Insecure Writers Support Group and Story Inspirations

It’s time for 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. I encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.

The awesome co-hosts for the June 3 posting of the IWSG are Victoria Marie Lees, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, and C. Lee McKenzie!

 
And co-host/IWSG Admin C. Lee McKenzie has a new book out - That Moonwater Witch! Find it here.

 
June 3 question - Do most of your story ideas come from one place (the news, dreams, etc.) or do they hit from all over the place?

#IWSG @TheIWSG #WritingCommunity #WritersLife #FourSeasons

 Four Seasons

In Buffalo, New York we experience the four seasons. 

Spring. Summer. Fall. Winter. 

Each season tells a story if you're willing to listen. 

Spring: 

Spring is a bit late to arrive this year. We are starting to see a glorious transition. Stark trees, gnarly bushes, and endless rains are beginning to evolve into new life in this part of the state. Emerald greens are dotting all the trees, new budding growth is wrestling through loamy soil, even the birdsong seems extremely jovially. 

This time of year is when my writing begins to lag because I crave for the fresh new air and sounds of the pending summer months. 

Summer: 

Ahhh...summer is shorter here. And my stories seem to sizzle and evaporate beneath the blazing sunshine. 

Time for puttering in the gardens which suffer greatly during winter and spring. And I wonder why we put so my work into these flower beds year after year. It's time for long walks, family picnics, vacations, boating, water skiing, swimming, hiking, camping, taking children to the playgrounds, lots of giggling and laughter. 

Fall:

My favorite season. And when I hope a new story just might pop out of my head and begin to take shape. 

The beauty of changing leaves, the musky scents, our local cider mill spreads its delicious scents that has us enjoying homemade doughnuts, apple cider, and all the goodies they have to offer. Also, when we put our gardens to rest for the upcoming season of...

Winter:

I do love the beauty of winter. The first snowfall, the brisk air that stings our cheeks. Hot cocoa, hearty meals, time for baking sweet cookies...etc. Snowball fights, sledding, building snowmen, ice skating, smiling ear to ear watching children playing in the white fluffy stuff. 

It's the snow filled days when I tend to concentrate on my writing. Those blizzards that keep us sequestered in our homes allows characters to jump onto the pages and begins to develop into a semblance of a story. Since I'm a total pantser, that's when the fun and the agony begins. 

Do you have a favorite season when your stories take shape? 

An IWSG Day Feedback Session

  

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. 

And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can't find you to comment back.

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the May 6th posting of the IWSG are Jenni Enzor, Jemima Pett, Jamie of Uniquely Maladjusted but Fun, and Kim Lajevardi!

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!

May 6th Question - What was the most inspiring feedback you received from readers, including agents, editors, and beta readers?

Also have been asked to share the below for anyone interested:

Starting June 1, 2026, The Novelry—the international online fiction writing school—is hosting a nine-week editing program that will guide writers through the editing process to confidently take their next steps towards a finished manuscript.

The Big Edit Challenge will be delivered by The Novelry’s in-house editorial team, who have all worked for the Big Five publishing houses. The program includes interactive workshops, expert-led study groups, pitching panels, live guest events, and a warm, vibrant community space for support and accountability. Writers will learn how to better edit their own work and experience how editors and writers work together to elevate a novel to publishing standards.

The Big Edit Challenge has been designed to complement The Novelry’s editing course, The Big Edit. The challenge is available to all writers who subscribe to one of The Novelry’s courses, and will be most useful for writers with a complete draft ready to edit.

The program is structured around four essential phases: idea development, story development, structural editing, and line editing.

More information is available at: https://www.thenovelry.com/courses/the-big-edit

Got any inspiring feedback from anyone concerning your writing? How is your writing going?