It’s time for the
September posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the
world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. To join the
group, click here.
We post the first Wednesday of every month and use the opportunity to find a new
blogs to visit and encourage other writers.
Co-hosting today are Julie Flanders, Murees Dupé, Dolorah at Book
Lover, Christine Rains, and Heather Gardner
We're celebrating a
landmark in that it's now four years since the group began and two years since the
website went live. So we're celebrating with an offer that's too good t pass
up. Drum roll please …
The IWSG Short Story Contest 2015
After the success of last
year’s IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond, we decided to create another book.
This time it’s a short story competition with the top ten stories getting
published in an anthology. (Authors will also receive royalties on sales.)
The stories will be judged by a distinguished panel, so hop over to
the IWSG site
and get all the details. Remember to spread
the word!
Today, I'll share something I left on my Facebook page a couple of
days ago. I hope the words encourage you, if you have a need.
My best advice to writers starting their journey has always been to
learn the craft of writing. After that, write the best book you can, every
single time. No one will ever write a story that everybody gets. I've won
awards with stories that readers have since rated as drivel, but whatever we
write needs to be enough so that the readers who get it will want to read
something else we've written.
There is no magic formula for a best-seller, or any such thing as
overnight success. The words we continually string together for the love of the
craft, even for a miniscule audience, is preparing us for greater things in the
future if we pursue what we love with passion and perseverance. #UnswervingPerseverance
#KeyToSuccess
Hope you're feeling the strength to persevere and that you're planing to enter the contest or tackle some other challenge.
Prepping us for greater things - that's hopeful.
ReplyDeleteThis contest is going to rock!
Yes it is, Alex.
DeleteLet the buzz begin!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the words of wisdom...
Happy to share, Michelle!
DeleteIf there was a magic formula, everyone would be a best seller.
ReplyDeleteTrue that, Diane!
DeleteGreat advise, Joy. Happy IWSG Day!
ReplyDeleteThanks and the same to you.
DeleteIt's a go! Seeing a lot of buzz already.
ReplyDeleteSusan Says
That it is, Susan!
DeleteJ.L., I'm going to give this a shot. I'm pretty darn busy but I think I can do this because of the small word count.
ReplyDeleteGo for it, Stephen!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteVery exciting news from IWSG!
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm sure there'll be tons of entries.
DeleteExciting stuff! I've never been good at short stories, but I may have to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteYou should!
DeleteIt sounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it will be. :)
DeleteI love what you said about how some people will love our work and others might think it's total "drivel". I have gotten some glowing reviews and then one person said she couldn't even finish reading it, it was so bad. I kind of laughed because though it zinged me a little, I know in my heart it's a good book and not everyone can possibly love it. Thanks for your words.
ReplyDeleteNo problem, Patricia. The worst part is that we tend to remember the one bad review instead of all the good ones.
DeleteGreat advice! I think even seasoned writers need to be reminded of that.
ReplyDeleteI have just returned from a writer's convention. After three days of writing advice from highly successful authors, I ended up feeling 'why bother' and discouraged about my abilities. Perhaps it was because I was trying to absorb too much and ended up overwhelmed. Your advice is just what I needed to hear today. Thank you
ReplyDelete