Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Insecure Writer's Support Group News and Connections

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 and 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 today are Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Mary Aalgaard, Madeline Mora-Summonte, and Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor!


Today’s question:
It's been said that the benefits of becoming a writer who does not read is that all your ideas are new and original. Everything you do is an extension of yourself, instead of a mixture of you and another author. On the other hand, how can you expect other people to want your writing, if you don't enjoy reading? What are your thoughts?


This month’s WEP challenge:




#IWSGPit happens once a year – next date, January 15, 2020.

Do people really find a publisher or agent from a Twitter pitch event? Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C. has signed FOUR authors now from Twitter pitches.

If you have signed with a publisher or agent after #IWSGPit, please let us know.



The first IWSG posting of 2020 will be on Jan. 8th – NOT on Jan. 1st since it is New Year’s Day. So, mark your calendars now.


Did you know the IWSG is elsewhere?

Find us on Facebook where we offer several prompts a week, opportunities to share news, discuss writing with others, and find the support and help you need. Almost 4,400 member strong now.

Find us on Twitter where we share writing, publishing, and marketing tips and news, plus we host #IWSGPit. Over 10K followers and growing.

Find us on Instagram where we share visual writing prompts and inspiration. Almost 800 followers.

Find us on Goodreads where we host a book club that reads books that will improve your craft and show you how certain elements are done well. With close to 400 members, it’s still an intimate group.

Finally, did you know we have a newsletter? Get monthly writing tips, guest articles, news, links, and more!

Please connect with us!


What are your thoughts on writers who don’t read?

13 comments:

nashvillecats2 said...

Sounds great Diane unfortunately I don't belong to Twitter or the other groups. ,....perhaps I should.

Yvonnne.

Lynda Dietz said...

Writers who don't read . . . I have to admit I judge pretty harshly on that front. I do understand not reading something in your genre while in the middle of writing, because it may influence your own ideas. However, I've found that non-reading writers don't actually have the "fresh" ideas they think they do. Because they're not reading what's out there from others, they aren't aware of trends in the language, tired tropes, and habits/patterns that may turn readers away. They often think every word they've penned is original genius, and they're difficult to work with as a result.

Claiming that not reading allows your writing to be pure "you" and not a mixture of you and another author is as silly as trying to write music without using the 12 notes that make up all musical compositions in one arrangement or another. We all build on the history and ideas of others, whether we're aware of it or not. Even in oral tradition, stories that were passed down from generation to generation are similar all over the globe.

Uh . . . sorry for the extra-long comment/rant. I suppose I feel rather strongly about this one.

Natalie Aguirre said...

I agree with you that it’s hard to ask others to read what you write if you don’t read too.

Nissa Annakindt said...

I thought of writing a comment here, but your comment security is so strict I doubt an older person like myself can get through.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

We are all over!

Elizabeth Seckman said...

Well drat, I totally forgot to add the date for January in my post this month. I'll go give that a little edit.

Pat Hatt said...

All over and got some good numbers a growing.

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

I think writers who don't read are missing a lot. Maybe they ought to try it.

Ingmar Albizu said...

A writer who does not read is a writer who is not serious about his craft, who does not want to learn and improve, and who wants to become a writer for the wrong reasons.

In fact, a writer who does not read is an oxymoron because reading informs writing.

Powdered Toast Man said...

A writer that doesn't read is like a chef that won't eat anyone else's cooking. Or an analogy that works better than that.

I did not know that IWSG was so big across all of social media. I am impressed.

Susan B.Rouchard said...

Thanks Diane for all the info. Unfortunately, no Twitter or Instagram, neither my thing. Facebook and Goodreads are more up my alley. No way to participate in the January Pitch otherwise ?
Anyone has a solution ? Thanks. Wishing an inspiring Horrible Harvest to all those WEP-ers.

Fundy Blue said...

Thanks for the Instagram reminder, Diane! I must go search for the IWSG on mine.

cleemckenzie said...

It was heartening to find that everyone who responded to the question this month agreed--reading and writing are companions that enhance each other.