Quote of the Day: Plot grows out of character. If you focus on who the people in your story are, something is bound to happen. Anne Lamott

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: When you set out to write a story, do you try to be more original or do you try to give readers what they want?

I try to be original, but that’s impossible. When I relax and write what comes to mind, it ends up working out better. It seems that being able to write about an experience that people can relate to, in a way that they understand or have even gone through themselves, is the best way to connect them to the story. Many times, I have written something that I think, “Anybody could have written this,” turns out to be the part that people tell me they liked the most, because I “Put into words what they were thinking, feeling, and experiencing.” 

I’m packing for a writer’s retreat, and I am overcome by imposter syndrome. I don’t know if I’m actually as dedicated to the craft as the other writers seem to be. I think that I don’t have an original thing to write/say. Then, I reread the quote of the day. Plot grows out of character. I love inventing characters. I’ve been talking to imaginary friends for as long as I can remember. They have found their place on the pages I write, and I’ve given them a story. I need to relax and let them live out this story and enjoy the process. Even if I’m a bit of a poser at this retreat, at least I showed up, and I really enjoy hanging out with other authors. Wish me luck!

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt: Did you ever go to summer camp? Were you nervous? Have you been to an artist retreat? It’s like summer camp to me. How did it go?