WOTW: Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis:  noun, inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva, a transparent membrane in the eye; also known as pink eye.

I found myself researching this condition this week as my eye was hurting and a little bloodshot.  I am now reassured that I am not suffering from pink eye.  I believe my symptoms were due to eye strain.

It all began while playing a video game with my hubby.  The strain of looking for both danger and treasure started to tire my eyes.  My right eye, especially, started watering and I couldn't keep it open.  By Sunday evening my eye was killing me, and I was a little worried.  I have good vision and I care deeply about my eyes.  I use them daily for reading, knitting, crocheting, beading...  The list goes on and on.  I dread the day when I may have to wear reading glasses in order to do the things I love to do.

On Monday, I started limiting my screen time in an effort to help my eyes.  I only read in the morning before leaving for work, instead of my usual 3 or 4 times a day.  I avoided the computer and my tablet at work as much as possible.  When I got home, I stayed away from the video game and left the TV turned off.  My eye felt a lot better by Tuesday.

I am beginning to wonder if the increase in screen time in my life is affecting my eyes.  Could the use of my Kindle for reading be straining my eyes more than a paper book?  I have turned the brightness down significantly on my Kindle, and that seems to help.

Do you use an e-reader or tablet?  Have you noticed any extra strain on your eyes?

IWSG: I am a Writer!

This is my first post for the Insecure Writer's Support Group.  Visit the link to join in the fun or to visit other blogs from the list.

I recently read a great book by Jeff Goins, You Are a Writer. The book is very encouraging and gives some great advice for beginning writers. Basically it's like a pep talk.

Probably the best advice the book shares is the need to proclaim your writer com. The author writes that it is important to admit out loud that you are a writer. So here goes.....

I am a writer. Even though I did not win NaNoWriMo.....again......for the fourth year.

I am a writer. Even though I fear that I will never finish a manuscript.

I am choosing to focus on the positive. This November, I wrote the most words I have ever written during a NaNo. I believe I can complete my current novel by the end of winter break. I love writing and have a lot of new ideas to share with the world.

I am a writer!

WOTW: Sisyphean

Sisyphean:  adjective, used to describe something that cannot be completed.

I love when my obsession with reading blogs teaches me new vocabulary.  The other day, while reading a knitter's blog post about the many projects she wants to complete before Christmas, I encountered the word 'Sisyphean.'

The origin of this word is in Greek mythology, where Sisyphus was a trickster king whose eternal punishment  was to roll a boulder up a hill in the underworld.  Each time he did, the boulder rolled back down and Sisyphus had to start again.  The impossible task.

Completing a novel can sometimes feel like a Sisyphean task.  Do you have any Sisyphean tasks in your life right now?

My Writing Motivation (Writercize)

This week, Writercize asks about my motivation to write.

What prevents me from writing?
1. Reading
I love to read so much that it often interferes with my writing time. This year I even started a Pinterest board to keep track of all the books I have read. During NaNoWriMo this year, I only allowed myself to read books about writing. This kept me more focused and inspired me to write.  However, it also made me want to start revising before I had finished the first draft.  I did manage to sneak in one non-fiction book this month also, since it was research for the novel I am writing :)

2.  My Crafts
I love to create.  I knit, crochet and bead.  In the evening, when I am sitting on the couch, relaxing after work, I usually pick up a project.  Sometimes it's my writing, but more often it's a knitting or crochet project.

3.  My Daily Routine
I have yet to put away time in my daily routine that is sacred and only for writing.  I work 40 hours a week, maintain my house, cook meals and spend lots of time with my husband and elderly kitty.  All of these responsibilities take away from my writing time.

4.  Internet
I almost forgot one of my biggest distractions: the internet.  I love to read blogs.  I can spend hours just staring at Pinterest.  I am a member of more than one social network.  Sometimes I can't use the computer for writing because there are too many ways to be distracted :)

What motivates me to write?
I have always loved to write and have kept a journal of one type or another for much of my life.  I used to rely on other people's prompts and searched out lists of new and interesting ideas and story starters.  Then, one day I realized that I had some of my own story ideas swirling around in my head.  I discovered NaNoWriMo and decided to give it a try.  Now I can't stop the story ideas and I feel a need to get them all down on paper, even if they never get published.

What prevents you from writing?  What motivates you to write?

WOTW: Fastidious

Fastidious: adjective, very attentive to detail

This week, as I was working on my current NaNo novel, this word popped into my head. It really wanted to be a part of my story. It called to me, "Hey, why don't you use me in your description of that new character? I know that I am the perfect word to describe him. I mean exactly what you want to say."

The only problem was that I could not pull the definition of 'fastidious' from my brain, so I turned to the Internet. Guess what? Fastidious was exactly the word I was looking for to describe the new character. Maybe it's a sign that I should trust my instincts more. It's definitely a sign that I should listen to the little voices in my head.

Has a word ever demanded to be used in your writing?

WOTW: Gratitude

Gratitude: noun, the quality of being thankful.

This is a word that we think about a lot at this time of year in the United States. The Thanksgiving holiday gives us a reason to focus on gratitude.

This year I am thankful for new traditions. My husband and I went for a hike at Silver Falls State Park on Thanksgiving morning. It was amazing. I have visited this park many times and I always have a feeling of awe when I go there. We enjoyed it so much that we have decided a Thanksgiving hike will be part of new tradition. We also changed our Thanksgiving dinner tradition this year. We are both vegetarians and usually we try to modify the traditional turkey dinner to fit our diets. This year we had lasagna, garlic bread, vegan Caesar salad, and sweet potato pie. It was the best Thanksgiving dinner I have had in a long time.

I am also thankful for my supportive husband, elderly cat, beautiful old house and a fun job that allows me to live the life I enjoy.

What are you thankful for this year?

WOTW: Startitis

Startitis:  a condition where a person feels the need to start many different projects without finishing current projects.

I first read about this condition on this wonderful knitting blog.  I have a very serious case of startitis.    I love to start projects, but hate to finish them.  Usually this strikes my crafting life.  I knit or crochet something but when it comes time to put on the finishing touches, like a button or a strap, I freeze.  I put the project aside and start something new.

For the last few years, since I started NaNoWriMo, startitis has suddenly struck my writing life.  I finally have some real writing projects, and none of them are complete.  The first novel I started writing is almost finished, but I froze and put it aside to start something new.  I wrote it during the month of November.  For many months after NaNo, I continued working on the story.  Then I got close to the end and realized I needed to add another character in order for the protagonist to get the information that she needed to succeed.  I immediately put the novel aside and started thinking about what I would write for next NaNo.  Now I have 4 books in progress.

I am beginning to wonder if I have a fear of finishing projects.  A completed project is a big responsibility.  Once you finish a knitted purse or a novel, you have to take the next step and figure out what to do with it.  What if I am so terrified of the next step, of doing something with my writing, that I never finish a project?

I have decided that this NaNo is the one that will change everything.  Since I am collaborating on my novel, there is a higher expectation of completing the work.  For the first time, I have someone who is really excited to read what I am writing and to help me edit and revise.  I am hoping that this motivational push will help me finally reach a writing finish line.

Have you ever suffered from startitis?  What helps you to stay the course and complete your projects?