Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Insecure Writers: How to Find a Writing Group, Contd.

It's the first Wednesday of the month, so it's time for The Insecure Writers! The IWSG is an online group created by Alex J. Cavanaugh for writers. You, too, can join us anytime!

A briefy (yes, I made up a word) today, in honor of my resolution to stop overwriting so damn much:

I am NOT insecure today. I know - can you believe it??? It's a Christmas miracle. Or, a July miracle. Whatever.

I am NOT insecure this month because I am instead excited, inspired, and feeling accomplished!

Why, you ask? (Go on - ask. No, really. It'll make me happy.)

Because I have a writing group!!!

Some of you might remember me bleating on about this a few months ago, wishing I had such a group. A few of you might even remember that I took a non-fiction writing class this spring - but if you don't, that's OK. I barely remember my own life, much less anyone else's.

Well, I took the class in part to get better at writing personal essays, but also to see if I could find some cool, talented writers who might also be interested in forming a group.

And guess what?? I DID AND THEY DID! Our class is over, but more than half of us decided we wanted to keep going. We had our first meeting last week, and it was wonderful. Productive and inspiring and fun. I can't believe that I found these talented and smart people, and that they wanted to write with me. How lucky am I??

What are you insecure about? Do you have a group that inspires you?

29 comments:

  1. That's awesome! I feel like I couldn't join a writing group because I don't write all that much (and if I do it's always working on the same novel), but then again, maybe being in a writing group would motivate me to write more.

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  2. Woot! I'm so happy for you! Writing groups are such great support, and other writers are wonderful resources. I wish you much success with your new group!

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  3. Congratulations!! I DO remember you wishing for such a group and look at you - you made it happen. May you all have many, many fun and productive meetings in your future.

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  4. Congrats on finding a writing group! I hope that helps, I know I get a lot out of being able to have other people's input in a setting like that!

    Allison at eclecticali.wordpress.com.
    A IWSG cohost this month!

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  5. That is super cool! Groups are fun and inspiring.
    Susan Says

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  6. Yay for a writing group! I wish I had one.

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  7. Oh, that's great, Liz! It's hard to find a good group. I've had a couple that I've belonged to over the years, although I'm not in one now, those groups really helped me grow and try new things.

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  8. Woo hoo!! So glad you found some like minded people to talk writing with! (and more, I'm sure)

    I love my writing group.

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  9. Yay! I'm so happy for you. Having a great support system makes a HUGE difference. I've pretty much been a shut in, especially since my baby thinks I'm the best thing in the world. I don't mind. She's pretty amazing too.

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  10. What great news. So happy for you because I know how hard it is to find one. :)

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  11. I do remember and , in the crafting world, there is something called Christmas in July! Celebrate and be happy because that is truly great news. I always want more time to get things done as I am here on my computer but blogging is important too. It's Canada Day here so I am celebrating by doing nothing:) I used to have a drinking group many years ago...does that count?

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  12. That's a great way to find a writing group. You have no idea how much they'll help you in the future. Merry Christmas!

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  13. Hooray! That's wonderful. I hope you will continue to love the group. :)

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  14. Yay for you! That's great, Liz! :)

    IWSG #123 until Alex culls the list again.

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  15. That's awesome! It probably helped that you guys had already been working together.

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  16. That's great. It really does help get the juices flowing.

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  17. Congrats on finding (or founding) a group! I went a long time without one, was so sure I didn't need one, but now can't imagine life without them. My BBBs are like a writer version of Pixar's Braintrust.

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  18. It can be a halfway-to-Christmas miracle. A writing group is the best news you could ever get! Wait, no. I forgot about the twins :)

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  19. Congrats Liz!! A writing group is a fun way to get feedback and to bond with like minded folks!

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  20. I do remember that post and am so happy you found a group! That's awesome. :-)

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  21. Yay for finding an awesome writing group!! :D And it's great to hear that you don't have any insecurities ATM. It can get tiresome focusing on them sometimes, and some days it's good to acknowledge that you just don't have any!

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  22. I'm so glad you found a group! That's wonderful. I hope it translates in to awesome writing and great productivity, but even more, I hope it provides a continuing lack of insecurities.

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  23. Congrats on finding a writing group! I'm part of a local one, and it's great to be around other writers beyond the Internet. :)

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  24. Congrats! A good writing group is hard to find. I love that you went out and made your own. They're lucky you came along. People like you make stuff happen. Cheers!

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  25. Oddly enough, the one time I tried being part of a writing group, it shattered my confidence in my own work. I couldn't write anything worth a damn for a long time after that. Glad you found one that works for you, but I don't think I'll ever try it again. >_<

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  26. YAY! So glad you found the group...it's so hard to find one you click with. I have CPs and betas but no specific group...although if I found the right one it would be great :)

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  27. Congratulations! It's so helpful to have supportive writer friends, and it's lovely to be able to meet up with them in person.

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  28. Great that you found this group...agreed, we need out tribes around us!

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  29. Wow, that sounds amazing! Congrats on finding yourself a writing group! I need to get around to doing that..

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