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!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG
The awesome co-hosts for the March 7 posting of the
IWSG are Mary Aalgaard,
Bish Denham,
Jennifer
Hawes, Diane
Burton, and Gwen
Gardner!
Some important
things I’ve learned on day 66 of my #100words100days challenge
Consistency is king. When you show up, the words
also show up. Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.
Accountability is a key factor in getting those
words on paper. Having a partner or group where you can post/share a
daily/weekly word count really helps.
Prompt writing in small bursts works for me. Find
out what works for you and then use it to your advantage.
You are capable of much more. Push yourself beyond
that comfort zone because that’s how we grow!
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.
March 07th optional question: How do you celebrate when you achieve a writing goal/finish a story?
I’m on day 66 of my #100words100days challenge. Any
ideas how I should celebrate at the end?
Join as you can.
Share and Encourage.
Spread the word.
In case you missed it. The next IWSG Anthology has a cover and release date.
Can a dead child’s cross-stitch pendant find a missing nun? Is revenge possible in just 48 minutes?
Exploring the facets of time, eleven authors delve into mysteries and
crimes that linger in both dark corners and plain sight. Featuring the talents
of Gwen Gardner, Rebecca M. Douglass, Tara Tyler, S. R. Betler, C.D.
Gallant-King, Jemi Fraser, J. R. Ferguson, Yolanda Renée, C. Lee McKenzie,
Christine Clemetson, and Mary Aalgaard.
Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these eleven tales will
take you on a thrilling ride into jeopardy and secrecy. Trail along, find the
clues, and stay out of danger. Time is wasting…
Release date - May 1, 2018
Mystery & Detective/Crime/Thrillers
Print ISBN 9781939844545 eBook ISBN 9781939844552
And it is now up for Pre-order. Get your copy today!
Have
you written for 30 plus days or more… non-stop? Do one-word writing
prompts or picture prompts work for you? Have you succeeded with your
January and February writing goals? Have you signed up for our Instagram challenge? Any interesting celebratory stories to share?
Glad your writing challenge is working. I'm overwhelmed with my mom's move here and feeling like there's no time for me. Maybe I need to challenge myself to write for 15 minutes a day or something. You're inspiring me!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Natalie! Fifteen minutes a day is all you need. This challenge has been a real eye-opener...
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you're moving right along with your writing challenge! I may take up something similar. I haven't written alot yet this year. It's been a challenge just getting my health back in order. Now that I have the energy, I'm ready to dive into some revisions and a new story.
ReplyDeleteI have written for 30 days before and I loved it. It was hard, but it really drove home the fact that writing is a discipline and one that we have to hold to, make time for, if we're going to do it.
Have a wonderful day!
Jen
The part about consistency and success as the sum of repeated small efforts is spot on. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteJen, health always comes first... and yes, writing every day is HARD but it proves what we're capable of when we really push ourselves.
ReplyDeleteMadeleine, the consistency factor is what it's all about...
"Success is the sum of small efforts" I love that!
ReplyDeleteI've definitely written consistently for 30 days or longer, but I've been in a long dry spell of late. I know using prompts may be just the thing I need to do to prime the pump... so... what's keeping me from doing it?
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle, I love this 100 Words 100 days Challenge.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love what you have said "Consistency is king. When you show up, the words also show up. Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out."
Congratulations, Michelle! Your success and motivation inspire me. To celebrate: do something you love to do but rarely take the time to do it. Is it something small, like a movie date, or something bigger like a trip, even a weekend getaway can revive. And, great advice on continuing the momentum, showing up every day pushing ourselves out of the comfort zone.
ReplyDeleteYou are two thirds of the way there! Go do something fun when it's over.
ReplyDeletePatsy, short...but it DOES pack a punch!
ReplyDeleteBish, go for it... we need more of those wonderful Anansi-styled tales!
Rachna, thank you! The words have been "showing up" and doing their thing.
Mary, if we weren't continents apart, watching one of your plays/productions would be the ultimate way to celebrate!
Alex, I will do so!
I'm a failure at consistency. I think I used to nail it, and I may have even shown a touch of hubris. Life has a way of pulling you up by the short hairs and saying, "Not anymore, buckwheat!" No more hubris about anything, especially consistency.
ReplyDeleteI love that cover. Congrats all authors. Happy IWSG Day.
ReplyDeleteLee, I'm sure it's temporary and you'll find your consistency rhythm again...
ReplyDeleteJuneta, it's a great cover!
You are doing so well with your 100 days challenge! You're right about the fact that you have to show up for the words to show up.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ellen! I hope the words continue showing up...
ReplyDeleteYAY, Michelle....
ReplyDeleteWriting, writing, writing.... SOOO PROUD of YOU! I hope to dive right in soon and write like the madman I used to be... I've so enjoyed my time reading and am just about to finish up my last book for a while. I NEED to start my new project. YES... I'm thinking about it. LOL...
KEEP GOING... I know you'll do great in the challenge!
Hi Michelle - moving forward is important - your 100 day challenge sounds a great idea ... and you are writing. Well done - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteMichael...YES...start that new project...soon! Thanks for the encouragement!
ReplyDeleteHilary, I'm moving forward at a snail's pace, which suits me just fine!
