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 - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
June 5 optional question: Of all the genres you read and write, which is your favorite to write in and why?
The awesome co-hosts for the June 5 posting of the IWSG are Diane Burton, Kim Lajevardi, Sylvia Ney, Sarah Foster, Jennifer Hawes, and Madeline Mora-Summonte!
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Hi. My name is Heather and I'm an insecure writer.
I'm trying my best to get published again. As most of you know, that's not easy. Too many rejections makes you just want to hit delete on everything and it feels just awful.
But...it also must mean that something I'm doing isn't working, so to make myself even more insecure, I put my first three chapters of my new book up on the blog for feedback.
If you're interested in reading them, you can head over HERE.
I know I can self-publish, and if I had the funds for an editor, and to get new covers, I probably would. There's still a part of me that wants an actual publisher, even if I'll never get into a big one.
But first, I need to get over this speed bump.
Make sure you read all the way to the bottom for all the #IWSG news!!
Also...if you have a second, one of our blog friends, Tara Tyler, is going through a rough patch and could use an ear and some support.
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IWSG Anthology Contest
Don’t forget the Insecure Writer’s Support Group Annual Anthology Contest is open and taking submissions!
Genre is middle grade historical – adventure/ fantasy and the theme is voyagers.
See the site for full details.
Mark your calendars! The annual #IWSGPit Twitter pitch party is set for January 15, 2020.
IWSG Instagram
The IWSG Instagram prompts for June are:
The WEP challenge for this month is open!
Theme – Caged Bird.
Up to 1000 words.
There are also some changes regarding signing up, voting, and prizes, so be sure to visit the WEP site for details.
So sweet of you to reach out for Tara. I recently heard about her troubles. I'll hop on over. <3 And I'll also come back to peek at your chapters. So exciting!
ReplyDeletePlease know that you are not alone with this insecure bug that gnaws quietly on writer's innards in the shadows of our stories. It does suck at times and it can be really hard. I want you to remember something - you mentioned that because you don't have a publisher yet you must still be doing something wrong. That is not necessarily true. You know me and that I've been fortunate to find two publishers, release books that became award-winners, was asked to write sequels to both books, and then BOOM!, my MG pub closes its doors. I had zero control over that. (And yes, for the last five weeks since I found out I've been wallowing miserably.) There is a lot you don't have control over either. When you sub a rejection might simply be timing, or wrong agent/pub, or someone hit the wrong key. Who knows? What's important is that you don't sink into the depths of those, but climb on top of them, put your hands on your hips, and say I am worth all this work.
Because you are. <3
Thank you, S.A. I appreciate that. I'm so sorry to hear about your publisher. That really sucks. I just hate to blame it on bad timing or something if its actually me.
DeleteI'm not giving up yet.
Thank you,
Heather
Don't give up hope. Keep trying and the right path will present itself. Remember, you rock!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I do forget that I rock. :)
DeleteHeather
Rejection is the worst, but it isn't a measure of you or your writing. Keep at it. Which I know is easier said than done. Self-publishing is great, but you're right that it does require an investment which isn't possible for everyone.
ReplyDeleteYou're sweet to flag up Tara. Hopping over to see how she is.
Thank you. I'm hoping its not me.
Delete:)
HMG
It's so hard to get past rejection. I finally found an agent after soooo many years. Now, I am waiting (always waiting!!) to find a publisher. Sheesh. This biz takes an enormous amount of patience.
ReplyDeleteIt does take a lot of patience and resilience, which I apparently don't have enough of.
DeleteThank you!
Heather
Traditional publishers are as much focused on finding what they want as finding great writing. It makes it quite a challenge, one I gave up on. Good luck with your efforts!
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's really not easy at all.
DeleteHeather
A pile of rejections is a hard pill to swallow. I read your chapters and gave my thoughts and I hope others have as well and it all helps you figure out what to do next.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I appreciate your time.
DeleteHeather
I know rejections can be tough to deal with. Don't give up!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI'm not yet.
HMG
You were published before. Hang on to that. Knowing how tough this is, that definitely wasn't a fluke. I'll be sure to check out those chapters!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to think positive thoughts. :)
DeleteHeather
You had a publisher before and you CAN find another one. Don't give up hope that you will. (And if you do self-pub, I know a great editor and cover designer.)
ReplyDeleteThank you, L. Diane.
DeleteI appreciate that.
Heather
Don't give up. I commented on your chapter. You are very daring and I give you props for putting yourself out there.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Liza.
ReplyDeleteIt means a lot.
Heather
Rejection IS freaking hard! And yes, it can make us want to hit the delete button, but hang in there! You (and I) are not alone. Believe. Write. Hope. Believe some more. Write some more. Hope some more. You've got this!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I appreciate the encouragement!
DeleteHeather
I know how hard it is to get published. You want that validation. We all do. It took me 10 years to get published the first time by a niche publisher. Then another 13 before being pubbed by a small publisher. You have to persevere. Meantime, I've self-pubbed 14 books (rerelease 2 that were previously pubbed). I'm proud of all my work. What helped me to get past the rejections? Writing for fun. Taking a crazy idea and running with it. That ended up being my 1st published book. So, step back, breathe, and have fun.
ReplyDeleteDoing lots of the breathing.
DeleteThank you!
Heather
You can do this. Getting published is difficult, especially in the market today. I love your books. Keep on writing!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christine!
DeleteThat means a lot to me coming from you!
Heather
Aww, look at you rooting for me!! You're the best!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to read your chapters--you know you can send me anything, any time!
And it's not you! Don't even think it!
It's usually more about timing. I really believe when the time is right, the right situation will come along. Look at that movie for me, pushing me to self-publish mine and go on this campaign. I'm really pushing and already seeing a little progress... It will happen for you, too! I'm picky and I love your stuff, so that's saying something! (too many exclamation points? ah well)
**HUGS**