Welcome to IWSG Day. The goal of this blog hop is to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a haven for insecure writers of all kinds. IWSG is the brainchild of Alex Cavanaugh.
This month's topic: The IWSG celebrates 12 years today! When did you discover the IWSG, how do you connect, and how has it helped you? Feel free to elaborate on your connection with the IWSG as we celebrate another milestone.
After reading today’s optional question, I scrolled back
over the years to the first IWSG post I wrote twelve years ago for that inaugural IWSG. That summer
we’d been preparing for our only child to go to college and I felt like life
was running away from me. Other than blogging and some freelance work, I’d
given myself a break from writing for a couple of months. But now our girl was
gone and I struggled to get back to my writing routine. My topic was one most of us could
write about today, the push-pull about how to prioritize writing time when the rest
of our lives drive us in other directions—pretty much a universal theme.
I’m fairly incredulous when I think of how my life has
changed since that first essay, but one thing that has remained consistent over
the years has been a monthly reminder to write an IWSG post. No matter how I’m
feeling about writing or life in general, I make myself sit down and pound out
a piece. To my knowledge, I’ve never missed one. Twelve times twelve. A hundred
and forty-four essays. I may not have achieved other writing goals, but at
least I know have staying power.
But IWSG means more to me than sticking it out over the long haul. When I’ve been
anxious, frustrated or uninspired, individuals in this group have provided
thoughtful suggestions and challenges to get me moving again. At the lowest
time of my life I wrote a post and the sincere comments I received helped me inch forward through my worst days ever. There is a kindness in this community for which I am always grateful.
And while I’ve only participated in
one anthology (The Insecure Writers Support Group Guide to Publishing and Beyond), I was tickled to see my name in print there. Even now I'm proud
that my essay demonstrates a clear voice.
IWSG is all about community. I’d be remiss if I didn’t take
this time to extend my thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for founding and
growing IWSG to the online writing resource that it is today. And to the
administrators and all those who have co-hosted over the years, please know how much I appreciate your efforts.
As we all know, writing can be a lonely practice. For me,
IWSG means once a month, I see beyond my keyboard, beyond my quiet house to all
those folks putting their unique thoughts out to the IWSG world and find comfort
in knowing I am one of many.
What has IWSG meant to you?
