Welcome to our Eleventh IWSG, Day of the year 2025.
IWSG is a writers’ support group created and led by Alex J. Cavanaugh.
At IWSG, we believe in the power of sharing and encouragement. Writers of all levels and genres can express their doubts and concerns without fear of judgment. Our community is a haven for all insecure writers!
This group is an immense help to many of us, as we are willing to share our insecurities and successes or offer encouragement and support to others.
So, if you’re a writer seeking a supportive community, IWSG is the place for you. Join us and experience the benefits of sharing your journey with like-minded individuals. The link below will lead you directly to us.
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and our hashtag is #IWSG.
The awesome co-hosts for the November 5 posting of the IWSG are Jennifer Lane, Jenni Enzor, Renee Scattergood, Rebecca Douglass, Lynn Bradshaw, and Melissa Maygrove!
SURPRISE! SURPRISE!
I must admit that, as much as I love writing, I went through stages of shock after I made up my mind to do what I feared: write. I felt like I had jumped into an ocean where sharks were circling around me, trying to eat me.
As long as I was working alone, I was great, but I wasn't making any progress. I discovered that I couldn't rely on my own judgment. I needed to find out what I needed to do to educate myself. I was surprised and then shocked at the road ahead of me.
What helped me after I found out what was needed was the dogged determination to do whatever it took to learn how to write a book. I truly believe that good books like the Christmas Carol By Charles Dickens, Madame Bovary By Gustav Flauber, The Chronicles of Narnia By C.S. Lewis, Fahrenheit 451 By Ray Bradford, The Sunlight Dialogues By John Gardner and many other authors who are now considered the classics and the gamechangers of writing went through unbelievable torment trying to express themselves on paper so that their readers would see what they saw. They didn’t give up because they knew it was in them, and they wrote and rewrote those manuscripts until they brought them to life.
As for me, I am still learning. I can always improve by examining my style and writing better sentences. And, I have also learned that these improvements come only with faith, tenacity, perseverance, and continual practice. These qualities are the driving forces behind what I write now, and that requires hard work.
Have a nice month of November and stay safe.
Shalom shalom
That's great you found inspiration from classic works, Pat. Sounds like you have a love of learning that drives you as a writer. Good luck staying clear of those sharks!
ReplyDeleteI can relate. I worked sooo hard to launch my debut novel - arranging a blog tour with friends, scheduling a few ebook ads - then I sat and watched the sales dashboard with bated breath.
ReplyDeleteI got a few sales the first week, probably all friends and family. Then nothing. The launch went off like a firework dud. Talk about anticlimactic.
After logging on hourly for over a week, I didn't bother to check sales for a couple of days. Then I logged in, bracing for more disappointment. My mouth dropped open when I saw the sharp incline of the graph line and a tally of over 350 ebook sales. I thought excitedly, 'People are reading my book!' Then that emotion switched to instant dread, 'Oh. no... People are reading my book.' hahaha Thankfully, most of them liked it.
dogged determination...yup that's exactly what it takes to write a book...and get it published.
ReplyDeleteWe never stop learning. That's one of the reasons writing is so exciting. Good post, Pat.
ReplyDeletehttps://cleemckenziebooks.substack.com/p/the-gift-of-kittens
I love your point about how the great writers struggled too to get their words on the page. That is such an inspiration to me as I've been struggling with feeling like writing just takes me too long. Thanks for a great post!
ReplyDeleteLearning as a writer is always good. I think you've nailed all the qualities that make a writer a good one. And yes, it's lots of work.
ReplyDeleteYes, learning is eternal for us, writers. When I stop learning I would probably stop writing, too.
ReplyDeleteHi, Pat! I love what you shared in your post. "Faith, tenacity, perseverance, and continual practice," these are the keys to important things in life. You always inspire me. Hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteI made the same discovery, I couldn't rely on my own judgment. Yup, it does take faith, tenacity, perseverance, and continual practice. As a writer, I think it is a constant learning process.
ReplyDeleteYes, comes with faith.
ReplyDeleteI read A Christmas Carol every December.
I know the pro's make it look so easy. Part of their talent, I guess. :-)
ReplyDelete