The Insecure Writer’s Support Group ~ No#107
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 December posting of the IWSG are: Pat Garcia, Sylvia Ney, Liesbet @ Roaming About , Cathrina Constantine, and Natalie Aguirre!
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!
DECEMBER 02nd QUESTION: Are there months or times of the year that you are more productive with your writing than other months, and why?
When I read this question, it made me think of Seasonal Writing Disorder, a condition which I’ve read about and the fact that it affects many writers.
I have to confess that I haven’t really monitored my productivity or lack of productivity according to the seasons.
I know that many people go weeks without writing while others write on a daily basis. I also know that the writers who go weeks without writing are not necessarily less productive. How so? Some writers measure their output in the context of a year, and have discovered that they are just as productive as the writer who puts pen to paper every day.
You also get those who are loyal NaNoWriMoers and are extremely productive during the November challenge.
Some of the least productive writers have all the time in the world. Some of the most productive have the least.
Each writer has an individual cycle. It’s a highly personal thing.
The bottom line is not to worry about how other people think writers should write – you’ve got to work in ways that work for you.
Accept that we are all different.
Embrace your writing process.
Our book club is changing things up! 
We will have quarterly book selections now, giving us more time to read. We will also have one fiction book selection and one writing craft book selection. Members can read both or choose between them. Finally, we won’t be offering 5 optional discussion questions anymore. Instead, we will be utilizing the polls that our members enjoy, so there will be one poll question for the fiction book and one for the non-fiction book on Discussion Day.
Our December/January/February reads are…
Ghost Light by Joseph O’Connor, a book written in second person. Since many readers haven’t read a book in second person, and many writers haven’t written in second person, we figured this is a great chance to explore something new.
Preparing to Write Settings that Feel Like Characters by J Lenni Dorner. This will be our writing craft book, with a focus on settings.
Discussion Day for both books will be February 24, 2021!
JOIN US!
Good answer, Michelle! Spot on.
How true it is that those who have so much on their plate are often more productive than those with less to do. My father-in-law always said: If you need something done, ask a busy person.
Yes, well said. We each have our own flow and style.
You’re right it is a personal thing. I write when the mood hits. ‘Nuff said. hehehe
Anna from elements of emaginette
That’s how I am. I can go weeks writing and then weeks without, but those weeks I am writing, I tend to be super productive.
I completely agree. We each have our own rhythm. I actually have the SAD symptoms opposite to most. The bright sunlight and hot weather really drags me down. And my inner clock has always been set to second shift.
That is a really good tip, to follow your own rhythm and schedule.
Hi,
I so agree with your bottom line summary. It is hard to write anything if you’re going to base your writing time on what others do. You have to find out what is best for you and do it.
Take care and have a Merry Christmas and a safe passage into 2021.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
I agree. Initially I was hell bent on writing every day but then gave it up. I now prefer four days in a week. The daily writing was kind of giving me jitters when I missed it.
I’m going to frame that phrase – “Embrace Your Writing Process” and put it on my story study wall!
Thank you for this inspiring post.
I hadn’t heard of Seasonal Writing Disorder. Interesting. It’s wonderful how different we all are!
I’ve never heard of Seasonal Writing Disorder, but I’m going to look it up. So true on the things you said. I consider myself a sprint writer, meaning I go a time without writing then get super productive for a while. At the end of the year, I find I’ve done well enough. But I also get a lot done in one sitting. Sometimes I envy the people I see doing the work every day, but I’ve started to get comfortable with understanding that’s not how I work.
Hi Michelle – just keep writing seems to be the key – not to say I’m writing stories or books .. but the blog keeps coming along at my own pace. I’ll enjoy looking at the bookclub and seeing how it works out. All the best for the season – and that warmth! Take care, stay safe and see you around anon … Hilary
I didn’t realise that Seasonal Writing Disorder was a thing! I’m definitely more productive in the spring and summer. Thanks for sharing this good advice.
Good point. Thanks for the encouragement.
Hi Michelle, I never thought about SWD before, but it certainly makes sense. Sadly, I’ve been suffering from PWDD (Procrastination Writing & Dusting Disorder) since even before covid, so I have absolutely no excuse. Sorry I haven’t been around in a while, but I do think of you often. Thanks for all you do with the IWSG including the new book club. I admire how much you’ve been able to accomplish. I hope that you’re doing well, and wish you Happy Holidays and all the best in the New Year!
Julie
Spot on, Michelle. Never heard of Seasonal Writing Disorder before but it makes sense. I always suspect that people write more in the winter when they’re not tempted out by the sunshine.