Hello Everyone,
It is the first Wednesday of the
month, and IWSG Time.
IWSG is a writer support group
created and led by Alex Cavanaugh. It is a big help to many of us who do not
mind sharing our insecurities, our successes or giving encouragement and help
to others.
So, if you are interested and would
like to join, the link below will lead you directly to us:
My report:
Submission June 2017
Turn the Lights On – Rocky Mountain
Fiction Writers Anthology
Outstanding Submissions
Lascaux Review – The Woman and Her
Dream
The Box in the Loft – The Wigleaf
GOOD NEWS!
The Bridge of Hope was runner-up in
the WEP JUNE BRIDGES’ CHALLENGE
If you care to read the story, it is
linked to this post, so please tap on the story's title and it will take you to it.
My Insecurities
Well, what am I insecure about? Nothing! I’ve learned to
kick myself in the butt and continue reading, writing, and journaling even when
life is attacking me in all kinds of unexpected ways from every direction.
I’ve learned to submit my stories, my essays and whatever
else I write to agents, publishers, editors and my writing colleagues and
expect to get commentaries or critiques.
I’ve learned not to accept these positive or negative
critiques as an acceptance or rejection of myself. They are responding to what
I write.
Most important, I’ve learned that not everyone is going to
dig (get that word dig? It is slang and it means like) what I write. People are just
as opinionated as I am.
Sure, the fears knock on my door every now and then, but
I’ve learned how to say BOO! And they have to flee.
So why am I still in the IWSG? That’s easy to answer.
Among all of the writing organizations that I know of, the
IWSG just happens to be one of the few that stands out as a flagship of compassion
and willingness to support their writing members.
So, y’all have a lovely July as they say in the Deep South and be safe.
This Georgia girl based on the European Continent hopes to see you next month.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
I dig your posts Patricia thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan. Hope you are doing well.
DeleteShalom aleichem
Hi Pat! My goal is to be more like you. I want to rub up against you and catch some of that confidence. :) http://www.raimeygallant.com
ReplyDeleteThank you, Raimey. I feel the same way about so many people here in IWSG. They are all so encouraging.
DeleteShalom aleichem
"I’ve learned not to accept these positive or negative critiques as an acceptance or rejection of myself. They are responding to what I write." It took me a long time to learn that lesson :-) Great post.
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed, Ronel. It has taken me a long time too. Sometimes I still have to regroup and remind myself.
DeleteShalom aleichem
Hi Pat. I wanted to let you know that when I tried to click through to your blog from the comment you left on my IWSG post, it was linking to this: https://garciaanddigitaltechnology.com/, which looks like it's a different blog of yours. I think this means you need to go into your Gravatar and make a change.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Raimey. I have gone to the gravatar. I have about three blogs at WordPress and my author website too, so I'm going to have to check that out with the signature and see what I can do to change things.
DeleteShalom aleichem
Not everyone will dig them and that's all right.
ReplyDeleteLook at you in your IWSG shirt! That's awesome.
I just love my IWSG shirt. Everyone that sees it always ask where did you get that from.
DeleteShalom aleichem
Nice shirt! And to NOT be insecure this month is totally awesome. I'm jealous;)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jennifer. We here at IWSG do have a nice shirt and I believe it represents us well.
DeleteShalom aleichem
Nice to meet you, Pat. Good Post. What a great attitude, I love it!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cathrina. Attitude stems out of how we see things and I try to look behind the dark clouds to see the rainbow.
DeleteShalom aleichem
Taking action despite fear really is the way to get rid of insecurities!
ReplyDeleteYes indeed, Karen. Regardless of how difficult the action is, doing something chases the fear away.
DeleteShalom aleichem
I read your story and your blog would not let me post a comment. So... here is what I said... Oh Pat, this is a POWERFUL story! Congratulations upon doing so well. It is sad that men like that exist. I'm applauding her courage to leave and live her own life. Hugs to you too!!
ReplyDeleteThank you my dear, dear friend. It was a tough challenge and all the stories were written excellently. I am thankful mine was chosen.
DeleteShalom aleichem
Thank you for stopping by my blog and offering encouragement. It means a lot. I dig this post and understand what you're saying. Acceptance is very important.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Toi. I do hope you are doing fine and moving forward.
DeleteShalom aleichem
Keep writing, Patti. Great news from you! And, keep in mind that you have been invited to submit to my "The Scheherazade Chronicles.org" literary review.
ReplyDeleteThank you my dear. No, I haven't forgotten your invitation. I'm working on the direction to go. I know it will be flash fiction but the problem is about my theme.
