The Insecure Writer’s Support Group ~ No#100
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! 
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you 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.
The awesome co-hosts for the April posting of the IWSG are: Diane Burton, JH Moncrieff, Anna @ Emaginette, Karen @ Reprobate Typewriter, Erika Beebe, and Lisa Buie-Collard!
Don’t forget to visit them and thank them for co-hosting!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG 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.
Remember, the question is optional!
APRIL 01ST QUESTION: The IWSG’s focus is on our writers. Each month, from all over the globe, we are a united group sharing our insecurities, our troubles, and our pain. So, in this time when our world is in crisis with the covid-19 pandemic, our optional question this month is: how are things in your world?
Lockdown. And just like that, the world has changed.
Lockdown and social distancing – two new buzzwords as the world hangs in a strange state of limbo.
Waiting. It’s the temporary “new normal” governed by an indefinite time frame.
Waiting. It’s the order of the day.
Waiting. It’s a twisted game of patience in this battle against an invisible enemy.
Waiting. Together with helplessness, confusion and death, unlikely partners in this mind-boggling scenario.
Waiting… and watching the pointing of fingers in the “blame game”, as well as the spread of misinformation, fake news and conspiracy theories.
The world has gone mad!
Who is the culprit in this global devastation?
You try to make sense of it, but it remains mind-boggling.
YET…
As difficult as it is, we have to choose.
Despite the fear and uncertainty, we have to choose.
Choose to remain as calm as possible or be swept up in this avalanche of craziness as the feeling of helplessness overwhelms.
Choose kindness.
Choose positivity.
Choose life.
Choose God.
It makes me think of words from the Rudyard Kipling poem:
“If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs…
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same…”
But it will not be easy.
This will be a test of our endurance as a society; a test of our mettle as individuals.
We will be tested to our very limit. To our breaking point!
Everything will change.
Life will never be the same.
We can’t go back to “normal”, not the “normal” of our pre-virus existence, anyway.
A “new normal” will eventually emerge.
It will be a “new normal” shaped by our trials and tribulations and by the choices that lie within our power.
Choose wisely.
What conscious choices will shape YOUR “new normal’?
Take care everybody. Look after yourself and your loved ones. I’ll be visiting today and for the rest of my 21 day lock down!
Announcing The Genre for the 2020 IWSG Anthology – Science Fiction! Hop over to the IWSG website for more details.
I’m on Day 6 of my lock down. This is also my 100th post for the IWSG!
Happy IWSG DAY!
Wow Michelle, Congrats on reaching your 100th post. I agree with everything you have said here. I am sure you will be building upon your already great character in the midst of this trying time. Sending positive energy to you,
Anne
Thank you, Anne. It’s great to see you here at my blog. Hope you’ve been well! Take care.
I’m doing my best to concentrate on positives and stay upbeat, but it’s hard. For me I think the uncertainty is the main problem. We don’t know how long the current situation will last, so it’s difficult to make plans and life seems on hold.
I’m luckier than many though, so I’ll keep reminding myself of that and try to move forward. See you on the other side!
It’s very difficult because of so many uncertainties. Like you, I’m luckier than many, who are destitute and don’t even know where the next meal is coming from. It’s a reminder to hang on to the positives. Thanks Patsy!
“If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster, And treat those two impostors just the same…” certainly feels apt at the moment.
Apt… yes… though it’s difficult to do so when there is so much confusion and panic.
It will be weird to see the new normal. We sell books at a lot of cons – will we ever be able to do that again? I’m already looking into ways I can teach my seminars online since in person might not be possible this summer.
It will be weird to see the new normal. So true, Diane. Moving forward, we have to think differently, and online work will be the way to go. I also need to look into online opportunities.
We are in strange times right now. Things like this brings out the best in some and the worst in others. Seeing it all play out in real time is troubling, especially seeing the worst of humankind. 🙁 We have to make adjustments, and take things day by day.
It’s going to be a real challenge… not easy at all. Thank you for popping in, Meka.
What a lovely, inspirational post, Michelle! It will be interesting to see how our world changes as a result of this – hopefully, for the better.
