Today is the first Wednesday of the month, and my first ever post to the Insecure Writer’s Support Group – so firstly a big hello to all fellow members! A link to the IWSG website can be found here.
So maybe it is a little odd that my first post to the group comes with little insecurity at all. So me being the worrying kind that I am, it got me thinking – should I have insecurities, or have I just been lucky enough to so far avoid them?
Writing to me is currently more of a hobby than anything else. Sure, it would be lovely to think that one day I may be able to earn a few extra coins from my writing to put towards the bills, but as I am 85% into my first draft of my very first novel, those days seem an age (and a dream) away.
I am lucky enough to have a decent job outside of my writing, and one in which I have adequate time to devote to the wondrous joy I get from writing my novel. I wish I could do it more often, but time does not currently allow.
I guess that I am in a position to think of any potential income from writing as a bonus, so perhaps that is why I do not feel as insecure as I might. Maybe that will change as things progress and I finally get to the stage of trying to get the finished article published – trying being the operative word.
I am not naive enough to think that my novel – from a complete unknown author who has no prior experience of writing/authoring anything – is going to make me an overnight success. To tell the truth, I would be over the moon if I sold one copy – and if was lucky enough to sell 10, well…..
Trying to keep my feet on the ground is helping me stay secure, I guess. If I look at my writing as something I do for the pure enjoyment of it, I figure that is a good place to start. Maybe as my writing career progresses, I will feel different. That is, if my writing career progresses. I hope it does, but if the worst comes to the worst and the world hates my writing – at least I can console myself with the knowledge that it actually makes me happy to write. And that can only help me, can’t it?
After all, if you do something for the enjoyment of it – anything that comes from it should surely be taken as a bonus.
Happy Insecure Writer’s Support Group Posting Day everyone!
Welcome to writing! (And hopefully publishing.) I kind of started the same way with stories in my head that I wanted to write out and maybe publish some day. My dil set up that during one visit and although I have not sold many books, I’ve got quite a few ‘in print’, so yea! And looking at your previous post made me think of all the Dragons of Pern books I read at one stage of my life. They are magical, strong, dangerous and beautiful all at once, aren’t they.
thanks Helen, I hope you manage to convert some of those in-prints into sales! I confess, I have not read the Dragons of Pern books, but from your recommendation I will certainly check them out.
Welcome to the IWSG!
That the money would be a bonus is a good place to be in. Just enjoy the freedom of writing right now.
Thankyou Alex, and thanks for setting up this wonderful community.
Welcome to IWSG! This is a great group for sharing not only insecurities, but challenges, victories, and getting some fabulous writing information and guidance on every conceivable topic. Plus, you’ll meet some great authors – published and unpublished, and everyone is willing to share their experiences.
Thankyou! There is certainly much to look at and take in, I can see straight away this is an invaluable source of support and information.
Welcome to the IWSG! It’s great to hear that you have no insecurities about writing. Looking forward to reading more about that and how you manage it.
I really enjoy the supportive environment of the IWSG and learn any number of things from reading the participating blog. It’s a wonderful community.
Thankyou 🙂 I expect the insecurities will grow when I eventually get to publishing stage, but for now the writing is just so enjoyable I can’t see beyond that!
Hi & welcome 🙂 I’ve dipped in & out of IWSG for a while, but only due to the weight of other commitments. I don’t think you *need* to be insecure to find it useful, as I find the optional questions to be decidedly illuminating. I’m sure you’ll find much to enjoy 🙂
Hi & thankyou! I have found so much to enjoy here already, I have never had any interaction through my website before now, and it’s lovely to speak to such nice, friendly people 🙂
Welcome to the group, and I hope the rest of your novel goes well. My nephews were VERY into World of Warcraft.
Welcome to the IWSG! You’re definitely starting from the right attitude – writing for enjoyment is a great place to start and a great place to continue too. It’s always got to be enjoyable before anything else. And 85% into your first novel is awesome progress already – that’s further than many people get!
Welcome to the IWSG. I love the header photo for your blog, BTW 🙂
As for insecurities, sounds to me like you are in a great place: having too much fun writing to worry about insecurities. We should all refrain from telling you all the things you *could* get insecure about 😀
Enjoy your lack of insecurity–you have a wonderfully healthy attitude. I’m like you in some ways – good, steady day job, nothing dire will happen if I can’t make money writing (and really, I don’t expect to make money writing). I get insecure when I share my writing with others (because my creative writing feels personal in a way that my academic writing does not), but I also get gratification when they like it. All part of the deal.