Well, as you can see it is time for another segment for the IWSG. For those of you who are not familiar, this is a support group to help writers once a month vent, give advice, piss and moan ... you get the idea.
As each month blends into the next, it is hard sometimes to keep positive in our lives AND with our writing. Even creating this post once a month sometimes lends to anxiety ... What will I say? How can "I" possibly help someone else, when I can barely get through the day myself?
You can AND you will. WE are all on the same journey, some of us further along than others. BUT, that's okay. I chose "In Time ..." for my blog title because I TRULY believe that IN TIME we will achieve our goals. Naturally we have to endure life's obstacles, and some of them can be horrific. Just last week a very close blogger friend of ours Roland Yeomans was hit by a uninsured driver! He was hospitalized and now has to pay for it himself. As you know times are tough for many. Most of us are just barely squeaking by, Roland is no exception.
Such a kind a wonderful soul he has; helps everyone in the blogosphere with his incredible writing advice, links to help become a successful self publisher, mind-blowing prose, and yet so humble. If you can please drop in at Roland's blog and lend some support I would so appreciate it. And whatever you do DON'T tell him I sent you. He'll get upset with me because he is a proud southern gentleman.
Check out his array of amazing books with THE most gorgeous covers: he has like TWENTY! Let's cheer him up as he's recouping from his injuries. After all we are family. Our community is strong and keeps getting stronger each day.
We have all had tragedies in our lives. I read how one blogger friend almost died giving birth, another overcoming a crippling disease. You've read them too I'm sure. BUT with so much hardship there is joy. Family, friends, lovers, children, doggies, kitties, the beauty of nature surrounding us.
So the next time insecurity hits you, in whatever form, use it in your WIP or create short story around it! Turn the negative into a positive. We are writers after all. What's a little more drama, right? You'll get so into it, the anxiety you WERE stressing about will melt away into the keyboard, re-ignighting your positive flow. And who knows, this might turn out to be a NaNo project!
Well, everyone that's all for today. I'd like to thank you for your great comments yesterday about fitness. I hope you all will join me in the fight to stay healthy. Believe me, there is NOTHING more important than your health.
Stay well everyone and don't forget to visit the other IWSG writers ... they may have the answers you need.
44 comments:
Sorry to hear about Roland, will definitely pop in on him.
mood
Moody Writing
Well said about Roland! He has helped so many.
And you are live at the A to Z Blog already.
In Canada, you're not allowed to drive uninsured. And either way, the driver at fault would still have to pay, even if it were out of pocket. Though in Canada, at least the initial medical bills would be covered. Anything that isn't (like rehab) would be the responsibility of the driver. And if he was driving uninsured, he would be fined.
Sorry this happened to Roland.
So sorry to hear about Roland. Hope he gets better soon.
Thanks for the inspiration. What you said is so true. In time, we'll all reach our goals. And great advice to turn those hard moments into good writing moments.
Sorry to hear about Roland.
Nice twist on using our insecurities to become better writers.
Thanks, Michael. Your mention of me is very kind. Many more are hurting worse from Hurricane Isaac than me. I still can work and have a job in which to work.
Stina, thanks for the kind words. Sadly, the driver had no assets, no job to go with no insurance (which is required in Louisiana as well.)
E. Natalie, Alex, and Mood, the kind support is welcome. But thousands are still without power throughout Louisiana due to Isaac, say a prayer for them!
Again, thanks, Michael. May you In Time be soon!
Lovely words for a lovely man. Roland is wonderful and his books amazing so if you buy one it is hardly a favor to anyone but yourself!
Good advice about using insecurities as a writing tool> Off to see what you are up to at A-Z.
Just visited Roland's blog and bought one of his books.
You're right about so much hardship - and joy - in the world. I thank my blogging friends for reminders of the joy!
I'll go buy one of his books right now.
Thank you all for your generosity and kindness!
Thanks so much for this. Love the support of this writing community!
Siv, what a lovely thing to say. Victor blows you a kiss even though Alice glared at him in jealousy.
Laura, thank you for buying one of my books. Hope you find a smile or two in it. You are right: there is so much grief in this world that when the joy comes, we should never let it go to waste. I am humbled by my friends.
L. Diane, you are very kind to do this for me. I hope you find unexpected, happy surprises in my book or at least in your day this mid-week.
Michael, you are a champion for being there for me in this. Thank you is too small a phrase. Roland
Oh my goodness! I hadn't heard about Roland - the poor man; how dreadful.
Thank you for the positive spin on insecurity!
Oh, that is so upsetting about Roland. I will drop in on his blog, too. Finding strength in adversity--what a great message, and one we all are familiar with in one way or another. Thank you, Michael.
A lovely, encouraging post.
Victor Standish -- here I come!
