Thanks Alex |
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Remember, the question is optional!
June 3 Question: Did you ever say “I quit”? If so, what happened to make you come back to writing?
The awesome co-hosts for the June 7 posting of the IWSG will be JH Moncrieff, Madeline Mora-Summonte, Jen Chandler, Megan Morgan, and Heather Gardner!
It’s so easy to ward off the attack of the Insecurity Monster. Look at this tiny girl does it! She points and says, “Back off buddy. You don’t scare me.”
Confronting our insecurities isn’t quite this simple, but running away or hiding won’t work. I know that from personal experience. And if you’re already a #IWSG member, you’ve taken a giant step toward being as brave as little miss on the left. Pat yourself on the back, then get busy writing or submitting your work with confidence.
Answer to June 3 Question: I haven’t said, I quit yet. I hate quitting projects until I’ve done what I set out to do. I haven’t succeeded in what I want to do in my writing yet, so quitting’s not an option.
Oh and look what’s happening next!
The IWSG Guide to Writing for Profit–This will be a non-fiction book like our Guide to Publishing and Beyond.
What to write: Share experiences about making a profit as an author, what it takes to become a successful writer, the many skills a writer needs to learn other than writing, share the experience going from hobby writer to published author (without making it a self-promotion piece), the fallacies behind writing for profit, the little known facts learned along the way, what you wished you knew when you first started writing, or marketing tips based on experience of what has worked and what hasn’t. Please include a title, your name, and a link to one of your sites. Send as an attached Word file or pasted into the email.
If you have any questions, email us at admin AT insecurewriterssupportgroup.com
Word limit: 500-1000 words.
Submission eligibility: All members of the IWSG Blog Hop, IWSG Facebook group and/or members of our IWSG Goodreads Book Club. It’s free to join any of these groups and a great benefit to be a part of these communities.
Deadline: July 31, 2017
Send your piece to admin AT insecurewriterssupportgroup.com as an attached Word document and note which IWSG group you belong to. Please include your name, a one line bio, and one website link.
Do you like the monthly question?
Are you going to jump into the IWSG next amazing adventure and submit your experience?
klahanie says
Hey Lee,
I given it some considerable consideration in regards to quitting just so you authors have a better chance. Thank you for being a part of "IWSG" aka "I Was Seeking Gary."
Okay, slightly serious, the monster is only as monstrous as we allow it to be.
Yep, as always and then some, your starstruckest fan,
Gary 🙂
DMS says
I haven't said I quit yet- but I have felt overwhelmed before! 🙂
~Jess
Empty Nest Insider says
Lee. Of course you're not a quitter. You never slow down for a minute and that's one of the qualities I most admire about you.
Julie
Kyra Lennon says
Insecurities can be so hard to slay, but we have to keep on trying!
dolorah says
I think I forget to tell that "insecurity monster" to just go away. Sometimes, its hard to continue. But, its hard to not write when I'm frustrated too.
Carol Kilgore says
I can't imagine not writing. It's what I do.
Misha Gericke says
I find the best thing to do is ignore the monster.
I'd submit to the anthology, but I haven't made a profit yet. 😛
lorilmaclaughlin.com says
Hi C. Lee! Glad to hear you won't be quitting writing any time soon! And wouldn't it be great to always have that little girl's moxie?
Jemi Fraser says
The Doubt Monsters are very strong in my neck of the woods, but I'm working at developing the required skills to beat them off! 🙂
Mandy 'n' Justin says
Love the new book idea! It will definitely be interesting to read about how other IWSG'ers have overcome the odds and successfully written for profit!
With Love,
Mandy
Madeline Mora-Summonte says
I wish I was as brave and as tough as that little one! Maybe she can give some monster/insecurity fighting lessons…. 🙂
Natalie Aguirre says
So true about the challenges of really confronting our insecurities. It can be hard but a confidence builder when we see ourselves doing it.
Theresa Milstein says
I'm glad you haven't quit yet. Me neither! Love the picture of the insecurity monster
Cathy Keaton says
I wish I could be so good about finishing what I start! I need to adopt this attitude from now on.
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee – great post … love the little girl fighting her demons – she'll get there and so will we – especially using the IWSG members … the new anthology will be so interesting – cheers Hilary
Elephant's Child says
I battle the inadequacies daily. Sometimes they win, sometimes I do. They delay me, but haven't (yet) brought me to my knees.
Jessica Therrien says
Really trying to get back into the IWSG lately. Really cool about the anthology, right?!
http://www.jessicatherrien.com
Susan Gourley/Kelley says
I haven't accomplished what I wanted out of writing yet either. Still working on. The new anthology is a great idea.
Fundy Blue says
Hi, C. Lee! I like that little girl's attitude! It's not always easy to keep that Insecurity Monster at bay. I am so glad that I stumbled across the IWSG. The encouraging support of its members has kept me going. I haven't reached the submittal point with my book yet, but when I'm done, I will put it out into the world for sure!
Yes, I like the monthly question. It gives me a jumping off point; although, I never seem to struggle with finding the idea, just the expression of it ~ I'm such a slow writer.
I won't be submitting anything to the new anthology, because I've never made a penny's profit from any of my writing. but I'll be ready to read it!
