Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Co-hosting IWSG: Helping through our Insecurity


Being a part of IWSG (Insecure Writers Support Group) started by Alex J. Cavanaugh has been a wonderful experience.  We post on the first Wednesday of every month. It’s so therapeutic to share our writing insecurities, worries, fears and doubts with other writers. This month I am one of the Co-hosts, the other two are Lynda Young and Mark Koopmans. Click here to see the other posts by the IWSG members.

We constantly talk about how insecurities afflict us. But, today I am going to talk about how we writers overcome our insecurities and help other writers. Our solidarity is amazing. Each of us who has reached our publishing dream owes it to the other writers who offer all kinds of support in the background.

None of us writers (atleast the ones I have met via my blog and facebook) have shown a mean or a selfish bone in their bodies. Everyone has been so supportive and warm, eager to share their knowledge and useful links. Even when we all are in the throes of depression, courtesy rejections, bad reviews and writing slumps, we have been quick to help and support other writers in several ways: reading our buddies’ revised first chapters until we know them by heart, polishing their synopsis and query letters so that they snag an agent’s attention.

Though we writers have our own share of fears and insecurities, the writing community is one of the most supportive of all communities online. I feel it’s our insecurities that make us more understanding, more sympathetic of what another writer is going through.

By critiquing another writer’s work, by giving them shout-outs, by announcing their book releases and other good news, by carrying reviews of their books and giveaways and blog hops to celebrate their good news, we try to help other writers and this in turn inspires us to get closer to our own dreams.

This post is a tribute to all my fellow insecure writers and blog buddies, who channel  their insecurities into helping other writers. 

What do you feel about the supportive writing community? Do you feel that insecurity is what binds us together and makes us more aware of what someone else is going through? 

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37 comments:

  1. Rahul BhatiaMay 1, 2013 at 12:48 AM

    A nice tribute to the writers. I also feel the same that without support of fellow bloggers/writers advise/critique and shared learning one cannot go too far!

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  2. AnonymousMay 1, 2013 at 1:28 AM

    I think if we can help one another as a group it can save many headaches for writers.

    Yvonne.

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  3. Mark KoopmansMay 1, 2013 at 2:01 AM

    Aloha, Co-host :)

    I sooo agree... the writers I've *met* here are amazing, no exceptions and all I can say is I'm glad I'm a writer - and not a fighter :)

    Have fun zooming around today :)

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  4. Lynda R Young as Elle CardyMay 1, 2013 at 2:05 AM

    Hi from a fellow co-host!!

    The writing community truly is one of the most supportive! And we definitely need that support.

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  5. dolorahMay 1, 2013 at 2:27 AM

    I do hope we all feel the same insecurities. So often I browse blogs and see my own sentiments reflected back to me. I feel a sense of community here, as if everyone is pretty much on the same page, even if it is at differing times.

    ......dbole

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  6. mooderinoMay 1, 2013 at 2:49 AM

    I definitely think access to a community no matter where you are, and the way most of the people in the community behave, helps enormously.

    mood

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  7. UnknownMay 1, 2013 at 4:01 AM

    I was a bit nervous about joining the IWSG - do people just pretend to put down their fears? Will everyone think I'm nuts? This is my second month and I can honestly say I think it is amazing to feel part of such a supportive community.

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  8. Michelle WallaceMay 1, 2013 at 4:15 AM

    Hi Rachna! Congratulations on co-hosting the IWSG!
    The online writing community is a unique place. And yes, I would imagine that our "writerly insecurities" bind us in a special way, and allow us to sympathize and empathize with fellow writers...

    Writer In Transit

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  9. Natalie AguirreMay 1, 2013 at 4:16 AM

    So agree with you Rachna. The writing community is very supportive of each other. Congrats on being a co-host.

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  10. Alex J. CavanaughMay 1, 2013 at 5:29 AM

    Totally agree! We are like one big sports team, supporting and encouraging one another. And to think I would've missed all of that if I hadn't returned to that first, crappy manuscript.
    Thanks for co-hosting this month!

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  11. AnonymousMay 1, 2013 at 5:30 AM

    Thanks for co-hosting! I love helping and talking with fellow writers, though I admit I do have "selfish bones" in my body. I definitely get a lot out of these bloghop posts and my friendships with writers, in the blogging world or otherwise. :)

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  12. NiloferMay 1, 2013 at 5:39 AM

    So true.. Agree to every word you say... Motivation and encouragement helps all the time.. Pls do visit my site... http://parentingworkshop.blogspot.in/

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  13. Al DiazMay 1, 2013 at 5:43 AM

    I think it is awesome how the writer community unites to help each other in any possible way. It makes you feel you're not alone in this and that's incredibly encouraging. Furthermore, it doesn't matter where you come from or how far you are, the community makes you feel like we're all shoulder with shoulder, fighting for a common goal. That's so cool!

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  14. CarissaMay 1, 2013 at 6:28 AM

    This is such nice reminder, and I wholly agree with you! The writing community has seriously blown me away ... so much kindness and solidarity and encouragement for the road!

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  15. Joylene Nowell ButlerMay 1, 2013 at 8:17 AM

    Honestly, I couldn't manage without the support of my followers and critique partners. Yay, IWSG!

