Quote of the Day: The end is nothing, the road is all. Willa Cather
Today is 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. You can also visit the founder Alex J. Cavanaugh for more info and links.
I am one of the co-hosts this month. I’ll be visiting several blogs from out list to offer support and encouragement. Other co-hosts this month are:
Jemima Pitt
Ronel Janse van Vuuren
Cathrina Constantine
J Lenni Dorner
Question of the Month: In your writing, where do you draw the line, with either topics or language?
This question made me think. I haven’t consciously decided not to write about something, drawing a line, so to speak. I think, more likely, I don’t write about certain things – gratuitous violence, cruelty towards animals, tons of foul language – because I don’t like to read them, or think about them much. Also, I’m sure there are plenty of topics that I don’t write about because I don’t know much about them. Write what you know, right?
I’m feeling a little less insecure this month because I’ve joined a writing group! It feels great to be included in a group of writers who are all working on a project. We were selected for a mentorship opportunity with author Candace Simar. We’ll be meeting once a month for a year. By the end of the year, we all plan to have our books written and ready for the next step. It has already motivated me to open up that file again and start working on my travel novel. We are a group of five, and each writer has a unique story. I found it fascinating to hear everyone share what they’ve been working on and what called them to write that particular story. Now, I have homework, a goal, and writing partners. I am excited for our next meeting, and I have motivation to keep writing and see this project to completion. Yay! And, thank you Candace and our writing group. I am inspired by everyone of you.
Go. Create. Inspire!
Journaling Prompt: When have you felt connected to a group and how did it motivate/inspire you?
Hi Mary! Thanks for co-hosting the IWSG this month. Your writing group sounds like every writer’s dream come true. I’m looking forward to reading your completed work of art.
Thanks, Kalpana. More motivation to complete it and publish it!
That sounds great. I think having small goals, homework, and connections is so important. Bets of luck!
Thank you, Steph. It’s already gotten me restarted on the project. Plus, the other writers are great!
That’s great you joined a writing group! It will keep you accountable.
Thanks for co-hosting today.
Absolutely. Glad to help out, Alex! Thanks for all you do!
I wouldn’t write about the topics you mention either. I’m so glad you joined a writing group. Mine has helped me so much with my current project.
Good to hear it, Natalie.
Well, this is exactly my response to the question. So much in the same space. Best wishes for the writing group and thank you for co-hosting.
Thanks, Sonia!
Thanks for cohosting this month. So happy you’ve joined a writing group. Yes, it makes you accountable. Feedback is so important. Even when we don’t agree, comments from others can help us make our writing stronger.
Absolutely! Thanks, Diane
I’ve gone back and forth about (re) joining a writing group. On the one hand, community, peers, and beta readers! On the other hand, time is tight and adding another regularly-scheduled anything fills me with dread.
Your writing preferences seem to be in line with my own, particularly the part about “no gratuitous violence”. Gratuitous anything just feels…clumsy.
Right, John. This group that I’m in feels like good motivation and worth the time, like signing up for an exercise class. Accountability!
It took me a couple of books to realize I write about the dynamics of the family, specifically the parent/child relationship. I don’t have time to elaborate but I agree with everything you said above. I say that and yet, my latest book is a political thriller about the effects of war on young people. It’s still about family though. Thanks for co-hosting!
Makes sense, Joylene. The story goes where it will.
Hi,
That is wonderful that you have joined a writing group. Congratulations!
Thank you also for co-hosting this week.
All the best.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
Thanks, Pat!
Thanks for co-hosting! Your writing group sounds marvellous. My normal writing output has unfortunately suffered a great deal since lockdown began almost two years ago, since going out to write and talk with other writers regularly gave me so much motivation and reason to be productive and keep up my usual pace.
It will get better, soon, Carrie-Anne. We’re able to do small things now, get out, step by step and interact with each other, again.
Sounds like you’re in a good place with your writing. Woot! Thanks for co-hosting!
Thanks, Loni! I am feeling good right now.
How wonderful that you’ve found writing partners. I love mine and they have made a huge difference in my life as a writer. Thanks for co-hosting today, Mary.
Thanks, Lee. You are also an inspiring author in my circle! Looking forward to your next book release!
Congratulations on being selected for the author group. It sounds wonderful. I too am motivated by inspired people.
Thanks Jacqui!
Sometimes our characters push us past our normal limits. I had a character who was a foul-mouthed as they make them, and I couldn’t write her any other way. I didn’t plan for her to be that way, but she insisted!
