The Insecure Writer’s Support Group ~ No#82
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 October posting of the IWSG are: Dolorah, Tanya Miranda, Chemist Ken, and Christopher D. Votey.
Don’t forget to visit them and thank them for co-hosting!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
Here is the wonderful badge I won as runner up in the August WEP+IWSG challenge! Thank you to the WEP team! There were so many great stories, so it was an honour to even be shortlisted, let alone secure a runner up spot.
I encourage all to participate 
in the WEP challenge. Sign up for the October challenge is now open.
Theme: Daja Vu or Voodoo. *shivers*
Choose from the following formats: FLASH FICTION, POETRY, NON-FICTION, ARTWORK, PHOTO ESSAYS
When it comes to horror, I’m not very good. But I’m going to submit something. It’s a great way to stretch my “horror muscles”. For more details go HERE.
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In other news, on 01 October I started another 100words100days challenge. For me, it’s a great way to move forward with my writing and get those words down! The first challenge I completed (January 01st to April 09th/10th?) taught me the following: rough outline + prompts + short bursts of writing = PRODUCTIVITY!
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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!
OCTOBER 03rd QUESTION: How do major life events affect your writing? Has writing ever helped you through something?
I have yet to discover this but will be monitoring as I go along. After all, life throws those curve balls…
A reminder about The 2018 Annual IWSG Anthology Contest!
Word count: 3500-6000
Genre: Young Adult Romance
You can submit to the annual IWSG anthology or the WEP+IWSG collaborative project! Which one will you choose? Romance or horror? Or maybe BOTH? If you’re so inclined?
Do you work well in short bursts of writing or extended writing sessions?
Happy IWSG Day!
Congrats on being named a runner-up 🙂 And yay for doing another 100words100days challenge – the last one seemed to have worked really well for you.
Gotta do what works. It makes the writing that much easier.
Thanks, Ellen. 🙂
Congrats on your story! And good luck with your 100 words a day challenge 🙂 Happy IWSG day.
Ronel visiting on Insecure Writer’s Support Group day: Course Correction
Thank you, Ronel. 🙂
Awesome you were runner up!
Keep after those hundred words every single day.
That’s the plan, Alex. Now to stick to it…
Congratulations!!!
I liked your writing goal so much that I also set myself a goal, but since life has gotten in the way, I haven’t had much time to come close to my goal.
Thank you!
Those two babies are so adorable, Cathrina.
I don’t blame you for not sticking to the goal. 🙂
Congratulations! That’s awesome. Good luck with your 100 days challenge. You can do it! 🙂
Yes, I can.
It works for me, so that’s a great motivating factor.
Congrats!!
I forgot I had a story on the go for that WEP challenge – but life slammed us sideways so I never did finish it. Maybe next one!
Join in for the October challenge. Or the December one. 🙂
Congrats! I assume you are participating again this month.
I will be participating in the October challenge. (but when it comes to horror-based writing, it’s a struggle…)
Congrats on your success. I know you deserved. I’ll be waiting for your next entry… Good luck. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
Thank you, Anna! I hope that the October entry turns out okay… 🙂
Congrats!
And good luck with your challenge.
Thank you, Patricia!!
Good for you trying out a new genre. How your submission comes out great.
And congratulations on being the runner-up in the contest.
Thanks you, Ken!
Hi Michelle – yes congratulations on your WEP runner up award … and good luck with this the next entry month. Writing, writing, writing – the essential elements for a story. Take care and good luck – cheers Hilary
It never stops, Hilary.
But I’m enjoying it… no pressure. 🙂
A Voodoo theme is extremely tempting for me! I have to check out the challenge, at least. 😀 Congrats on being a runner up in the last WEP challenge!! And best wishes for the next 100 days! You did great last time, though, so you can totally rock it.
Go for it, Krystal! Sounds right up your alley. 🙂
I enjoy the 100words100days challenge. It suits me. 🙂
Hi, Michelle,
CONGRATS on the WIN!!!!! SO happy for you. I am hoping to submit to both, but we shall see with all of my crazy life restraints…UGH…
Hopefully all is well!
Go for it, Michael. You are such a GOOD writer. 🙂
Maybe, find an old story that fits and polish it up? Or you can write a brand new story too.
Please join us in the WEP challenge or submit to the annual IWSG anthology.
All is great! Hope you’re well!
Happy IWSG day! Congrats on your writing adventures and good luck with your journey :).
Thank you for the visit!
Congrats Michelle! I may have to start a 100 words a day challenge if I can’t get my brain back into gear. LOL. It’s stuck in a practical mode which scares my muse. Good luck with everything!
The 100words100day challenge is a great way in which to get those words down… little by little.
Pretty badge. =) Wishing you the best with your next 100 challenge. I’ve been working a little bit on the side, but nothing the world will see for at least a few more years. I feel like I’ve taken ten steps back in the writing realm and will start from scratch when I return, but at least there will be a few complete books in my library to dazzle people with so no one notices.
Keep up the challenges, and I’m excited for your horror challenge.
