IWSG~Loud Insecurities
The purpose of the IWSG is to share and encourage, posting on the first Wednesday of each month. You'll find writer doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Support and a common understanding spread throughout the group as many fellow writers can relate. Feel free to JOIN in anytime.
AND today I'm glad to say that I'm one of IWSG's co-hosts! So very cool! I'm really excited to explore the IWSG cyberspace and welcome new visitors to Writer's Alley. But first, let me leave you with a thought about insecurities.
The world is not always a pretty place. We've seen it all, in programs, documentaries, on the evening news. (I haven't watched the news in years.) As authors, we write about it through jaded or damaged characters, settings, and worlds. We take diseases of the heart, mind, and soul, and smear them across the pages of our stories. Why?
Because what's wrong in the world links people of all sorts, rhymes, and reasons. It moves us, motivates us to stretch beyond our fickle, fragile, and finite humanity - all that makes us insecure.
So what would we be without insecurities?
If we were so positively sure of ourselves, in all things, we'd miss out on valuable opportunities to expand who we are as individuals and as the human race. BEcome more than we thought we could ever BE.
Maybe there's a reason what we lack inside is much louder than what we're sure of.
Some Alleyway Splatter: We have a new ISWG T-shirt! It was created by Jeremy Hawkins. Thanks so much Jeremy! Feel free to pay him a visit. I'm sure he'd love it. Just click on his name. If you'd like to purchase a shirt, simply go HERE!
Some Alleyway Splatter: We have a new ISWG T-shirt! It was created by Jeremy Hawkins. Thanks so much Jeremy! Feel free to pay him a visit. I'm sure he'd love it. Just click on his name. If you'd like to purchase a shirt, simply go HERE! 
The news is depressing and with Twitter and the Internet we hear so much more from all over the world. It's good and bad. It's good to stay informed, but golly it can be depressing. However, like you said, it gives us much to write about.
ReplyDeleteIf we are happy with where we're at, we'll never grow.
ReplyDeleteI don't watch the news either. Or read online news.
Yes. Even though growth can be painful at times, it's so worth it. Just breath, just breath.... I swear Lamaze class was to give woman skills to deal with life not childbirth. ;)
DeleteThanks for co-hosting this month. Love the saying about confidence & insecurity. Ain't that the truth! Same thing with positive vs negative comments.
ReplyDeleteIWSG #99
I love that, and it's so true. We always focus on our doubts because they tend to come through louder than positive reinforcement. Here's to lauding our successes, eh?
ReplyDeleteI get you on the whole watching news issue. I'm blessed to have two filters, my husband and oddly enough the Internet. The few news sites I visit are really good at coming up with headlines. I scan the headlines from time to time to keep up with what's going on in the world, but I rarely read the articles.
ReplyDeleteWhat you say is true of writing (creating); we need our insecurities to help us through out process.
Thank you for co-hosting.
Perfect, confident characters are boring and no one relates to them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting today!
My pleasure, Alex! I'm having a blast. There are so many amazing writer peeps out there.
DeleteI tend to not watch the news either. It's never good. We have to experience all those insecurities and weaknesses so we can write better characters!
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point. If we were always confident and sure of ourselves, what would be our motivation to improve?
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty profound, Sherie. "What's wrong in the world is what links people..." I like that. Have a happy Fourth!
ReplyDeleteSheri. Ugh Stupid phone
DeleteHow true! Guess we should love not being confident and sure. Thanks for co-hosting.
ReplyDeleteA friend told me once, 'You doubt because you care, and that can only lead to great things.' I have it posted on the wall above my writing desk.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting. :)
IWSG #123 until Alex culls the list again.
Oh, my. I adore your friend's words. Perfect! I'm so going to print it out so it's visible to me everyday. Thank you!
DeleteAnd as far as co-hosting, I'm having so much fun. (Haha...I just read your phrase about Alex culling...)
