It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up.
We post the first Wednesday of every month. We encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.
The awesome co-hosts today are Tyrean Martinson, Tara Tyler, Raimey Gallant, and Beverly Stowe McClure!
September’s optional question - Have you ever surprised yourself with
your writing? For example, by trying a new genre you didn't think you'd
be comfortable in?
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Honestly, sometimes I go back and read something and I just can't believe that I even wrote it!Not that it's particularly awesome writing, just that the words are almost foreign to me or that the plot points actually worked or that the character said something funny. And I'm like...really? I wrote that? That rocks!
How about you?
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September marks six years for the IWSG group and four years for the website. You know what that means…
The annual IWSG Anthology Contest!
Eligibility: Any member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is encouraged to enter – blogging or Facebook member. The story must be previously unpublished. Entry is free.
Word count: 3500-6000
Genre: Mystery/Crime/Thriller
Theme: Tick Tock. The story revolves around a clock, is time sensitive, or has something about a specific time. This theme has plenty of scope and we’re open to pretty much anything along these lines. No erotica, R-rated language, or graphic violence.
Story deadline: November 1st 2017
How to enter: Send your polished, formatted, previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging or Facebook IWSG group.
Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges:
Prizes: The winning stories will be edited and published by Freedom Fox Press next year in the IWSG anthology. Authors will receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will have the honor of giving the anthology its title.
We’re excited to see the creativity and enthusiasm that’s such a part of this group put into action. So don your creative caps and start writing. And spread the word!
On Wednesday, October 4 (IWSG Day), post a photo of yourself (or your alter ego) with any of the IWSG swag or with the IWSG logo. Then leave a comment that day at either the IWSG website’s post or the IWSG Facebook post directing us to your photo. (All blog, Facebook, Goodreads, and newsletter members welcome, but photo must be posted on a blog or Facebook to qualify.)
There are some cool prizes to be had!
Plus the IWSG Writing For Profit will be available by that time.
And finally, don’t forget to submit your news to the IWSG Newsletter – free advertising for your new releases, sales, and more. Contact Christine Rains or send directly to the IWSG email address.
I feel the same way about my writing. Don't know who wrote those four books because it doesn't seem like me.
ReplyDeleteContest is going to rock!
It can be a great feeling when you read something you didn't think you were good enough to write, especially when your current efforts seem hopeless!
ReplyDelete"I wrote that? That rocks!" <---Love that. That's a great feeling/reaction to have about your writing. We need that feeling.
ReplyDeleteI love that you look back with so much excitement for your writing! That's awesome! It's great when those moments happen.
ReplyDeleteMost of my books have been out so long I doubt I'd say anything about them rocks now.
ReplyDeleteI love that surprise thing. Last week I actually ran across my half finished book I started (long hand) after finishing my first.I vaguely remember it. It was half a book, after all. The bigger surprises are the story ideas I find tucked into notebooks regularly.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read what you wrote about your own words being foreign to you, I had to nod. I'm convinced that my brain does switch synaptic gears when I'm creating a story. It leaves my list-making, planning brain at idle and I have no idea what's going down on that page.
ReplyDeleteThat must be a wonderful feeling. I'm more in the "well, it's better than I remember it" camp. But I'm totally struggling with my author self-confidence, so that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteI love going back and reading something I wrote to be amazed by it. Yay for the next IWSG contest! It's going to be fantastic. Thanks for the newsletter mention. I may have to go out and scout for some news, because I do love a section where we celebrate our members.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you answered the question that way because it was similar to what I said about my own writing. Now I feel a little more normal and not like someone who is overly taken in by myself.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
In the posts I've read for this #IWSG, this seems to be the most common idea. And I agree--I feel the same way!
ReplyDeleteI haven't written enough to look back like you and feel so good about what I wrote. Hopefully some day I will.
ReplyDeleteBeing surprised by your writing is one of the best things about writing. It's nice when it feels like the story (or the characters) takes on a life of its own, especially because then the writing almost seems a little easier at that point.
ReplyDeleteIt's always a good feeling when you reread something you wrote and it blows you away. =)
ReplyDeleteI forgot about the optional question. It's been so long since I participated. But, yes ... I know the exact feeling. It's such an adrenaline rush. If writer's get a writer's high similar to a runner's 🏃 high, when they are in a certain zone, that's how I would describe it. This intoxicated feeling overcomes me while reading a captivating scene that's lured me into the story. But I don't recognize the voice, the scene, or the writing . It's usually something I've put away for a while, like the first part of a novel and I haven't read it in a long time ... not since finishing the manuscript then putting it all away for a month or so before yanking it back out for the dreaded first round of revisions. I'll be beating myself up for the crap I just wrote in the final chapters and then I'm both dazzled and shocked I wrote what I'm now reading. Was it really me? Did I have a little vino that night, lol? But, it's a wonderful feeling and it restores my mutilated self confidence. Glad you brought this up.
ReplyDeleteHi Heather - I'm amazed at what I have written and then the comments pointing things out to me that they've enjoyed - always surprises me. It's wonderful that we can develop as writers, then have groups like the IWSG to help us through ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDelete