The Insecure Writer’s Support Group ~ No#94
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: Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Mary Aalgaard, Madeline Mora-Summonte, and Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor!
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!
OCTOBER 02nd QUESTION: It’s been said that the benefits of becoming a writer who does not read is that all your ideas are new and original. Everything you do is an extension of yourself, instead of a mixture of you and another author. On the other hand, how can you expect other people to want your writing, if you don’t enjoy reading? What are your thoughts?
Reading and writing? I’m a reader first. I didn’t plan on becoming a writer. For me, writing came after reading and I can’t imagine not reading. Now I also can’t imagine not writing. The only ‘complaint’ I have is this – I don’t read in the same manner anymore. I can’t get “lost” in a story as easily as before. I find it difficult to turn off my ‘writer brain’ when reading a book, especially if I read over a few sittings. However, if I get stuck into a book and read non-stop, then it’s easier to shut off and read for enjoyment.
I’m fortunate that I don’t have to be ‘in the mood’ to pick up a book and read. I can read. Everyday. I always say that if I could read all day and get paid for it, that would be my perfect job. This is my seventh year doing the Goodreads challenge and I’ve reached my set reading goals over the past six years. So all is good in the reading department.
Now if only I could write as fast as I read…
Remember if you’re on Facebook, you can link your monthly blog post to the badge pinned at the top of the IWSG Facebook page.
Every month, IWSG members link their blog posts as soon as their posts go live. With all the links in one place, you can see who has already posted and it can save you time visiting the blogs of members who haven’t posted yet.
Happy IWSG Day!
Yeah, once you start learning the trade, mistakes in books and poor writing tend to really stand out…
You are so right. I am much more critical about what I read than I was. I even have books I no longer finish!
Love this! In fact, I feel like you crawled inside my brain – I feel the same on every point! If you find that reading job, let me know! 🙂
That’s awesome that you’ve met all your reading goals! I always fail miserably so I didn’t even set one this year.
I was a reader before a writer, too. Now that I’m writing, I notice things more than before, but I can still easily get lost in a book.
Hi Michelle – interesting about you saying you never thought about writing, as you were a reader … then your approach to reading changed. Perhaps that’s my challenge: I didn’t realise I could write … and though I read lots – it’s not usually books, as I’m not writing stories. It’s fun being part of this fraternity – as one learns lots … cheers Hilary
I certainly can’t read the same way now. I’m critical when going through submissions and that spills over into published books.
I love participating in the Goodreads Challenge! I’m closing in on this year’s goal. I might try and push way past it, but we’ll see. 🙂
When I read, I ask myself, what works in this story? What makes me care about the characters and keep turning the pages? I still get lost in stories. Audio books are great for that. I also wish I could write faster and stay focused on a project.
I have the same issue with reading now and that is the only downside of writing for me. Like you I was a reader first and never planned on writing like I do now. Reading will always be a constant for me.
That “writer brain” can be a pest when reading but then it’s all about learning. I can still get sucked into a good book and that is inspiring because I want to produce that effect in my own books.
Getting paid to read all day – that would be my perfect job too!
I agree — reading isn’t quite the same since I started writing.
I’m a reader first too. It is why I wanted to write and dared to try. Happy IWSG!
Ah, yes, that writer brain when reading. I know it’s a good book when I can turn off the writer brain 😉
I’ve heard agents say they started because they wanted to be paid to read all the time. Like you, I love reading. I have to read to go to bed, no matter how late I’m getting into bed.
Its really awesome you met your reading goal! And yes, I also tend to be more critical now then I used to be!