Wednesday, November 2, 2011

INSECURE WRITERS SUPPORT GROUP ... YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND.

Hi, all,

Thanks for all the great comments on my Halloween post. I am glad you enjoyed my pumpkin illustration and excerpt from my first novel.

I would also like to welcome my new friends who joined my blogging family.  Laura, Jenna, Nadh, Cassie, Niki, Abby, farawayeyes, Basil, Anna, and Bonnie... I am looking forward to getting to know you all.

Today is also the first Wednesday of the month and time for another Insecure Writers Support Group post. The founder Alex Cavanaugh has created this group for all of us to vent, support, encourage, and find out much needed information in our fantastic community.

Today I would like to reassure all our new and old writer friends that feel overwhelmed and alone, that you are NOT. Many is the time when we are at our wits end. Nothing is working. Our plot is weak; out characters have no substance; too much backstory; and the list goes on and on. What to do? Step back, take a deep breath, and put it away for a while. Drop by you favorite blogging haunts. Immerse yourself for an afternoon, morning, or late evening ... it will do you a world of good.

Sometimes escaping is the best way to clear the mind to face the trials and tribulations of writing once more. I myself have found so much tension release by visiting my blogger friends. I laugh, learn, and disappear into other worlds. How could you not relax and feel motivated after that?

So the next time something isn't quite right ... you'll know what to do. Also don't be afraid to post you problem. HELP is always there. Another writer's eyes might spot the problem in an instant...Just think how great that will make you feel.

Most of you all know how I feel about you and our WONDERFUL community. SO let your friends be there for you ... they will NEVER let you down.

Now...  for some fun news,  Halloween was my ONE year Blogoversay. Since I will be out of town for a few weeks, the celebration must wait until I return. But I want all of you to know I am planning something special, so stay tuned. Also I almost at 500 friends! YAY! I hope to get there by the celebration... then I will really be celebrating! Some special giveaways are planned. Once I figure out what date, I'd appreciate your help to spread the word... I know I can count on all of you for sure.

Thanks for stopping by today and don't forget to drop by Alex's site for the list of other support group posts.

HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYONE!

29 comments:

Michelle Wallace said...

I posted my very first Insecure Writer's Post... but my questions seem trivial...
Congrats on your one-year blogoversary! Looking forward to the celebration...
~MISH~
http://writer-in-transit.co.za/

Talli Roland said...

Great post, Michael, thank you - and so true. It's so easy to get caught up in angst! Taking a deep breath and knowing you're not alone really helps.

E. Arroyo said...

Thanks for the kind words. It's easy to forget that we aren't alone. =)

Heather M. Gardner said...

Happy anniversary!
And yes, I know how you feel about this wonderful community. I feel the same way. Friends helping friends.
Heather

Deniz Bevan said...

Happy blogoversary!!
And you're so right, it always helps to link up with other authors and know you're not alone.

farawayeyes said...

Thanks Michael. I often need to be reminded that I am not alone. It's amazing how much those four little words help. Safe trip and enjoy yourself.

mooderino said...

Good advice, Michael. Happy 1st anniversary.

mood
Moody Writing
@mooderino
The Funnily Enough

Wendy Tyler Ryan said...

Great post today, Michael. Congrats on your anniversay! Woohoo!

Linda Gray said...

Happy one year blogoversary! Wow, is that all, one year?! It feels as though we've known you all our lives. :)

Roland D. Yeomans said...

Congratulations on the anniversay, too! We are never alone. There are so many of us struggling in the dark all across the cyberverse.

And all those feelings of doubt, angst, and isolation are just fertilizer for our muse when we will write later on. Have a great day -- and be your own best friend - be good to yourself, Roland

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

I love this blog. I know I've said it before but I always feel better after I've come here. You're like a cheerleader, Michael, and exude such positive warmth into the world of blogging that it is infectious. Thank you for all the words of encouragement that you post and I hope you have a great break wherever it is that you are going.

Donea Lee said...

Hi, Michael!! What a great post. And I know you sincerely mean every word of it. I'm not sure I did (I meant to!) but your comment on my Insecure Writer's post a few weeks ago was so nice. Just wanted you to know I appreciated it!

And I know where you're headed off to!! Still jealous! Give Jen a "hello" and big hug for me. I hope you have a great time!

Johanna Garth said...

Happy one year! Can't wait to see what you have planned.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

This community is awesome!
Happy one year. And you are SO close to five hundred followers.

Sarah Tokeley said...

What a lovely post Michael, thank you. Enjoy your break and congratulations on your blogoversary :-)

dolorah said...

Awesome post Michael. Happy Blogversary, and I hope you have a blast on your vacation :)

.......dhole

Unknown said...

You are absolutely right! The writer-blogger community is very supportive, and I like your suggestion of posting about your problem. I've done that before and people seemed really happy to try and help me :-)

Brenda Drake said...

Congratulations on your Blogoversay - I remember when you started! Loved the pumpkin illustration - you're so talented. Have fun on your trip! <3

LTM said...

Happy Blogoversary!!!! That's awesome, and you are so right. This blogging community is tops. So supportive and helpful. Great stuff. Have a wonderful trip, Michael! ((hugs))

Unknown said...

I couldn't agree more, the blogging community is a wonderful platform to network with likeminded writers. I really like your blog, am following it now.

Unknown said...

Its easy to forget that you are not alone and posts such us these help me keep my dreams alive. Thanks. I am a new follower. :)

Jo Schaffer said...

It is so nice to have writer friends! Great support in an otherwise solitary endeavor!

Heather said...

So true, we have the most amazing community. People are so kind and willing to help that it never ceases to amaze me. Have fun during your time out of town!

Southpaw said...

Good timing. I've been struggling with words. And, hey, Happy Blogiversry.

Denise Covey said...

Hi Michael. Great that you're tripping around. Great, helpful post for the group. Congrats on your blogerversary and for your nearly 500 followers.

Denise

Linda Gray said...

I can attest to what you're saying, Michael! When I wrote my first book long, long ago, the blogging community didn't exist. What a difference it makes to have peeps to share with! Instead of getting frustrated and not knowing what to do to make it better, we can reach out to others like us, and they ALWAYS come through for us.

Talei said...

Happy Blogoversay! It's amazing how quickly it comes around, mine was during the A to Z challenge - I completely missed it. ;-)

And I agree, its good to step back, take a deep breath, recharge - and relax. The thing about blogging and writing is that we put ourselves under so much pressure sometimes and lose sight of whats important to yourself. Hope you are well, my dear. x

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

I hope you are going somewhere good, Michael. :D

Happy blogoversary! I'm so glad we found each other. :-)

Golden Eagle said...

Happy Blogoversary! :)

Great post--nothing compares to the blogging community!