Being Busy

6:00 AM Elizabeth Seckman 54 Comments

Okay, so I haven't been THAT busy. 


Let's be honest. There is a point during the process when you have to stop and ask yourself if it's all worth it. The writing, the editing, the marketing...all mixed together with all the real life stuff you've got to get done... 

It's a great ways to lose sight of your sanity.



My son once pointed out that I am trying to do a job that has no finite end. I could work twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and still, I would not complete all that I want to get done. 

There have been times that knowledge almost drives me nuts. Makes me wish we were creations built to function on caffeine instead of sleep, so I could get more done. 



Since I've tried that and it's a total, flu-inducing fail, I've decided to simply pace myself. To give myself credit for the things I do get done. And of course, I will make my lists and try to triage the things that need done...things like the paying the electric bill and buying food for the kids. 

I suppose I'll get done what I can get done, and call that good enough. 




Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh and his awesome co-hosts for the May edition of the IWSG:
Stephen Tremp, Fundy Blue, MJ Fifield, Loni Townsend, Bish Denham, Susan Gourley, and Stephanie Faris! 

Also from the IWSG team...


                                     Coming Soon!!!


Parallels: Felix Was Here
An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology  
Enter the realm of parallel universes! 
What if the government tried to create the perfect utopia? Could a society linked to a supercomputer survive on its own? Do our reflections control secret lives on the other side of the mirror? Can one moment split a person’s world forever? 
Exploring the fantastic, ten authors offer incredible visions and captivating tales of diverse reality. Featuring the talents of L. G. Keltner, Crystal Collier, Hart Johnson, Cherie Reich, Sandra Cox, Yolanda Renee, Melanie Schulz, Sylvia Ney, Michael Abayomi, and Tamara Narayan. 
Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these ten tales will expand your imagination and twist the tropes of science fiction. Step through the portal and enter another dimension! 


Release date: May 3, 2016
$14.95 USA, 6x9 Trade paperback, 218 pages, Freedom Fox Press
Science Fiction/General ( FIC028000) and Fiction/Alternative History (FIC040000)
Print ISBN 978-1-939844-19-4 eBook ISBN 978-1-939844-20-0
Order through Ingram, Follett Library Resources, or from the publisher
$4.99 EBook available in all formats

“Pensive and manifold views into parallel earth not without a glimmer of hope.”
- Edi’s Book Lighthouse 

Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database, articles and tips, a monthly blog posting, two Facebook groups, and a monthly newsletter.

54 comments:

  1. Thanks for the shout out for Parallels! So cool to be part of such an amazing group of writers!
    I too am asking that question, why, what's it all for. The result is sometimes so, well almost imperceptible. So I'm off for a break. Time to do the thing that makes me happy, whatever the hell that is. :)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. We should get together and wine. All we need is a designated driver.

      You enjoy your break, but don't get too comfie. You're expected back to work in a few weeks.

      Delete
  2. I really think your son has a valid point! What a clever remark. So pleased you are praising yourself for the great things you've accomplished. Even remembering to feed the kids amidst everything else is fabulous :) Keep going Elizabeth. You're an inspiration to many of us.

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    1. He is a clever child. And bless their hearts, my kids are so supportive. Unbelievably so. Until I forget to feed them. LOL

      Me inspiring? Ah shucks. Thanks :)

      Delete
  3. That's true. There is no end point. The work goes on forever. And that can make us nuts if we let it.
    Thanks for mentioning the IWSG anthology today!

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    Replies
    1. And every now and then, I do let it drive me a little nuttier than my usual nutty self.

      Best of luck with the new book!!

      Delete
  4. You should totally give yourself credit for all the things - big AND small - you accomplish!

    Love the quote about mastering belief in yourself. I'm not there yet, but I'm trying. :)

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    1. It can be hard- especially when we're looking at our end goal- that perfect moment when the checks start having extra zeros on them.

      Yeah, watch that. Zero watching...that's dangerous thinking!

      Delete
  5. Oh yeah, I'll never ever get all the stories I have up there written if I lived to be a 1000. Just have to do what we can do.

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    1. You are definitely the most prolific guy I know!!! Keep at it.

      Delete
  6. Being an author is like being a parent. You're never done. Ever. =) Awesome advice today. You're one author I know who appears to have a grip on the balance, but I'm sure you tip one way or the other all the time. We only let people see the best, eh?

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Oh yeah, never let them see you sweat. It's like when your baby smack their head on a table and you know stitches are coming and it's gonna hurt- you just smile and tell them they're getting a new toy. It's all in the spin.

      Delete
  7. We have to try and do what we can. Then jump beyond that when possible. Stories never stop coming.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. You're right. Most of us can't stop, even if we want to. I've always said- it's not a job; it's an addiction.

      Delete
  8. Thanks for the Parallels promo. I feel you on the rest of it. There are only so many hours in the day. Your son sounds like an insightful soul.

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    1. My pleasure. Best of luck to you all. I can't wait to read it.

      He is a bright kid, if I do say so myself.

