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Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Insecure Writer's Support Group


It's the first Wednesday of the month and that means it's time for another Insecure Writer's Support Group, hosted by one of my favorite bloggers and author of the CassaFire series, Alex J. Cavanaugh. I'm thrilled to say that I'm one of the co-hosts this go round, and can't wait to visit as many blogs as I can to see what my fellow writers are up to this month. The other September co-hosts include Chemist Ken at My Hogwarts Sabbatical, Michelle Wallace at Writer in Transit, and Joylene Nowell Butler. Check them out!!!

I'd like to start first by saying HAPPY SECOND ANNIVERSARY Insecure Writer's Support Group. In the two years since Alex began this forum for writers, it's expanded and grown exponentially. More and more bloggers join everyday, finding a place to vent their frustrations, administer advice and help, and most importantly, find support. I'm very honored to be a member of such a salient association. And very excited to hear about the big announcement Alex J. Cavanaugh is supposed to make today, so head on over and check it out!

But now, on to my ISWG post for the month. I saw something the other day that got me thinking about the curse of the reader. Or perhaps its a gift . . . sometimes the two seem very similar. Anyway, I think I can say with absolute confidence that most people that devote their lives to reading are quite imaginative. They have to be in order to picture the worlds built of pen and ink. But that gift of imagination gets us in trouble too because often times the world around us seems less fantastical than the ones in our heads and our lives dull in comparison. 

It's a problem I've often faced in my own life. But fortunately, there's a cure for problems such as these . . . writing. When my imagination gets the better of me and the world can't compare, I create new ones. Ones that allow for knights and dragons, or adventures to other worlds. Or international intrigue. Or pretty much anything my mind can dream up. Writing is the answer to a beige world, a way to infuse ordinary life with vivid color. 

Thanks everyone for stopping by my blog and happy posting! Check back September 22nd for the first post of my Halloween Movie Howl-Fest, a sixty-four film bracket of vampires, ghosts, monsters, witches and more -- a cinematic smack-down worthy of the most haunted of holidays. Be seeing you soon . . .


45 comments:

  1. I love the picture. I think it applies to both writers and readers.
    Have a great September!

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  2. Have you seen the trailer for the upcoming The Secret Life of Walter Mitty?

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    1. I know you weren't asking me, but I saw that trailer the other day, and I thought it looked great. Even if Ben Stiller is in it.

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    2. It does look great, and I think Stiller is actually perfect for that role.

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  3. That's right - just create a new world! That's why I started writing.
    Thanks for co-hosting this month. The group is so big now and I need all the help I can get.

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  4. Isn't it great we can imagine all kinds of worlds and jump in them feet first and play? The Halloween Film Fest sounds like fun. Thanks for hosting!

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  5. This is so true: "often times the world around us seems less fantastical than the ones in our heads". And writing is a perfect outlet for all the things we dream up. Thanks for co-hosting IWSG.

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  6. Thanks for co-hosting IWSG! I find this same trouble and few people understand it. Thanks for sharing. I think that writers are all about adding the possibilities. Happy IWSG day!

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  7. So long as we don't mix the reality with our imagination, I think we're ok. I love that writing is my outlet for what's in my head.
    Thanks for co-hosting IWSG this month.

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  8. So true, I spend a lot of time in my head, but then I come up for air and realize how fascinating the world is that surrounds me.

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  9. I struggle with that, too. i should use writing as the antidote more often...

    And a 64 movie bracket?!? You're blowing my mind! Halloween is my favorite holiday of all time- I must know more of this!

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  10. September 4th, 2013

    Hi,

    Yessiree! I'm all for writing and creating new worlds!

    Problem for me is that my time for writing or even reading seems to be shrinking all the time! I am the only grown-up around here, the only person who cooks, does dishes, washes clothes, clean floors etc. etc. So I am always dreaming of alternative stories while I clean litter-boxes, run the vacuum-cleaner and make beds.

    I agree with you there. That is indeed the charm and lure of writing! I want to meet some dragons too! Where are you Prince-Charming??!!

    Best wishes,
    Anna
    Anna's ISWG for September

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  11. I love the picture you used in this post. I say that all the time...

    And I agree with you on the writing cure. My characters' lives are so much more interesting than mine. Less precision folding, more sword fights.

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  12. I'd like to visit the world inside your head. That's our gift as writers, creating those worlds and inviting others in! Thanks for being a co-host this month!

    Play off the Page

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  13. Your Halloween Movie Howl-Fest sounds *awesome*

    My characters and the worlds they live in are like a free vacation...

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  14. Here from Alex's blog. I can certainly relate to what you're saying here. Reality cannot compete with the worlds us writers create. Imagination, it's a beautiful thing.(: Like your blog and am now a follower. Looking forward to getting to know you better through your posts.

