Happy Wednesday/Hump day everyone.
So far March has come in with a vengeance. Yesterday we got over six inches of snow and as the ferocious winds swirled the powdery glitter over every inch of the city, a note of SPRING was in the air.
It came in two forms for me yesterday, which I will get to in a moment. As you all know today IS the first Wednesday of the month and it's time for another segment of the Insecure Writer's Support Group or the IWSG, what we members affectionately call it. For the unfamiliar blogger, it is a group that meets on the first Wednesday of every month to VOICE concerns or offer words of wisdom to those writers who are in DISTRESS. Which covers a huge gamut ... lol.
Lately I have had concerns about when my writing journey would take a turn. For four years I have stumbled on the rocky road to publication. As we all know the road is different for all of us. Knowing I am not alone on this journey brings me great comfort. So many of us are faltering .... falling into ditches, only having to claw our way out... thankfully there is always a helping hand to YANK us out.
This week two extraordinary things happened. First a very special blogger and friend had asked me to write an exclusive cover reveal for her upcoming book. I was so honored and thrilled. Out of ALL the amazing writers in our sphere, she chose me. I can't begin to tell you how that filled my heart and gave me the lift I really needed.
The second bit of news actually began several days ago when I was nominated for Unpublished Blogger with the Most Awesome Writing Style in Misha Gericke's Pay it Forward Awards. Honestly I was shocked. Again, with so many AMAZING voices out there, I was singled out. I put the nomination in the back of my mind and thought how nice to be nominated and basically waited for the results after I voted for the talented bloggers who were nominated in various subjects.
Well, yesterday Misha dropped me a note and informed me I had won. My heart raced. ME! There had to be a mistake! I clicked onto her blog and saw my name. Dumbfounded. I was chosen first, DL Hammons, an EXCELLENT writer and blogger came in second. I shook my head in disbelief. I had never been acknowledged in this way for my writing before. I had entered so many contest with really no success. But this, I didn't enter. I was nominated and chosen by all of you. THANK YOU can not even express the gratitude I feel to all of you right now. Especially now, when I needed it most to take that NEXT STEP on my journey.
So, for all of you who are at a crossroads with YOUR writing journey, TAKE THAT NEXT STEP. We are here to keep you company and lend you that helping hand whenever you may need.
Thank you all again and I hope you a wonderful day and week. And don't forget to visit other members of the IWSG here. The ranks are GROWING....
A news worthy event takes place Tomorrow, Carrie Butler's N/A paranormal romance, STRENGTH makes its debut. SO drop by and Carrie's blog and cheer her on!
So far March has come in with a vengeance. Yesterday we got over six inches of snow and as the ferocious winds swirled the powdery glitter over every inch of the city, a note of SPRING was in the air.
Lately I have had concerns about when my writing journey would take a turn. For four years I have stumbled on the rocky road to publication. As we all know the road is different for all of us. Knowing I am not alone on this journey brings me great comfort. So many of us are faltering .... falling into ditches, only having to claw our way out... thankfully there is always a helping hand to YANK us out.
This week two extraordinary things happened. First a very special blogger and friend had asked me to write an exclusive cover reveal for her upcoming book. I was so honored and thrilled. Out of ALL the amazing writers in our sphere, she chose me. I can't begin to tell you how that filled my heart and gave me the lift I really needed.
The second bit of news actually began several days ago when I was nominated for Unpublished Blogger with the Most Awesome Writing Style in Misha Gericke's Pay it Forward Awards. Honestly I was shocked. Again, with so many AMAZING voices out there, I was singled out. I put the nomination in the back of my mind and thought how nice to be nominated and basically waited for the results after I voted for the talented bloggers who were nominated in various subjects.
Well, yesterday Misha dropped me a note and informed me I had won. My heart raced. ME! There had to be a mistake! I clicked onto her blog and saw my name. Dumbfounded. I was chosen first, DL Hammons, an EXCELLENT writer and blogger came in second. I shook my head in disbelief. I had never been acknowledged in this way for my writing before. I had entered so many contest with really no success. But this, I didn't enter. I was nominated and chosen by all of you. THANK YOU can not even express the gratitude I feel to all of you right now. Especially now, when I needed it most to take that NEXT STEP on my journey.
