Brain Child of Alex J. Cavanaugh |
The Insecure Writer, Me 2011
See these nails? I stopped biting them just in time to save the fingertips and why? Because I’m an INSECURE WRITER; I need those fingers for the keyboard.
This is me when I was an INSECURE ACTRESS, biting my nails. (Ignore the caption. Marilyn was always trying to get the spotlight away from me. I think she might have been more insecure than I was.)
I don’t know which is worse, my insecurity on stage or what I’m enduring now. But I no longer look like the picture above. Here’s a more recent one.
Writer on the Verge . . . but of what? |
Oh, I have me ups and downs. There have been days when I’ve seen myself with the Nobel prize for literature clutched in my nibbled fingers. I once thought I’d craft a Newberry Award acceptance speech just in case . . . you know the phone rang. But when a call came through on the day the award was decided, it was the vet telling me I could pick up Buffy.
This is my INSECURE WRITERS REJECTION week and I’m celebrating by joining the blog hop of other angst-filled-creative-finger nibblers. At last a support group.
DMS says
Wow! Amazing how long the IWSG has been around. What a great group of writers. I always enjoyed reading everyone's posts. π
~Jess
Empty Nest Insider says
This was fun Lee! I never was a nail biter, but our Halloween candy supply has dwindled and we barely had any trick-or-treaters. At least you don't have to worry about the calories! I also took part in the first IWSG and can't believe it's been around for five years. I always look forward to our monthly gatherings.
Julie
Barbara Fisher says
I am so sorry about your nibbled finger nails but thank you for making me laugh.
Laurel Garver says
I hear you about control issues. That's what drew me to self-publishing, too.
Nick Wilford says
This made me smile! I'm glad I write because there isn't much else in life that can be controlled.
Beverly Stowe McClure says
Poor fingers. I bet Buffy was happy to see you though.
I used to bite my nails when I was a kid. Don't remember why. Now, I file them pretty close.
Great post.
Juneta Key says
I'm still snickering and nodding. Great post and so fun. Nibble, nibble, nibble…
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
Susan A Eames says
What an enjoyable post, Lee! I love playing with words and looking for ways to entertain readers. π
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Arlee Bird says
I like the final lines of this post. To be a writer is the closest we can be to ruling the world even if it is our own little world inside our minds.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Michael Di Gesu says
LOL…. Lee, I like your answer…. very appropriate!
Carol Kilgore says
Thanks for sharing this older post. I like the control freak answer, too π
Jan Morrison says
Thanks for coming by my blog and how did we lose touch! I don't remember the name of the blog but I'd never forget your lovely face! And I'm with you – writing is a control freak's best friend. As a person who's written a ton of plays – gah! They get all in your kool-aid with their ideas about the set and the voice and the intention. Rather right a novel my way.
Bish Denham says
LOL. "Writing is a control freak's best friend!" And who doesn't dream (in their own particular Secret Garden) of winning a Nobel or Newbery prize?
Elizabeth Varadan, Author says
Loved this post! "Writing is a control freak's best friend." Priceless. Have a great day.
Annalisa Crawford says
Oh yes, I excel at control freakery! π
Brajadulal Patnaik says
It actually took me a while to understand that there were links behind those books! And when I realized that, a smile broke on my lips. Those links also did not disappoint me. A marvelous website. I will explore some more.
Cathrina Constantine says
I love it! Reminiscing is fun. How are your nails today? π
Denise Covey says
'Writing is a control freak's best friend.' You tell 'em, girl!
P. J. Lazos says
Very funny post. I think insecurity and comedy go hand in hand!
Liz A. says
LOL. Control freak. Yeah, I can relate.
Yvonne Ventresca says
Writing is not for the faint-hearted. My nails still look like that.
Susan Flett Swiderski says
What a terrific first post for IWSG. As the commercial used to say, "You've come a long way, baby!"
"Writing is a control freak's best friend." LOVE it! (It's kinda true, too!)
Shooting Stars Mag says
It's nice to bring back old posts! Being a writer – profession or not – is worrying and nerve-wracking sometimes.
Elephant's Child says
I am pretty certain that a lot of the writer's my awe struck self comes across would continue to tell their stories, even if they had to pound the keyboards with their bleeding stumps.
For which I thank them.
Nicki Elson says
Ha, yes, TOTALLY a control freak's best friend. π
Lynda R Young says
ha, that's awesome. I love looking back to see where I've been and how things might have changed.
Jemi Fraser says
LOL – love this!
And I never made the connection between being a control freak (totally am!!!) and loving writing. You're SO right! π
Crystal Collier says
Lol! What a fun toss back. Classic. Some things really never do chance, eh?
