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Insecurity and Judgments: Writing Hiatus

I almost missed ANOTHER month of the IWSG! But I'm posting during a break in psychotherapy clients.


Thank you to Ninja Alex for developing this supportive author meme.

I've been embroiled in some good stuff with my psychologist career lately, so writing/blogging has taken a back seat. My fourth novel has been under contract for a while with Omnific Publishing, and I can't wait to start with the edits. I finally started writing my next novel -- a New Adult romance with sports and politics -- but I only have about 500 words so far.

I could get really insecure about this hiatus in writing, saying things like:

"I should have started another novel by now."

"The NA genre is hopping and I should strike while the iron's hot."

"Maybe I'm being lazy."

But I don't think these judgments will help anything. Instead, I'll use the NONJUDGMENTALLY mindfulness skill. According to Marsha Linehan, Ph.D., the nonjudgmentally skill is:

* See but DON'T EVALUATE. Take a nonjudgmental stance. Just the facts. Focus on the "what", not the "good" or "bad", the "terrible" or "wonderful", the "should" or "should not".

* UNGLUE YOUR OPINIONS from the facts, from the "who, what, when, and where".

* ACCEPT each moment (this doesn't mean you like it or agree with it).

 To practice this skill, I'll examine the facts, like "I feel anxious that I'm not writing frequently right now" or "The psycho part of my psycho author career has needed more time recently".

Have you experienced an ebb and flow in your own writing career? How do you deal with judgments and insecurity?

Comments

My writing comes in spurts and I usually don't worry much about the lag time in between projects. Just gives my brain time to mull over a good idea.
Nicki Elson said…
I think what helps me not stress over the ebbs in my writing is that I don't look at it as a career. For me it's a happy little "Who'd have thunk, eh?" And I have to keep it that way, because the moment I tell myself that I should be writing, I won't want to.
Stephen Tremp said…
I'm not insecure about my writing as I have my trusty editor to help clean up my works. A good editor makes all the difference.
Gina Gao said…
I usually just give myself a break between writing sessions just to have ideas come in a more solid shape.

www.modernworld4.blogspot.com
My Lakota mother reminded me often that farmers let their fields lie fallow for a season to renew their nutrients. She would say, "If lowly dirt needs a rest, how much more does your mind, little one."

Enjoy the moments -- you are so right! :-)
joy said…
Insecurity is one of the aspect that a person would probably fall. They tried to be something they never used before and tries to compete among others. insecurity looses self-confidence and will make a person pathetic or shall we say paranoid but insecurities has always cure just try to love oneself and avoid comparing your life , actions and status to others. Try to visit my site #n8fan.net . Thank you.

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