The first Wednesday of every month is officially
Insecure Writer’s Support Group day #IWSG
Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your writing doubts and the fears you have or 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 writer – aim for a dozen new people each time.
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!
To join us, sign up here:
http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
Visit our Facebook Page here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/IWSG13
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Wednesday is also Writing Wednesday
Writing Wednesday is the day I like to share what I have learned on my journey from writing to publishing to marketing my first book and then doing it again. The type of information I wish someone would have shared with me, back then.
Insecurities
I gave up worrying, two-years ago, anxiety last year (still a work in progress but I will get there) and one of my 2016 goals is going to be to give up insecurity for good.
Who’s with me?
Insecurity is a feeling that is triggered when we think we are either vulnerable or inferior or have a sense that our self-image or our ego is about to be threatened.
With a best-selling book having its 4th birthday next week and a new book being released soon, you would think I would have my insecurities under control. I feel embarrassed to admit that my insecurities do take brief breaks but this month they are on steroids.
It’s the new book, production was a nightmare and I am not confident it is the best it can be.
It could be the old book.
Maybe it’s NaNo. I am participating this year in a non-official kind of way with a Facebook group of mostly nonfiction writers and my 3rd book is now four-days underway.
Then there is my blog. I have been so busy writing books, ghostwriting, writing content for others I feel like I haven’t been posting ‘serious’ or ‘heartfelt’ posts on my own site.
Could it be the fiction, short story I wrote for the IWSG anthology? I say I want to write fiction but what if I suck at writing made-up stories? I felt extremely vulnerable submitting the piece but I submitted it, so that is something, right?
I know insecurity is a side effect of being a writer or in any creative field but I am so ready to give it up.
Do you think it’s possible for us?
Maybe this #Supergirl bracelet made for me by friend, entertainment writer Kelly Deeny will work.
http://anentertainingidea.com/author/kellydeeny/
Happy writing,
Doreen
- I will be hosting the #IWSG next month!
41 thoughts on “Writing Side Effects…”
I know it is possible. Here it started about 15 years ago with a very simple: fake it till I make it. And I’ve never looked back 🙂
I absolutely believe faking it makes it!
I often struggle with insecurities when writing, but I’m going to get or make myself one of those Supergirl bracelets. Love that idea!
The bracelet is adorable, I am loving it.
I know I suck at fiction. I know sometimes I suck at essays. But other times I know what I”m writing is really good, if not great. Insecurity is our constant companion, but that’s why I use a writing coach for important things. Because I have no distance at all on first-person writing, which is what I do most. And best.
If only we could put our finger on the food source for our insecurities.
Insecurities on steroids – I so get that. I am looking forward to your new book. But I can’t begin to imagine how it must feel to be waiting its release, the vulnerability and butterflies. I hope November is a wonderful time of writing, hot cocoa, and the perfect writing snacks!
Thank you Terri!
I hate that you have these insecurities, but I am also so glad to hear that it is not just me. I’ve 5 sitting frozen with my first novel fearing that it sucks. Thanks so much for this Doreen!
I am sure your novel is fabulous!
After I submitted my short story to the ISWG Anthology Contest I started worrying that the judges wouldn’t get past the first page before saying, “Nope. Not what we want.”
I am still freaking out about that submission:) Good luck to both of us!
Giving up insecurity for good is a worthy goal – I’m working on it every single day, and I must say I think I’m making progress. Good luck!
Keep moving forward!
I’m not giving up insecurity, not even going to try. Why? Because I love this group and wouldn’t give it up for anything. And that feeling of being unsure keeps me human. 🙂
Anna from Elements of Writing
It would be so depressing to not have this group.
Once afflicted, insecurity tends to stay. It sometimes goes underground, I find…but it pops back up at the most inconvienent times!
I could have 200 five star reviews and get one two-star review and be ruined for days. It is ridiculous:)
If there is a secure writer around, I haven’t met her. 🙂 A little insecurity may not be such a bad thing, but if it gets overwhelming it can kill any possibility of writing. I say this having more insecure days than not. 🙂
The insecurity definitely comes and goes!
I relate to so much of this Doreen. What got me most however is that I too have been so busy doing other things that I have neglected my blog and site (no new puzzles in AGES and that is not great). We have started making letting go of stuff that no longer serves me into a full moon ceremony. Maybe a whole year of letting go will help it all stick :)!
I feel like I haven’t posted anything heartfelt on my blog in awhile but I am working on two books that are emotionally draining.
I think insecurity is just an inherent part of being a writer. That being said, I try not to think about what I’m doing wrong and just keep going for it!
I think you are right it is always better to keep moving forward.
I chuckle each time I see mention of the “Insecurity Writers Club” because it seems we ALL are members of that one. At least those of us who put pen to paper or pixels on a page.
At least we all are in good company. I’m grateful you’re here to guide us.
I think every creative person suffers insecurity and yes, we are in great company!
I think we can all sink in the river of self-doubt from time to time. I also think it’s good to be a little anxious over what we produce as it keeps us on our toes. Love the bracelet. So very adorable!
I am trying so hard to stay out of that river of doubt!
Hi Doreen,
1. Thank you for inspiring me to network today when you visited my site MostlyBlogging. 2. I know most people here: Carolann, LoisAlterMark, Rena, Sara from Grandma’s knows me too…
3. Are you on Tumblr?
4. I think it’s great you give writers support. Do you know Lidy Wilks? She does too. I guest posted on her site.
Thanks again for today’s visit and comments.
Janice
Hi Janice, I am on Tumblr! do not know Lidy Wilks, I will look her up. Have a great weekend.
It’s funny how insecurities will haunt us no matter how successful other folks think we are. I think that’s amazing that you have a bestselling book! Thanks for being so honest about your own insecurities and sharing. Cheers – Ellen
Thank you Ellen!
Love the Super Girl bracelet. I think we all need one of those. 🙂 To be an artist, a person has to be sensitive. It’s no wonder we have such emotional responses to life.
Best wishes,
Diane IWSG #92
I need to get Kelly to sell those bracelets!
Sorry late commenting trying to NaNo. Maybe our insecurities are our strengths, after all as a voracious reader I know I tend to love a flawed hero–just an off the wall thought.
I think some people are naturally confident. It is a part of their personality. Some see letting the insecurity be seen as a weakness does not mean its not there. But again, I think it can be a characters greatest strength, so why can’t the same work for us? lol Life appears to reflect a theme of–only through perseverance in the struggle that we succeed.
Juneta Writer’s Gambit
Good luck with NaNo. I am trying too!
It’s very hard to shake off the insecurities , especially after having material rejected. Very tough to get back up on that bicycle and ride again, but that’s what writers do…..every single day.
So true!
I would LOVE to give up my insecurity once and for all! It would be nice to be an all-confident, all-powerful writer.
But, failing that, I think it’s awesome that you submitted your story even though you were insecure! That is the difference between those who are successful and those who only dream of it.
Don’t give up, Doreen!
Sorry it took me so long to respond. This month has been crazy!
I’m still trying to catch up with comments too. NaNo is so tough!
From what I read on your blog during A to Z Challenge (and I tried to visit every day), your book Stranger in my Recliner is excellent. It also has an important message. Remember, I want to help promote it. Carry on! You are a gifted writer with heart.