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  16. MarkMay 1, 2013 at 9:06 AM

    Great post Rachna:) Glad to see you're a co-host here:)

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  17. Mark MeansMay 1, 2013 at 9:12 AM

    That was one of the first things I noticed about the community, their supportive nature.

    I've never seen anything in the way of negativity or harshness and I think that's a testament to how we all realize that, yes, we're in the same boat...together!

    Great post and thanks for co-hosting this month :)

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  18. Carrie-AnneMay 1, 2013 at 9:22 AM

    I've had some rude comments from fellow writers because I write deliberately long books, but most of the writers I've encountered online have been very nice people.

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  19. AnonymousMay 1, 2013 at 9:24 AM

    I just read a blog for Day X in A-to-Z about Project X, the idea that you haven't put on paper yet, and it was great because all writers probably have that project.

    I love ISWG and the writing community because of things like this, etc., that only we understand.

    Thanks for hosting!

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  20. Ian AndersonMay 1, 2013 at 9:50 AM

    I agree. Every writing blog I've been to has been full of comments that are positive and helpful. The writing community is indeed an encouraging one.

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  21. Kenda TurnerMay 1, 2013 at 11:24 AM

    For sure the writing community is supportive and encouraging, that's been my experience. I've been boosted many a time by a critique partner or blogger comment. No matter how insecure we may feel, someone is there to encourage us to keep trying... Thanks for the reminder!

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  22. AnonymousMay 1, 2013 at 1:15 PM

    Great post. I wouldn't be where I am without the writing community and the friends I've made. They help keep me motivated and working (especially on days I want to slack off.)

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  23. Nas May 1, 2013 at 2:23 PM

    Lovely tribute to writers and so true!

    All the best!

    Nas

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  24. BevimusMay 1, 2013 at 6:07 PM

    Hi Rachna, and thank you for co-hosting this awesome blog hop!

    The support is overwhelming- there's no other word for it. I've never seen so many people so eager to help, offer advise or words of wisdom from their own experiences and cheer for our tiny victories as I have in the writing community. And it is- undoubtedly- the glue that holds us together when the insanity or writing threatens to tear us apart.

    Thanks for the reminder!

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  25. AnonymousMay 1, 2013 at 7:17 PM

    Great post Rachna. I have been blown away by how supportive and honest the community has been. Just what I need.

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  26. AnonymousMay 1, 2013 at 8:20 PM

    You're absolutely right! Our solidarity is positively amazing. Just as important are the things we learn from each other. The two go hand in hand, making it wonderful to be part of such a great group of people.

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  27. Stephen TrempMay 1, 2013 at 9:27 PM

    I feel the same way. Insecurities do bind us together. And there is strength in numbers as we all have gifts and experiences and abilities to share that can help other writers.

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  28. Sher A. HartMay 1, 2013 at 11:03 PM

    For me, it's the Golden Rule that keeps me trying to support others no matter their occupation or avocation. Does that stem from insecurity? Maybe a little. But I think empathy for others is the biggest component, and it's stronger if you have things in common. Making a go of writing became so difficult for me due to lack of support at home, it was a huge relief when a writer asked me to edit or pay. The less support from home, the more you need other writers to validate your worth.

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  29. Rachna ChhabriaMay 1, 2013 at 11:06 PM

    Hi friends, apologies for the delayed reply, but I have been visiting all my blog buddies for the IWSG post. Its been great making new friends and supporting the older ones :)

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  30. Fida IslaihMay 2, 2013 at 3:28 AM

    I love this! Thank you so much! (:

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  31. UnknownMay 2, 2013 at 4:27 AM

    Aw, this post is so sweet. It's given me warm fuzzies all over. Yes, the online writing community is wonderful! :-)

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  32. Cherie ColyerMay 2, 2013 at 6:35 AM

    This is a great post. I think it's wonderful how the on-line community supports each other.

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  33. Rawknrobyn.blogspot.comMay 2, 2013 at 10:13 PM

    Thanks for co-hosting. The on-line network means more to me than I can say. I can't imagine my life without the friends I've met through blogging.

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  34. LisaMay 3, 2013 at 8:36 AM

    It is SO nice to know I am not alone. And even successfully published authors have doubts so, yes, I think being human and having insecurities helps us bond...

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  35. Shah WhartonMay 4, 2013 at 12:58 AM

    Who doesn't suffer insecurities? If such a person existed, who could relate to them? The trick (IMO) is to share your time between being insecure and feeling confident in ones work, but most of us can only do this with feedback, learning, practice. An of course, support. It's human to need other's.

    Shah (IWSG) X

    http://shahwharton.com

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  36. Natasha HanovaMay 9, 2013 at 6:35 AM

    I couldn't agree more. Writers must support and cheer on each other. We are exposed to enough negativity by the nature of our non-traditional career choice.

    I've always found the online community highly supportive and have truly enjoyed watching the people I connected with many years ago blossom into successful authors.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog last week!

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  37. Arlee BirdMay 10, 2013 at 9:03 AM

    We are fortunate to live in this era where we can be part of a huge community of writers via the internet. What a tremendous tool it is!

    Lee
    A Faraway View
    An A to Z Co-host blog

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