Thank you, Ellen. Yes, hopefully, for the better. The world needs a major reconstruction.
We’re on Day 19. I know weird coincidence. I still feel as if this is all just too surreal. But maybe that’s a good thing, not treating the pandemic as if it’s normal. Stay safe, Michelle. Glad you’re okay.
It IS surreal, like we’re living in a pre-apocalyptic world, on the brink of who-knows-what?
Stay safe, Joylene!
Hope you’re doing okay, Michelle.
Choose God and choose compassion. Everyone is going through some kind of crap right now. But we can overcome it.
We have to keep the faith! Stay safe.
I am curious to how things will change after this ends. It is definitely a defining moment in our history.
It’s a significant moment in history. There will definitely be change. Let’s pray that most of the change is for the better.
I don’t know what day I am of “stay at home.” I know that’s probably odd, but really, there were the encouraged “stay at home” days followed by the full stay at home orders. The stay at home orders have been in effect for 7 days now, but I was already doing stay at home, partially, before then. The schools have been closed here for at least two weeks and will remained closed until May 1st (or later). My daughters are doing online classes for college, but remained in their college towns.
Life is different, yet with some semblance of normal. Everything is slightly changed. And change isn’t bad, but it is hard. I’m looking forward to hugging others again, someday.
Stay safe. Stay hopeful. Keep loving others.
Change isn’t bad, I agree. It’s actually good for us, especially those who may otherwise slip into a comfort zone.
Change is inevitable. The one constant in life. But it’s hard, nevertheless. I do agree.
We’ll win this battle. Eventually. But in the meanwhile, we’ll stay hopeful.
Stay safe and good luck with the two writing challenges.
The century mark! Congratulations. Thanks for Rudyard quote. It is very appropriate and thanks for the encouragement. Glad you’re well and staying calm in all of this.
There’s enough panic out there. So I’m forcing myself to remain calm and sensible about everything, no matter how difficult it may be. Thanks, Lee.
What a beautiful and powerful post. Thank you.
Anna from elements of emaginette
Thank you, Anna! Stay safe.
Wow, Michelle, you summed up all my thoughts so beautifully. Yes, life is going to change for all of us, there will be a new normal. There is so much fear and anxiety in everyone’s lives at this point, that all I can do is pray and pray some more. Praying for a miracle. My prayers for your safety.
Thank you, Rachna.
There’s so much uncertainty out there. However, we MUST keep the faith!
Waiting, choosing well and hoping (also working if we can) for a better world on the other side of this is all we can do right now. Hoping you are okay in lockdown.
Yes, we have to wait, and remain hopeful while doing so. Thank you for visiting my blog, Donna. Stay safe.
Hi Michelle,
Congrats on you 100th post! WOW…. Now that is news worth getting excited about! You are so right, we will change into something new. After reading about the Spanish Flu virus in 1917-1918 where 20-40 million people died, their world changed…as ours will. I hope and pray we don’t come anywhere near these numbers, but only time will tell. We must stay positive and pray these lock downs and “stay ins” will be effective.
Take care of yourself!!!! Sending virtual hugs!
Hi Michael! We must stay home, stay positive and stay calm… and keep on writing (if and when we get the chance)
Take care of yourself too! Virtual hugs to you too, my friend!
Congratulations on your 100th IWSG post! Wow!
I love what you wrote and I agree we must stay positive, calm and kind.
Wishing you peace, health and safety.
Thank you, Doreen.
I echo the sentiment posted on your blog.
Stay safe!
You nailed it. A new normal will emerge and we will be a part of it. We are learning now what is important. Let’s all try to make our parts better than our old normal was. Stay safe!
Let’s strive for a better “new” normal. Thanks, Carol!
You’re so right! We have to stay smart and stay healthy – and stay positive while doing that! hope you and yours continue to be safe!
Stay smart, stay healthy, stay positive & stay connected too!
Thanks, Jemi.
