Down the IWSG Rabbit Hole: Part 2

As many of you know, I am a member of an inspirational online writing community

known as The Insecure Writer's Support Group.

The IWSG has been a writing mainstay for me since I joined it almost a decade ago.

We get together on the first Wednesday of the month

to support and encourage one another with our writing projects.

Some members write flash fiction, short stories, and novels across many genres.

Others write non-fiction books, writing craft books, or memoirs, and some are poets.

But the one thing we all share is a love of writing.  

Writers Getting Together

Adam Willows.com  ~  License

Wednesday marked a special anniversary for the IWSG, 12 Years Strong!

We were encouraged to share when we discovered the IWSG,

how we connect with it, and how has it helped us.

I decided to find out how it started twelve years ago and fell down a rabbit hole.

Down the Rabbit Hole

Wikimedia Commons ~ Valerie Hinojosa ~ License

I read dozens of IWSG founder Alex J. Cavanaugh's posts

and scanned thousands of comments looking for information.

As I worked on the draft, I realized I had way too much information for one post.

It was too late to regroup, so I split the post into two parts: 

The first was And So It Begins! on the founding of the IWSG,

and the second is my post today sharing my relationship with the group.

I learned about about this awesome group through my blogging buddy, Pat Hatt.

He has long been member of the IWSG, one who has published over 100 books.

At the time I joined the group, Pat had published at least twenty,

so I figured that he knew a good writing group when he saw one.

A Few of Pat's Books

Aurora, Colorado, USA

July 21, 2021

© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue

All Rights Reserved

                                                                       Alex Cavanaugh featured Pat on his blog on January 13, 2014, as he has for many IWSG writers:                                                            "Today I have for you a special treat              A funky rhyme that can’t be beat.        Because today Pat and his cat                    Are here to amuse at my mat! "

Pat had recently released his latest book at the time,  Fight for the Light.

In his blog It's Rhyme Time, Pat invited readers to hop over to Alex's blog to see his post.

I thought What the heck?  Why not?

I commented on Alex's post:  "How fun to visit your blog, Alex. 

Of course rhyming Pat sent me your way! Have a great day!"

and Alex responded:  "Fundy, thanks for stopping by!"  

Such a humble exchange that led to friendships, opportunities, and fulfillment for me!

Blogging Buddies ~ Pat and I

Smith's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada

July 28, 2023

© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue

All Rights Reserved

I spotted Alex's link to The Insecure Writer's Support Group and followed it.

I discovered all these writers and all sorts of information!

At the time I was publishing posts on my family's time in the North,

and working up the courage to write a memoir.

But did I join the group?  No! 

I was too shy and insecure to join, but I became a Looky Lou.

I kept going back to Alex's blog and leaving comments.

I couldn't believe that first Pat, and now Alex, were actually interacting with me.

Real, honest-to-God, published authors!

That meant so much, and I began to dare a little.

On January 29, 2014 I went into LinkedIn and changed 

my professional headline from Elementary Teacher to Writer.

And then I wrote a post called Putting It Out Into The Universe!  Woo Woo!!!!!

I claimed myself to be a Writer!

I wrote, "I've been out on a lot of skinny limbs,

but this one feels about one Planck Unit wide!"

Talk about insecure.

Pat replied in his rhyming fashion:

"haha got it out there

Now all know near and far

Writer at your lair

Can give a har har"

And Alex replied with encouragement:

"You took the plunge! Now you are officially a writer. Believe it. 

And believe you will be an author just like your sister."

And others replied who have given me their friendship and support over the years,

among them, Debra, Martha, Baili, Peggy, Noushka, and Jim.

My Sister Bertie  (Published Author) and I

Presenters, Colorado Council International Reading Association, 2009, 2010, 2011

On February 24, 2014 Alex gave me a push saying, "Fundy, please join us."

But I didn't feel I was good enough, real enough to join the IWSG.

It took me a couple of more months, but on April 9, 2014 I decided to join the group.

And, of course, typical me, I struggled to get the technology to work.

I poured out my heart in my post How LD Feels! What's Simple is Hard!

As in stupid, Stupid, STUPID!

Alex replied, "Yeah!!! Glad you finally joined us. 

One can never be too insecure for the group. 

Trust me. You are in the right place."