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  15. Oh my goodness, that image is fantastic! Actually, some days I'm glad people can't see what's going on in my head--because I wouldn't want to land in an asylum. ;)

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  16. Love the picture, and it's so true! Thanks for co-hosting!

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  17. "When my imagination gets the better of me and the world can't compare, I create new ones." I hear that!

    Thanks for co-hosting this month, and for lending your support to the rest of us. :)

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  18. What a fun post. When I was a kid (I grew up watching the old musicals), I could swear my teachers would start singing and dancing any minute. What was wrong with them anyway? Didn't they see the wonder and the magic?

    That's okay, I would start dancing now either. Doesn't mean I can't enjoy imagining it. Or including it in a story. :D

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  19. I love that picture. I'm looking forward to your Halloween Movie Howl-Fest. Sounds like a lot of fun.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog.

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  20. I love that picture. I'm looking forward to your Halloween Movie Howl-Fest. Sounds like a lot of fun.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog.

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  21. That photo is the BEST and makes me think of my son. I think what you posted about is why I wanted to write. I can, most of the time, be in 'control' of a different world and I like that. Of course then the characters take over and tell me how the story REALLY goes, but actually I love that part. Imagination. It is my best friend. Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment!

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  22. "Writing is the answer to a beige world..." good phrase & excellent food for thought.

    This is my first visit to your blog & first participation in IWSG (not actually posting anything on a website of mine, just commenting.) I picked your blog first because it's such a great name.

    Good luck to all of the writers, insecure and otherwise.

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  23. Writing is the answer to a beige world...I love that. What a cool perspective.

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  24. I know exactly what you mean, sometimes after finishing a great book I sit there and wish my life was like the lives of the characters. But then I start writing, creating my own worlds instead :)

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  25. HI, S.L.,
    I guess the writer in us can relate to the fantastical worlds inside our heads. I know I sometimes think about the sameness of my routine, but once I sit at my desk everything pales in comparison to what's happening in storyland.

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  26. I love that image, too. There is never a dull moment in this head, lol. Thanks for co-hosting and good luck with you Halloween Movie Howl-Fest:)

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  27. It's interesting how writing can ease the boredom of comparing fictional worlds to reality. Great post!

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  28. I feel exactly the same way, SL. In fact, my imagination keeps me awake at night. I don't dare watch a movie where I can imagine a better ending.

    Great post. Thanks for co-hosting, eh!

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  29. I think having imaginations that bubble over and spill out into the real world is why we became writers in the first place. Putting our thoughts down into words on paper makes everything feel so much more real -- at least it does for me.

    I'm glad you're co-hosting IWSG this month.

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  30. Great imagination in your post. No more black and white either. I saw it in color! Thanks for co-hosting. Since my blog has dropped off the list along with my writing ambitions, you'll have to click my name to see my post. One more insecurity to add. Sigh.

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  31. I loved your post! Yes, writing and reading takes us out of the beige colored world doesn't it. I think being able to sit down and scribble lines in my notebook takes me into the world I enjoy creating...and hopefully for small people to enjoy one day...sandy of www.sandysanderellasmusings.blogspot.com

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  32. I know that feeling - writing is my escape from reality, and fictional worlds are so much more appealing! Writing adds sparkle to everything. :)

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  33. I escape into my head every chance I get.
    Great post. And thanks for co-hosting! :)

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  34. I love that image and can totally relate to your post. I can't wait until Halloween Movie Howl-Fest! Wahoo. The calendar is marked. :)

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  35. I like the idea of writing as a means of adding color to the world. My mom did always say I was good with color. :) Thanks for co-hosting IWSG this month!

    Kim Lajevardi
    (This Writer's Growing)

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  36. Thanks for visiting my blog first of all. Also the imagination is a wonderful thing and creating or reading about worlds more exciting than our own is a great gift.

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  37. Thanks for co-hosting! Hope you had an awesome day.

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  38. People at my day job ask how I can work in social services and go home and write/read womens fiction. I say "cuz I can create my own endings to the things I see and disagree with every day."

    Love that dragon picture SL. I will try to remember to return on 9/22 for your horror presentations. Sounds like a fun read.

    .....dhole

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  39. Thanks so much for co-hosting! By the way, your post reminds me of something funny. We were at a Labor Day party, and my 16 yo son needed a trash bag and duct tape to wrap his cast before he went swimming. The host of the party made a funny face, like "what does he need that for?" I said, "For the dead body in our trunk." Now...what kind of weirdo says that? Oh yes, a WRITER!!

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  40. It is nice to meet you! Thank you for cohosting and wow what exciting news for Alex and the group!!

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  41. I love the pic and your post. Thanks for being a co-host on the wonderful IWSG anniversary! Your blog hop on the 22nd sounds terrific! I love horror movies, and I'm sticking your blog on my roll so I don't forget. :-)

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  42. I can relate to this so well. My imagination never fails to be far more interesting than reality, too!

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  43. Nice post, great blog, following :)

    Good Luck :)

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