IWSG

It is so hard to believe it is September-time has flown.  I look forward to a long autumn. Summer in the south was like living in a sauna, not my idea of fun!   Today, being the first Wednesday of the month is time for another post for the Insecure Writer's Support Group.  The brain child of our founder Alex Cavanaugh.  If you would to join or read other posts, please check out this link




"I have never started a poem yet whose end I knew. Writing a poem is discovering. "
-Robert Frost

This quote got me thinking, about how our writing transcends us to new adventure. A journey we take, in a blindfold sort of way.  We have an idea of our destination, but sometimes our characters or words take detours and we get stuck.   I want to share with you some quotes.

"Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way."  -E. L. Doctorow


I would love to hear how your journey is going!   Are you on course and your GPS is working?  
   Maybe for you it is more like gardening.  You have this idea, time allows it to sprout. Then you plant your dreams in words(hope). Sometimes we have to repot our writing, sometimes we need to allow our roots to rest, and allow sunshine and fresh air to reset our growth pattern.  Maybe we just need to replenish the soul  :D   Perhaps gardening and writing are more alike, than I first thought.


 "Don't let a single day go by without writing. Even if it's garbage, if garbage is all you can write, write it. Garbage eventually becomes compost with a little treatment."
-Anonymous



  So how is your writing growing,  I mean going...?   Is your trip going well?  Seeing fog or sunny skies ahead?  Are you repotting I mean replotting your POV?  Is it time to add some compost or is your bed of flowers blooming?  
 

Comments

First, I identify with the sauna comment!
I can always see the ending and plan the path, but sometimes it takes a different route. Hopefully for the better.
Unknown said…
The Doctorow quote is one of my all time faves, and one I live/write by.
Sherry Blue Sky said…
I SO LOVE the quotes. Way cool! and true. I enjoyed this post, kiddo.......and I love the name of the writing group. Hee hee.
Johanna Garth said…
Couldn't agree more with the garbage post. Writing is one of those things you have to do everyday.
Unknown said…
They're all new quotes to me. Wonderful - especially the E.L. Doctorow and Robert Frost.
Arlee Bird said…
In my journey I feel like I arrived at my destination but a lot of pieces fell off my car during the trip. Now I have to go back and gather it all those pieces together and fix my car.


Lee
Wrote By Rote
Liza said…
I've read that E.L. Doctorow quote before and I love it. I think I just switched my high-beams on and I'm getting there a little bit at a time. Right now, the journey feels good.
Unknown said…
I love these quotes. My writing tends to be the dark highway with only my headlights to see. Unfortunately I am stalled and all that seems to be belching out is garbage. :)
LTM said…
oh my goodness! Both the Frost quote and the Doctorow quote sound like how my writing goes!

I'm having some exciting days--just released my YA debut! Check it out.

Hope you're doing fantastic, dahling! :o) <3 555 (here we geaux!)
Cynthia said…
I like the quotes that you posted. For me, I'm in a semi-writing and semi-planting phase right now with my work. Being the multi-tasker that I am, I'm actively working on one story while planting the seeds for another story in my head. Staying busy!
Mary said…
I enjoyed the quotes, Ella. I spend a lot of time wandering around in my garden looking for plants that are almost ready to sprout. Then I give them a bit more personal attention before I harvest them. I never know what my garden will yield. Am just happy it has never been barren for long.
scarlett clay said…
Great questions! My daughter just started a blog and has been posting parts of stories she's written over the last few years, I'm going to send her this to read!
Shelly said…
I love your metaphor. Let's see working on a new WIP while the other one is in proofreads. Also working o a short time travel piece. And have a story board going on another one.

Hugs and chocolate,
Shelly
Kristin said…
First of all, can we talk about that Blue Moon cookie/brownie concoction!? WOWZER, that looks good!! AND I love how you have such a way of expressing yourself, you are amazing! xoxo
Ellie Garratt said…
Great metaphors! I'm busy weeding out all the obstacles and re-potting.
LynnRush said…
I LOVE this one: "Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way." -E. L. Doctorow SO GREAT!!
I enjoyed this post...I love quotes and these are wonderful.
Thank you for stopping by my blog...it gave me a chance to visit here !
Peace,
Siggi of Maine
Normally, I'm very positive about my writing journey. But these days family is taking up most of my time. That'll change, I'm sure. As for the weather. I'm sad to see summer end, but then I'm from Canada. Our summers are way too short.

