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? 

IWSG Day In The Beginning

                                          

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 November 5th posting of the IWSG are Jennifer Lane, Jenni Enzor, Renee Scattergood, Rebecca Douglass, Lynn Bradshaw, and Melissa Maygrove!

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!

November 5th question - When you began writing, what did you imagine your life as a writer would be like? Were you right, or has this experience presented you with some surprises along the way? 

Are you surprised that you are being asked this question? Are you surprised with your response? I bet it is so surprising. Did I lose that bet? Good thing I didn't put any money down.

Am I surprised? No. Always been the sane kinda crazy sort, so becoming a rhyming cat wasn't all that surprising. Did I really imagine anything? Not so much. Just went along for the ride. I never figured I'd be a millionaire off it. Heck, even a thousandaire. Let's pretend thousandaire is a word, even if google tries to tell us otherwise.

Think up any surprises yet? Have you had any along the way? Are you a sane kinda crazy too? Fun, isn't it?

An IWSG Day Software Update

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 July 3rd posting of the IWSG are JS Pailly, Rebecca Douglass, Pat Garcia, Louise-Fundy Blue, and Natalie Aguirre!

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!

July 3 Question - What is your favorite writing processing software, apps (e.g. Word, Scrivener, yWriter, Dabble, Google Docs, Fictionary, Atticus), and tools? Why does it fit your process? Why do you recommend them? Which is favorite if you have more than one?

Is it sad that I've only ever heard of half of those examples? I still stick with good old Word and use Excel to keep notes and stuff. Heck. Sometimes I may just jot stuff down in notepad until I get it to where it needs to go. Nothing fancy here.

Got any better software than I do? Does it make life easier? Have you heard of all the examples above?

Long and Short of IWSG Day!

 

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 April 3rd posting of the IWSG are Janet Alcorn, T. Powell Coltrin, Natalie Aguirre, and Pat Garcia!

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!

April 3 question - How long have you been blogging? (Or on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram?) What do you like about it and how has it changed?

Has spring sprung where you are yet? In some cases I guess that would be has fall fallen. Anyway, how many springs or falls have you gone through in blogland?

Been a good thirteen or so springs here. A lot has changed. There isn't the amount of bloggers that there used to be or the amount of posts there used to be from those still around. At least in many cases. I'm sure there are still some plugging away like they used to.

I enjoyed blogging and still do in some ways, but the only thing I really use these days is Instagram. I found many bloggers went there and that let's us stay in touch and such. Plus, I find it isn't as downward spiraling as Facebook or Twitter/X. 

How has blogging changed for you? Are you anywhere else more than you used to be? Still post the same amount? Been in blogland long? How many IWSG posts have you done over the years? 

I better stop. We are getting into too much math territory.

Enjoy the latest IWSG Day as you add another post to your count.

Happy New Number and IWSG Day!

 

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!

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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 January 3rd posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Olga Godim, Diedre Knight, and Natalie Aguirre!

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!

January 3 question: Do you follow back your readers on BookBub or do you only follow back other authors?

Happy new number day, IWSG community. Did you all make those resolution thingys that you aren't going to keep anyway? At least 99.99% of people don't. And why? Because all the day is is a new number at the end of the year. There is nothing magic about a new number. If you didn't start the so-called resolution three months ago then guess what? The new number won't help you. You want to do something then do it. Don't wait for a day. You may actually get it done then. End of my ten cents worth. What was the question again? Right. Bookbub.

Umm...First I think I'd have to sign in and actually use it to follow anyone. I didn't even know you could follow back readers. Shows how much I use that, huh?

Hopefully everyone gets a book out and/or has some great adventures and/or makes some great memories in 2024.

Happy New Year

(Even if nothing is new but the number)

Fall Into IWSG Day

 

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 October 4 posting of the IWSG are Natalie Aguirre, Kim Lajevardi, Debs Carey, Gwen Gardner, Patricia Josephine, and Rebecca Douglass!

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!

October 4 question: The topic of AI writing has been heavily debated across the world. According to various sources, generative AI will assist writers, not replace them. What are your thoughts?

