Insecure Writer's Support Group 1

I know I just posted yesterday, but today is the first meeting of The Insecure Writers Support Group, brainchild of the rather awesome Alex J. Cavanaugh. Click on the link for more details, but it is what it says, a bunch of us insecure writers getting together to share those insecurities and give support to each other. If you'd like to read some of the other posts, click on the badge on the right and it will take you to the page where the other members are listed.

I'm probably the most insecure writer I know, just like many of you are probably the most insecure writers that you know. Most of us are, right?

Today though, I'm not going to write about my insecurities, I'm going to talk about this brilliant means of support. It's the one thing that's kept me going when nothing else has worked, not even chocolate.

Have you guessed what it is yet? Yep, it's you. Yes, you there, and you, and you, even you at the back, trying not to be noticed.

It might sound corny but this whole community is one big blanket of support. I'm not just talking about the people who read my blog, but also the ones who have no idea who I am, but still post stuff that resonates with me, that makes me feel like I'm not alone, others have felt like this; and that maybe it's not automatic that I'll be a big fat failure.

Of course, the people who read this blog are extra awesome. There's the published author that still leaves funny little messages that makes me think she likes what I wrote, there's the man who - unknowingly - gave me a lift right when I needed it and then, through emails, became someone I consider to be a friend. There's the woman who's now at the querying stage that seems to see something in me that I don't see in myself. There's the guy that made me rethink something I'd previously taken for granted and actually got me to start using my brain again. I could fill pages with what you guys have done for me, and how you've kept me going, even when you've never known it.

I now 'talk' to people that I once wouldn't have dared to approach, and we talk as equals. I'm not afraid to ask for advice and support when I need it.

If there's someone you admire, even if they don't know you yet, drop them a line and tell them. I don't care who they are, I bet they'll be thrilled. If you read a blog and someone seems a bit down and you've got a few minutes to spare, drop them an email, let them know you care. Someone did that for me once, I promise, it made a difference.

It's tough out there, thank God we've got each other.

If you missed yesterday's post, I'd appreciate your opinion of my flash fiction piece. Thanks.