DeleteShalom aleichem
Congratulations on the WEP! That's great news. And there's nothing like a good swift kick in the pants every once in a while to keep yourself on track.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Lee. Sometimes I have to give myself a swift kick often.
DeleteShalom aleichem
Yup. You can't take it personally, even if sometimes we write from very personal places. I dig it! :-)
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear you dig it, Michelle. Thank you for dropping by.
DeleteShalom aleichem
You go, girl! Love this: I’ve learned to kick myself in the butt and continue reading, writing, and journaling even when life is attacking me in all kinds of unexpected ways from every direction.
ReplyDeleteYes. This!
Thank you, Donna. I can say that was the most difficult lesson for me to learn, and it freed me to write in my voice.
DeleteShalom aleichem
Congrats on all the productivity. You are inspiring.
ReplyDeleteJuneta @ Writer's Gambit
Thank you, Juneta. Hope you are doing well.
DeleteShalom aleichem
You're awesome, Pat! And congrats on the story making runner-up! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Madeline. I so enjoy the challenges at the WEP.
DeleteShalom aleichem
I dig it! Groovy. Keep tackling those insecurities!
ReplyDelete(Thanks for visiting my blog. That's a great idea to focus on punchy verbs during the edits and not the first draft. I write slowly because I edit too much on the first draft.)
Thanks, Jennifer. I learned that from someone else. I too go back over my whatever I have written the previous day to connect and that's okay. I may even make a couple of changes if they are major changes i.e. adding a description or being more detailed but I leave word changing and everything for the second edit.
DeleteShalom aleichem
LOve your attitude, your inspiration. It always helps me to know other writers have the same fears. And where in Europe? Sounds fascinating.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I am living in Germany, presently, and it is fascinating.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Woot for not being insecure! Keep on rocking and providing inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Loni. Wishing you all the best.
DeleteShalom aleichem
Of course, not everyone will like your writing. Doesn't mean squat. I don't like Stephen King, so what? He is still a terrific writer. But when you find readers who like your writing - that's a priceless gift. Like in WEP. Congrats on the success of your WEP entry.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Olga. Knowing that there are readers who enjoy reading what you write is a tremendous gift.
DeleteShalom aleichem
I love that even though you're not feeling insecure anymore, you're giving back to the rest of us by writing inspiring posts like this! Thanks for sharing your wisdom, Pat. I, too, am getting closer to that place where I can tell those insecurities to take a hike...not always, but more often than before.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with all your outstanding submissions!
And I love your shirt! :)
Thank you, Jenni. It is good to hear that you're getting closer to the place where you can tell your insecurities to go take a hike and stay there.
DeleteShalom aleichem
Hi Pat...
ReplyDeleteCongrats again on your story. It was truly moving.... Yes, we need to believe in ourselves and try no to take criticisms to personally about our craft. Keep that positive mojo going! You wear it well!
Thank you, Michael. You've just made my day with your compliment.
DeleteShalom aleichem
Sounds like you've learned a great deal.
ReplyDeleteAnd congrats on getting runner-up for your story!!!
Thank you, Lynda. I really appreciate your stopping by.
DeleteShalom aleichem
Congrats on your story's success! It's very powerful and I can see why it did so well. And it's great that you've conquered your insecurities. That's a huge battle to have won. Good luck with your story submissions!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lori. Yes, realising that no matter what my writing empowers me to overcome was a huge battle. I'm glad I won.
DeleteShalom aleichem
Wonderful words! And so true, even when I don't feel insecure this group is a blessing!
ReplyDeleteHappy July to you!
Thank you, Yolanda. I agree. This group is a huge blessing.
DeleteShalom aleichem
I dig your attitude, Pat! Go girl!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michelle.
DeleteShalom aleichem
Must be nice to have that much confidence! Congrats on your success.
ReplyDeleteIt is nice. To know that I am living out my purpose as a writer gives me great confidence. I don't ask myself am I a writer. I know that I am.
DeleteShalom aleichem
Nice going on placing second!
ReplyDeleteYou've shared an important lesson. You're right that it's necessary to keep getting critiques, but also to realize that not everyone is going to like your work. :-)
Thank you, Misha. Now I love getting critiques. It does't mean that I always agree with what is said over my work but I know how to deal with it when I don't agree.
DeleteShalom aleichem
Thank you, Karen. the flagship of compassion is exactly how I see the members here. I'm happy to be a part of them.
ReplyDeleteShalom aleichem