IWSG: Inspiring Feedback and Affirmations

 It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the Facebook page.

Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive. Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - Sign-up List.

MAY 6 QUESTION - What was the most inspiring feedback you received from readers, including agents, editors, and beta readers?

MY ANSWER - It always makes me feel humbled and melts my heart a little when a reader tells me my writing reminds them of another favorite author. Luckily, for me, it's been in reference to someone I myself respect and enjoy. It's very uplifting to have a reader connect with your story and put you in a class with other favorites.

SAMPLE ANSWERS - Below are a few examples of comments left for writers followed by self- affirmations in case you have never received positive feedback. Don't give up!

1. Heartfelt & Encouraging

"Your words have a way of reaching beyond the page and into the heart. The way you weave emotion and meaning together is truly a gift—keep sharing your voice with the world, because it matters."

2. Motivational & Vision-Focused

"Every sentence you write builds a bridge between imagination and reality. Your storytelling has the power to inspire, comfort, and spark change—never underestimate the impact of your craft."

3. Gentle & Reassuring

"Even on days when the words feel heavy, remember that your voice is unique and irreplaceable. The world needs your stories, your perspective, and your courage to keep writing."

✨ Writer’s Affirmation ✨

*"My words carry truth, beauty, and meaning.

Every page I write is a step toward touching hearts and minds.

I am a storyteller, and my voice matters."*

🌿 Calming

*"I write with ease and flow.

Each word finds its place naturally,

and my stories grow like gentle rivers toward the sea."*

🔥 Empowering

*"My voice is bold, my vision is clear.

Every word I write shapes worlds,

and I have the power to inspire change."*

🌙 Poetic

*"In the quiet between heartbeats,

my stories bloom like midnight flowers—

rare, luminous, and unforgettable."*

How about you? What was the most inspiring feedback you received from readers, including agents, editors, and beta readers?

IWSG: Favorite Thing

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the Facebook page.

Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive. Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - Sign-up List.

OCTOBER QUESTION - What is the most favorite thing you have written, published or not? And why?

MY ANSWER: That's difficult. While I've enjoyed a lot of the fiction pieces I've written and published, I'm probably prouder of my nonfiction. The stories I've written, both published and not, that are raw - the ones that came from emotions I was attempting to process are my favorite. They are real. Don't get me wrong. Fiction can be just as real - if not more so - at times. However, the stories I've lived and passed on to family have meant so much more because we could share them. Not all fiction is for everyone, but real stories about family last a lot longer and engage more individuals in a personal way if they've lived it or known the ones who have. You could probably ask me again tomorrow and receive a different answer, but I'm in a particularly reflective mood about family as I write this.

How about you? What is the most favorite thing you have written, published or not? And why?

IWSG: Favorite Writing Craft Books

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the Facebook page.

Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive. Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - Sign-up List.

AUGUST QUESTION - What is your favorite writing craft book? Think of a book that every time you read it you learn something or you are inspired to write or try the new technique. And why?

MY ANSWER - There are about a dozen of these that I frequently revisit. Many of these I am certain you have heard of from most other writers. However, I will share two I feel are well worth your time and not as frequently touted as a "MUST READ."  First, is Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert and second is This Year You Write Your Novel by Walter Mosley. Both of these offer beautiful and inspiring glimpses into following your creativity regardless of fear and doubt. I wish I heard more people mention these two alongside such classics as:

- On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft  By Stephen King
- The Hero With A Thousand Faces  By Joseph Campbell
- The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers  By Christopher Vogler
- The Associated Press Stylebook  By Associated Press
- Writing 21st Century Fiction By Donald Maass
- Bird by Bird  By Anne Lamott
- Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within  By Natalie Goldberg

How about you? What is your favorite writing craft book?

IWSG: Favorite Aspect of Being a Writer

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the Facebook page.

Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive.Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - Sign-up List.

The November 2nd question - What is your favorite aspect of being a writer?

My Answer - There are two main joys for me in writing. First, for my nonfiction I get to travel and explore so many places and meet such interesting people. Then, I get to share those experiences with my readers. Secondly, for my fiction I get to become anyone I want and create any world or experience I want to enjoy. I hope my readers enjoy those just as much.

How about you? What do enjoy about being a writer?

IWSG: First Writing

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the Facebook page.

Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive.Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - Sign-up List.

The August 3rd question is - What was your very first piece of writing as an aspiring writer? Where is it now? Collecting dust or has it been published?

MY ANSWER: I have a lot of writing from when I was young (elementary and middle school age) that is still sitting in a drawer. However, the first piece I wrote that I intentionally wanted published was for my high school newspaper, and I have kept a scrapbook of all of my early articles for school and community publications.

Some people don't understand why I hold on to everything I've ever written. It's simple really:

If you're interested in writing, NEVER throw away anything you create. I wrote a piece for a high school assignment and left it in a drawer. Twenty years later, I had it published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Just for Preteens. Several years ago, I wrote the first draft to a science fiction piece, and this year it was published in the IWSG anthology Parallels. You never know when you'll be able to successfully finish a piece, or when that writing might appeal to an editor. So, hold on to it all. Realize that much of it may never find a home, but sometimes it does - and you'll be proud to have shared a piece of yourself with others.

What was your first piece to write? Do you hold onto all of your writing?