IWSG: The Truth is...

It's the first Wednesday of the month and time for another round of the Insecure Writer's Support Group hosted by the amazing Alex J. Cavanaugh!



Okay guys, it's time I tell you the truth. The truth is... I struggle. Ha, you guys already knew that! This is IWSG after all.

Am I good enough? Will I ever write the way I want to? Will I ever sell books the way I want to? That unknown future is a frightening thing. Even more than that, you never know how you'll be received by strangers. Of course, this business is so subjective, not everyone's going to love you, that's a guarantee.

Still, it doesn't stop me from wondering. Can I do it? Will I be good enough?

It won't stop writing, it's my passion, but I can't help pondering upon my skills. Am I'm really cut out for how many hours I put in?

The truth is, I'm always going to be insecure. The truth is, I'll question my work. But the truth is, I wouldn't change a thing if I had the choice to do it all again. 

Comments

Alex J. Cavanaugh said…
I wouldn't change a thing either. For all those insecurities, the rewards are worth it.
November 6, 2013 at 8:08 AM
Rachel Schieffelbein said…
The fact that you won't stop is what shows you're good enough. You've got good things coming your way. :)
November 6, 2013 at 8:39 AM
Molly/Cece said…
Courage means you keep going regardless of your insecurities. You are courageous, and no I wouldn't change a thing either.
Happy IWSG day!
November 6, 2013 at 8:47 AM
SK Anthony said…
I share that fear, but I believe that since your head is on the right track questioning and not giving up, means that you are brave and more than good enough. It takes so much courage for us to follow our dreams, yay for you! Keep at it :D
November 6, 2013 at 9:36 AM
Rena said…
You know, writing is just hard, and I think you're well on your way to totally rocking it. Just sitting down to write is the biggest hurdle, and sure there's room for improvement, but that's just a matter of time and practice. You'll get there.
November 6, 2013 at 9:48 AM
Unknown said…
I feel the EXACT same way. Every. Single. Day. But every word we write makes us better writers. Those hours you have put into have paid for themselves.
November 6, 2013 at 10:12 AM
ilima said…
I think that fact that you'd do it all again proves you're cut out for this. I believe in you!
November 6, 2013 at 10:38 AM
Mark said…
These are good questions to ask...after all doubt is the whetstone upon which our faith is sharpened (and that certainly applies to writers). I doubt myself the most after getting revisions back from editors, but in that moment of doubt I decide what really matters to me and that helps push me forward:)
November 6, 2013 at 11:39 AM
Heather R. Holden said…
I doubt my skills like this all the time, too. It's a side-effect of creativity, I think!
November 6, 2013 at 12:13 PM
ELAdams said…
The future is scary, but also exciting! The insecurity never really goes away but it goes hand in hand with writing and it's always worth it!
November 6, 2013 at 12:16 PM
Charlie N. Holmberg said…
Ah yes, the familiar fear in all our minds... but we shall conquer it!
November 6, 2013 at 3:15 PM
Brandon Ax said…
It is true we have to do it anyway. If we let insecurities hold us back we can never be the people we wish to be.
November 6, 2013 at 3:51 PM
Unknown said…
So true. I don't know that we ever "get over" being insecure. I think we learn to live with it a bit better and learn that books still get written in spite of it.
November 6, 2013 at 4:03 PM
Susan Gourley/Kelley said…
I think questioning the quality of our work is what drives us to improve and continue to learn. Nice to meet you.
November 6, 2013 at 5:46 PM
Unknown said…
Did you know that Liberace taped positive affirmations to his mirror and would say them to himself every day. "You are loved." "You are great, not merely 'good enough.'" And you gotta realize that ol' Liberace probably had a tough time of it.

You are a writer! You will succeed!

M.L. Swift, Writer
November 6, 2013 at 5:51 PM
J E Oneil said…
Of all the things I might want to change about my life, writing is never one of them. :)
November 6, 2013 at 6:41 PM
Unknown said…
It's ok to be insecure, as long as you accomplish what it is that you set out to do!
November 6, 2013 at 7:02 PM
kimlajevardi.com said…
If you're asking yourself those questions, it means you're on the right track. We don't become good in one step. It takes questioning and plugging along, and eventually we get there. Just keep plugging along. It's worth it, it really is. :)
November 6, 2013 at 8:54 PM
Sheena-kay Graham said…
Hey I struggle too and I love writing to death.
November 7, 2013 at 12:23 AM
Emily R. King said…
Honest and heartfelt, Jennie. I relate on so many levels. Thank you for sharing!
November 7, 2013 at 4:32 PM
Tammy Theriault said…
you said the key word "passion". and because of that passion that drives you to wake up and do it all over again, to have those insecurities at your beckon call being the angel and demon on your shoulder arguing...you will be successful. the passion will drive you to never give up on what you ultimately dream to do. hold on to that passion. make it a sign somewhere for when you start those 'shoulder" arguments again and remember what brought you to writing in the first place...that passion.
November 8, 2013 at 1:59 AM
Jeremy Bates said…
i think the wondering is a good thing
if i didn't always wonder, u wouldn't make urself better and keep up the work
i think people who stop wondering get complacent......
so keep wondering! :)
December 6, 2013 at 10:40 PM
Pinki Kumari said…

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August 28, 2019 at 6:02 AM
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