#IWSG: A Writer's Success

 

Happy Insecure Writer's Support Group Day. IWSG is the brainchild of Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh.

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! Thanks, Alex, for starting this group and keeping it going. We are rockin' the neurotic writing world!

The awesome co-hosts for the September 1 posting of the IWSG are Rebecca Douglass, T. Powell Coltrin @Journaling Woman, Natalie Aguirre, Karen Lynn, and C. Lee McKenzie!

This month's question: How do you define success as a writer?

I think “success” is different for each writer, so I’m curious to read how others define it. For me, it was having my first book accepted for publication by a publisher recognized by Romance Writers of America. That was 20 years and 13 books ago. Since then, my success is defined by publishing a new book. Well, that hasn’t happened since March 2019, so I guess I’m not much of a success.

As regular readers of my blog, you know I’ve had other things on my mind besides writing. I’m happy to say the doctors have finally found a way to control Hubs’ hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood) that has been the cause of his weakness and subsequent falls plus confusion (what appeared to be dementia). His attitude, strength, and improved health seems like a miracle. Of course, every medication has its side effects, the old risk vs benefit. At this point, I’m so happy to have back the man I married almost 50 years ago.

Because my life isn’t totally overwhelmed with caregiving duties now, I’m starting to think about writing again. A couple of weeks ago, one of my Mid-Michigan RWA chaptermates, an IWSG member, and good friend, Nancy Gideon gave a program on writing a series. That started me thinking about writing a sequel to two of my published stories, Mission to New Earth and Rescuing Mara’s Father, both science fiction. Just thinking about a story is success for me now. Even better, I’ve started writing again. It’s slow going, but I’m actually writing.

Yay, success.

It's rare when IWSG Day and my turn at Paranormal Romantics are on the same day. Since my first book was published 20 years ago last week, I wrote about its Book Birthday. If you're interested in more about my 1st book, here's the link. 

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.

Happy Writing!

#30 Days of Gratitude - Day 19: Life Lessons

 

I've learned more from failures (or what I perceived as failures) than I have from successes. Getting up after life has knocked me down means I haven't given up. 

Here's info about the #30 Days of Gratitude.

Join in the fun! Here's the Form: 30 Days of Gratitude 2020 Blog Hop

Stop by Tara Tyler's blog to see who else is participating.

#IWSG: Roller Coaster Ride

It's that time again. The first Wednesday of October. The Insecure Writers Support Group meets once a month online where writers share and encourage each other. 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 TB Markinson, Tamara Narayan, Shannon Lawrence, Stephanie Faris, and Eva E. Solar.

This is a crazy business we’re in. It has more ups and downs than an amusement park ride. One minute we’re flying high from a good review, a terrific critique, validation from a beta reader, a new contract/release. Then we get the reverse and we’re in the dumps.

How do we keep a level head? That is probably the $64,000 question. Not only is it difficult to deal with a bad review or critique, we can’t just bask in our success. Sure, we can celebrate a new contract and/or release. For a day or two. Same with that pity party. No dwelling on failure.

Wait. There’s no such thing as failure. Each disappointment is a learning experience. Not sure about you, but there are days when I’ve had enough learning.

We are such perverse characters. Usually, we deal well with success. We don’t let ourselves get swollen egos—not publicly, anyway. When we announce our accomplishments, we share rather than boast. But hit us with any form of rejection and we’re devastated, paralyzed. We think we’ll never be good enough.

The only solution to success and “learning experiences” is Nora Roberts’ advice BICHOK: butt in chair, hands on keyboard. An injection of confidence helps, too.

So the next time you’re on that roller coaster ride, remember why you got into this business and get back to the writing.

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.