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 this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can’t find you to comment back.
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
The awesome co-hosts for the August 3 posting of the IWSG are Tara Tyler, Lisa Buie Collard, Loni Townsend, and Lee Lowery!
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG posts. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or a 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!
When you set out to write a story, do you try to be more original or do you try to give readers what they want?
Today I’m answering this question over at The Insecure Writers’ Support Group site, so I hope you’ll stop by and read what I’ve written. However, I’ll be self-serving here and mention one example of my having to choose between this either or question.
When Alligators Overhead came out, I had some requests for more adventures with Pete and Weasel. I hadn’t thought about writing a series, but I’d enjoyed creating the escapades for these two boys, so I wrote Book 2, The Great Time Lock Disaster. After that was published, I received more requests, so those led to Book 3, Some Very Messy Medieval Magic. I suppose this means that I did try to give readers what they wanted, but I’m not sure I could have done that if I hadn’t really liked the stories with those kids doing crazy things.
Did you answer this question? If so, I’ll stop by and see what you had to say.
Last month I didn’t follow through and post each Wednesday, but I had an excuse. This is it!

I entered my car in a show, and that took a lot more time than I’d expected. First, there was the grooming (the car, not me), then there were the rallys, which in truth involved a lot of driving and eating, a lot of wine, and more…grooming (this time for me as well as the car). By the end of the month, I’d pretty much worn both of us out trying to show up when and where we were supposed to be.
It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun, so I may have to do it again. Only next time, I’ll know what I’m supposed to do and not be the total newbie.
Quote of the Month: “If everything comes your way, you are in the wrong lane.” —Unknown