The Insecure Writer’s Support Group ~ No#117

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:
PJ Colando, Diane Burton, Louise – Fundy Blue, Natalie Aguirre, and Jacqui Murray! 
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 01st Question: In your writing, what stresses you the most? What delights you?

I think I worry most about whether I should stick to fiction or non-fiction.

I really enjoy creative non-fiction but at the same time I’m a flash fiction junkie!

So while I write both fiction and non-fiction, and I give time and energy to both styles, should I concentrate on one? Since the acceptance and publication of my non-fiction article in a well-respected educational magazine (860 affiliated schools were invited to submit articles: CLICK HERE TO READ MY ARTICLE) I’m thinking that this is an indication that I need to pursue the non-fiction writing…

What delights me? I love writing short fiction! It’s always a delightful experience.

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Today was the official end of year for our learners. We had the final grade 8-11 Assembly and Prize-giving Ceremony, then handed out final reports.
I haven’t written much since the 100daysX100words challenge which ended on October 08th because I moved straight from that challenge into final preparations for examinations at school.
All done and dusted.
I’m now dead tired.

Thank you to everybody for visiting today.
I’ll catch up with all who visited my blog when I’m officially on holiday from next week!

Happy IWSG Day!!

21 Comments

  1. C. Lee McKenzie on December 1, 2021 at 5:10 pm

    That’s so interesting. I’ve never been torn between those two. I used to do only non-ficiton and now it seems the table has turned.

    Glad you mentioned this.

  2. Alex J. Cavanaugh on December 1, 2021 at 6:03 pm

    Glad you get a break now.
    Write both! Write one for publication and the other just for fun.

  3. Loni A Townsend on December 1, 2021 at 8:06 pm

    Hope you have a good holiday and recuperate after all the exams! And I think you do swell at both fiction and non. 🙂

  4. Jemima Pett on December 1, 2021 at 8:19 pm

    I like writing short fiction. I like writing long fiction. I have done some non-fiction but most of that has been papers, not books, and under a different form of my name 🙂 It’s not something I see myself doing, although I did think of some nature writing that I need to do some more research on.
    The wheel turns, and another page opens.

  5. L. Diane Wolfe on December 2, 2021 at 12:02 am

    I started writing fiction and found I did non-fiction better. It’s just something you have to weigh the pros and cons with.

  6. Susan M. Gourley on December 2, 2021 at 1:23 am

    Sounds like you’re due for a little rest. It also sounds like you enjoy both fiction and nonfiction so I don’t think you should give up one. Happy holidays.

  7. MIffie Seideman on December 2, 2021 at 5:23 am

    That is very interesting. I actually have one hand in the fiction cookie jar and one in the non-fiction, currently. I was worried at first, but each gives me a chance to take a break from the other genre and not get my stories or ideas cross-wired. Hope you get some good R&R!

  8. MIffie Seideman on December 2, 2021 at 5:24 am

    I actually have one hand in the fiction cookie jar and one in the non-fiction, currently. I was worried at first, but each gives me a chance to take a break from the other genre and not get my stories or ideas cross-wired. Hope you get some good R&R!

  9. Denise Covey on December 2, 2021 at 5:37 am

    That’s interesting Michelle. Congratulations on having your article published, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to pursue non over fiction. Many write both. You know I’m a mad keen fiction writer, but I have a couple of non-fictions books gurgitating in my mind which I hope I have time to birth! And I do miss your flash fiction at WEP. Perhaps you’ll find time to share a story with us again one day!

  10. H A Melton-Butcher on December 2, 2021 at 8:33 am

    Hi Michele – congratulations on achieving the things you’ve done … as you say now rest – but all the best for next year and happy peaceful festivities. Keep writing – cheers Hilary

  11. Sonia Dogra on December 2, 2021 at 1:45 pm

    I wrote a lot of non fiction and found that it worked with people. But now my heart is into fiction. I can’t seem to think of anything else.

  12. Michael Di Gesu on December 2, 2021 at 2:45 pm

    I LOVE you flash pieces… you never have to give that up just because you want to write non-fiction. I never contemplated writing narrative non-fiction before and ending up writing a whole book! I still love fiction and I hope to do both in the future.

    I have a flash piece up for the the WEP with a fantasy theme… I remember how much you liked those. I hope you get a chance to stop by to read it. I know you are just vegging now, but when you resurface…

    HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you. Stay safe in these troubled times. Sending you a huge HUG…

  13. Patricia Josephine on December 2, 2021 at 4:32 pm

    I get torn a bit on what I should do in regard to the genres I have books in, too. The difference isn’t as big as fiction versus non fiction, but it’s there and I often wonder if I’m focusing right.

  14. Victoria Marie Lees on December 2, 2021 at 7:21 pm

    Great article, Michelle! The importance of keeping children in school to learn is tough–and so necessary. Bravo in getting your article published.

    I like to write short fiction, too. Why not keep at both of them. Sell what you can. And never give up. All best to you!

  15. Diane Burton on December 3, 2021 at 2:20 pm

    Do what you enjoy. If you enjoy both, why not do both? For a while, I wondered if I should stick to one genre. But I love writing sci-fi romance, romantic suspense, and cozy mysteries. If you’re better at one over the other, then stick to that. But if you enjoy both equally, go for it.

  16. H. R. Sinclair on December 6, 2021 at 2:19 pm

    I enjoy both and do both. One tends to take over for a period and then the other. I dunno if that’s good or bad, but it makes me happy. Happy Holidays!

  17. Annalisa Crawford on December 7, 2021 at 8:31 am

    Many writers succeed with both fiction and non-fiction – I suppose they use very different parts of the creative mind. Imagine how you’d feel if you never wrote non-fiction again – if you’d miss it, don’t give it up! Enjoy your holiday x

  18. Jemi Fraser on December 8, 2021 at 1:51 pm

    I enjoy both fiction and non-fiction as well. Currently my heart and time are fully absorbed with my fiction, but there are a few nonfiction ideas calling for my attention.
    Congrats again on the article!

  19. Madeline Mora-Summonte on December 15, 2021 at 1:51 pm

    Congratulations on the article!

    If you enjoy both, do both! Who says you have to choose?

    Enjoy the holidays and your break! 🙂

  20. Debbie D. on December 16, 2021 at 2:49 pm

    Congratulations on getting your article published! Why not write both? Do whatever feels right to you. 🙂 Enjoy your time off and Happy Holidays!

  21. Kalpana on December 29, 2021 at 10:45 am

    Congratulations on the publication of your article. I don’t think it has to be an either-or situation. You can do both.
    Wishing you Happy Holidays and a wonderful New Year.

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