02 September 2020

#WIPWednesday

Posted by Elizabeth Joyce on Wednesday, September 2, 2020


Summer is officially over. My kids are back to school, e-learning at home.

My mental health benefited tremendously from my summer break from social media. So much so that I can't bring myself to dive back in just yet.

There are so many things going on these days – in the world at large and close to home – which demand my attention and are worthy of my concern and time and effort. I don't need social media vying for those things from me, right now.

So, I've decided to turn my summer break into a gap year.

I thank you all for your continued support and wish you courage and compassion as you navigate these days.

I can still be reached via Messenger, email, and this blog's contact form during my break.

24 June 2020

#WIPWednesday

I still have a few pieces in limbo. The longer they stay in limbo, the more I feel like the projects are likely not only stalled, but cancelled. I, myself, have not been very productive during the altered lifestyle of the pandemic, so it is quite possible the delays are just delays related to similar drops in productivity. But, I am also starting to receive notices from some outlets that they are making changes to their publications and writer compensation policies – so, it is also quite possible some projects will never recover.

17 June 2020

#WIPWednesday

While I still have no new work to share, I've actually been writing more than I used to – I'm just writing for my private journaling instead of for publication.

10 June 2020

#WIPWednesday

After I sent my Quarterly Newsletter, last week, I kept feeling like I didn't speak up enough. And I kept replaying a Martin Luther King, Jr quote – one which I've shared a few times in the past – in my mind.



I ended up writing something to more clearly, publicly declare my stance and shared it on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Medium. I actually had to re-install Instagram on my phone to be able to post, since that platform does not allow posting from non-mobile. I, then, re-deleted all social media from my phone and resumed my social media break.

03 June 2020

#WIPWednesday

I was hesitant to send this quarter's newsletter. Not only does it seem inconsequential with the state of the world as it is but the new work I have to share – published in early March, at the start of the pandemic – already feels out-of-date.

The truth is, not even fiction writers would dream up such a confluence of events as we we have in reality, right now.

There is no denying that we are living in an historically significant time – current events will be written about and studied by future generations.

As I read about the major events in history, I often wonder how the average, everyday people lived. It is surreal to realize I am now an average, everyday person living in such a moment in the future's history.

And, despite being aware of the significance of these times, for the most part, we simply go on living our everyday lives.

I've decided to take a complete break from social media. I was already taking a personal break for the sake of my mental health but decided to also take a break, professionally, for a different reason. Anything I would post right now would feel tone-deaf and disingenuous. And there are voices that need to be heard more than mine on these issues.

I can still be reached via email during my social media break.

As we navigate this unprecedented time, I encourage each of you to check-in on your own mental health and take whatever steps you need to protect your mental and emotional wellbeing, as well as your health.

Be kind to yourself and others.

– excerpt from my Quarterly Newsletter

27 May 2020

#WIPWednesday

It feels like such a productive week – though I still didn't write anything new.

A couple weeks ago, I mentioned submitting a piece for syndication. I'm happy to report it was published on The Mighty and also picked up by Yahoo! Lifestyle.

And, around the same time, I was contacted by an editor from Hrtwarming who was interested in syndicating another piece. It was also published this week.

It feels good to have new links to add to my features.

20 May 2020

13 May 2020

#WIPWednesday

While I didn't write anything new, I did do a little bit of work this week. I updated my spreadsheets for first time since February and I also submitted most recent piece for syndication consideration.

Still giving myself lots of grace.

06 May 2020

#WIPWednesday

This past winter, I stepped outside of my comfort zone and signed myself up for a Poetry and Art Night though the local arts guild to be hosted at our local public library. I supplied a poem which an artist from the guild would illustrate and then we would present it – me reading my poem to a room of guests. I was nervous and excited about the event and incredibly interested to see how an artist would visualize the poem I selected. It would have been held this past week, on the 30th. It was, of course, unfortunately, cancelled. I am fairly certain the event will be rescheduled in the future – even if it may end up being more than a year from now.

I was grateful to see Love What Matters shared an old piece of mine again this week. It even lead to a couple new page follows.

And I did actually create something new this week – though it was only a graphic.

