I can't believe I forgot it is Insecure Writers Support Group day! (Especially since I was just bragging it up to people last night.) So if you don't know about the IWSG yet, you check it out HERE. Big, big thanks to host and founder of IWSG, Alex Cavanaugh! And to M. Pax, Karen Walker, and Melissa Maygrove for co-hosting this month. You people rock! Thank you!Yesterday I did a reading and Q & A at my local public library. It was a lot of fun, and of course one of the things that came up was critique partners. (Because I mentioned how awesome mine are.) ;) A lady asked how I met them and I told her through blogging.
Which led me to go on about how awesome the blogging community is and how if you want to be a writer I highly recommend getting into blogging to connect with other writers. Then I said join the Insecure Writers' Support Group!
I told them about Alex and this group and how supportive it is. Seriously, you guys are made of awesome. Since joining the blogging community my writing has improved so much, and so has my spirit. Getting to know other writers means learning that most people go through the same ups and downs.
This idea is awesome! My writing stinks! I can't do this! I wrote a book and it's awesome! No, it's a complete pile of crap!
And so on and so on apparently forever. ;) Writing is hard, self-doubt is hard, but it helps to know that you are not alone. So thank you IWSG members! Whether you are up or down right now, remember that you are getting stronger and better all the time and that by sharing those highs and lows you are helping others get stronger and better, too. :)
No wonder my ears were burning! Thanks for telling them about the group. Really appreciate that.
ReplyDeleteThis community is awesome. I wouldn't still be writing if not for the friends here. And that's how I found my critique partners as well.
Well said! IWSG is the best. Thanks Alex and all the fabulous memebers. :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE IWSG!!! I can't do every blog hop that comes along, but this is one I wouldn't miss. Great post! :)
ReplyDeleteAugust co-host and IWSG #110
How cool is that! Q&A at the library? You rock Rachel. And I love this group too. I always equate it to someone throwing me a life-vest while I was lost, bobbing around all by myself out there in the ocean. :)
ReplyDeleteI love IWSG and I love all the crit partner's I've met through blogging. Seriously, this community is amazing!!
ReplyDeleteAnd still I hover in the wings, watching all my friends participate and debating joining. (Only been having that debate for about two years now.) Must have commitment issues here--that or a really firm understanding of my personal limits.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing out there quite so awesome as this supportive blogging community, eh? I just sit back sometimes and think of all the amazing things I've learned and wonderful people I've met and come to love. Super awesomesauce!
IWSG is wonderful and congrats on doing a reading and Q&A. Alex must be blushing.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great IWSG post! And how cool that you did a reading at a library! Sounds like a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteThis is my first IWSG Wednesday, and I am so happy to read how supportive and appreciative everyone is of this group. Yes we DO support to keep us inspired to write. Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteI love that you talked about IWSG at a Q&A! And yes, the blogging community is amazing. I never would have suspected.
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool you had a chance to share these insights. I love finding opportunities to do that.
ReplyDeleteAwesome you did a reading, and awesome you mentioned the IWSG. The biggest part of blogging in general, for me, is knowing I'm not the only one. Even when you could easily throw your WIP off the nearest bridge, there are several other friends feeling just the same :-)
ReplyDeleteAnne Allen also firmly believes blogging is the way to build your readership and has written a couple great posts on that recently.
ReplyDeleteI agree-- love the community.
Us writers are a tough lot. Nobody else could handle the emotional beating we take! So thankful for IWSG! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's like riding a roller coaster without the screaming or the speed.
ReplyDeleteSo...Can we join?
ReplyDeleteOur emotional state during this whole writing/publishing thing does feel like a bit of a rollercoaster- doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteI agree - I LOVE IWSG and this blogging community. I don't know what I'd do without it!
ReplyDeleteI think IWSG is awesome, even though I still haven't joined it. I still enjoy visiting some of the participants each month though :)
ReplyDeleteI actually look forward to our postings each month. I've been trying to get around to visiting everyone since I joined. Obviously still not done. I think a hundred something people joined after me. I may never get to every blog *sigh* but the support is awesome!
ReplyDeleteI've missed our wonderful group over the past few months. So glad I'm back.
ReplyDelete