Good luck fulfilling your writing goals!
Sharon Marie Himsl says
Great movie. Facing our fears head-on is where it all begins.
Sandra Cox says
Too bad we can't bottle that little girl's confidence:)
Lynda R Young says
You said you haven't succeeded in what you want to do in your writing yet. This intrigues me. What is it that you want to do in your writing?
Olga Godim says
Don't let that monster rule your life. Delete it, before it grows too big!
Mark Noce says
Making a"profit" as a writer can be a relative term, I've found. Even though I make money writing professionally now, I still don't think it resembles anything like a steady paycheck. Hence the need for the day job:)
Tyrean Martinson says
I think I wrestle the insecurity monster into a closet and lock the door, but then it bangs around in there and sometimes it gets out … and the wrestling match begins again.
I love your writing, C. Lee!!
Tamara Narayan says
I do like the monthly question, because it gives my blog post structure.
Sarah Foster says
I probably run from the insecurity monster more than I confront it.
Honestly, I feel pretty much the same as J.H. when it comes to the monthly question, which is why I usually don't answer it, unless I have no idea what to write about or just really like the question. I think it's a great concept but it seems like everyone is ALWAYS doing it. *shrug*
Beverly Stowe McClure says
Brave little girl. A lesson for all of us.
The new anthology sounds great.
Cathrina Constantine says
Great Post, Lee. Thanks for the pep talk!!!
Robert Bennett says
I can't say that I've ever said 'I quit'. I will often berate myself, insult my abilities, and encourage completely destructive criticism, but I've never really considering STOPPING an option. An occasional breathing break for a couple of weeks…but that's about it.
sage says
The collection of "Advice" for paying gigs is something I should read–I have been paid for a number of pieces, but am not depending on writing for my next meal so I'm not really a good one to add suggestions.
Liz A. says
Boo and Sully. Cute pic.
It's interesting how some have said they've never quit and others have said they quit every day. All part of the experience, I think.
Juneta Key says
Love the little girl picture. Glad to know you are still in the games. Hugs
' Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
Megan Morgan says
I like the idea of thinking of it as just an annoying monster–get out of my way, monster!
emaginette says
Quitting is not an option. My son says this all the time. I'd never quit either. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
J.H. Moncrieff says
Good for you, Lee! I'm glad you never quit. Your fierceness inspires me.
Just because you asked, I'm not a fan of the monthly question. I totally get why we have one, as people were struggling with what to write, but I loved seeing posts on a variety of topics every month. Now, they all tend to be answers to the question, and everyone asks you the same question at the end of their post, so you end up posting the same thing on everyone's blog.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Good point. Let's keep it creative. Will pass this on.
Suzanne Furness says
Love the picture! Go tell that insecurity to back off! Happy writing 🙂
Birgit says
Quitting is usually not an option because we feel worse after but sometimes, that monster can get the better of us. The trick is to find a way to overcome that monster which may not be today but tomorrow is a whole new day
Jennifer Hawes says
Not an option for me either. But it sure feels good some days saying it out loud. Very loud. For everyone to hear;-)
Chrys Fey says
"And if you're already a #IWSG member, you've taken a giant step toward being as brave as little miss on the left." LOVE that!
Pat Hatt says
Yeah, too stubborn to quit at our sea. So on we go. Just give the big monster a little poke and watch it choke.
Patricia Lynne says
Quitting isn't an option for me either. I want to see what will happen if I keep going.
Bish Denham says
I need to print out that image and tape it some place where I'll see it all the time. "Back off!" I've never said, "I quit" but I've certainly taken long hiatuses.
C. Lee McKenzie says
We can always use little motivators like this.
Michael Di Gesu says
Hi, Lee….
Such a fun image and QUOTE…. I wish it were that easy, but…. Struggling with that battle now. Hopefully I will be determined and strong enough to move on….
C. Lee McKenzie says
Great to see you Michael. Miss your encouraging comments.
Nicola says
I love the monthly question. It gives me focus. I'm looking forward to the anthology. I don't think I qualify to input this time round, sadly. I'm still trying to work out how to make more sales. Maybe next time. Have a lovely week.
Karen Walker says
I'm pondering the anthology – haven't submitted anything prior to this because the topics didn't fit, but this one…hmmm. The insecurity monster is a tough one, but I love the image of the little girl saying, "back off buddy."
Pat Garcia says
Same here. I haven't succeeded at doing what I want to do with my writing. There are places that I want to reach, chains that I want to break in my mind and then I will see what happens. But I believe even after those hurdles have been mastered, I will still be writing.
Shalom aleichem,
Patricia
Everything Must Change
Yvonne Ventresca says
You are a great role model!
Annalisa Crawford says
Fighting the monster is hard sometimes, but worth it!
Julie Flanders says
I love that Little Miss! And you have a good point about joining the group being a big step. It has helped me so much with that monster.
Crystal Collier says
Here's to never quitting, no matter how discouraging or LARGE that monster becomes. =)
Michelle Wallace says
What Diane said!!
L. Diane Wolfe says
That monster is all growl and no bite anyway.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Joining the IWSG is a big step towards fighting that monster.