Happy IWSG, Ella.
Renee said…
I love the thought of turning garbage into compost! I'm glad summer is over too. Remind me I said that when we have 5 feet of snow!
Ella said…
Hi Renee-I will remind you! I know though you will see the beauty for the first 2 months! I miss snow...but my back doesn't. ;D
Nice of you to visit me~

Joylene-I know that dance. I'm originally from Maine! I also lived in Alaska for 4 yrs. I hope summer lasts longer for you~ Yes, this is how I feel about writing. This summer was the hardest, for me. Everyone was home more...which was nice, but hard to find a routine. Take Care ;D

Siggi-I will visit you again! Then I won't feel so homesick! Every fall it happens~ Thanks Siggi! :D

LynnRush-I know I thought it was great, too! Tis true blind faith, set the GPS and go! Hope you have a wonderful journey ;D

Ellie-Wow, so nice to see you! I hope you are doing well~ I'll stop by soon! I love your profile pic :D makes me smile~

Kristin-I love your profile pic, too...so adorable! I know the Brownies are crazy good. I mean bad ;D! Both good n' bad! You are too kind, but thank you! I hope to next post some art than a poem. School is back in session and I'm trying to find my routine. xo :D

Shelly-Thank you! Wow, I love story boards~ YOU are busy...you need some hugs n' *$. I'm off to get coffee, wish you could go with me. :D

Scarlett-Thank you :D Mom has inspired her! My daughter was going to do a blog, too. She just can't decide on which one, yet. I told her you can mix it up! Take Care :D Loved your turtle art!

Mary-Your garden sounds nice! I like that it isn't barren for long~ :D So nice of you to stop by!



Carrie Van Horn said…
Love the quotes Ella! My journey of writing always seem to be inspired by adversity....(maybe I should not say that outloud)....it just keeps on happening....yikes!
Ella said…
Carrie-lol that is how my art is!
I try to make something, set things up and boom, there are people everywhere?! Sorry...keep at it! YOU write beautifully! I'll be by soon~ ATB

I have had a day...will be back to comment! AC fan died, 84 in my house at midnight! Fell and sprained my ankle, earlier in the week. I think I need an x-ray! I'm going to go to sleep, but I will be back to comment tomorrow! Internet issues earlier this evening...augh!!!
Sherry Blue Sky said…
struggling to use steph.s laptop.argh. Having fun, laughing lots, concert tonight! have a great sunday!
Ella said…
Sherry-So happy you are having fun!
It sounds like an amazing get away ;D
I am jealous~ Have a wonderful time!
ATB 2U

Ella said…
Hi Cynthia-I am like you~ I also have seeds scattered about! I hope we both find our gardens bloom :D

Leigh-I am so excited for you! I can't wait to read it <3 555 I'll be by soon ;D I know great quotes~

Melissa-It won't last long! You always are filled with amazing ideas! Hang on...I so love the baseball story you shared with us! hint, hint ;D

Liza-I love that! ;D lol Yes,high beams and maybe those fog lights~
You can do it~

Lee-You always make me smile! Maybe you didn't need all of those parts! Maybe you are building a new kind of vehicle ;D Keep at it...you will get there! ATB 2U

Hi Susan-I know aren't they wonderful! ;D I am glad you like them, too~

Johanna-Yes, we just have to keep pounding away at the key board or scratching our ideas out on napkins, scraps of paper(I do this all the time). I think I need a file ;D I'll be by to see how you are doing~

Sherry-Thank you! YOU are such a great friend! Everyone should have them so encouraging in their life~
Thank you @>-----

EJ-I love that you said that! I can see that ;D Can't wait for your book...I love Indian stuff! I think I am Indian...it's the Raven black hair and high cheek bones!

Alex-Wow that is really special! I love that you can...what a gift that truly is! Thank you for sharing! I don't always work that way, but I love hearing about how we all work. I love sharing different styles :D Thanks Captain!

Scriptor Senex said…
My novel is written but needs shortening (at least such is the perception of those who have read it). I had resolved to start this on 1st September. It's now the 10th and I haven't even sat down with it yet. There always seems to be something else in the way.
I think I need to set aside a certain hour of the day for the task and make an appointment to do it.
Ella said…
John-I know how that all goes :D
I think I have this slot of time and some how a sea of obstacles arrive.
I think we just have to make time, even if 15 min. here and there!
Maybe if we treat it as an appointment. In the book The Artist's Way, the author recommends writing 3 pages in the morning. It might be dribble, but it might help.
:D I hope you can make time~