My First IWSG Post EVER!
I’m not gonna lie, I feel a bit giddy about my first time posting as an Insecure Writer. Excited, too. I’m not excited that I’m an insecure writer or that there has to be a group of supporting writers to help other writers with their insecurities, but dang it, we are a sensitive group, full of huge talent, and we bleed when you stab us.
So
please don’t stab with knives or broken glass or use cruel words because that's that same thing.
What
kept me from joining the group? I don’t know unless it’s been that I’m so
insecure that I was too insecure to join an insecure writer group.
Maybe
that.
Maybe
I’m lazy? No, I'm not lazy.
Maybe
because I have a problem with commitment? That's it! But commitment is good for us.
Here
is a small sample of my insecure thoughts:
* I’m a writer. I know that I am a writer because writing for me is like breathing; I must do it. If I have a writing instrument, I write every day. But without something newly published or published at all, when you say to non-writers, I’m a writer, they nod and say, “That's nice" or "Good for you". Then they leave and never look you in the eye again. Well maybe not that last part or the first part. It's probably my insecurity talking.
* I have no formal training as a writer. I mean, you can tell this by reading my blog. Yes, English is my first language, but grammar and punctuation are foreign languages to me. Oh and get this, I work in a school. Trust me when I say, I am surrounded by grammar Nazis judging every little sentence. They can't help it. They're good people, mostly.
* I can’t even count the ways I’ve grown as a writer since I began blogging and following other writers. I’ve read everything.single.thing.out.there.
you all have posted about writing. Not every single thing, but nearly. This is NOT an insecurity, but thought I'd add it.
* I'm a fast reader, but I’m
not a fast writer. When writing, I become Tommy
Turtle. I think this is because I’m never ever (one more) EVER happy with
what I write, so I pick at it like a good school nurse on a lice infested head. This nitpicking slows me down.
So,
WELCOME to the IWSG, ME!
Thank
you, Alex, for starting this group and website, and his helpers, too. Also for being a blogger friend to many, including myself, and
inspiring others to be the best person they can be whatever that is. You are the real deal.
Comments
As a reader, I have long been awed by writers. I was more than a little shocked to hear that you are human after all, and have an insecurity or six.
Definitely welcome to the ISWG.
Insecure? Not me! I just pump out gallons of words and think they are marvelous...now you know that's not true.
I have learned much from ISWG but still am insecure but I have learned I am not alone.
Thanks.
And I don't think that many of us have any formal training, so don't worry about that! I never even took a creative writing course in school (I would have if they'd offered it, but...)
But as I was told, I will tell you. You write, therefore you are a writer.
Don't worry about being published, that will come in time. Some great writers never got published to late in their life. Not that I want to wait that long. Keep at it. Never give up, never surrender. (I think I've heard that somewhere before).
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Crap, I'm neither a fast writer or a fast reader. You're ahead of me.
And no formal training. Check! We're in the same boat.
Ditto what you said though. I started writing six years ago with absolutely no idea how to do it correctly...grammar, punctuation, etc. Keep reading stuff like Stephen King's On Writing, Writing Tools by roy Peter Clark, and Grammar Girl. All excellent references for us writers. :)
Kit
Susan Says
Good luck
Nancy
and 2 - while English is your first language - grammar and punctuation aren't - yup - me again.