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| http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com |
It's the
first Wednesday of the month and many writers share their insecurites or offer
support to fellow writers. The Insecure Writers Support Group was founded by
Alex J. Cavanaugh to help support writers worldwide.
Have you
ever stopped to think about the people who have helped you to overcome
insecurities? I often reflect on those who’ve supported me throughout my
various careers. I believe it is important to do so, especially when a few kind
words of encouragement or an honest opinion (positive and negative) have led me
to become who I am today.
Last
week I received my new writer's diary, 2016. I was buzzing with excitement - I
love new stationary - but then the insecurities set in as I reflected on what I
had achieved so far this year. I haven’t fulfilled many of my initial writing targets.
This was mainly due to having to return to full-time teaching for the first
half of the year, which begrudgingly ate up my writing time (even though it
replenished my bank account). And so, it wasn't until late August that I got my
mojo back and was able to write regularly again. Like all things in life, if
one doesn't practice then skills are rusty or lost. Luckily, I hadn't forgotten
all that I'd previously learned and throughout September, I worked hard and
accomplished a lot of good writing. Recalling the words of a fellow blogger, "Nicola,
think quality not quantity," eased my insecurities and now I am happily
beginning to set new targets for 2016.
Remembering
and acknowledging those who’ve supported me throughout the years, keeps me
grounded and drives me forward. I know I wouldn’t be the writer I am today
without the amazing encouragement and words of wisdom (as well as honesty) from
my dear writing friend Lynne.
Thanks for the continuous support
and encouragement, Lynne. You are amazing!
Is
there anyone you would like to thank for offering support and encouragement?
How do you overcome your insecurities?
Wishing
all NaNoWriMo participants lots of fun and success! Keep going! You can do it!
It's amazing how a comment can help us and most of the time, the person doesn't know the profound effect they had on us.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. Wishing you every success with A Clueless Woman, TB. Enjoy the journey. Thank you for popping over to comment. Much appreciated.
DeleteYeah, it's funny how the insecurities pop up. I love ISWG because other writers share their own and I am reminded I'm not alone in this. And then I have remind myself why I do this.
ReplyDeleteIt is a great community and I am thankful for having found IWSG. That's how I met you :) Have a great week and thanks for popping by to comment, Donna.
DeleteWell said! This entire community has kept me going.
ReplyDeleteThanks to you, Alex. You have offered so much support to so many of us. It is greatly appreciated.
DeleteEncouragement from friends and family helps keep me going. Your post made me reflect on those in my life. I think I have my husband to thank the most. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing, Loni. I have a gem of a husband too :)
DeleteHi Nic. My wonderful husband - without him, I have nothing.
ReplyDeleteWe are both blessed, Karen. Wish you a wonderful week. I hope The Wishing Steps is reaching readers. I was so sad when I finished it. I wanted the story to go on. Many congratulations on such a wonderful and inspirational story. It has filled me with hope and a new angle on which to view the world. Thank you!
DeleteThe whole IWSG has kept me going through all the tough times, and I am incredibly grateful every time someone comments on my blog. I also have to thank my partner - he's the one that pushed me to keep writing in the first place! (Although I think he sometimes regrets that now when he doesn't see me for days at a time...whoops)
ReplyDeleteSounds like the perfect support group, Rachel. Wishing you continued fun and success. Thank you for popping over to comment. Lovely 'to meet' you.
DeleteMy family and the blogging community. And my editor. I would be nowhere without their support.
ReplyDeleteStephen Tremp
November IWSG Co-host
Family is so important. It would be too big a mountain to climb without their backing and patience. I am looking forward to getting an editor :) Thank you for taking the time to visit and thanks for co-hosting IWSG this month.
DeleteI never would have taken the plunge and actually gotten published if it weren't for my fabulous Pitch Wars mentor a couple years back. She championed my story so hard, I had to believe in it too. I think we all need someone like that.
ReplyDeleteSo pleased for you Crystal. Thank you for sharing!! All the best.
DeleteIt's hard when "real life" gets in the way of our writing. But you have the best outlook. Quality vs. quantity. In the end, with that outlook, you will likely get there faster!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the words of encouragement Liza. Lovely 'to meet' you. Happy November.