Assist me? Oh. You mean write my jumbled paragraph of a rough draft of a rough draft into some cohesive story so I can clam I wrote it when really the robot did it? Sure. Sounds good. Get to it robot. What? You're already done? Darn. I guess you better get to the fifty more I have waiting to be done.

Assist is just a term used by the rich turds so that they can get away with using it. Eventually they are going to use it to take over most writing and save money for things like TV and movies and such. They'll have one writer take a pass at the end result maybe and that will be it. It has been that way with every invention ever created. Comes in. Makes the job of 20 down to 2. Company saves. Turds get richer. Rinse and repeat.

As for novels and such. Bye bye ghost writers. And some 4 million books were released last year. Wait until every eejit with a big toe that has an idea from a flea on their dog gets a hold of it. Then they'll be an author thanks to the robot and 400,000,000 books will be released a year.

It will be what it will be. But between now and Skynet there will be plenty of "fun" to be had.

Thoughts on AI in writing? Think I'm wrong? Give it twenty years and then we'll see. As long as Skynet doesn't get us by then.

Happy IWSG Day!

(Psst. This may have been written by a robot pretending to be a human or a human pretending to be a robot. Or a robot that is a robot or a human that is a human. Or maybe just an alien who looks like a human that pretends it is a robot. Or maybe just a little sometimes rhyming a..)

IWSG Posting Day Has Arrived With A Side of Scam Alert!

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.

First a few items to pass along:

Don't forget that WEP's next challenge is this month.

Life is Beautiful Post April 19 to 21.

Enter the April challenge here.

SCAM ALERT!

Tonja Drecker passed this one along and wanted to get the word out on a nasty writer scam going around.

Scams are nothing new, and as a writer, there are certain things, which set off the alarm signal. This last week, though, I ran across one, which caught me by surprise. I’ve since learned that it's been around for several years and hits job boards as well as the usual social media outlets. I ran across it on Twitter, and while I didn’t fall victim to it, I was shocked at how much time the scammers put into it.

I received a DM from an account I’ve been following for several months, claiming that they needed some help with something and asked if I was willing and comfortable with writing clean kidlit stories. The account had around 3,500 followers (over 150 writers which I follow myself), did regular posts with book news and religious quotes, and didn’t seem off in any way. After a little back and forth, they claimed that they were contracted by a large company (a real company, who was not involved in the scam) to find remote writers for a project. It was a permanent position with a monthly salary of $4000. Wary but curious, I agreed to an interview on Skype, which was scheduled three days later.

The first alarm bells sounded when the gentleman, who was to interview me, insisted that it be done per chat…claiming the printed form was important to  assist in the company's decision. During the chat, the logo of the supposed contracting company was present. The interview was very normal and came with the usual questions but did get odd when it was my turn to ask for information. The gentleman’s answers were vague, and the conditions, while nothing over-the-top, sounded too good to be true. The interview lasted over 30 minutes, and at the end, he claimed I appeared to be what the company was looking for. A second interview was scheduled with the supposed hiring company's manager for the next day.

This interview also came as a chat only. While starting out with the usual questions, the ‘you’re hired’ popped up fast. Claiming that they needed me to start as soon as possible, they requested personal information, supposedly to speed up the paperwork process. While I didn’t let it get this far, I’ve since learned that it would include everything from address, birth date, bank information, credit card, and even SSN. 

Before reporting this to anyone, I did contact the real company, whose name was used by the scammers. They were extremely kind and helpful, and confirmed that the individuals did not work for them nor were they hiring writers at the time. The account has since been reported to Twitter, but that, obviously, won’t stop the scam.

Now let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

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

The awesome co-hosts for the April 5 posting of the IWSG are Jemima Pett, Nancy Gideon, and Natalie Aguirre!

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!

April 5 question - Do you remember writing your first book? What were your thoughts about a career path on writing? Where are you now and how is it working out for you? If you're at the start of the journey, what are your goals?

I remember indeed. Doing it between work, maybe sneakily while at work, and other life stuff. I admit I cringe a bit at the first one now as I know far more. Career path though? Ha! Knew not to give up the 9-5 in order to avoid the cardboard box. 100+ books in and still a going. Enjoy doing it so I do. Nothing more. Nothing less.

How's your career path? Any writer scams that you have come across lately? Have you heard of this one? Are you joining WEP's challenge this month?