Ten steps back? Never. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re a great writer!
Take care, Crystal. 🙂
Congrats and good luck with the October challenges!
Thanks, Yvonne!
Congratulations on being short listed Michelle. What an honor.
I definitely write better in longer sessions. Of course I am the queen of filling notebooks with ideas and not ever getting to them.
You’ll get to those ideas one day, Doreen.
Look at what’s happened with Bristol Boyz Stomp and The Stranger In My Recliner. They started off with ideas in a notebook, didn’t they?
Congrats on your story! And good luck on your new challenge. It’s great that you haven’t had to deal with a big life event and your writing.
Thank you, Natalie! 🙂
Congrats on your Runner Up badge! And it’s good knowing you’re doing another 100 day challenge.
Thank you, Carol!
Yes, I’m taking the plunge!! It feels right, for me…
Congrats on placement! Good luck with the challenge. I think I’ll join you, late, but it’s a great goal and maybe what I need to get going.
It’s a great way in which to get words down. No obsessing about volume = no pressure. You should try it.
Hi Michelle, congratulations.
I’ve always liked your 100 words 100 days challenge.
Thank you, Rachna.
Congrats on your book, Festival Stories Through The Year. Awesome news! 🙂
Congrats on your award and your book. Huzzah! This is another bit I love about #IWSG–I stay in touch at least once a month with fellow writers.
Yes, the once-a-month-catch-up is a great way to keep writers connected. 🙂
Thanks, Jacqui!
I loved that you said you were going to stretch your horror muscles. Stepping out of our usual writing zone is such a good idea, and that’s one reason I love the anthologies. I wish I could contribute this month, but I’m sitting this round out. Have fun and I hope your story’s selected. Fingers crossed!
I’ll try, Lee! Not sure how the story will turn out…
Well done on winning that badge! Good luck with your 100 Word/100 Days Challenge for October. I think it’s so great that you do those. Hmm, maybe something for me to consider…… 🙂
The 100words100days challenge keeps me moving forward, with no pressure, which keeps the writing process enjoyable. 🙂
Congrats, runner-up, wahoo! Wishing the best with your challenge. Have fun. Happy IWSG Day!
Thank you, Juneta!
Congrats on your WEP victory! YAY!! That is such a great event. I have been meaning to participate again but keep drawing blanks when I do. One of these months I hope I will get inspired again.
Good luck with your new challenge! I’m sure you will rock it. 🙂
The WEP challenge is amazing.
It’s also a great way to try different things/styles/voices/genres… 🙂
Congrats on being runner up! That’s high praise indeed. I think I’d like to try horror for middle grade. I just took R.L. Stine’s MasterClass and I don’t think it would be too scary for me if I stick to middle grade. Lol.
You are so good at writing middle grade. Give it a go, Gwen! 🙂
Hi Mishy!
Congrats on your WEP runner up win. Awesome story which led to much discussion between the team.
You go for the 100 words challenge! Anything that gets you writing is awesome!
Thank you, Denise.
I’m honoured that my story led to “much discussion”. 🙂
The 100words100days keeps me consistent. It works for me.
Congrats on your award! Great work!! Enjoy writing those 100 words a day. 🙂
Thanks, Lynda! I definitely enjoy the short bursts! 🙂
Congratulations on your runner-up win! May there be many more.
I work with an author whose specialty is 100-word stories (micro-horror) and I always find it amazing what people can do with such a limited amount of words. It takes a special skill to tell an entire story that way. You’re one of the people who can do it well!
Thank you, Lynda! 🙂
I LOVE flash fiction.
Perhaps such a challenge is a way to go for many writers, especially those who suffer from a writing block. 100 words a day sound doable. I’m tempted to try it.
The 100words100days keeps me going… getting those words down and building stories… but without stress! You should give it a go!
Hi Michelle! Congrats on being awarded runner-up! I’m also impressed that you dove into another 100-word writing challenge! I’m sure that all of your hard work will continue to pay off.
Thank you, Julie! Lovely to hear from you! 🙂
I want to enjoy the writing process and the 100words100days allows for consistent writing. The result? I can continue building stories but it doesn’t become a chore. Win-win situation!
Congratulations on being runner up! There were so many good entries. I missed participating in WEP. Hopefully you don’t have to find out any time soon whether you stop writing when stressed.
I really don’t need to find out… but in the event of trauma, I suspect that writing will fly out of the window… 🙁
Woot on the challenge! That’s awesome you’re able to stick with it!
Thanks, Loni!
Btw, I really enjoyed your story in the Full Dark anthology!
My submission for the IWSG anthology is in the hands of my beta readers right now, biting nails… love the badge! Congratulations! Hadn’t heard of the 100words/100days thing. sounds interesting! Thanks for dropping by my blog.
Good luck with the IWSG submission, Lisa!
Great story in the Full Dark anthology! 🙂
Huge congratulations on the runner-up spot, Michelle! And happy belated IWSG. 🙂
Thank you, Raimey! 🙂