29 April 2020

#WIPWednesday

National Poetry Month (#nationalpoetrymonth) is drawing to an end with barely an acknowledgement. It's understandable. And it is what it is. Though (pre-pandemic) I had hoped to use this month to boost visibility for tumbling: poetic thoughts from an anxious mind, it simply isn't the right time to do much self-promoting. I am grateful for the one lovely review it did get, this month. And, I'll try again next April. That's the wonderful thing about books, they do not expire.

22 April 2020

#WIPWednesday

Our local school district announced (as expected) that the school year will be finished via e-learning. As we are all adjusting to life during this global pandemic, I am continuing to give myself plenty of grace and permission not to be productive in the same ways I used to be.

The only writing news I have this week is that The Good Men Project syndicated another one of my essays with zero effort on my part as they are adding the pieces accepted into their Medium publications onto their main site.

15 April 2020

#WIPWednesday

The Good Men Project syndicated one of my essays this week. It was a pleasant surprise since I haven't been putting any time or effort into syndication queries for a few weeks now.

I do have a couple of outstanding queries from before the pandemic but I have a feeling the editors may be feeling much the same as I am about work and I don't blame them one bit for putting projects on the back burner for now.

08 April 2020

#WIPWednesday

We are in our 4th week of sheltering-in-place. And I am continuing to give myself a lot of grace.

01 April 2020

#WIPWednesday

Current situation:

25 March 2020

#WIPWednesday

The essay I mentioned submitting for syndication last week was not accepted. I've considered submitting to some other outlets but I don't think I will. There is a lot on the topic out there right now and it'd just be white noise.

Plus, as I mentioned last week, I'm giving myself permission not to worry about my writing – old or new – for the foreseeable future. If something runs again, I'll share it. If inspiration strikes, I'll write. But, I don't need to expend any energy trying to make those things happen.

18 March 2020

#WIPWednesday

I've spent weeks funneling my frustrations over the dismissing and downplaying of the novel coronavirus into writing.



This week, I did finish the essay I mentioned having a first draft of last week, and I am pleased to say it was published on Invisible Illness (a Medium publication) and curated in the Mental Health topic. I also submitted my previous piece for syndication and am awaiting a response.

But, as I also mentioned last week, my frustrations have now subsided into resignedness.



I no longer want to funnel my energy towards trying to get people to listen to the experts and understand the threat.

We are staying home in a social distancing quarantine. My kids have started e-learning through our school district. In the coming weeks and months, life is going to look and feel very different. We are well prepared for these measures, but it will still be challenging.

So, I'm going to do my best to give myself some grace. I doubt I'll get much writing done with everyone home – and that's okay.

I do hope to keep up with these weekly #WIPWednesday posts, even if I have no progress to report. For a while, the occasional graphic may be the only new content I have to share.

Hope you all are well and also giving yourself some grace.

11 March 2020

#WIPWednesday

It is no secret what's been in the forefront of my thoughts lately...






As a society, we tend to polarize everything – one extreme or the other. And, in the U.S. especially, many pride themselves on being unshakable – they mix-up taking logical steps for preparedness with showing fear and weakness. They are the resulting pushback of those who take preparedness to the extreme by hoarding supplies and spreading panic.

As with most things, the healthy place to be is not in the extremes on either end but somewhere in the middle. Do not panic or spread doomsday fears. Do not hoard supplies causing shortages. But also do not ignore or downplay the facts and worsen the situation by being careless.

Your lack of preparedness will be a burden and a risk, either to you and your family or to the community, should an outbreak occur in your area.

Also, if you don't know what to believe from the media, do your own research. Don’t get caught up in politicizing COVID-19. Skip media outlets and go straight to the source information. Look not only into the current situation but also into past pandemics for reference. Be knowledgeable with facts, not spin or hype.

#preparedontpanic #covid19 #pandemic #preparedness #pandemicpreparedness #dontpoliticizethis #findthefacts #writerelizabethjoyce
A post shared by Elizabeth Joyce (@writerelizabethjoyce) on








I actually started paying attention to what was happening when the WHO first brought attention to a new coronavirus in early January – mostly out of my fascination with novel diseases. At the time, I felt little concern that it would turn into a pandemic. Even as the US recorded its first case on January 21st, then a second (being the first in my home state of Illinois) on January 24th, and then three more cases, I felt little concern since the infected persons had traveled from China.

