Today the IWSG Facebook page is a year old. It's a closed group, dedicated to helping fellow writers every day of the year. I'm a member of the group over there, but I'm not very active on it. I sometimes don't think I have any advice to offer... I really do still feel like a beginner.
This month, most posts will be taking the form of tips and instructions in the areas of writing, publishing, and marketing. I decided not to take part for the reason stated above. I'm just posting this so Alex won't bump me off the list, and to keep up my record of posting (I think... I hope) every single month since its inception.
I'll definitely be grabbing my copy of the anthology, when it's available.
Hi Annalisa - you've published not one but two books ... so dream and write on .. congratulations to your entries for IWSG ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThree, Hilary ;-) And thank you.
DeleteYip I was bumped off because I missed 2 posts but it's ok I knew it was going to happen as I was in a very bad writing slump. This month I was quite to write my post for the month and re-signed up :) I am a beginner and haven't published my book yet but I am getting close - But this also means I don't really have any tips to give but am open to received all the advice I can get!!
ReplyDeleteChanzie @ Mean Who You Are.
The best thing about this group is how much good advice flies around :-)
DeleteI'm sure you could offer loads of advice! I plan on submitting something and I've never published anything. It just seemed like such a great idea and I really wanted to contribute to it.
ReplyDeleteI really have been making it up as I go along though... :-)
DeleteI didn't feel that I had enough experience to offer any information or tips that most people didn't already know, so I didn't submit anything either. Don't worry. I'm sure there will be other chances later after you've grown more as a writer.
ReplyDeleteI've been writing and submitting for 20 years now - I really should have more faith in myself!
DeleteDon't downplay yourself too much! One of our co-hosts this month hasn't even published yet and she did a great post and contribution to the guide! Fundy Blue at http://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com/ I've read some of your posts over the last year and you do a fine job! Glad you're still hanging in there...
ReplyDeleteI just assume all my knowledge is common sense, because it makes sense to me. Perhaps I shouldn't assume that! Thanks for ready my blog :-)
DeleteWent on Goodreads and added Our Beautiful Child to my want to read shelf!
ReplyDeleteAnd a big thank you for this :-) :-)
DeleteI still feel like a beginner, too, but we do have things to offer from our own personal experiences. :)
ReplyDeleteI do have a lot of experience - my rejection folder supports that claim :-D
DeleteI think beginners sometimes have the best insights to the problems all writers face so please share. And even after more than seven years since my first published book, I still feel like a beginner too.
ReplyDeleteOh, I wish I was a beginner, Susan - my first short story was publish in November 1994!
DeleteNot going to bump you, Annalisa! And I bet you have a lot to offer.
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks Alex :-)
DeleteI rarely feel like I know what I'm doing. I think it's called 'being a writer'. :)
ReplyDeleteI think you've hit the nail on the head there!
DeleteChin up. Keep writing. Keep sending it out. Keep dealing with rejection....and success, and encourage others. You are a writer - a very good writer, and you do have a lot to offer.
ReplyDeleteThanks Joanne - my chin is always up, and I laugh in the face of rejection... Granted, it's hysterical maniacal laughter, but it still counts, right? ;-)
DeleteMost often, I feel like a writing newbie. I think many of us do. You're a fantastic writer. Don't forget that.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely a feeling specifically related to the arts - if we were all brain surgeons, we wouldn't be having this conversation :-)
DeleteI know what you mean about the worry of being bumped. I've been very dedicated to IWSG posts because of it.
ReplyDeleteAt least other can learn from my insecurities (sometimes it feels like walking around naked).
I'm sure Alex would be nicer to us, we're fantastic ;-)
DeleteAnd it's definitely like walking around naked! (Not that I do that... not outside!!)
You probably have more to share than you think. Too many of us feel the sting of Imposter Syndrome, but we're not alone. In truth, I don't think anyone really knows what they're doing.
ReplyDeletehahahaha... well I'm sure he won't bump ya!
ReplyDeleteHe wouldn't bump you off! You need to miss two in a row and I know I've missed months before and he's not knocked me off :)
ReplyDeleteHa. I signed up and then missed my first month. Oops. I posted this month but didn't feel up to contributing to the writing guide either. Maybe next time.
ReplyDeleteLOL, I know I am a beginner, but I did submit through email for this, despite myself. This is my 2nd submission to an an anthology in the real world. My first was in September. I am waiting to hear back on acceptance still on the Sept. one. Putting yourself out there is hard, scary and nerve racking, so I am practicing. I am trying to get my feet wet for the time, when my book is ready to be sent out into the world. That is also the reason I joined IWSG to get my feet wet blogging and interacting. It has made a huge difference in my writing life and my ability to step out and reach for the dream. Happy Anniversary IWSG!!!
ReplyDeleteJuneta at Writer's Gambit
I still have loads to learn, but I do have two published books behind me and I've gained a lot from them.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading about this group for ages - is it really only one year old?
ReplyDeleteWe can only do what we can do. Sometimes it gets to be a bit overwhelming and we have to step back and take stock of everything. They say balance is key. Personally, I think a few more hours in the day would help, but then I realize more hours would just give me more time to get things done, and as long as I remain generally productive, I really don't need to try and be more so with more hours in my day.
ReplyDelete