Wednesday, September 4, 2013

IWSG: What You've Done for Me!



Hey folks, it's the first Wednesday of the month, which means IWSG (Insecure Writers Support Group) time! Today is a special day, though – it's our two year anniversary! I'm so glad to be a part of this community of writers who are so supportive of one another. I don't always post my entry (ahem, that whole memory thing...) but when I wander blogland visiting my buddies, I see their posts and am always encouraged. In honor of our anniversary, I'd like to share what the group means to me.

Not everyone writes about being insecure. A lot of writers share success stories, and those are what help me the most. Well, encouraging comments when I AM insecure help, too, but seeing others who have overcome what I'm dealing with gives me hope.

This group has really helped me have more confidence. I'm much more likely to just hit “publish” than I was before. I used to write stuff, think, “Not good enough” and just leave it in draft. I've learned not to be so hard on myself, which is a good thing. The more I write, the better I will get, and putting my writing out there is the only way to get that job done. Thanks to all of you for getting me to this place.

I'd also like to give a big thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for starting and running this group. We are so grateful to you for your idea, and your relentless encouragement to “let it all hang out” and help each other. I know so many have benefited from this group, and we are blessed to have you in our lives. Be sure to visit Alex today because he has a BIG announcement about exciting happenings in the future of the IWSG!


~Tina, not so insecure anymore, thanks to all of you!

P.S If you want to join, click on the tab over at Alex's to sign up on the linky.

29 comments:

L. Diane Wolfe said...

This group has made a big difference for almost everyone. Alex started something special.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Tina, that is exactly why I started this group! Awesome it has helped you so much. And thank YOU for being a part of it.

Anonymous said...

Great post. I just joined so you provided perspective.

Wendy Tyler Ryan said...

Everyone needs an ear sometimes. No one likes to think they are completely on their own. It's an awesome group!

Nicole said...

It's great how the IWSG helped you see realize that YOU CAN DO IT :)

Any blogger, group, friend, article, song, movie, neighbor, random act of kindess or experience that helps you see that it can be done is one worth being a part of or at least keeping your ear to the ground to find out what's happening.

What I like most about your post is where you said "The more I write, the better I get," which I think is so true in all of us and the same when applied to so many aspects of life. Practice makes perfect, right? Or at the very least (if not perfect)....more competent than ever before...and I don't know about you, but damn-near-perfect is fine for me.

Cheers!

-Nicole

SK Anthony said...

I agree with you. IWSG is amazing and has helped me a great deal as well. And yes, you can and will do it! ;)

Suzanne Furness said...

It is great to be able to interact with folks who know exactly how you feel and understand the ups and downs. Three cheers for IWSG!

klahanie said...

Yo Tina!

I'm thankin' y'all for this recognition of the "I Was Seeking Gary" tribute group. I got dat right, right?

Okay, my human and I both know how important this group is to you and so many others. We can't knock that. Even though it's the last thing we need. We are cool just helpin' out in da background.

Gosh, me check out a BIG announcement on the ninja dude's site. Maybe he finally is going to help me to get a clone for my human. That would be well cool!

And as usual, I share your pawst on dat 'Farcebark'! :)

Stay chillin',

Snoop Bloggy Dog in da Gangsta's Pawadise!

Jeremy [Retro] said...

hey sis, we have to get to talking again... i have big plans and you are part of that plan... :)

Andrew Leon said...

I have nothing to say... but I was here.

JoJo said...

There needs to be an insecure crafters group that I can join and OMG do NOT suggest that I start it because it was my idea. lol I'm a joiner, not a leader.

Diane Burton said...

Congrats, Tina, that all is going well. We all have peaks and valleys while on this journey. Isn't it great to be on a peak instead of down in the valley? We just need to hang in their and enjoy the view.

shelly said...

Hugs and chocolate to you, Tina!

Shelly

Heather M. Gardner said...

So true! It's not always about the bad times but the good times too!

Great post!

Heather

Unknown said...

I'm so happy to hear how you have been helped by this group and feel more confident. Yay! It's helped me a lot too. :-)

~Sia McKye~ said...

I agree, Tina. The success stories encourage me the most. The ones that say here's what I was facing, and here's how I handled it. Invariably, I find something to take away and think about or try.

Glad you're giving yourself permission not to be perfect. Welcome to my world. :-D

Sia McKye Over Coffee

Yolanda Renée said...

Wouldn't be on the blogosphere with out the support of the IWSG!

Go Alex!

Sheena-kay Graham said...

IWSG is phenomenal and I'm glad it inspired you to be more secure in your writing.

J.L. Campbell said...

Yup, the IWSG was a great brainwave on Alex's part.

Unknown said...

I love the group. At first I was like, "I'm not insecure," and then I fall to pieces about something. AFTER I've posted.

But for the most part, I'm relatively confident...from reading blogs about writing, constant reading and study, and writing the bad stuff along with the good and knowing the difference.

Nice post of encouragement, Tina.

M.L. Swift, Writer

T.F. Walsh said...

A fantastic team indeed... huge congrats to Alex:)

Shannon Lawrence said...

Lovely positive post, Tina! Yes, this group is wonderful. I feel bad that I forgot to do my IWSG post today. Must write the next one on my calendar so I can't forget it.

Shannon at The Warrior Muse

Annalisa Crawford said...

I love reading your blog, I can't believe you write posts that aren't "good enough". I've set a reminder on Outlook to make sure I get my post written in time!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Tina .. you're prolific in your blogging .. and are always out there for everyone else.

I agree - albeit I'm not part of this group .. I feel like I fit in .. as I'm part of the wider group of bloggers ..

Keep on writing .. in between the rigours of life, and you will get there .. cheers Hilary

Laura Clipson said...

I'm exactly the same, it's wonderful to read everyone's posts and realise that I'm not alone with my insecurities, and that in itself makes me less insecure.

Lucy said...

sounds like you have really gotten a lot from this group, how wonderful :)

Lucy from Lucy's Reality

Brandon Ax said...

I have not been part of the group very long, but in that little time is has been very encouraging. Plus I love meeting new bloggers.

Unknown said...

It is a great group and I'm so glad you're feeling the confidence to publish rather than hide now.

Anonymous said...

Great to hear the group has had such a positive effect for you, and hope it continues the same in the future!