That's why I always put heartbreak, hardships, and even disasters into my stories...because they are real and they link us.
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th of July!
Love that quote, and it's true. I find I'm much quieter when I'm sure of myself, louder when I am trying to convince myself (and others) I know what the h*** I'm talking about!
ReplyDeleteSomeone totally sure of themselves in everything is likely to be really obnoxious. LOL. Our insecurities do make us human.
ReplyDeleteSusan Says
Yeah, I bumped into one of those peeps at my class reunion this past weekend. #barf
DeleteVery true! Our hardships bind us! And really, a book without anything difficult in it would just be so boring :)
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting to think how what's wrong links us. With tragedies like the Charleston church shooting and more churches burning, I am drawn to those who are suffering, who are angry at the injustice, and who are calling for change. If we can't come together to support each other through tragedies, it's a sad life for sure. Thanks for these thoughts today.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteStretching is a painful experience but we as writers do it because we see the world in a different light than others. That's good because as you say, 'we'd miss out on valuable opportunities to expand who we are as individuals and as the human race.' What the writer sees and writes as he or she stretches helps others.
Shalom,
Patgricia
I really wish the news wasn't part of my job sometimes. I love when I get a few days to unplug from it.
ReplyDeleteI write non-fiction and my first three books are about tragedies, real life ones. There is nothing better than having someone tell me my words helped them heal. It pushes me through my insecurities. Of course I am looking forward to writing fiction one day soon.
Good luck with your submissions, I hope you have great news soon!
Thanks for dropping by, Doreen! I'm sure it's amazing when you hear that your words have helped someone heal. That is a wonderful gift to receive. Good for you! Best of luck with your non-fiction work and here's to you writing fiction someday! Thank you for the well-wishes.
DeleteThat's a great point! I do try to see things that I experience in life, my insecurities or even more difficult things, as ways that help me understand other people. And I know getting what people are growing through helps me develop character.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for co-hosting this month, Sheri!
Thanks for co-hosting! I find my writing insecurities can often be strengths, because I'm always aware of how I could be improving.
ReplyDeleteThat's so true. We need to be convicted of our weaknesses before we can grow stronger. Thank you for sharing and thank you for hosting!
ReplyDeleteWell said! That is awesome.
ReplyDeleteKeep. Moving. Forward!
Thanks for co-hosting!
Heather
Is there a writer without insecurities? James Patterson, maybe? I guess I'll keep mine and make friends because they're not going anywhere.
ReplyDeleteVery good point! I think I'll join you.
DeleteHi there, Co-Hostess! Great way to start this month, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI avoid the news whenever possible. Ignorance is bliss, right? But yes, that brokenness in people is what draws us together. But things need to be bad, otherwise there wouldn't be something to overcome. And overcoming is what we all hopeful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting!
Our insecurities keep us in reality, because we ARE fallible, and vulnerable. We make mistakes, get sick, hurt people we love, misjudge others--and absolutely these weaknesses bind us and keep us humble. Those without insecurities are either pretending (arrogant) or deluded (sociopaths). So let's hang on to some insecurity, but find the courage to keep on keeping on just the same.
ReplyDeleteWonderful put! I really like the arrogant and sociopaths part. :)
DeleteI call those loud insecurities, The Committee. The quiet reserve is there, whispering in a still, small voice. But, it is is steady and true.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting this month!
Play off the Page
Our insecurities mean we are in touch with emotions and can empathise with the human condition, but we also fall foul of them on occasion and have to battle with negativity. Like everything, we must take the bad with the good. Sigh... :)
ReplyDeleteshahwharton.com
So true. Our insecurities help us write about characters with insecurities and how they overcome them, or not. Great post. Thanks for co-hosting today.
