The Insecure Writer’s Support Group ~ No#123

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 June 01st posting of the IWSG are:  SE White, Cathrina Constantine, Natalie Aguire, Joylene Nowell Butler, 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!

June 01st Question: When the going gets tough writing the story, how do you keep yourself writing to the end? If have not started the writing yet, why do you think that is and what do you think could help you find your groove and start?

Here are some quick ideas…
Take a deep breathe.

Take frequent breaks.
Go for a walk.
You can people watch and observe and listen.

Have a little bit of writing-related fun where you give your inner writer a little TLC such as, doodling or writing some bad poetry. 
Buy some new accessories (maybe a bullet journal or colorful post-its)
Accept that you’ll always have room to grow so you need to stop beating yourself up for not being 100% productive all the time

The Insecure Writer’s Support group is expanding!
The group has a new feature: In-Person Writing Groups!

Here’s more information: 

Applicants pay a $5.00 one-time fee to use the IWSG logo ad are sent the following email along with the IWSG In-Person Group badge: 

Welcome to the IWSG In-Person Group club!

We have attached the badge for display online and in person.

In representing the IWSG, we ask that you follow these guidelines:

* Adhere to our mission statement –  
The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a website media business with affiliates to enhance our service to visitors. We are a home for writers in all stages, from unpublished to bestsellers. Our goal is to offer assistance and guidance. We want to help writers overcome their insecurities, and by offering encouragement we are creating a community of support.

* Conduct the group in a positive manner, encouraging growth and inclusion for all. Writers should be treated equally and fairly no matter who they are or what genre they write.

* Encourage members to become part of the IWSG at some level – blogging, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/IWSG13/

https://twitter.com/TheIWSG  hashtag #IWSG

https://www.instagram.com/theiwsg/ 

* Encourage members to subscribe to our newsletter –

http://eepurl.com/bM8oHL 

Your group will be listed on the IWSG In-Person Groups page with your name as leader and your location.

Please keep us up to date on your progress, growth, and member accomplishments/events so that we might celebrate with you!

Happy IWSG Day! I hope you are well! Thanks to everybody who has visited my place over the past few weeks. I apologize if I haven’t visited you… yet.
Please bear with me. I will try my best to catch up with your posts… even if it takes me a week or two. 

36 Comments

  1. Alex J. Cavanaugh on June 1, 2022 at 6:17 pm

    Writing productive all the time just means we’re not doing something else that needs doing. So it’s all right if we don’t.

  2. L. Diane Wolfe on June 1, 2022 at 7:14 pm

    Adult coloring books are just as good as doodling.

    • Michelle Wallace on June 3, 2022 at 5:40 pm

      Diane, you’re right! I have one of those colouring books and it’s wonderful therapy. Now, if I could just remember where I put it…

  3. MIffie Seideman on June 1, 2022 at 8:03 pm

    Hi Michelle-
    The worst behavior I picked up at work was that I was expected to be 100% productive all the time. We were expected to be available to be texted at all times during work, and often after work. I realized I’ve continued that behavior at home, always on, always trying to complete a task. I am guilt ridden when I sit and relax. I plan to change that this year and allow myself some more guilt-free down time (including away from writing a times) to smell the roses a bit (well, here in Phoenix it’s more like stare at the cactus, but same thing).

    • Janet Alcorn on June 2, 2022 at 2:33 am

      Miffie, I have the same issue with guilt when I’m not productive–and the older I get, the more rest I need. I’m working on it.

      BTW I’m in Tucson, so I do my share of staring at cactus 🙂

      • Michelle Wallace on June 3, 2022 at 5:47 pm

        Janet, it seems like it’s part of the older generation mindset – we’re wired like that.