And Pat replied, "that cat joined and he isn't insecure at all, just be crazy and you are safe haha And if the mirror talks back like that, smash it"

The Stupid LD Person in the Mirror

Five days later I had my mojo back and posted a review of Alex's first book

in my post Fundy Blue Reviews Alex J. Cavanaugh's "CassaStar.

Alex replied, "Wow, what a surprise!!! Fundy, thank you. 

I'm excited that you enjoyed it. Yes, first efforts, and I did get better.

And - there is a strong female character in the second book I think you will really enjoy.

Thanks - you just made my morning!!" 

I made his morning?  He made mine!

Amazon

I mentioned opportunities.  Yes, the IWSG has given me opportunities.

I had a small article published in the IWSG book 

The Insecure Writer's Support Group Guide to Publishing and Beyond,

and I had a short story "Dare Double Dare"

published in an IWSG anthology Voyagers: The Third Ghost.

A Happy Author!

Aurora, Colorado, USA

April 24, 2020

© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue

All Rights Reserved

It's been over nine years since I joined The Insecure Writer's Support Group.

Since then I have never missed publishing a monthly post for the IWSG.

I was five days late once.

On September 4, 2018, I tried to write a post Computerless and Lost! 

and publish it while sitting in a train station and then riding on a train.

I had accidentally left my computer behind in the security line

at Halifax Stanfield International Airport in Nova Scotia on August 8th.

"Hello, Fellow IWSG Members!  I’m sorry this doesn’t look like a regular IWSG post. 

I’m sitting in a train station in Brighton on the south coast of England,

and trying to write a post with my iPhone." 

I messed up so badly that Google locked me out of my account for three days.

It's the only post I've ever published that didn't have a photo.

Said Alex, "Wow, glad you didn't lose your computer! That would've sucked.

No worries, visit when you can and don't stress not writing. Just enjoy the trip."

Said Pat:  "Great you got the computer back at least. Losing it would be worse than the screen of death. At least if you get the latter you can get the satisfaction of taking a hammer to it lol

Sure far far away from your sea this time. Hope you are enjoying away and you can post many pics when you get back to make up for none today."

Brighton Train Station

United Kingdom

August 30, 2018

© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue

All Rights Reserved

How do I connect with the IWSG?

What you see is what you get,

my ups and downs, my technology difficulties, my ADHD challenges,

my writing progress and lack thereof,

through sickness and health, me unfiltered.

How has the IWSG helped me?

How can I count the ways?

Friendship, support, encouragement, understanding, compassion, inspiration, validation.

I'm one member's story, sharing a few interactions with my friends Alex and Pat.

Alex, who founded the IWSG has given so much of himself to so many others.

He reflected in his Wednesday, May 6, 2015 post:  

"Writing is tough business. Maybe that’s one of the reasons I’m hesitant to continue. (I didn’t sign on to do more than one book anyway.) I know the bad reviews on Amazon were inevitable, but it always sucks. I’ve been through some incredible highs and lows, and I want to do my part to help other writers going through the same stuff. I’m not a great writer, but maybe I can be a great supporter."

I beg to differ, Alex!  You are a great writer and a great supporter!

And so are you, Pat!  

Thanks to both of you for being there for me!

Here's to the next twelve years of the IWSG!

I'm going to link to  Nicole's  Friday Face Off.

My face is in the post.  That will have to do for this week!

It's 1:37 am, and I had promised myself no more staying up late to write a post.  Oops!

If there are any errors, I'll find them tomorrow.

I might be a little late making the rounds.  😵‍💫

Till next time ~
Fundy Blue

  My next post will be soon! 🤞

On the Bay of Fundy
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved

 

 

IWSG Information:

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is on several online platforms including

Facebook, Goodreads (IWSG Authors), Instagram,

X, formerly Twitter, (Our twitter handle: @THEIWSG; Our hash tag: #IWSG),

and Blogger and other blogging sites.

facebook

I belong to the blogging group, and all the IWSG requires of me and other members

is to publish a post on my blog about writing on the first Wednesday of the month,

visit a dozen other members' posts, and return comments. 

The IWSG announces a question each month that members can answer in their IWSG posts.

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. 

The IWSG welcomes anyone interested in writing,

and you can explore its website here:  The Insecure Writer's Group.

You may join on the IWSG Sign-Up page.

Insecure Writer's Support Group