Congrats on your 100th IWSG! That’s a lot of months of supporting other writers 🙂
Thanks also for your positive words. The full impact of the situation is still sinking in for me, as we kind of missed the start of it all. But I’m so grateful that our lockdown/quarantine involves an entire house and yard, as well as the ability to go for bike rides if we are careful.
You are one of the luckier ones, for sure. But it’s still a stressful time for all. Continue to stay safe!
We’re on day 14 of our shelter in place. And Kipling’s quote has come to mind many a time over the last weeks. At the moment, we are safe, secure, have plenty of food and resources. But to be sure, when the crisis passes, we will not return to the same “normal”, nor see the world in the same way. But we can only control our response to circumstances, and a positive outlook is the best way forward.
There are only certain things within our power, which we can control. Remaining positive is one of them. Stay safe.
Congratulations on your 100th! I’m not sure what will be different for me. Definitely work. Definitely the volunteer job. We’re looking at becoming more hybrid going forward, so more online stuff instead of all in-person.
Hybrid living will definitely be the new norm. Thank you, Shannon. Stay safe.
Hi,
I love Kipling’s poem and it is very appropriate for times like these. Things will never be the same again and we all need to quit the blame game and see what we can do to reach out to others, giving them acceptance and respect.
In the western world, we need to rethink our values and repent of the way we have been arrogantly handling others.
Wishing you a wonderful month of April and be safe.
Hi,
I know what you mean by being overwhelmed at first. Before this all started happening I had a strong impression that I should go out and buy groceries. I did but didn’t understand why I was doing it. I thought to myself, you have enough food at home for over a month. Three days later Corona hit a small town in Germany and people panicked.
I like the beginning of your story. It sounds like a mystery or a horror story.. I believe subscribe to your blog so I’ll look in again.
Have a great day and be safe.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
Thank you, Pat! Look after yourself… and keep on singing!
I have been keeping myself in for about 2 months now. Better be safe than sorry. Take care.
Take care, Damyanti.
I think we’re on Day 20 of self-isolation. I miss my grandkids, but we’ll do anything to keep them and ourselves safe. I don’t mind being isolated since writing is such a solitary job. But my mind swirls with concerns, anxiety, and worry so I’m struggling to write. I can manage blogs but fiction isn’t working. Oh, well. This will pass and we’ll be stronger. I hope. Stay safe and take care of yourself.
Loads of sacrifices have to be made in keeping with the bigger picture.
For everything, there is a season. This too shall pass and at the end, we’ll all come out a bit stronger.
Happy 100th IWSG post! Stay safe.
You too, Yvonne. Thank you.
It will be interesting to see if there is a ‘new normal.’ The financial aftermath will be felt for a while, but we collectively tend to have a short attention span. Very least, there should be some lessons learned.
Yes, there is the issue of the collective short attention span… well, hopefully, that too will undergo a change of sorts. This experience should help to re-wire the individual short attention span because the brain is working “overtime” to process what this means for humanity?
Glad you are safe! And congrats on your 100th post for IWSG day! These are crazy times for sure, and I’m hoping the spirit of unity that seems to be growing doesn’t go away once things begin their new normal.
Yes, we need to sustain the spirit and incorporate it into our “new” normal. Thanks, Lynda.
I like this: Choose kindness. Choose positivity. Choose life. Choose God.
Beautiful. Apart from going slightly stir crazy, I’m doing my bit and staying safe.
May you continue to stay safe also.
We all have to do our bit, and the basic thing is to stay at home.
Thanks, Lynda!
Such a good reminder, Michelle – thank you! I tend to get anxious – and that’s on a good day! – so it’s important for me to stop and think, to choose positive over panic, to choose calm over chaos, etc.
Congrats on the 100th post!
I think we have to at least TRY to make a conscious effort to remain calm, as difficult as it may be… or else everything will fall apart. We’re stronger than we realize or give ourselves credit for…
Thank you, Madeline.
Congratulations on your 100th IWSG post!
A new normal is definitely on the way.
Wise words, Michelle. With so much out of our control we have to focus on what we can do, which is be kind and look after loved ones as best we can. It’s hard to see yet if anything will be like how it was before. Take care.