So, for all of you who are at a crossroads with YOUR writing journey, TAKE THAT NEXT STEP. We are here to keep you company and lend you that helping hand whenever you may need.
Thank you all again and I hope you a wonderful day and week. And don't forget to visit other members of the IWSG here. The ranks are GROWING....
A news worthy event takes place Tomorrow, Carrie Butler's N/A paranormal romance, STRENGTH makes its debut. SO drop by and Carrie's blog and cheer her on!
54 comments:
I voted for you, Michael!!!!!
You're so talented. And YES, I feel like I'm digging myself out of a ditch too--it's a hard place to be in. But it really is amazing how other people can help us and inspire us. It's a CRAZY journey. And OF COURSE this blogger wanted an exclusive cover reveal! Your cover reveals are THE BEST!!!
:D
Congrats, Mike! Unfortunately, I didn't see the post to vote.
Hugs and chocolate,
Shelly
Michael, you are extremely deserving of that award. You're truly one of the unique and special voices in this 'little' blogging community of ours. I'm glad you were recognized, but just know that we all felt that way about you all along. :-)
Your talent will serve you well, but it's your work ethic and determination that's going to take you places. Working hard and sticking to what makes you, you, will see you doing great things sooner rather than later.
Most of all, I'm glad you're a decent person on top of everything else. Makes it so much easier to cheer for you. :-)
Of course you deserved that nomination - and the win! Congratulations.
And who better to debut Nicki's cover than you? Your reveals are the best around.
The journey is different for each of us. Wherever we're at, we can't quit though.
Congratulations! It was a deserved win, you are always so positive and supportive of others. Good luck with your next step, whatever it is.
Michael I'm so happy for you! You absolutely deserve that award. :) Hugs!!
Congrats on being nominated and for being asked to do the cover reveal. Very exciting!
Congrats on the win and it was definitely well deserved!
The writing road can be very bumpy (I know it is for me), but each bump just brings you closer to your goal.
I'm sure you'll get there :)
I didn't know about the nomination, nor did I know I could vote, but I would have. You are an EXCELLENT writer yourself my friend.
Isn't it amazing when we sink to our lowest point, think we better just find another career because we just can't write.....something fabulous comes along to remind us.....HANG in there!
I'm blessed to know you Michael! Congratulations!!!!!!
Congratulations! You deserve it! :)
Congrats Michael! These are all milestones in our path to publication:)
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
Congrats, Michael! After reading your work for the past couple years, I can safely say it was well deserved.
Now to get you nominated for best published blogger!
Well I for one wholeheartedly agree. You write from the heart and say what you mean. You rock!
Big congrats, Michael! Very well deserved, my friend. ;)
Congrats on the recognition! That is an awesome honor, and it's an indication that you are a talented writer with a lot of loyal readers -- traits that every published author must have. Keep up the great work; the long road to publication might be shorter than you think!
Well, isn't that good news? Congratulations, I do believe you deserve both acknowledgement and prize. You have a wonderful creativity indeed.
Woohoo! Congrats to you! I think you totally deserve the prize. Soak it in. :)
Congrats Bro! I am not the least surprised. You are an inspiration to all of us :)
Congratulations, Michael! What a well deserved honor!!!
Writing is indeed a difficult path. Even with an agent, the going is tough. I keep a Post-it on my monitor to remind me that the freedom to write is a privilege. Whenever I see it, I feel a little rush of gratitude. No regrets here. :)
~VR Barkowski
Congrats on the win. Thoroughly deserved.
I consider it an honor to come in second behind you Michael!! CONGRATS!! :)
You totally deserved the win! Congratulations :)
So well deserved!
Congratulations!
You were a great nomination! Kudos! Looking forward to your cover reveal.
Michael, you deserved to win Meisha's award. You write such great posts and are such a supportive friend to bloggers. And your cover reveals have been awesome of late, so imaginative. You create interest in all the books you talk about.
Michael, I still remember your steamy noir snippet, great writing and always a warm, friendly blog to visit :)
Way to go!!! You definitely deserved the award. I would have voted for you too, but I've been a hermit lately, focused on my writing.
Great job!
Congrats on the cover reveal and on the award! Your writing style is unique and deserves praise. Hang in there, Roland
Congratulation Michael, you deserve it the blogger award. And I know you will do awesome work on the cover reveal. You are growing my friend, and becoming such a beautifully successful person. This is all awesome news.
