Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Happy Birthday to IWSG!

I cannot believe it's been two years since the Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) started. I'm very thankful to have been part of this wonderful experience every first Wednesday of the month.

A BIG shot out to our host every month Captain Ninja Alex J. Cavanaugh who is more like a Big Brother that sees it all and is always everywhere helping out fellow authors, writers, bloggers, reviewers etc.


The cohosts today are Chemist Ken, SL Hennessy, Michelle Wallace, and Joylene Nowell Butler. Please be sure to thank them for their time and effort to make all IWSG members feel welcome. 

For a full list of participants click here and hop on over to offer your own words of encouragement and/or assistance.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writers. 

Today, instead of writing about my fears and insecurities, I'd like to list a few that are common among this group. Why? Because by looking at the perils others face, we know we're not alone.  Perhaps reading what others are going through you can find a solution not only for them, but also for yourself.

1. I'm afraid others will hate my writing
2. What if I get a bad review
3. There's not enough time in the day to do it all
4. What if I'm not successful (definition of success varies for everyone)
5. Feeling intimidated
6. I don't have any more strength and I'm feeling low
7. Am I wasting my time?
8. My Muse decided to go on a vacation
9. My characters are talking to me, am I going crazy?
10. What do I do if an agent calls?
11. I got another rejection letter.
12. Do I self-publish or look for an agent?
13. It's taking forever to format, edit, design a cover.
14. All this marketing is nuts. I'd rather write.
15. I can't meet my deadline
16. I got a bad review (yes, it's almost identical to #2)

This list can go on and on. The point I'm trying to make is that we all have hurdles to climb over (which sometimes may seem like mountains). The great thing about the blogging community of writers, reviewers, readers and bloggers is the support you can find in groups such as the IWSG. You're not alone and neither am I because of you all :)

Can you identify with any of the above? What's your insecurity this month? Did you hear IWSG is getting its own website which will provide even more support? Excited?




5 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Worrying about that bad review and dealing with it when it happens are definitely two separate things.
Thanks for being so dedicated to this group, Marta. You and Diane have posted every single time and I really appreciate that.

Melissa said...

Lately, I'm dealing more with frustration and anger. I've had some stuff come up outside of my control that has kept me from writing.

If I put it in insecurity form, I guess it would be: Am I going to be able to keep up with the demands of writing and editing and platform-building with the obstacles that keep getting thrown at me?

Anyhow, good list. Reading through it, it's a wonder any of us stick with writing. LOL

Annalisa Crawford said...

Oh yes, I recognise all of those. Luckily there's always someone at the end of the internet to reassure us!

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Boy are you and I in the right place. Diddo on all your fears. Maybe they're part and parcel of what it means to be a writer. Thanks for visiting my blog, Marta.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Ah yes, your list sounds mighty familiar, but that's part of the 'joy' of being a writer ;)