Wednesday, May 2, 2012

IWSG: I'm a follower, not a leader

Dear Insecure Writer's Support Group,

I'm not really a risk taker, early adopter, or leader of movements. Instead, I'm more of a follower. For example, I waited at least a year before buying my very first iPod because I wanted to wait and see if this "mp3" craze was actually going to stick.

Then I figured, if everyone else is doing it, why don't I join in, too? So I bought an iPod (years ago), and now I'm joining the ranks of the IWSG (today).

Well, it wasn't that simple for me. You see, I've been following the IWSG for a few months now, but never felt ready enough to actually join in.

But then isn't that the point of the IWSG? If I don't think I'm good enough or ready enough to join an online support group of likeminded people who battle their own insecurities, well, then where do I turn?

So yes, after months of watching, it's official. I'm joining the movement. I'm not sure what I have to offer, but by default, I think my insecurities makes this a logical decision.

This week's Insecurities Du Jour include: queries, synopses, plot twists, and endings. Really, all in the life of a writer, no?

More coherent IWSG posts to come. I have another month to put something together. It should get better.

Maybe.


24 comments:

  1. Too insecure to join? You're in the right place then! Welcome to the IWSG!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi TL, I am new to the group as well. Nice job finally pulling the trigger.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Sydney. Congrats on joining as well--looks like a great support group!

      Delete
  3. Hi there - glad you plucked up the courage. It's great fun reading round the blogs, although there are so many now I tend to do a random dip each month.

    All the best with your writing plans

    Emma
    http://www.emmacalin.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Emma. Thank you so much for stopping by. The list seems to be long, but after seeing the 1600+ blogs listed for the A-Z Challenge, the couple hundred on the ISWG page look much more manageable!

      Delete
  4. True story: I've never had an iPod.
    And also, this post was great! I think we all fall into leader/follower categories with different aspects in our life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Why doesn't this surprise me? Do you have any music on your computer, or do you stick to the cd versions?

      Delete
  5. Hi TL and welcome to the group! I found you via the ISWG and am now a follower.

    I'm very much the same as you. I don't join in until the buzz is so loud it threatens to make me deaf. But I did join the IWSG in its first month, and I have found a lot of support through it. I am sure you will, too.

    We all fret about queries and synopses and plot twists and endings. We can even guide you to resources that will help with each, if you want. I've felt overwhelmed by each of those and have tackled and conquered them. Yet, I am still insecure about many things as a writer. Even as an author with a book deal, I am still insecure, hence my own post today for the IWSG. It never goes away. It just changes.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi, Nancy! Thanks for stopping by! You raise a VERY good point--there will ALWAYS be something on my plate that I think I can't handle. The uncertainty never vanishes completely; rather, the item causing the angst changes. But so does my ability to handle the panic.

    Congrats on the book deal as well!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hello! Good to hear you've joined ISWG. I think I'm like an honorary member? As in, I pop by my blogging friends blogs who are members when I can, time permitting. Good luck and no matter what, just keep writing! Eventually everything will fall into place - have fun, relax and enjoy the journey. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Too insecure for the Insecure Writer's Support Group. You've outdone yourself. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not sure if my logic impresses me, or escapes me... :)

      Delete
  9. Welcome to the IWSG! If you are an insecure writer (and what writer isn't), then you belong. We are glad to have you.

    Allison (Geek Banter)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Allison! Coming into this group is like falling back into a bed filled with soft pillows--it's SO nice!

      Delete
  10. Love the logic here. Someday I hope to work up to such a level of insecurity as to join in as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol! I'm pretty sure you can't be as insecure as me, so come on along! I expect to see you blogging *cough* by next month so you can play, too!

      Delete
  11. I'm so glad you're doing IWSG! It's my favorite post a month, I think, and of course I missed it this week. I'm a slumping a little in the blog way. I think I need a few days to pluck myself up. And post my Z post finally, which has been written, but I've just been procrastinating posting it. So it goes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, this was an easy "first" post after the A-Z, but I'm not sure what's to come between this and the next IWSG. I have ideas, just not the time to pull them all together. I guess I might have to embrace that whole "less is more" concept! :)

      Delete
  12. Welcome to IWSG!

    And I've never owned an iPod, so you're ahead of me. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Cherie! You and Sarah Ahiers. How do you two keep your music? Do you have a music library on your computer?

      Oh... hang on. I just realized how Apple-centric I am. You might have a mP3 player, just not an iPod. Yes, self, there is a world outside of Apple...

      Delete
  13. One of these days I will be sure to join IWSG too. I enter this same writing contest every year (the deadline is coming up again soon, June 1st) and every year I hope -this will be the year I am a finalist!!

    Then, when I'm not, the insecurities creep in.

    However, last year was a big step because I actually got really favorable reviews and a note that I was up against some incredible competition.

    It's hard to be insecure about your competition though because you know they want it as badly as you do and have certainly been longing for recognition just as much as I have been.

    Okay, I'm rambling. I'll shut up now and save it for a post... grin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ohh! Good luck with the writing contest! Keeping my fingers crossed that you're a finalist but if it's not in the cards for this year, I hope the insecurities stay away.

      Delete
  14. I love being part of the IWSG. It's absolutely wonderful. :)) Welcome to the group!!!

    ReplyDelete

I love getting comments. They're as much fun as getting real snail mail. So please, chime in and tell me what you think!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...