Natalie Aguirre says
I've struggled with biting my nails all my life. I've been better for quite awhile until I revert back for a bit,
Pat Garcia says
I had to smile at your last sentence. Writing is a control freak's best friend. When I think about how we manipulate our characters then I have to agree with you.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat
C. Lee McKenzie says
We can't manipulate people like that and be a very nice person, can we?
Mark Noce says
Nail biting…but it's cool when characters do it in a book:)
C. Lee McKenzie says
Absolutely!
Lisa says
I don't bite my nails either, and I do keep them short but because of necessity. They are too thin, like my skin sometimes when getting feedback from my wonderful beta readers! I've learned to read the feedback, wait three days, then read it again. Always works. After three days I can actually hear what they're saying instead of just reacting!
C. Lee McKenzie says
The three day rule is excellent.
Michelle Wallace says
I don't bite my nails but have to keep them short or else I won't be able to play my piano comfortably…
Happy IWSG Day!
Thanks for the laughs!
C. Lee McKenzie says
And I like the look of short nails. Great to see all the posts today!
Susan Gourley/Kelley says
You made me laugh today. And when I saw the frazzled writer picture I decided I better comb my hair again or I might look just like that. Been nearly pulling it out lately.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It's good we don't have audiences while we write. Oye! I'm always such a mess.
Pat Hatt says
Biting nails can give one worms, just saying lol writing the way one wants to is the way to be.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Really? Did you mom tell you that?
Tess Julia says
Hands down, you have the most awesome website I've ever seen! Love it! And slightly jealous. .
C. Lee McKenzie says
That's really so kind of you. Glad you visited and enjoyed.
H.R. Sinclair, Southpaw says
Great flash back! I loved your answer to the Nov. question.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks so much. I like short and to the point answers!
Christine Rains says
That was a terrific post! I'm not a nail biter myself, but my hubby and son are nail pickers. Now I'm curious to go back and see what my first IWSG post was!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I think we should all take a look at that first post and see if we've changed in any way.
Jen Chandler says
Great post! I've read over some of my older IWSG posts and you're right: they don't change much!
Cheers,
Jen
C. Lee McKenzie says
At least we can count on something to be consistent!
J.L. Campbell says
Not a lot changes with us writers unless we hit the big times! The indie revolution has given us the freedom to write exactly what we like. I love that!
C. Lee McKenzie says
It has definitely done that, and it has filled our days and nights like nothing else.
nashvillecats2 says
A wonderful trip down memory lane of the IWSG.
Hope there are more wonderful post to come.
Alex certainly started something when he started this group.
Yvonne.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It was a great idea!
Patricia Lynne says
I've never been a nail bitter. A good thing since I need those nails for crafting and tiny beads.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Oh yes. Much better than tweezers. Good for you.
Roland D. Yeomans says
I don't bite my nails — I need them to hang onto the unraveling rope I always seem to be hanging by! π
C. Lee McKenzie says
Ha! Now that's a good one.
Elizabeth Seckman says
Awesome post!! Love it. The only problem is that picture is of me, not Marilyn. I worked as her decoy. Sure, I was born three years after the day she died, but as a writer, I can manipulate those facts to my story with the time machine I have written into the plot.
C. Lee McKenzie says
You're one creative writer, Elizabeth!
Chrys Fey says
Yes, we need our fingers to write! I had bit my nails when I was little because my best friend got me into it. Now I let them grow. π
C. Lee McKenzie says
Much better not to chew on those nails. And now you have all kinds of reasons not to. Good books out. Wonderful following. And this group when you need it.
Nicola says
I used to bite my nails. I just nibble from time to time now. What a great 'old' post. Nice to reminisce and see how far you've come in those few years. You must be proud as punch! π Have a super November.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Still looking at those nails and thinking about a quick bite or two, Nicola! Thanks for stopping by.
Joylene Nowell Butler says
I bite my nails until I had kids, then there was no time. Now I cut them as short as I can so I can type 70+ words a minute. I'm proud of you for not biting!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Kids do change how we allot our time and energy! I sit on my hands when I'm really upset. Old habit from being a kid.
L. Diane Wolfe says
I'm sure Buffy was ready to come home though.
I keep my nails trimmed really short so there's no biting.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Perfect way to handle that bad habit.
Mason Canyon says
Through writing you can also control the reader's thoughts as you take them on your adventure.
Thoughts in Progress
and MC Book Tours
C. Lee McKenzie says
Ah, the power!
Mary Aalgaard says
Save the nails and keep typing! Yes, the control over the creation is a bonus. Although, the characters seem to take over, at times.
Mary at Play off the Page
C. Lee McKenzie says
Good motto.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Wow, that was your first post for the IWSG! And it just really hit home that it's been around five years now. I had no idea how it would grow when I began it.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It's interesting to look back, isn't it?