Created and hosted by the Ninja himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writers Support Group posts the 1st Wednesday of every month. Click here to learn more or sign up.
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Optional Monthly Question: Have you ever been conflicted about writing a story or adding a scene to a story? How did you decide to write it or not?
I write a lot of stories I have no intention to share with the world. Usually, if it’s something I’m concerned about sharing, I write it, edit it, rewrite it, and then polish it before deciding what to do. I’ve written some dark pieces that I am in no way ashamed or embarrassed about but recognize that my reason for writing them may not meet the expectations of those who might read it. I may write something contrary to my own values and beliefs because it’s part of how I process and deal, but I wouldn’t put that out in the world for people to misinterpret. Even when I have been clear about my intentions and my words with others, it hasn’t stopped them from projecting their own thoughts and feelings onto my work. But that’s part of the risk a writer takes when they share their words.
So, while I don’t shy away from writing hard things, I know better than to share everything I write. Even within the writer and blogger community, it’s not as safe as one might think to share. Writers and bloggers, especially the IWSG, can be very supportive, but some writers and bloggers can also be the harshest critics, often forgetting what it’s like to be on the receiving end of negativity if they’ve been dishing it out for too long.
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IWSG BOOK CLUB ON GOODREADS
Member Spotlights
#iwsgbookclub
The books we’ve chosen to spotlight in the month of March are Psycho Hose Beast From Outer Space by C.D. Gallant-King and Turn The Light On by Pat Garcia. Please check these out and consider giving one or both of these a read this month. If you’re not up for reading them, no worries, you can still help spread some love for these publications and or participate in the book club activities.
Feel free to share this image on social media to help spread the word.
My co-mods and I have done a lot of research into the books written by IWSG members to help facilitate the current direction the book club is taking. In the process, I’ve learned about how readers find and don’t find books by our members. So, I’ve put together some, hopefully, helpful tips I like to call…
Ways to Make Your Book(s) “Findable”
…and increase their chances to be featured and discovered.
7) Aside from making your books findable, don’t miss an opportunity to develop your audience and connect with new readers. If you have a blog, use your About page to let readers know why they should follow your blog and or be interested in your books.
If you do not publish your work and or don’t plan to publish your work, let readers know. I searched for many members’ books and or publications before realizing that they hadn’t been published because it wasn’t clearly stated somewhere. The bloggers who did let me know that they were unpublished and planned to stay that way or were querying stories stuck with me. I can’t remember the ones who never clearly expressed it one way or the other. You don’t have to be planning publication to maintain a blog. If you have good content, readers will read it.
If you only have a website, make sure it’s up to date with current information. While some people are shy about posting images, it’s important to not be misleading. If you don’t like your headshot, use an avatar, a logo, or something else that represents you consistently. Posting a picture of you at age 21 and you are now 50 could be problematic in a world with social media trolls.
Reminder: Here’s our spotlight schedule.
IWSG blog list 1-50 = Feb, Jun, Oct
IWSG blog list 51-100 = Mar, Jul, Nov
IWSG blog list 101+ = Jan, May, Sep (IWSG Anthologies)
IWSG Registry = Apr, Aug, Dec
In April we were going to feature books from authors on the Registry (for Facebook members), but there has been no interest. So, we will pick books at random from the IWSG blogging list. We will return to our regular schedule in April and revisit the Registry in August. Remember, if you are not currently on the IWSG blog hop list and don’t plan to join, the registry is the only way for your books to have a chance to be spotlighted by the book club. If you are on the blog hop list, please don’t join the registry. We want to be fair and give everyone an opportunity to be featured, which means some of us will have to wait for our turns, including me (the book club admin) and the co-mods.
Please click the hyperlink to fill out the form to be added to the IWSG Book Club Spotlight Registry, and please help us spread the word.
Now, on to the personal updates.
I’ve been busy. I continue to make slow progress on my current WIPs with the support of my Patreon community. I had a good reading month that was also kind of weird in that I didn’t finish reading a book and that’s not normal for me. I’ve also continued to do some beta reading for other authors so I think my personal reading will be taking a backseat for a month or so. Luckily, one of the book club reads is a short story.
I launched a new interview show on my YouTube channel that I’m so excited about. I’m really embracing this new role of reading advocate and just want to do my part to help spread the word about how great books and authors are. I’m also freaking out that I get to interview one of my favorite authors on the show. I couldn’t believe it when she said yes. I took a chance and reached out and I’m so glad I did. Here’s a link to catch the next episode this Friday, March 4, 2022 at 6:30 pm EST. Episode one is featured below.
If you’re interested in being featured: check out this link.
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How do you decide whether to write hard topics?
Are you on YouTube?
It may take some time, but I promise, I will eventually stop by your blog. My response time has gotten slower but I’m still making my rounds.
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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
Janet Alcorn,
Pat Garcia,
Natalie Aguirre, and
Shannon Lawrence!
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Click here to visit other IWSG blogs and sites to receive and share more inspiration and support. (This month, I’m #31).
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords #blacklivesmatter
17 replies on “#IWSG March 2022- Writing the hard parts.”
I took this question WAY differently than most people.
I’ve written for myself and myself alone many times – and will continue to do so. It helps me cope and figure things out. But those writings will never be shared with anyone for all the reasons you’ve stated. Having our words misinterpreted is difficult. I remember someone telling me that once a work is published it no longer belongs to the author, it belongs to the reader. While I get that, my heart wants everyone to GET my words and what the underlying message is. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by. This month’s question caught me off guard. I wasn’t sure if I was answering it correctly but that’s what I came up with.
I’m not sure I’ve written anything I couldn’t share with others. Guess I just don’t push it.
With CD’s next book coming out soon, good time to read the first in the series!
It’s not that I couldn’t share these works, it’s just that people can be very judgemental to women writers and writers of color. I didn’t realize that CD had a new book coming out. I’m glad the name came up just in time.
I came to pretty much the same conclusion you did. I don’t feel conflicted about writing a thing, only about sharing it. I look forward to watching your interview series!
Thanks for the interest. I hope people like it.
Freaking out – LOL!
Sometimes writing is just for us, like a therapy journal.
Yes, writing can be very therapeutic.
Writing for yourself is one of the best ways to explore who you are and what you’re capable of. I applaud that.
Thank you. I agree. It’s a great way to explore who you are.
An interesting response! Only one time I wrote something I didn’t want to share with anyone–didn’t want anyone to read it. I found it very therapeutic, and then I shredded it.
Wow, thanks for relating. I think I’ve only ever written something shred-worthy once. The rest of this stuff I can share with people I trust, but not “the public”. The public can be your worst enemy if your not 100% inline with what’s popular at the moment.
Thank you so much for your work on the IWSG book club! I hope one day to have a book published so it can be considered. Of course, that would probably happen faster if I procrastinated less 🙂
I’m glad people are getting excited about the book club. We are such a large and supportive community.
Hi,Toi,,
I so agree with you. I share in my journal but there are many things that I know that I can’t share because people judge and they judge wrongly.
Thanks for putting my first short story up in the book club. I was very surprised this afternoon to see it there.
Wishing you all the best.
Shalom aleichem
Thanks for stopping by and for relating and understanding. I’m excited to read your story. I enjoyed your words back when I participated in the WEP challenge.
Sometimes I’m simply not comfortable sharing my work with others. Everyone is different, I guess.
http://www.onegayastronaut.blogspot.com