But on January 30th, when the 6th case was the spouse of the Illinois patient – someone who had not traveled – I switched from passively following the developments to actively seeking out information and facts as I became more concerned about community transmission. The first official case of community transmission in the US (someone with no travel or contact with any known case) was announced in California on February 26th. This is when I began to consider the possibility of a pandemic, though I'd already started to prepare for a possible outbreak in my area.

I don't consider myself a "prepper" or an alarmist. Preparedness seemed the responsible, logical response to the situation. But as I took what I thought to be rational steps – stocking up in case of quarantine, donating disinfecting wipes and extra food to the local food pantry, reconsidering some of our plans – I became increasingly frustrated by the number of people downplaying the issues, spreading misinformation, and, especially, by our government taking no serious steps to slow or contain the spread.

My frustrations lead to a new graphic, a #BookShareSunday post, and two new essays: "Please Stop Using Seasonal Flu Deaths to Downplay the Threat of COVID-19", and "We Are Much Too Quick to Dismiss the Past as No Longer Relevant." I actually have a first draft of another (loosely related) essay done, as well.

But, now, my frustrations are subsiding into resignedness. All that's left to do is see how this plays out in the short term and over the next year (because evidence does show a second wave next winter is likely) and ride it out the best we can.

04 March 2020

#WIPWednesday

My first newsletter of 2020 went out this morning. If you haven't yet subscribed, please do! Less than a quarter of those who have chosen to follow my social media pages will actually see any given post. Subscribe to my quarterly newsletter for quick, easy access to all my latest work and exclusive newsletter tidbits delivered directly to your inbox every few months.

26 February 2020

#WIPWednesday

My latest essay was published this week on Invisible Illness (a Medium publication) and curated in two topics: self and mental health.

I also syndicated an old piece into a new Medium publication, A Parent is Born.

I submitted a few poems for consideration in an upcoming print anthology; I hope to hear back about that project within 6 weeks.

And, I received another rejection from a children's book publisher. I started querying my poem as a children's book two years ago, trying the long odds and hoping to be picked up by a traditional publisher. This was my last outstanding query. I've now begun looking into other options, which is exciting!

Also, it was my birthday!

19 February 2020

#WIPWednesday

I have people reach out to me fairly regularly after reading something I wrote. Most often, they are thanking me for writing something they could relate to or sharing their own story – these messages feed my soul and I cherish every one. Sometimes, it is an editor reaching out asking if I'd like to syndicate my story with their publication – these messages remind me that I am, indeed, making it as a professional writer. But, this week, I had a new kind of message which made me feel like my writing could truly make an greater impact than I ever imagined...


Also, I am pleased to announce that At Death's Door, Pixie Forest Publishing's anthology featuring my flash fiction story, "If Only," is now available in paperback and e-book!



12 February 2020

#WIPWednesday

I had a brief moment of panic as I looked at the lined notepad I keep on the side table near my laptop. I use it to track my new work each quarter so that I can easily compile my quarterly newsletter every few months. The panic was in realizing I have just a few weeks until the next newsletter will go out and I only had a couple syndications from late December and one new essay, so far.

The moment passed pretty quickly as I reminded myself that'd I'd focused heavily on promoting my book, and that I had no quota to meet for the newsletter. Still, guilt and shame started to creep in over the lack of new writing I've produced lately.

Unfortunately, panic, guilt, and shame are not great motivators to write more. I still didn't write anything new this week.

However, I did submit a couple more pieces to be considered for syndication. They were both accepted and I am happy to have those up on Love What MattersThe Mighty, and Yahoo! Lifestyle, now.

I also had a piece originally self-published on Medium, added to a new publication: Hello, Love.

I also completed my registration and submitted my poem for my local library's Poetry and Art Night in April.

And, I received word that At Death's Door, Pixie Forest Publishing's anthology which includes my short story, "If Only," will be released on the 18th!

