"Gerund-ing"

It's Wednesday! I almost forgot to post today to be honest ... took the kids out to the playground this morning, did the lunch routine, and I've been working on my novel for the past few hours and then it hit me, "Oh crap! Blog!" In addition, at the playground today my friend mentioned the 'Pinterest' web site and signing up for that site as well, and all I could think was, I'm already on Facebook and Blogger and to think of joining something else right now would just be a bit too much.

Anyway, I'm really challenging myself to do weekly posts on this blog simply because I like the blogosphere and the networking vibe. So far, I've visited a number of blogs (and plan to visit more) and I've been fascintated by all of the different writers out there. It's a great little community!

So enough with my 'diary' and let's get onto 'Gerund-ing.' Well, really, the word is 'Gerund.' I read an article by Susan Sundwall in the latest edition of the Children's Writer newsletter about gerunds, and I'm always interested in finding out the exact terminology for the word-tools we use as writers.

According to Sundwall, gerunds "are words ending in ing and express action or a state of being." For example, golfing, fishing, barbecuing (just thought I would throw those verbs in there since it's Father's Day this weekend and all ;)

Also, gerunds are great for economy in terms of tightening your writing (i.e. "He golfed all day while he drank beer" vs. "Drinking beer, he golfed all day.")

So there's your word of the day ... "Gerund," in case you didn't know ;)

Until next Wednesday! Happy Writing!

Insecure Writers: Is it good enough?

Short post today, but seeing as it is the first Wednesday of the month I wanted to make sure I posted something for Insecure Writers.

My writing insecurity today ... I have a writers group tonight (I always look forward to going to these!) and I've submitted the second draft of chapters 1 & 2 of my novel. I think it's a lot better than my first draft, but I never know what my writing group is going to think.

Many times they point out things I've missed--which is why I attend a writers group--but sometimes when I think my work is really good, it surprised me when it hasn't resonated with others. This makes me insecure because how do you know when your work is actually good, and good enough to send out to an agent and/or publisher? I suppose there is no black and white answer for this.

So off to writers group I go tonight for some great discussion, and socialization with people who share my same interest. It will be good night no matter what, even if my work is not good enough.