The Insecure Writer’s Support Group ~ No#14
On Monday and Tuesday, approximately 65 bloggers participated in the Overcoming Adversity bloghop, hosted by Nick Wilford at Scattergun Scribblings. It was an awesome bloghop!
There was an amazing assortment of stories about overcoming adversity, quite often in the face of overwhelming obstacles, and bloggers posted real-life episodes related to issues such as cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, autism, drug addiction, alcoholism, old age/infirmity, special-needs students, neuro-biological condition, dealing with social ineptness, imprisonment, career choices, realising dreams/goals, bullies, activism, post-baby weight, Ehler Danlos Syndrome, good versus evil, physical/emotional/verbal abuse, widowhood, premature birth, Asperger's Syndrome, death of a baby, orphan, loss of sight/hearing and a bunch of other wonderful pieces/stories as well as a few poems.
The bloghop was amazing. It was our beloved blogging community as you've never seen it before – connecting in an extra-special way, baring their souls by sharing insecurities, fears, trials and tribulations, hopes and dreams, within a safe and secure atmosphere.
It was entertaining.
It was empowering.
It was heartbreaking and heart-warming.
I laughed. I cried.
It was a rollercoaster ride…
Every story was unique and special, within its own context.
Every character triumphed in one way or the other…
Through it all, the show of support was unbelievable!
Positivity and sincerity shone through… and I know that reading these fascinating stories has enriched my life… made me more appreciative and tolerant…
…because you never know what hardships the next person faces… and at the end of the day, we are all just trying to get on with life to the best of our abilities…
So thank you bloggy buddies, for sharing all those wonderful stories! You are the best!
This is a monthly bloghop, a place where writers are given a platform to discuss/share all types of writerly concerns via an assortment of rants and raves. For more information, swing by the blog of our ninja captain and IWSG founder Alex J Cavanaugh.
It was the boost many needed this week as well.
… and what a boost!
Thank you very much for your reflections on the hop. You summed it up better than I ever could! I was in bits reading some of the stories and I feel that all together the stories will make a collection that would inspire anyone, anywhere. What an incredible community. 😀
Thanks Nick. What an amazing experience, and the support was phenomenal! 🙂
I wasn't able to participate in Nick's bloghop…but I hope to go back and read some of the inspiring pieces. Glad it had such an impact on you.
Thanks for the visit Liza.
I agree with what you say about not knowing what's going on beneath the surface – even if someone blanks you or shouts at you, it might not be anything to do with you, but a whole heap of other stuff they're dealing with. I didn't participate, but I read a lot of the entries.
You are spot on with that observation. Each person has to deal with his own demons, whilst still trying to get by from one day to the next… maintain some semblance of normality…
I loved that this bloghop was about something so important. People. Life. Helping others. Family.
~Just Jill
Yes, and the response was great too. I hope it raises lots of money for the cause…
The Overcoming bloghop sounds very moving. We DO all have stories and sometimes the baggage we have collected causes us to act certain ways — many times not in a good way. We need to remember that we're vulnerable and all started out as babies with a promising future.
Yes, we tend to collect baggage as we travel along… the bloghop was a sort of collective spring-cleaning exercise… thanks Teresa.
I wrote a post for this and then I didn't post it. I realized it should have been a story and not a personal piece of info. Oh, well. I did read many of the posts and there were wonderful.
On the contrary, you could post fiction OR real life episodes… yours would have qualified… 🙂
It was a great idea for a blogfest. Literally everyone has overcome some adversity.
That's something we all have in common…
I enjoyed reading many of the stories, and I hope it raises a lot of money for the cause!
Yes, I hope it does too!
The stories were very inspiring.
Authors are always the best when it comes to supporting each other, no matter how.
@L.Diane ~ your book was burning up the blogosphere today!
@C.Lee ~ the bloghop proved that point over and over again…
The stories were really inspiring!
100% so!
You summarized the hop perfectly. The writing community never ceases to amaze. ((:
I wasn't able to read every story, but all I read were awesome. I'm sure the others were, too.
@Elise ~ the hop was very special… 🙂
@Carol ~ they were all awesome… 🙂
I didn't read too many posts, but I totally agree with your wrap up. People so often amaze and inspire me. We don't know the other side, don't know the adversity – yet we should know we all face it.
I love your summary of the blog hop, Michelle. 😀
And yay, your blog is working for me today. I couldn't get it to load yesterday. I tried several times.
@Jemi ~ these stories are a testament to the resilient human spirit…
@Stina ~ sorry you had a struggle accessing my blog; I think the telecommunication network was busy with maintenance as part of their upgrading programme, hence the down time… glad you enjoyed the summary 🙂
I still need to visit all the participants of the Overcoming Adversity blogfest. The ones I've read so far have been amazing!
This was a wonderful post highlighting the blogfest from the other day. I caught a few of them myself (I wasn't a participant…just visiting) and found them quite inspiring. You showed that the wonderful support system is there to laugh, cry, share joys and difficulties. And insecurities! Thanks, Michelle.
@Golden ~ there are loads of wonderful stories…
@M.L. ~ yes, I think the writing community has the best support structure amongst all the online communities… really a tight-knit bunch… 🙂
That's right. At the end of the day we are all so very much alike and just want to get on with life the best we can. With a little help from our friends.
With a little help from our friends. Absolutely spot on!
Hey, Michelle,
It's wonderful to see the community pull together in support of a project and share their experiences.
Hey Joy. As someone said, authors are the best when it comes to supporting each other… 🙂
I haven't been in the family long, but I'm learning it's a great place to be. It's great to have all of you to lean on. 🙂
You've made me think of the song Lean On Me… when you're not strong… and I'll be your friend… I'll help you carry on… Great lyrics! 🙂 I taught it to my choir at school.
Wow, sounds great. Sorry I missed it. Thanks for visiting my blog, Michelle!
I read some of those stories. Spanned the cycle of emotions to be sure. Some of them really choked me up. Nice post.
I will have to check out this blog hop. The sheer list of adversities overcome in your post is amazing.
I'm so happy you enjoyed the blog-hop! I hope the afterglow and inspiration last a long time. 🙂
@Joylene ~ it was very special… 🙂
@M.J. ~ yes, it sure did play havoc with the emotions…
@Susan ~ you should read some of these stories when you get a chance…
@Lexa ~ it was for a good cause too… 🙂
I loved this blogfest–so many awesome stories (and a bunch I still need to get to–can't wait!).
What also struck me, was the sincerity and openness that shone through…
I enjoyed the hop, too. I'm glad I participated. 🙂
Way to go everyone who participated!!!
Great summation of the Bloghop Michelle. I really hope that this will help Andrew achieve his goals.
What a fantastic idea. Cathartic and bold. I'll have to look up the posts.