It get freezing cold here, then teases with some beautiful days you want to wear short and sandels. I don't know if I should cook stew or barbequ :)
.......dhole
Congratulations on your award, you deserve it :)
i love this place! when we are low, it lifts us up! ask & we shall receive!
yay for you, michael!
How interesting you just won a blogger award! I haven't had much time for reading posts lately, but as I was scrolling through the list, I said, "I'll read Michael's post. He writes good posts." Ironic, eh? Congrats. :)
no surprise you won, Mikey, well deserved, well deserved! Me and my coon and possum squads have nothing to do with it :P
Michael, never doubt for a moment that you deserve the win! You are absolutely amazing!!! Absolutely!
Congrats on the award, and being chosen for the cover reveal!!! You completely deserve it. :))
My dad arrives today from Chicago. He's from up north in a little town called Ingleside. He said y'all got tons of snow on Tuesday. He's driving down and bringing his golf clubs to get a head start. Today in southeast TX, it's a mild 71 degrees and sunny. :) Loving it!
Take care!
March 7th, 2013
Congrats Michael!
So well deserved! You are such a talented writer! Hope publication is not far away.
See? I've joined the ranks of IWSG, thanks to you!
Best wishes,
Anna
AnnasAdornments for Insecure Writers March 6th
Congrats, Michael. I definitely agree that you deserve the award. :D
And as for snow . . . . We had about a foot of snow dumped on us over the past few days. I had to dig out my friends van because the snow was deep. And she didn't have winter tires. :P
CONGRATULATIONS!!! How wonderful for you sweetie. You really are one of the most amazing people I have ever met and you inspire me all the time. after our long talks I always feel recharged. Hugs!
Congratulations. That is so cool! A well deserved award!
Now if only that 6" of snow will melt. :)
Congratulations on your successes, Michael. I can't think of anyone more worthy than you :) I love coming to your blog and reading all of your very original material. The thing you wrote for Alex's cover reveal was simply AWESOME!
Congrats! and thanks for your comment and follow over at my blog! It's always nice to share the insecurity.ha
Sounds like you've had a wonderful week! Congratulations :)
It's the great times and the personal triumphs that smooth out the rough times.
Wonderful post!
Congratulations Michael! Recognition is always so awesome.
Our winter isn't over yet, either. Expecting more snow tomorrow~
I'm so happy you won. You very much deserve it. Congratulations, Michael! :)
And thank you for the shout-out!
Visiting from IWSG. I saw your win on Mischa's blog, congratulations. We never know when something good is just around the corner.
Hi. I'm dropping by through the IWSG. Thanks for the inspiring post, and congratulations on your award.
Be well.
xoRobyn
I love tales like this. Seeing a person truly excited and grateful for something like this is heartening. Congratulations!
The writer-blogger community is awesome. Soak it up. You deserve it. :)
Congrats, Mike! That is awesome and well-deserved. It's amazing how things look dark before something breaks! Looking forward to more good news from you! :)
You know, this is something I needed to hear. "TAKE THAT NEXT STEP." I think all my fears about my writing can be boiled down to the fear of taking the next step. I just need to push forward, no matter what. Congratulations Michael on your nomination and win! I hope you'll remember this when/if doubts about your writing start to loom overhead.
Congratulations, Michael! I can't say I'm surprised on bit that you won though - your writing shines on your blog as well as in your stories. I'm so very glad you got that well-deserved boost. :)
So happy for you! Congratulations on your award!
I was there for the snow! Two days is waaay too short for Chicago. I'm still mad that I couldn't take more time off work. We barely scratched the surface, and I missed seeing you and Melissa! Happy to report that the drive is doable in one day, even with kids in the car - we left at 4 am (well, 5 am after the time zone change) and were home by 8pm!
Congratulations on your win. That's very exciting to be recognized by your fellow writers and bloggers.
Hi Michael,
Thanks so much for your nice comments, and for the follow. That made my evening. I'm happy to reciprocate.
Cheers.
xoRobyn
Congratulations on all your blessings, Michael! Nicki tells me you're a special person. :-) Keep clawing your way outta that ditch.
Post a Comment