You're doing awesome! You deserve a big reward at the end. Before I had a child, I wrote every day, but now it's just on weekdays while he's at school. I try my best to be consistent about it too. You're right. That is key!
ReplyDeleteOne hundred words a day for 100 days. That sounds like the perfect challenge. My problem is that I don't consider myself to have achieved anything unless I've written, say, 2000 words in a day, or revised 4000. And since that pace is very difficult for me, I get discouraged after a week or two. Smaller chunks. I need to be happy with that. Thanks. !
ReplyDeleteChristine, you are a prolific writer.
ReplyDeleteCathy, my 'flash-fiction brain' makes me more inclined to short bursts of writing. You should try to alternate the pace that you write - a chunk one day, followed by a smaller section on the next day...
Making the commitment to 100 words a day is a worthy challenge. I just read another author recommend to just set up regular hours every day for your writing as if it were a job.He says it does not matter if you can only write a few words but just stick to the schedule. I like your suggestion about getting into a writing group where you have a word count. I have done and am doing a 100-200 word count group and a Flash Fiction group. I am looking for more Flash Fiction groups because I would like to write longer pieces.
ReplyDeleteWell done on the 100words100days Challenge so far, Michelle. I'd have a hard time over the weekends, but in general, this seems like a feasible challenge... for over three months. Phew!
ReplyDeleteI like the lessons you have learned throughout the process so far. They would come in handy with every writing day or project! If I were ever to join a challenge like this, I just know that my progress would not be as consistent as yours. I'd write 800 words one day, nothing the next, and 500 words the third one. I assume all this does not count/involve any editing? Or do the 100 words a day need to be "contributed" clean?
This seems like such a fun challenge! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletewww.ficklemillennial.com
Good lessons for all writers. My accountability tends to be about getting submissions out, rather than word counts, so I do that once per month on IWSG day. Can't wait to hear how you celebrate achieving 100 days!
ReplyDeleteI love your, "some imporatnt things I've learned." Great advice, great wisdom.
ReplyDeleteI've done fifty day writing challenges. I'm on day 17 of one I created for myself.
ReplyDeleteHave done 30 or more at my sea. Challenging ourselves and pushing for more is the best way to be.
ReplyDeleteWell done, Michelle. Consistency is one central key. I'm falling short in the 100k in 100 Days Challenge that I'm taking part in, but it reminds me to keep writing - as does the posts by others in IWSG. I did manage one year to do a 100k in 100 Days Challenge, and a few successful NaNoWriMos have continued into December - but not every year. So, not consistent.
ReplyDeleteHooray for your accomplishment! I agree with your lessons, especially consistency and accountability.
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful you're going to hit your goal.
ReplyDeleteIt really does come down to that old axiom, "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Too often I think we are worrying about the byway 20 miles down the road instead of the footbridge in front of us. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteNice accomplishment!Keep going strong!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you about consistency. Honestly, I think writing is like anything else. The more you write, the easier the words flow. Habit is a good thing. When you write a hundred words a day, you start to understand that you CAN write a hundred words a day, and doing it becomes less daunting.
ReplyDeleteDeborah, sticking to the schedule helps to develop the habit. You’re right in saying that it doesn’t matter how many words you write during the scheduled time.
ReplyDeleteLiesbet, for this challenge, I’ve chosen to write new words - towards a novella or novellas. So no editing/revising.
Gina, thank you for visiting. I’m having loads of fun!
Shannon, I know that you are the Queen Of Submissions. I’m probably going to get stuck into my reading, which I’ve sorely neglected since starting this challenge.
Em-Musing, thank you. I’m learning something new every day. It’s a priceless experience!
Susan, good luck with your challenge! I’m sure you’ll ace it!
Pat Hatt, pushing non-stop...feels like the brain is about to pop!
Roland, 100k in 100 Days Challenge? Sounds grueling! Good luck, Roland... I’m sure you can do it!
Yvonne, thank you for the support. The importance of accountability has really hit home hard!
L.Diane, yes, I’m on a roll... pass the half-way mark and on a ‘downward slope’.
Lee Lowery, your “worrying about the byway 20 miles down the road instead of the footbridge in front of us” nails it! Step by step, that’s how it’s done. Glad I could provide some inspiration...
Sand Castles & Snow Forts, thank you!
Liza, it’s definitely all about the habit. When you show up, the words also show up. We are capable of so much more... more than we realise. Thank you for visiting.
Great advice. I'm trying to figure out what works best for me. Lately, I've been wasting time. Your suggestions sound good. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it's working for you. Personally, I always have to have the insight/inspiration first; there's no way to just write and let it fill in the blanks.
ReplyDeleteBeverly, hope you figure it out soon.
ReplyDeleteRobert, there is a framework of sorts...it's not a total 'fill in the blanks'
I should have joined the 100words challenge. I need a kick start for writing. I agree that the words just start flowing once I open a document/project.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the shout-out for the Instagram page!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that the challenge is working for you. I try to keep my word count between 50 and 100 on the days when I feel like I don't have "any" time to write and then try to write more at least twice a week - that's what writing looks like this year.
I do agree with your point that "Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out." Little accomplishments can certainly accumulate into something bigger.
ReplyDeleteI agree about consistency. I'd like to start a reading holiday, but I'm worried that if I do nothing but read for a while, I'll lose any momentum I've achieved in my own writing and editing!
ReplyDelete