Sorry to hear about your friend. I hope he recovers quickly.
What a kind, thoughtful way to use this blog hop! Thanks Michael and best wishes to Roland for a speedy recovery.
I'm so sorry to hear about Roland. I'm a southerner, so I have to support southern gentlemen. :) I'm headed over to the A-Z blog in a bit. I'm slowly catching up with everyone. :) Great post!
Great post, Michael! I was so sorry to hear about what happened to Roland. Here's hoping he's back to 100 percent very soon.
Hope you're doing well, too! ((hugs))
Hi Michael
Great advice. I'm so sorry to hear about Roland. I hope he is better soon. I'd advise him to get a lawyer. No shame in that.
Nancy
Oh, noooo. I hadn't heard about Roland. Rotten luck. :( Yes, I love Roland's covers!! :) Yes, we are a family of writers, so let's support each other. And our life experiences really CAN make our writing more passionate and vibrant.
Brilliant post! Do you mind if I use "In time" as my new mantra? That is just a great way of looking at things.
Very nice shout out for Roland as well.
I had forgotten just how uplifting your blog is Michael. Shame on me! I'm sorry to hear about Roland. Thank you for inspiring me today!
Too bad about Roland. Hope he can sue for damages or something. It's pretty lousy when you have to pay for somebody else's screw up.
You've shown a sense of caring in this post, but I think we all knew that about you anyway.
Lee
A Faraway View
Bit of a shock to hear about Roland on Alex's blog today. I'm hoping the extra sales will cheer him up. Lovely of you to post about it Michael, but you are such a caring guy. Roland's lucky to have a friend such as you.
I've been seeing a lot of love and positive thoughts flowing Rolands way the last few days. Shows what an incredibly supportive community this is.
Thanks for all the encouraging words Michael.
......dhole
So true, Michael. All we can do is keep "moving toward the mountain."
I heard about Roland's accident. So crazy that he has to suffer cuz someone else didnt have insurance. That sucks. :(
I'm so sorry to hear about Roland. But you are a great and kind friend to highlight it here on your blog. Of course, I'll go and give Roland some financial support and buy a couple of his books that I've been eyeing to read.
You all are so wonderful! I really appreciate your kindness and for helping out a truly sweet person.
Loved your interview on the A-Z blog. :)
ROLAND!!!!!!
He's so awesome. And what a dreadful thing to happen. I'm so glad he's okay...
And it's so true about tragedies... the more I live, and the more I experience hardship, the more I'm grateful I'm only dealing with what I'm dealing with... I feel so blessed and I do believe there is something to turning around negatives into positives, I know I've experienced that miracle time and time again.
Fabulous post as always, Michael. :)
Hi! Gosh it's been some time since I've been here. *hangs head in shame* Oh how I wish I could visit all my favorite blogs, every day! Happy IWSG day (week!). I'm on my way to Roland's now. :))
Thanks for the encouragement. This past month I experienced a family tragedy and this really helped. :)
Beautiful post, Michael. You're right - not just with the blog title (love it!) but with how so many of us have so much going on - and the writing has to fit in there, regardless. So there's no time or reason to be insecure!
You are such a wonderful friend! Roland is a great man as are you for supporting him. :)
Thank you so much for sharing this encouraging post!!
I read about Roland on Alex's blog. He's going through such a tough time.
Great blog post today. It's hard to see the positive sometimes but we need to!
Wise words my friend. And thanks for sharing about Roland. We are his on-line family and all of our thoughts and prayers and support are with him. We would not be the same without him.
I loved our meeting yesterday. I had the best time and it made my month. I haven't laughed so much nor had such great conversation in a long time. Thank you! I look forward to meeting again soon.
Sorry to hear about Roland! Great advice about turning insecurity into something productive. I agree.
This is a very inspirational post. In acting, I learned that using the emotions from the tragedies in your own life, even when the character doesn't actually require so, adds depth to the character you're playing. I seem to understand it works the same way in writing.
Thanks for joining my blog!
Am now a follower here.
Come visit anytime and there's a virtual cup of tea waiting for you.
jacopopaoloni.blogspot.com
Oh, gosh. I'm sorry to hear about Roland!
Turning real-life experiences into a short story is an interesting idea; there's certainly no shortage of material.
Sorry to hear about your friend and I hope he's doing much better now. Life can really send us storms enough to derail our journey but hopefully we still have our sights on the goal.
Thanks for telling me about the IWSG. I checked it out and linked up my post. Hope to do it again next month.
What a lovely post Michael as always. If we are feeling insecure we can count on our wonderful blogging buddies such as yourself to buoy us up. Thank you and hugs to Roland.
Hey Michael,
Gosh, I wish you would say what you feel :)
You. RockStar :)
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