I’ve always been a fan of the autumn. The weather is cooling down a bit and soups and pies are fitting meals but most importantly it’s the start of the academic year, a time of new stationary and new starts. It’s very much preferable to the January type of New Year. Somehow resolutions made in January seem too high pressure and difficult to stick to.
So this year I’ve decided to make my resolutions to mark the start of the academic year. I’ve been hanging around Twitter for a while now and I’ve met some fantastic people. As I’ve said on a few occasions there is a fantastic community of writers on Twitter. They’re a lovely crowd and they make you feel very welcome.
Writing is a very solitary activity and it’s easy to let the little critic in your head tell you that your work isn’t worthwhile, that you shouldn’t bother starting because it will just be rubbish. But the writing community will tell you that just making time in your life for writing is a victory, completing your daily word count is a success and when you do something like get an agent, these guys will go crazy happy for you.
I want to play a bigger part in this community, to do my bit supporting other writers the way I’ve been supported. This was my motivation for joining the Insecure Writers’ Support Group. I’m as insecure about my work as the next person, but my way to deal with it is to just keep going and learning.
So in future I won’t just read a blog post, I’ll comment on it or like it and retweet it as well. I’ll invite more people to guest post on my blog and maybe, just maybe, be brave enough to put myself forward as a guest blogger for others. I’ll even pledge to post more regularly on my blog. This may be difficult as there’s a lot going on in my writing life and my working life but I think in the long run it’ll be worth it. The writing community is incredibly supportive. Everyone celebrates successes, commiserates when things don’t go your way and offer advice when you’re stuck on a problem. That’s what I want to be a part of.
October 2, 2013 at 2:30 PM
Welcome to the 12 Step Program of being a writer . . . Step 1–My name is . . . Glad to see you risk that leap of faith by admitting what’s in your heart. You are a writer. The Community embraces you with open arms!
October 2, 2013 at 6:40 PM
Thanks for the warm welcome, Nancy. It is a leap of faith to put yourself out there, but so far it’s been fab. The writing community is a lovely group of people – I’m proud to be a part of it.
October 2, 2013 at 4:24 PM
I think that’s the right attitude to have. Other writers are so supportive. I’ve recently been thinking of other ways to give back to authors as well. It’s great to be able to help!
October 2, 2013 at 6:41 PM
Thanks Quanie. Supporting other people is great especially when you know how great it is to get support from other people. Lovely to have your comment.
October 2, 2013 at 5:23 PM
By giving support, it’s amazing how much support you receive. The old saying about what goes around is very true. Best wishes.
October 2, 2013 at 6:42 PM
I totally agree with the old proverb, Diane. I’ve had so much wonderful support from people, that I feel it’s time for me to give something back. Thanks for your comment.
October 3, 2013 at 5:40 AM
This writing community is ah-mazing. I like your goals and wish you the best of luck!
–Ilima Todd (IWSG co-host)