DeleteThat is great advice. Quality over quantity. I will remember that one. The blogging community and especially the IWSG has helped me so much. I've wanted to give up many times, but my family and this community kept me going. Thank you very much for stopping by my blog and for your kind words. It was very nice meeting you.
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you too, Murees. IWSG is a great place to find encouragement and I'm so glad your family keeps you going through the tough times. Congrats on all you've accomplished so far! Have a lovely upcoming weekend.
DeleteI have some fantastic writing buddies who keep me writing and motivated.
ReplyDeleteThat's great, Patsy. Happy Launch Day!! Wishing you and Firestarter lots of fun and success.
DeleteAll I know is I'm a better person because of this group. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from Elements of Writing
Lovely to meet you, Anna. Thanks for stopping by to comment. I'm really glad I found IWSG when I did. An amazing group of people!
DeleteI love new stationery too! When it's shiny and new, it's all hope.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to balance writing life with real life. One of the reason I maintain my blog is for the wonderful support I get from all my fellow bloggers. Nobody gets it like you guys do.
Lovely to see you Elizabeth. So pleased you maintain your blog. I love to read your posts. Thank you for visiting and taking the time to comment. Wishing you a fun-packed weekend.
DeleteI've been blessed with lots of people who continually encourage me with my writing. Without that encouragement I would've given up a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteThere are some great people in the world Lynda. So glad you have a solid support group. Thank you for popping over to comment. It's always lovely to see you.
DeleteFor me its my family, the wonderful blogging community, my crit partners and a few of my loyal readers who I must thank for continuously supporting me in my writing life.
ReplyDeleteNicola, thanks for your wonderful words of encouragement on my blog. They mean a lot to me :)
So pleased your readers also give you lots of support Rachna. That makes everything worthwhile. Wishing you continued success and fun with your writing. Have a super weekend.
DeleteI enjoy new stationary, but I never know what to write in it. It seems too special to write just any ol' thing.
ReplyDeleteThe writer/blogging community has been an awesome inspiration, but the one who started me on this writing journey is Christine Rains. She cheered me on when I wrote the first chapter of my first eventually completed book and asked her if it was any good. If she'd said no, I probably wouldn't have bothered to write anything else again. So she's all to blame. ;)
So glad you had Christine cheering you on, Cherie. It only takes the kindness and support of one person to make a huge difference in our confidence. Happy writing!! Thank you for sharing. Wishing you a lovely weekend.
DeleteA lovely post - thank you!
ReplyDeleteI feel encouraged and supported by my family, but also by fabulous blogging friends like you, Nicola. Writers are the loveliest people and the understanding they can show each other is so positive and productive.
I might be slightly unusual in that I never set any goals or targets. I know they can be a great spur, but I find they make me feel under too much pressure. I'm a great believer in quality not quantity too. xxx
Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your experiences Joanna. I only set goals or targets if I'm finding it difficult to focus. Otherwise, like you, I tend to just go with the flow and enjoy the journey.
DeleteWishing you a lovely weekend and hope that your second novel is shaping up nicely.
That's the best thing about being able to write acknowledgments for your books--you get to say "thank you" to all of those people!
ReplyDeleteMy husband has been my proofreader, critic, anthology-publisher and solid supporter since I started writing four years ago. I couldn't do without him
ReplyDeleteI'm lucky to have several writing friends and a non-writing friend who always encourage me - but especially my daughter as she's a writer too (and husband is always supportive!).
ReplyDeleteMy critique group has done wonders for my writing self-esteem. I love new stationary. I'm so inspired to fill it up.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, for some reason the 'reply' button isn't working. Apologies for this block response.
ReplyDeleteStephanie: I look forward to my first Acknowledgement page :)
Wendy: So pleased that you have such a wonderful support in your husband.
Rosemary: Thank you for sharing. It must be great to share your writing journey with your daughter. So much to talk about.
Medeia: I also think new stationary inspires the writing, Medeia.
Wishing you all a lovely and productive week. Thank you so much for popping by to comment. It is greatly appreciated. Hopefully the reply button will kick back in soon.