ReplyDeleteFor the past three years, I've become an early morning riser. I blame my new writing career. Glad you've got your confidence back!
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to get overwhelmed. You can't do it all so don't stress it.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you guys set up a book tour.
Sometime I equate being overwhelmed with being insecure. They seem to be a pair. I used to get up about 4, but now I'm back to a more reasonable hour of 7. I think I'm just getting too old to pull the 4AM to 10PM anymore. :-)
ReplyDeleteBalancing all of my to dos have been overwhelming for me as well! But look at you! You're doing all of it. ALL OF IT. And you're doing a great job! BTW, I always wake up 2 minutes before my alarm . . . no matter what time it is lol
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for the anthology! And yay for you writing your stories (secret romance or not) lol
Finding balance is tough. I hope you manage to do everything you need to do for the anthology! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteA little secret romance never hurt anyone...er, well, at least not fictionally.
ReplyDeleteSo much exciting stuff going on for you. I'm thrilled to be signed up for the Hero Lost blog tour! (What? Not enough exclamation points for you?)
I get you on the overwhelmed front, but it's good when you're overwhelmed with good things :-) @mirymom1 from
ReplyDeleteBalancing Act
Overwhelmed is good. Keeping busy is always a sign of full life. Worry when you have nothing to do - that's really alarming.
ReplyDeleteI feel overwhelmed a lot, but sounds like you have a handle on it. Signed up for you blog tour. Hope you have lots of fun with that shiny new story too.
ReplyDeleteHappy IWSG Belated Day!
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
Yep, I'm pretty much overwhelmed all the time too! I try to just do one thing at a time, the best I can. Not a multi-tasker. You're right, as long as you're making some progress on writing then it's a win. Maybe the right solution to Chapter 5 will present itself while you're busy with your new story. I set my alarm for 5 too, but don't wake up before then unless it's because of one of the dogs or the child!
ReplyDeleteI always feel somewhat overwhelmed, but often not due to that much which is exceptionally important--or not from the viewpoint of others. It's important to me, but on the grander scale of world events I guess my affairs don't mean all that much.
ReplyDeleteOn weekdays I get up between 4:30 and 5:30 so I can make sure my wife gets up at 5:30 to get ready for work. Week-ends might allow me to sleep until almost 7 AM, but very rarely any later than that.
Wish you well on the blog tour.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Overwhelmed seems like a constant state. It doesn't have to be big things either - it can be a trillion little things. You do have a lot of irons in the fire, that's for sure. I wish I could get up at 5. I blame it on the alarm feature on my phone (the darn "snooze" button). Of course it's not my fault, it's that that feature works so well. Now I have one more thing to feel overwhelmed about - getting up early to accomplish more! Take one thing at a time and finish it if you can. It always feels good to mark something off of your list, yes? Found you through the IWSG - love this group. Have a good week. www.dianeweidenbenner.com
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