Welcome to Insecure Writer's Support Group, brought to us by Alex J. Cavanaugh.
It's not too late to sign up if you're a writer in need of encouragement and compassion.
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I am insecure when I go for days without writing, but not insecure enough to completely stop writing. Writing makes me feel less grumpy and keeps me grounded and sane - insanity isn't really an option, so I write.
Once I actually sit down and write, I forget whatever I was worried about and get lost in the act of writing. If I force myself to write for twenty minutes, I never look at the time even though it's right there in the corner of my laptop screen. I write until I'm done writing without exception.
When I write regularly, that lack of insecurity stays with me even in the hours when I'm not writing. If I write daily, I don't question my abilities. I just write when it's time to write. It's what I do.
I'm at the point where I am completely immersed in the series I'm writing. I've done enough research to know I'm absolutely on track for my historical period. I am certain I'll finish these novels and they'll be what I envision.
The thing we can't control is whether people will love our vision or our execution and writing style. All we can do is give it everything we have, work hard on our craft, and tell our stories with care.
We have a club dedicated to our insecurities, so clearly this is something we all have struggled with at one time or another.
But we should feel secure in the fact that we are storytellers. And we're lucky enough to be at the place in our lives where we have decided to take the time to put our stories on paper. How amazing is that?!
((Group hug.))
Really darn amazing! Hugs and all.
ReplyDeleteYou've dedicated so much to your story, Tonja. I have a feeling it will be just shy of perfect by the time it hits the world.
Thanks, Alex. :)
DeleteLove the hug, thank you, it is always needed.
ReplyDeleteInsecurity goes with creativity, but you're right we are blessed with a very special gift and sharing it is as important as writing it!
I love how you said that.
DeleteIt is amazing and a great place to be! Love your positive thoughts here. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lexie
DeleteWonderful post. My ISWG post has to do with people loving my heroine. I will remind myself how lucky I am to be able to do this. Because I truly am.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your immersion!
They don't have to love her to love your depiction of her.
DeleteI love being at the point where I am immersed in my story. Enjoy it!!
ReplyDeleteI am!
DeleteSo amazing, so very amazing.
ReplyDeleteYou're right -- in a field where it's impossible to control many aspects, we can at least write for ourselves and for our characters. If we give it all we've got, if WE love our characters and are proud of their journeys ... well, that's what matters most, right? :)
Thank you! If we don't love what we're writing, we can't expect other to.
DeleteLove this post - I love getting immersed in a story too, and I think that each of us has the unique ability to share stories in an interesting way.
ReplyDeleteBig HUGS!!!
Hugs back. :)
Delete"All we can do is give it everything we have, work hard on our craft, and tell our stories with care."
ReplyDeleteYep. :)
I know that's what you do - it shows through your blog posts.
Delete<3 for this post :) I feel similarly contented and at peace when I write x
ReplyDeleteYay for contentment.
DeleteOver the months, you've put a lot into your research and writing...
ReplyDeleteYou rock!
Thanks! I'm just getting started....
Delete(((Group hug back at you!))) Make yourself do it, is all I can say. Sit at your computer and write...just write - whatever comes out, edit it later. Tell your stories...you never know who needs to read them.
ReplyDeleteThe down time is very useful too. I had a headache tonight and took a rest - and figured out my next chapter.
DeleteAmazing what "just doing it" can do for the confidence level. BTW, I can relate to your bio--I'm a current application developer and a general nerd. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAll nerds are welcome here.
DeleteTotally amazing. And totally great post! I for sure have my insecure moments, regardless of how tough I might act. But when I sit down and start writing that all melts away! Hugs back!
ReplyDeleteThat moment where it melts away is amazing.
DeleteWell said! Hugs back :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cherie.
DeleteAppreciated the hug and loved what you said about being storytellers. We belong to a long line of super people!
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteIt's funny that I never considered myself a storyteller because it doesn't come easily to me. I have to sit down and plot about what comes next and I don't have a bunch of stories in my head. But I love writing. My husband, on the other hand, is a great storyteller and has hundreds of stories (Yeah, after 25 years of marriage, I've heard them all, lol, but they change all the time :)) - but he's not a writer. Go figure. *hugs back*
ReplyDeleteHaving life stories isn't the same as constructing them. If you're writing a novel, you are absolutely a storyteller.
DeleteI accept your group hug! :) And I love your pep talk. Writing for me does all that and I'm glad I'm at the point where I'm writing more regularly. Thanks again for realizing that without writing, we'd truly be insane in some form or other.
ReplyDeleteMaybe not literally insane, but definitely grumpy.
DeletePretty amazing. Wonderful post. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteA*M*A*Z*I*N*G!!! ~HUGS:-)
ReplyDeleteThank you!!
DeleteI have found that being a writer has added confidence to other areas of my life. Great post.
ReplyDeleteMe too. I know who I am now and am the person I want to be. Except for that extra 20 pounds, but whatever....
DeleteDefinitely. Just write. Don't worry what other's may or may not like. There is really no right way of doing anything. I, for one, am no literary genius. Just someone trying to relate stories. That's all.
ReplyDeleteHugs and chocolate,
Shelly
I like your stories. :)
Deletei definitely can't write daily...i need those breaks, it actually helps me gather thoughts that randomly come.
ReplyDeleteGreat that you know what works for you.
DeleteIt's great to read that you're so immersed in your current projects. What a wonderful feeling that is! I am late for the group hug but am sending a hug out anyway. :)
ReplyDeleteI think all writers struggle but the smart ones belong to our club (lol).
ReplyDeleteSuch is the joys of writing ;)
ReplyDelete