Wednesday, August 4, 2021

#IWSG DAY - August 2021


 Insecure Writer’s Support Group—A database resource site and support group for writers and authors. Featuring weekly guests and tips, a monthly blogfest gathering, a Facebook group, a book club, and thousands of links–all to benefit writers! #IWSG


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

 THE INSECURE WRITER'S SUPPORT GROUP ANTHOLOGY CONTEST

Guidelines and rules:

Word count: 5000-6000

Genre: Sweet Romance

Attention Participates: 
Overall, your story should be clean of offensive material, including profanity, vulgarity, excessive violence, or sexually explicit or suggestive scenes.

Elements in your story should focus on romance, not on sex, which should be kept “behind closed doors.”

The overall plot should lead to a positive and uplifting outcome, also known as "happily ever after." 
Absolutely no erotica or pornography.

Theme: First Love

Submissions accepted: May 7 - September 1, 2021

How to enter: Send your polished, formatted (double-spaced, no footers or headers), previously unpublished story as a Word file to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your full contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter IWSG group. You must belong to at least one aspect of the IWSG to enter. Content must be PG rated or lower. 

August 4 optional question - What is your favorite writing craft book? Think of a book that every time you read it you learn something or you are inspired to write or try the new technique. And why?

The awesome co-hosts for the August 4 posting of the IWSG are PK Hrezo, Cathrina Constantine, PJ Colando, Kim Lajevardi, and Sandra Cox! 

 

What I've Learned From My 100words100days Challenge

The challenge is straightforward - write 100 words minimum over 100 days.
The 100 words can be for any project you're currently working on. How difficult can that be? Right? 
The main thing is that you write at least 100 new words, every day.

I've tried this challenge twice and completed it once. It's not always smooth sailing, especially when you get close to the end. 

Today is day 35, so I still have a long way to go. 

Here are some thoughts I want to share: 

1. 100wordsX100days is an excellent way to keep impostor syndrome in check!

2. It has helped me to discover my writing style: I feel energized and am productive when faced with the prospect of writing in short bursts.

3. It helps tap into creativity by approaching each session in a different manner.

4. It confirms that when it comes to writing, there is no one-size-fits-all and no one correct way in which to approach writing.

5. From day to day, you never know what will happen and some days you may find it’s a tight squeeze – but 100 words is a 100 words!

6. I'm terrified at the thought of doing a 30 day NaNoWriMo challenge. I much prefer the 100X100 challenge. The thought of a 80,000 word draft in one month scares me. 

Have you done NaNoWriMo? Do you think I should try it - at least once?

Happy IWSG Day!

17 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

A hundred words is doable and gives one a sense of accomplishment.
I've done NaNo twice, won it once. But even the one I didn't win was great as I got so much done.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Every time you post about the 100x100 challenge, I think it sounds awesome! I need to do that at some point.
I've done NaNoWriMo and loved it, even when I haven't finished it/won. I find it invigorating to get that many words down each day. I'm kind of a haphazard writer with my word count on most weeks. I get in 100 words one day, then 3000, then 50, then 1000, and so forth. I'm not good at steady day after day word count.

Michelle Wallace said...

Alex ~ 100 words is very doable! And words build up quickly as the days pass.

Michelle Wallace said...

Tyrean ~ the 100X100 challenge will suit you, perfectly! You are the original "everyday writer".
Patty ~ I've also written more than 100 words on some days. I even reached 1197 words on one day!

cleemckenzie said...

I always like hearing about the NaNoWriMo challenge. Writers have such endurance.

Michelle Wallace said...

CLee ~ there are so many wonderful NaNo stories!

Natalie Aguirre said...

I like the 100 word challeng because it sounds so manageable. Sorry, I've never done NaNo.

Michelle Wallace said...

Natalie ~ I work full time so it's doable for me.

Leigh Caron said...

I've done NaNo once...fun at first ...but after a week it felt like drudgery. The 100x100 seems more doable but if I don't feel the passion for writing, I can force it. And I'd be constantly taking the time to edit.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

NaNo is way beyond what I could do, but those 100 words I could.

Karen Lynn said...

I do Nano semi-regularly, but more for the community than for anything else. It did miracles for me the first time around--voila! my first finished novel--but since then, I've usually hit nano at the wrong point in my creative cycle to be genuinely useful.

Jen said...

I've done NaNo before and won a couple of times. It's a wonderful way to challenge yourself and get your word count up! Even if you don't "win", you still end up with words written and that's always a good thing.

Sorry I couldn't participate with a post today. Sinus infection has me down to limited screentime but I'll definitely play catch up when I can 🤎

Toi Thomas said...

This sounds like a fun challenge. I did something similar years ago and may try it again.

Michelle Wallace said...

Leigh ~ for me, the 100X100 is invigorating… most of the time, anyway…
Diane ~ I’m sure you’re very busy but you should give the 100X100 a go.
Karen ~ at least you've had the full NaNo experience, which I’m sure is a priceless one!
Jen ~ take care and hope you feel better soon.
Toi ~ it's loads of fun!

Elizabeth Mueller said...

I love how straightforward your thoughts are. Thank you for sharing them!

♥.•*¨Elizabeth Mueller¨*•.♥

Michelle Wallace said...

Elizabeth ~ thank you for popping in!

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hi Michelle,

No, I have never done NaNo. Completely the A-Z Twice was more that enough for me. LOL But, I do like the sound of 100 words, 100 days. It sounds like a fun and GREAT way to keep your writing fresh and alive. I just may try it! Thanks!

I hope all is well with you. Stay safe...