        Miffie, If you look hard enough, you may discover enough like-minded writers to start that “cactus-staring club!” 🌵👀

    • Michelle Wallace on June 3, 2022 at 5:41 pm

      I’m also guilty of that. We need to learn how to cut off. I like the sound of “guilt-free down time”…

  4. Loni Townsend on June 1, 2022 at 8:36 pm

    I often find I’m unproductive if I have another thing distracting me. Trying to write when I’ve got sculpting on my brain has been a particularly trying challenge. 🙂

    • Michelle Wallace on June 3, 2022 at 5:48 pm

      I’ve lost track of the number of distractions in my life at the moment…. *sigh*

  5. Anna on June 1, 2022 at 11:59 pm

    I love your ideas on how to fill up our writing cup, so we can get back to it. Thanks for that.

    Anna from elements of emaginette

  6. Olga Godim on June 2, 2022 at 12:35 am

    Love your list, especially the accessory bit. :))

  7. Louise (Fundy Blue) on June 2, 2022 at 3:03 am

    “Accept that you’ll always have room to grow so you need to stop beating yourself up for not being 100% productive all the time.” This applies to all areas of my life, Michelle. Right now I’m focusing on trying to be less productive to be able to be more productive. To be considered a “lazybones” in generations of my family was the worse thing. From my great grandmother down, that was drilled into me. Now I’m trying to find my inner lazybones, if only for a little time each day. Have a great June!

    • Michelle Wallace on June 3, 2022 at 5:53 pm

      “I’m focusing on trying to be less productive to be able to be more productive.” THIS.
      I fully understand where you’re coming from, especially about the “lazybones” aspect. It’s difficult to break that “productivity mindset.”

  8. Damyanti Biswas on June 2, 2022 at 9:33 am

    I find my walks very calming when I’m stressed 🙂

  9. Natalie Aguirre on June 2, 2022 at 10:52 am

    I agree that it’s important not to beat yourself up about not being productive 100% of the time.

  10. Carol Kilgore on June 2, 2022 at 9:44 pm

    Great post! I’m bad about beating myself up. I’m working on getting better 🙂

  11. Patricia on June 3, 2022 at 5:25 pm

    Taking a walk or getting away for a minute is quite the popular suggestion.

  12. Yvonne V on June 4, 2022 at 2:44 am

    Taking walks is one of my faves!

  13. tara tyler on June 4, 2022 at 11:58 am

    it’s been too long, Mish — hope you are well!
    love that you continue to support IWSG and you are doing a terrific job visiting around.
    the writing group sounds like a great idea! I’m curious to hear how it goes.

    • Michelle Wallace on June 8, 2022 at 1:25 pm

      It’s wonderful to see you here, Tara!
      You’re right – it’s been far too long…
      I love supporting other writers – it’s my way of giving back to the community.
      How have you been?

  14. C. Lee McKenzie on June 8, 2022 at 5:13 pm

    It’s time to return to being in person. Perfect timing for this newest aspect of IWSG.

    • Michelle Wallace on June 17, 2022 at 7:17 am

      A wonderful platform for all writers who are returning to in-person groups.

  15. H. R. Sinclair on June 9, 2022 at 5:16 pm

    Great tips. And very cool on the in-person writing groups. What a grand idea.

  16. Toi Thomas on June 16, 2022 at 11:10 pm

    Nice tips. I like the one about writing bad poetry.

    • Michelle Wallace on June 17, 2022 at 7:20 am

      Yes. the trick is to just write. Bad poetry can be improved upon… it’s all about getting those words down.
      They can be shaped, chiselled and then polished later on.

  17. Debs Carey on June 21, 2022 at 10:47 am

    Great suggestions. I love the bullet journal one especially I used to keep one but it was deathly dull and only used for habit tracking as I was concerned that I could get oh so engrosed in all the prettification and never do any actual work. But I am feeling I’d like to get back to it as standard planning tools don’t work well for me.

    • Michelle Wallace on June 21, 2022 at 4:57 pm

      If it works for you, then you should get back to it.
      The prettification is a visual feast… nothing wrong with that, as long as it doesn’t take over…
      Thank you for visiting, Debs!

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