IWSG: Support and Influence

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.

FEBRUARY QUESTION - Is there someone who supported or influenced you that perhaps isn't around anymore? Anyone you miss?

MY ANSWER - Yes, I was once a part of a great critique group. We were a great support to each other. We met weekly, and the time was so inspiring, motivating, and just fun. Unfortunately, many of them have moved away for a variety of reasons. We briefly tried to continue digitally, but it just wasn't the same. Priorities changed, life happens, etc. I really miss that time of support and influence. It's difficult to recreate.

How about you? Is there someone from who you miss receiving support or influence?

IWSG: Fears, Regrets, and Celebrations

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.

JANUARY QUESTION - What's the one thing about your writing career you regret the most? Were you able to overcome it?

MY ANSWER - Confidence. Sometimes I have faith in myself, but quite often I STILL struggle with this - the confidence to finish a story successfully, to edit appropriately, to submit, to not be a complete fraud. The regret comes when I let the fear, or lack of confidence, keep me from trying. There are days when I overcome my fears, but even after all of these years I can still struggle. Some days I wish I no longer lacked confidence. I wish I had no fear. Then I wonder..."Would I still find joy in completing a new task, obtaining a new publication, trying new things?" Life is a balancing act. I'll take the good with the bad. I'll continue to struggle with confidence and regrets. I'll still celebrate each time I accomplish something new.

How about you? What do you regret the most? Have you been able to overcome it?

IWSG: Writing Stressors

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.

DECEMBER QUESTION - In your writing, what stresses you the most? What delights you?

MY ANSWER - The thing that stresses me the most is finding the right balance of details in my storytelling - providing enough for interest, but not so much to create mundane situations such as those that may arise from too much telling instead of showing. What delights me the most is trying to flesh out a new tale from one of the many story ideas that are constantly circling in my mind.

How about you? What stresses or delights you the most?

Fiction Fallout and New Goals

Between taking a huge decrease in summer time work, and a larger increase in nonfiction projects previous to that, my fiction writing has been minimal so far this year. Aside from a few small pieces and a "flash fiction challenge" that I gave myself in May, my fiction output this year has taken a nose dive.

This weekend I'll be attempting to jump start my fiction goals by revisiting some old first drafts that have been collecting dust in my drawer, or on my hard drive. I'll be reassessing my goals for the rest of this year, something I do every few months. I hope you do the same. I want to complete several of the unfinished stand alone pieces, continue a series I let grow cold, and try a new genre.

I also want to get back in the habit of visiting with you, my readers and fellow bloggers. I must admit, I took a large break from visiting on social media this year - too much negativity zaps my creativity. However, I think I can safely return to you dear friends. If you'd like a visit, and promise there will be no rants, please leave a comment and link below.

By the way, if you are looking for submission possibilities check out https://writingcareer.com/

How are your WIP's coming along? Are you setting any new goals lately?