IWSG: Keeping on Keeping On

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 - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Be sure to link to the IWSG page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! If it links to Google+, be sure your blog is listed there. Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can't find you to comment back.

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.

Remember, the question is optional!

April 4 question - When your writing life is a bit cloudy or filled with rain, what do you do to dig down and keep on writing?

The awesome co-hosts for the April 4 posting of the IWSG are Olga Godim, Chemist Ken, Renee Scattergood, and Tamara Narayan!

Be sure to visit them!

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I think this month's question is a great one, and since I don't want to write again about my new book (oh, yes I do! Right here) or the stories I STILL haven't submitted (I made progress on that this week, though), I'll try to answer the question instead.

Writing can be a discouraging business at times, and when I'm in the throes of editing, which usually feels like it goes on forever, it can be especially so. That's when I too often find something else to do (curse you, Internet!). The better answer, when the problem is editing, is to write something. That's probably the #1 reason I keep doing flash fiction and sharing it here for free--it's an excuse to write, and writing makes me feel better, except when it doesn't.

There are times when I just plain get discouraged, writing or editing. That's when I go hiking. 

Nothing like an alpine lake to make you feel better when your writing sucks

Okay, I'm joking about that, a little bit. But only because I can't always get away to go hiking. Then I have to settle for biking, gardening, or anything else outdoors, because the best thing I can come up with when writing palls is to get outside. Backpacking is best though because after a week on the trail sitting in a warm dry house and being clean feels so good that writing is a privilege. 

Oh-oh. I think I just admitted that when my writing life gets hard, I quit and go outside. 

You know what? I think that's probably okay.

I love opening that first box of new books!

©Rebecca M. Douglass, 2018
As always, please ask permission to use any photos or text. Link-backs appreciated!