05 February 2020

#WIPWednesday

So excited to be featured in West Suburban Living magazine's Local Authors spread this month! I grabbed my copy from Barnes & Noble yesterday.


Also, Yorkville Public Library now has tumbling: poetic thoughts from an anxious mind on their shelves!

I didn't get any writing done this week, though I can offer up plenty of excuses: one kid with an ear infection, another with Strep, and my own follow-up appointments. But, I did submit my children's book for consideration with another publisher. And I also also gave my flash fiction piece one final approval before it is published in Pixie Forest Publishing's anthology (and helped my kids with their final paperwork before their pieces our also published in an anthology!).

Hoping for some anthology release dates soon!

29 January 2020

#WIPWednesday

Last week, I was telling a friend about my epic levels of procrastination and writing avoidance (even though I very much want to write). She suggested I get out and do something to give myself inspiration. I don't think this is what she had in mind, but I am happy to have written something new this week.



I was grateful to see Medium's editors curated it to feature in their Mental Health section, as well.

The syndication query I sent last week was rejected, but even that felt like an accomplishment after so many weeks of not submitting anything.

Also this week, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the Google's knowledge panel for tumbling: poetic thoughts from an anxious mind was no longer linking to the wrong author (another by the same name with a large collection of books on being a psychic). I had been sending feedback for several weeks, trying to get our two collections of works untangled. (As an aside, I had a similar issue earlier on in my essay writing career as there is a journalist by the same name who was getting my work linked to her by algorithms). Finally, unexpectedly really, the book's knowledge panel linked to a new, separate author knowledge panel. With that, I was able to try to claim the knowledge panel by going through Google's verification process, which I had read was not an easy task. Again, I was pleasantly surprised when I received notification I was verified and could now suggest edits to my knowledge panel. Hopefully, my suggested edits will be approved and I'll have a comprehensive presence in Google's search results!

22 January 2020

#WIPWednesday

I was happy to see a lovely new review of tumbling: poetic thoughts from an anxious mind on Goodreads this week.

I also noticed tumbling is now also available through IndieBound, as well.

It's been two months since the book launch and I am quite pleased that it is continuing to build momentum – slow and steady.

As for writing, well, I still managed to procrastinate my way out of getting anything new down this week. I did submit a piece for syndication consideration, though.

15 January 2020

#WIPWednesday

This week, I changed my Facebook page name to simply "Elizabeth Joyce," keeping the handle of @WriterElizabethJoyce. I know. Didn't I just do this? Actually, it was nearly two years ago when I requested my first page name change, though only one year ago when it was finally approved. That was to make the switch from a page named after this blog to a page name that better represented it was for me as a writer and matching my handle. I've kept the handle the same, but in an effort to be more uniform across social media platforms as well as send a more professional vibe, I made this switch. Thankfully, this went much quicker and smoother than my last page name change and was approved within minutes.

I haven't written anything new in quite some time. I have ideas about getting back to one of my WIPs and am even excited about getting it done but I seem to be procrastinating or avoiding actually doing it.

Instead, I've been tidying up files and spreadsheets, creating graphics, scheduling social media posts, and working on continuing to promote tumbling:poetic thoughts from an anxious mind.

08 January 2020

#WIPWednesday

As of Monday, we're all back to the regular routine of work and school and the usual errands and chores. I've been a little sluggish these past few days, even though I actually have a list of things I want to work on and ideas I've quickly jotted down over the past few weeks but still need to revisit.

I was excited to see that tumbling: poetic thoughts from an anxious mind is now available at another major chain retailer – BAM. It was perfect timing as we needed to replace the holiday-themed promo with a general one.

I was also thrilled to see another review up on Goodreads and Amazon!

And a library in Kentucky added my book to their collection!

I love that tumbling is continuing to make slow, steady growth.

I also shared a new meme, this week, and refreshed my WIP files.

01 January 2020

#WIPWednesday

Happy New Year!

Winter break is going well – we've successfully lost track of what day it is, many times.

The kids will be back to school – and my husband, back to work – on the 6th and I, too, plan to get back to writing next week.

But I hope to lose track of the days at least one more time before then.