Insecure Writers Support Group is an awesome group of encouraging writers, started by the awesome Ninja Captain (no hyperlink needed) Alex J. Cavanaugh. Even Ninja Captains have work to do and busy days, so Alex is sharing his love of IWSG by sharing some of the work. This month, I have the honor to be one of the hosts, along with Jamie from Mithril Wisdom.
Purpose: 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 safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.
2012 is gone and done, and 2013 is here. It's a time of reflection. A time to ask questions. A time to make goals.
Have we changed, grown, found new hope?
Or are we still stuck in a morass of insecurity?
Yes, and no, I think. When we sit down to write, we hope, we change, and we grow. We defy insecurity.
However, there are those moments, especially for me in the revison process, that I answer yes to that second question.
A few days ago, I was in state of total fear, sure that my novel Champion in the Darkness sucked in a complete and undeniable way . . .and I started OCDing on fixing everything, at once, immediately . . .and chocolate breaks and walking breaks, and whining breaks weren't fixing anything. Thoughts inside my head went like this: What was I thinking setting myself a release date in February? Am I crazy? There's no way this novel will amount to anything good by then, if ever.
And then New Year's Eve, I sat down and decided to just read a section without listening to that insane inner editor, and I found a part I really liked. Thoughts inside my head went like this: "well, if they (the readers) make it this far into the book, this part is mostly good. Releasing this book in February will work. Somehow it will."
So, my writing goal goals for 2013 are:
1. Defy Insecurity. Write. Hope. Dream. Write again.
2. Publish Champion in the Darkness in February.
3. Revise Champion in Flight (sequel to Champion in the Darkness).
4. Decide what do do with Captain Wrath. (I thought I would know by now but I don't.)
5. Finish and Publish Short Stuff - an anthology of poetry and short stories.
6. Write a rough draft of Champion Refined by Fire (working title).
So, what are your goals this year?
Are you ready to defy insecurity?
