Purpose: To share and encourage.
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
Huge thanks to Alex Cavanaugh and his awesome co-hosts for the June 7 posting of the IWSG will be JH Moncrieff, Madeline Mora-Summonte, Jen Chandler, Megan Morgan, and Heather Gardner!
June 7 Question: Did you ever say “I quit”? If so, what happened to make you come back to writing?
I've never experienced the Hollywood version, where you make a loud announcement, yelling "I quit," and march out the door in triumph. I have a stubborn streak in me a mile thick that keeps me committed when others around me are shaking their heads and wondering why I haven’t quit. For me in general, giving up on anything or someone when you believe in their potential is a bad thing. It carries over to my writing, and so, barring family emergencies, loss of health, or nuclear war, it would take a lot to discourage me.....although the latter would send me hunting for a pencil to record everything.
I've had my share of startups and slowdowns, but never a full stop. I’m this way with characters too. Total commitment once established, when it might make sense to remove them. I once had a secondary character attempt to take over a story. I finally removed her so I could tell the story, but brought her back after a while. She was well behaved at the point, I might add. My husband, who read the manuscript and liked this character, still thinks her story is worthy. Meanwhile, I wrote my current novel three times, trying to get it right. “I quit” was never an option.
My degree of commitment may change over the years but I see myself writing for the rest of my life. Once it gets into your blood, we appear to be permanently hooked.
