Quote of the Day: [Walking] is the perfect way of moving if you want to see into the life of things. It is the one way of freedom. If you go to a place on anything but your own feet you are taken there too fast, and miss a thousand delicate joys that were waiting for you by the wayside. Elizabeth von Arnim

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.

Question of the Month: Is there someone who supported or influenced you that perhaps isn’t around anymore? Anyone you miss?

I don’t know if I have a good answer for this one. I’m constantly seeking community in my writing, music, and theater. I’ve had moments of great connection and inspiration, and I’ve had times when I feel like I’m alone in my own space and head. One of the best moments was when I was in Grand Rapids, MN. I connected with another writer, Lois. We met a couple times a month at a coffee shop and shared our writing. I had two little kids then, and I brought baby Zach with me sometimes, and both boys when we met at her home. We enjoyed sharing our love of reading and writing, family, and friendship. I wish I had a close companion right now. I have a writing group, though, and that’s good. It ebbs and flows. I know many people are suffering from the isolation that this pandemic has caused.

I chose the above quote of the day because my theme for 2022 is WALK. I live in a very cold part of the world in January. In fact, the temps are well below zero today. So, actually getting out to walk is a challenge. The writing life is also a journey with peaks and valleys. I was on a high after completing my 10-minute play, Extra Shot, and sending it off to be considered for a 10-minute play festival this Spring. I haven’t heard back, yet. In the meantime, I sent it to someone who reached out to me about a year ago to critique a couple of his plays. He sent back a negative response to my play. So much so that I feel like I’ve completely failed in telling this story. I failed in empowering my character and insulted people who have a reading disability. As I process his criticism, I accept that I could have done better. I over-emphasized the reading disability, and I could have given the female character more of the action in finding her own solution. I’m not sure I even want the play in the festival, now. I can’t stop thinking about it, picking away at it like a nasty scab that won’t heal. 

So, my insecurities are high right now. I’m too sensitive to handle the criticisms of the world.

Go. Create. Inspire! And, be kind in your critique of other people’s art.

Journaling Prompt: Write about a time when criticism shut you down and how you rose above it.