I know. I wanted to say something about that, too, in this post. And, sometimes you need the violent scenes for plot and tension. Thanks, PJ!
Those are some of the same topics that I refuse to write about. I want my books to be fun to read, and those subjects would just drag me down.
Thanks for co-hosting IWSG this month!
Thanks, Ken!
Your writing group sounds like something I’d want to join too. Alas I don’t have any project in progress at the moment.
Keep working at it, Olga. I hope you find a group that works for you!
Those other writers will keep you on track!
Yes. I’m fired up for the motivation!
Best wishes on writing with your group. On a Goldilocks scale, it seems perfect in size and comfortably stuffed with motivation 😉 Thanks for co-hosting our group today!
Great description, Diedra. Yes. Thanks!
I’m glad you’ve found a good writing group. I kept up with mine for years, but we all slowly moved away or they found other things to do. Maybe I should look for another now I’ve moved.
I hope you’re enjoying co-hosting today – it’s an honour to be doing it with you!
Thank you, Jemima! You, too. I enjoy the interaction.
Thanks for co-hosting today, Mary! I do my best to write positive things. It’s lovely that you found a writing group. I wish you lots of success with it and your book. Take care!
Thanks, Louise
Very nice! It sounds like a wonderful group you’ve joined. I’m stopping by on the hop today. Have a great rest of your week!
Thanks, Mel
Thanks for cohosting this month, and best of luck with your writing group!
Thanks, Sadira
That’s great that you joined a writing group and it has fueled your writing goals! For me, being a part of the IWSG has been amazing. It’s not quite like a small personal critique group or anything but seeing the motivation of everyone here and how many of us struggle with similar things has given me the confidence to keep at it!
Thanks for co-hosting and good luck with your story!!
Yes. Thanks, to all those things.
I had a pretty good group a few years back on a site that no longer exists. I have a small blogging community of friends here, and that’s good. Happy IWSG day.
Thanks, J. I hope you find another group to connect with.
Thanks for co-hosting.
You’re welcome, Juneta!
Oh my, a writer mentorship group sounds fabulous. I’m not at all surprised you’re so excited about the next session. I hope you’ll write about the process some time in the future as I’d love to know whether it’s something I’d want to actively pursue.
As for your take on this month’s question, I’m pretty aligned to your take on this.
Thanks, Debs. I am in a wonderful, hardworking, thoughtful group. It has already motivated and inspired me!
Hi! This is my first month on the IWSG blog hop. Thanks for hosting!
Your writing group sounds so lovely! Is it in-person or virtual? I’m trying to get a group of my own started, too. Writing is such an isolating vocation, and having friends to walk along side is crucial.
Yes. We’re meeting in person (weather and Covid allowing), and it’s wonderful!
Congrats on your writing group!
Thanks, Yvonne. I’m already encouraged by them.
So awesome you got selected for the writing group! I hosted a project completion writing group in SF and loved it.The first writer’s group I joined was in Santa Cruz. I miss that cohort.
I’m with you on the ‘cruelty to animals’ bit. If the dog/cat is hurt or killed and justice isn’t served in the story, puppy-dog or kitty-cat better be resurrected at the end. Thank you for co-hosting!
So true, Adrienne. Thanks!
Thank you for hosting this month’s blog hop. I do try and be entertaining but my “drawing the line” is more – will this spark an interest in the reader, not necessarily the same boundaries as many are talking about here.
That’s a good way to think of it, too, Diane.
Yes, you’ve got a good point, Mary, I probably do gravitate towards writing what I prefer to read. You made me think about the question again!
Congrats on the writing group. It sounds fab.
That’s fantastic, Mary! I love my writing groups – so inspiring. I’m glad you’ve found a good one. Thank you for co-hosting as well 🙂
Book groups are great for inspiration and motivation. Glad you joined one. Thank you for co-hosting IWSG this month and happy writing!
Bravo to you, Mary! Writing groups are great for accountability. It’s just wonderful to have someone to talk to about your work in progress who understand. It’s great to share insight. That’s why I enjoy IWSG so much. You guys help me stay steady in this ocean of writing and publishing.
Thanks so much for co-hosting this month’s IWSG question. Good luck with your WIP. All best to you!
Thanks, Victoria!
Congrats on the writing group! Sounds like it will be an amazing experience.
I hadn’t thought of cruelty to animals. I don’t like to read that either.
Good luck with your writing. Thanks for co-hosting.
Thanks for co-hosting! Congrats on getting into the writing group. My writing preference is the same as my reading preference. Explicit, detailed violence against women and children and violence based on otherness is a hard pass in both areas.