Today is my very first blog post for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group Blog Hop. I found out about this wonderful group from blogger, Melissa Janda. (Thanks, Melissa) Since I’m new to the group, I’m going to fill everyone in on what this is all about and why I decided to join. If you’re interested in signing up, you can click the picture below to find out more.

What is IWSG?

According to their website, their purpose is to provide a “safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds.” They offer encouragement to struggling writers and offer a forum where writers can get help from those who have been there. As part of the blog hop, writers have an opportunity to visit other writers’ blogs and hopefully gain some new followers on their own blogs. It’s a win-win for everyone. But, IWSG is so much more! They offer writing and publishing tips, as well as provide a list of resources for those who are self-publishing. Their website is full of fantastic information.

What do you have to do in order to join?

Just sign up. It’s as simple as that. Provide a link to your blog and they’ll add it to the list. On the first Wednesday of the month, you’ll display the IWSG badge and link back to the site. Writers will visit your blog, you’ll visit their blogs, and everyone will make new friends.

Why did I join?

Because I’m an insecure writer. I just published my fourth book, so you’d think I’d be past all the doubts and insecurities that plague the struggling, aspiring writer, right? Not so. Like many writers, I struggle with self doubt. I worry about whether or not I’ll ever be able to make a living doing what I love most. I worry about whether or not people will like what I’ve written. When I’m battling a nasty case of writer’s block, I sometimes fear my creative juices will never flow again. So, yes. I’m insecure.

But, I didn’t join IWSG to overcome my insecurities. I joined the group so I could celebrate my hangups and fears with others. Sound strange? Hear me out.

If you’re feeling miserable, if your fears are preventing you from completing your novel, if you’re too insecure to share your work with others, then you’re allowing your insecurity to hold you back. If insecurity is preventing you from moving forward, it’s time to get to the root of your fears. One way to do this is to talk about it, or write about it in a blog post just like this one. Surround yourself with people who will lift you up. Join IWSG.

Insecurity is not always a bad thing, though. Insecurity keeps us pushing to do better, to be better. Think about it–if we were all perfectly secure in our writing abilities, no one would seek editors to perfect our work. No one would learn or grow. Feeling a little insecure means we care about our craft. We want our work to be the best it can be, so we worry and second-guess ourselves. There’s nothing wrong with that as long as we harness those insecurities and use them to take our writing to a new level.

For those of you who are new to my blog, welcome! Leave a comment and link back to your blog so I can stop by and visit. For those who are frequent flyers, thank you for sticking with me through all my insecure moments. If IWSG sounds like something you might be interested in, why not check it out?