Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Hey all! Welcome to the first Insecure Writer’s Support Group session for 2014. For those of you who are new to this community, I thought I’d copy what the host, Alex J. Cavanaugh wrote about it:

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time.

My insecurity… 

It’s… another messy one, ladies and gents. Once again, I can’t go into too much description, but… 

I have a bad feeling. Nothing concrete, but I can’t shake it. Nothing’s proving me right (yet). But nothing’s proving me wrong either. The big thing is: I’m not the only one with the bad feeling. 

The sucky thing is that right now, I can’t do anything about it. Not until I’ve received some sort of confirmation. So I’m pretty much spending my time focusing on not thinking about it. When I do, I pray about it. 

See, I believe that bad feelings don’t come for no reason. I also believe that my writing career thus far has been in God’s hands, so if there’s something wrong, He’ll help me find a way to fix it. 

It’s a helpful belief to have. For the time being, I’m still able to focus my thoughts on creative activities. In particular, writing. But that said, I do feel my concerns gnawing at me. 

Do you believe your bad feelings?

ANNOUNCING: My First Book’s Plans for 2013

Aaaaah… smell the air. I love the scent of new days and new possibilities.

Soon, things will return to a bit more of a normalized schedule, but I expect work to pick up a bit. However, I will definitely be returning to my early to bed, early to rise schedule. I have some projects I want to finish early this year, so it’s best for me to get some writing, blogging and networking done while everyone in my house is still sleeping.

Then, there is the new direction I want to go into with my blog. I think it will be awesome, but only if 1) YOU want it and  2) YOU can help me.

See… I think last year had some great moments on this blog where people stopped by to give and even ask advice. Which was so amazing for me. And it really got me thinking about what I want this blog to become.

As writing blogs go, this is a pretty big one and I’d like to think that it has added value to the readers who stopped by in the past. (THANK YOU!!!)

Now, I want to make it even bigger and better. I want to spend 2013 and the foreseeable future giving back to the amazing writing community. So what I have in mind is two-fold:

Awareness

I want to make people more aware of some awesome blogs out there that might or might not be off the beaten track. Also, I want to be made aware of those. Even if it’s your own.

Also, whether I participate or not, I want to share any and all blogfests, competitions and or events happening. I’ll be trying to get around as much as possible to find these events, BUT I am sadly not the Ninja Captain, so if you have something happening. Even if you think I should have found out already. PLEASE let me know.

Paying Forward

Once again, I am ready, willing and able to help with blog tours, interviews and guest posts. However, because of the fact that this is about us writing bloggers, content writers are STILL not welcome to submit.

Then there’s something I’d really love to see coming off the ground, but that I’m terrified won’t happen. I want to hold a monthly awards ceremony with a nomination and voting process. The awards, however, are the issue. I am going to give amazon vouchers every month (although the amounts may differ based on how much I have at the time), but will also be offering crits, blog analyses or anything within my skill-set that a writing blogger might find useful.

Here’s the hard part: I want you guys to help me. I don’t necessarily mean money. If you can donate time to help someone edit. Or help someone with a query letter and/or synopsis (cause heaven knows I CAN’T). Anything helpful or nice (and preferably open to all countries). From something small to something generous. Everything will be appreciated and best of all, it will brighten someone’s day. I’m thinking that those of you who offer prizes (henceforth called the sponsors) will be listed among the most awesome of the most awesome on my blog.

Also, you will be welcome to take over for a day to plug your book, blog etc. to heart’s content for a day (although I have found that it’s usually better to disguise this in a helpful writing post). Heck, you can make a huge giveaway around your book.

I just think it will be amazing if this works, so I really hope you guys will find it helpful. And who knows, maybe there’ll be a prize for the most generous blogger at the end of the year. The sky’s the limit if we work together.

So… what do you say? Who’s in? If you are, please contact me at mishagericke(AT)gmail(DOT)com with either AWARENESS or PAYING FORWARD as the subject. Comments are also welcome, but might be hard if I can’t reach you by e-mail.

Have a WONDERFUL 2013!