      Delete
  9. Great post, Elizabeth. This is something I often forget: Writing is as much about process as product (except for those few on a publisher deadline). I love the process; it's what happens when I'm done that isn't so exciting.

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    1. Thanks Jacqui. I agree the process is the fun part. The rest is just work. Sigh.

      Delete
  10. Elizabeth, you have an uncanny sense of humor. I enjoyed reading this!

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  11. Seems like a lot of us are suffering from life right now. I had to laugh, which "job" is the one with no end? Mother or writer? Both! No wonder we go nuts.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Very good point!! I once read a cartoon in Reader's Digest...a new mom calls her mother and asks, "Mom, when will my baby stop waking me up in the middle of the night?" And her tired mother responds, "Evidently, never."

      Delete
  12. Hi, Elizabeth! I'm visiting today as an IWSG co-host, and I enjoyed this funny post so much, the visuals as well as the writing! I must get "Parallels" in hard copy! You and other IWSG writers have featured this book and I am champing at the bit to read it! Happy writing in May!

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    1. Thanks for co-hosting! I need to get my copy of Parallels too. I can't wait!

      Delete
  13. I can't think of this as working toward an end. There are too many circles and too many side roads. I'm seeing a lot of stir for the anthology and it's exciting to know so many writers who've contributed to it.

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    1. Perfectly put! Accepting there really is no end makes the work more like an incredible journey to be enjoyed along the way.

      Delete
  14. It does seem like the work is never done, and that can really drive a person crazy. I think we just have to do what we can, forget the rest, and then have a glass of wine. And I love that writer definition. Describes me perfectly:)

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    1. I think you're a genius. I will second that approach. Work until wine time.

      Delete
  15. As writers, we need to be kinder to ourselves. We can't do it all.

    Piper Presley
    Returns: Insecure Writer's Support Group

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I agree! We need to stick that on a post-it note.

      Delete
  16. I love that qoutation, so very true.
    Also I enjoyed reading about the Anthology, in fact Elizabeth a wonderful post in it's entirity.
    Yvonne.

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  17. Your son is right! There's no endpoint. There are miniature endpoints for each step, but then we're on to the next thing.

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    1. So true. But at least we can say, we're never bored.

      Delete
  18. It can be a hard job but we really do need to pace ourselves for risk of burning out! Most (non-author) folk think writing is an easy job (the actuality of sitting at a computer all day, I don't mean the creative side of it) but in actual fact it requires so much effort and brain power, right? You're doing a great job!
    Suzy x
    www.suzyturner.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My favorite quote about the work involved in writing is from Stephen King where he said, if you want easy, be a painter, they just throw paint on a canvas, right?

      Delete
  19. So excited for PARALLEL!!! Congrats to all the authors involved ;)

    Love the quotes. All great. And yes, I do enjoy turning caffeine into books, thank you very much :P lol

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  20. I have something like 30-40 article assignments in my inbox right now. At some point you just laugh. I don't even get stressed about it anymore. Each client gets one piece every 1-2 days. If they don't like it, they can go get another writer to maybe pick up some of the slack. And that's in addition to the writing and revising I'm doing on my books. No end is right!

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    1. And you hit the 15,000 step a day mark on your Fitbit. Lady, are you an alien? How are you getting it all done?

      Delete
  21. exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you.

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  22. Always nice to have a reminder. I feel I've fallen of the face of the blogging world right now, that I have nothing fun or of importance to write about. Thank you for the pep talk... Now I have to go back to reading more blogs!

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    1. And I know your personal life has been busy. It's hard sometimes to come up with stuff when our lives are moving so quickly, our brains don't get to slow down.

      Delete
  23. Okay, we'll try this again! Like those above said, so nice to have a reminder about real life and what is actually possible. Love especially the first quote! Your son is soooo smart! And that "never-ending" thought terrifies me sometimes.

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    1. Just take a deep breath and do what you can do. (which is an amazing lot of stuff...just remember you're the gal who put together weddings in weeks!!!)

      Delete
  24. Every time I think about how hard it would be to accomplish the goal of writing and selling, I'm reminded that I watched a friend do it from "I've got an idea..." to "hey, I'm on the New York Times best sellers list!" in what seemed like a short period of time to me (because I didn't have to do all the work - and she DID work).

    It's not an easy job, but if you're doing what you love, go for it.

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    1. Some people do look like they get there by magic, but I've met those people who succeed and it's not luck and it's not magic. It's focus and drive.

      Delete
  25. Yassss to everything you said!! Not even 10 cups of coffee is helping me right now.

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    1. Ten cups? I'd be spending all my time in the lady's room. Cut back to five ;)

      Delete
  26. Indeed. Just keep on writing and it'll be turn out well one day.

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    1. And if you love what you're doing, enjoy the process. We are so focused on the success quotient, we forget to remember to enjoy.

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  27. Dude, you've accomplished so much that I'm often standing in awe of you. Keep up the good work! You rock!

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    1. Aww. You made my day. Same to you, lady!! We're proof that gals with scattered attention spans can get some things done.

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