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Wednesday, November 4, 2015

#IWSG: What Keeps Me Going

The first Wednesday of the month comes sooner and sooner. Once again it's time for the Insecure Writers Support Group, whose mission 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 safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! IWSG is the brainchild of Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh Thanks, Alex, for starting this group and keeping it going. And thanks to this month's awesome hosts: Stephen Tremp, Karen Walker, Denise Covey, and Tyrean Martinson!

Since many writers are participating in NaNoWriMo, I'll make this month's post short. Yesterday during a visit here, Nancy Gideon--friend, mentor, butt-kicker when I'm down, and #91 on the IWSG list--said about her career: 

So far, it’s been a winding road with sharp curves put together by smooth patches. A wild ride I’ve never regretted taking.

I could say the same about my career.  Last month, I compared it to a roller coaster ride. It's easy to keep going when times are good. But how do you weather those sharp curves that life throws at you? Nancy has some advice on that, too.

 Persevere, adapt, overcome.  It should be a tattoo.
I couldn't say it better.

Hope to see you next month.

Click here to find others on the Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop. Or go to IWSG on Facebook to see who’s blogging today.

48 comments:

  1. Right now I am navigating a sharp curve where my writing is concerned. I need to follow this advice "Persevere, adapt, overcome. It should be a tattoo."

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  2. Great advice! I feel like I've been stuck in one of those sharp curves for a long time but hopefully things will smooth out soon.

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  3. Aurora, Rachna, & Sarah, thanks for stopping by. Rachna & Sarah, those sharp curves eventually smooth out. Have faith.

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  4. Three of my favorite words that keep me moving forward in life.

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  5. Persevere. Adapt. Overcome.

    You just gave me something to print out and tape to my wall so I can look at it everyday. Thanks!

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  6. Thanks, Karen & Stephen. Right on target, Stephen. Good advice on getting through writing as well as life itself.

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  7. Yup. Any true success story has so many devastating drops that we question how the winner got themselves back up. (Walt Disney, the founder of Lego...) It's the same with us.

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    1. I guess we have to be the Rocky of writers. :) Thanks, Crystal.

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  8. I'm encountering giant roadblocks. :/

    IWSG #115 until Alex culls the list again

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    1. You know what they say about roadblocks. Find a way over, under, around, or through them. Easy for me to say, right? Good luck, Melissa.

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  9. Hi Diane and thanks for the encouragement. It certainly is a wild ride, but it's worth every bump!

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    1. It sure is, Dean. That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger. Right?

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    2. Dean, I keep forgetting to thank you for the haikus--I'm so sorry! They were amazing and they made my day.

      Thank you so much!

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  10. I don't think of hard times or good times; I'm just glad I'm on the road at all. :-)

    Anna from Elements of Writing

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    1. Me, too, Anna. The journey is what it's all about.

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  11. I'm not sure about the tatoo, but I agree with others - print it out and post it. Great mantra, whether you're talking about writing or any other goal.

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    1. Definitely, Patty. Yeah, I'm not into tattoos, either.

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  12. Great words to live by. Thanks for the reminder!

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  13. I'm working on overcoming right now. :)

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  14. Now I'm seriously thinking tattoo . . .

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  15. Great mantra!
    We just have to move full steam ahead... even though it's a difficult and bumpy road... thank goodness we have the support of our writerly friends!
    Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Michelle, what would we do without our friends? I sure don't want to find out.

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  16. Excellent advice, thank you. And actually that would make a good tattoo...

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  17. Yep, kind of like life in general!

    As a NaNo participant, I thank you for the short (but effective) blog post!

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  18. Not just writing but life is like that... just imagine if you gave up! We all have roadblocks to overcome...but we are stronger on the other side!

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  19. I don't have any tattoos because I scar too easily, but that definitely could be inked on my hands and it would help. :)

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    1. I was thinking the back of my hand where I would see it when my hands were on the keyboard.

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  20. LOL it definitely would be a great tattoo for writers!

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  21. I just met Nancy for the first time yesterday. How lovely is it when you meet new peeps at IWSG. Life is always a roller-coaster ride for writers, that's for sure.

    Denise Covey November co-host IWSG

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    1. I have met so many new writers via IWSG and then I see them some place else and think "I know her/him." Our world just keeps getting smaller and smaller. Thanks for co-hosting this month, Denise.

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  22. Well said, whenever we feel down we should think of the alternative. And the alternative would've been to keep those ms locked in a drawer. But we are fighters, aren't we? We embrace the sharp edges and keep running. Hugs!!

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    1. Thanks so much for your thoughts. It takes courage to put our work out there. Definitely fighters! Glad to see you back.

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  23. It's a good thing I love roller coasters then!

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  24. With mine, there is a new surprise around every corner and no end in sight...

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    1. I love surprises. The good ones outweigh the others.

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  25. Funny, I compared it to a roller coaster in my post today, too. There's maybe no better comparison.

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  26. Well said. For me it just feels like there's no other choice but to write, create and think about both. It's my happy place :)

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    1. My happy place, too, Erika. Thanks for stopping by.

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