ReplyDeleteWow..."what's wrong in the world links people of all sorts" You really hit the nail on the head with that one. Heartbreak, worry, striving for those we love to have it better...that resonates. Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post! Our insecurities help us grow as long as we don't let them hinder us too much. Thank you for co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteAw, you're welcome! I'm so glad I did. I was soooo nervous, but it's been great meeting all sorts of other writers. Love our writer walk of life!
DeleteWhat a positive take on the loudness of being insecure. I'm going to remember that each time I face a trial, it's actually a process towards my BEcoming the person I need to BE
ReplyDeleteWow, that is so true. We can all relate because we all have doubts and faults and insecurities. Thanks for a lovely post, and thanks for co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteGreat post on insecurities and I love the quote! Thank you so much for co-hosting today. Have a great day. Eva
ReplyDeletethank you for co-hosting IWSG
ReplyDeleteMaybe we are too close to the characters we create. We live their deaths and tears, over and over.
ReplyDeleteHm. I never thought about that. Yikes. No wonder I eat way too much chocolate.
Thx for hosting!
Haha! Great point about the chocolate eating. I wonder if that could be the reason, because I think we share the same boat. :) Thanks so much for stopping by!
DeleteHuh. I've never thought about it that way, but you're totally right. If we were always completely sure of ourselves what would be the incentive to grow?
ReplyDeleteIt'd be nice if we were all humble in all and everything. But (I think) even the best of us has would be tempted to float on our successes instead of still trying to grow. Just something to think about.
DeleteChanneling our insecurities into our characters is a really good way to siphon it off in a useful way! Cause letting it fester in our heads does no good for anyone!
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't know about you, but I definitely need a useful way to channel those insecurities or else they'll swallow me up whole.
DeleteNothing beats staring down and backing off our insecurities like writing more. And if we need a little boost, put on that awesome T-shirt first. (Wore mine to work today and met a new writer friend!)
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! I love that you wore the T and met someone new. Way, way cool! Thank you for stopping by! I really appreciate it.
DeleteHi Co-host buddy :)
ReplyDeleteIt has been an interesting couple weeks for the world BEcoming different, hasn't it? Insecurities, and unfortunately some hate mixed in. Not good. But we're all growing and becoming better. There is solace in that.
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ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting today Sheri! And wow, you said it. It’s really so easy to pick out our faults and stoke our insecurities. Most of the time we only notice our own good points when someone else acknowledges it. And even then, still not recognize it when it’s pointed out to us. But like you said, if it wasn’t because we recognize our faults/insecurities so keenly, we wouldn’t try to improve ourselves.
ReplyDeleteHard not to feel some negativity after all the trouble in the world, but it is good to be able to work through them in our own worlds. I like being in charge of the ending sometimes.
ReplyDeleteYes, I couldn't agree more. Perfectly put!
DeleteDiversity makes us richer!! Love your sentiment about insecurities. And yay for co-hosting!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I've had a really awesome time co-hosting. Got to love the IWSG!
DeleteI embrace my insecurities, because without them I wouldn't be who I am :)
ReplyDeleteAs hard as insecurities can be, they are needed as you said. They push us to try harder and challenge us to try new things. We'd get nowhere without them.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you've expressed it.
ReplyDeleteInsecurity is necessary in order to grow.
Thanks for co-hosting the IWSG this month.
Writer In Transit
I love this take on insecurity. Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a great time co-hosting!
I did have a fabulous time co-hosting. It was way fun! Love meeting other writers.
DeleteLoud insecurities. You've got that right. Thank goodness I finally found some securities to comfort me when the screaming gets too loud. And most of the security comes from this group!
ReplyDeleteOoh, you just gave me a forceful visual by saying '...when the screaming gets too loud.' Geez, do I get that.
DeleteThanks so much for stopping by, Sher!
yesss...absolutely. I can't watch the news anymore either. As a former journalism major, I was just inundated with it for "homework" and can't bear it anymore.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting! When you think about it, we see the world from more angles than non-writers (non-artists?) because we're constantly looking at it through different pairs of eyes. Interesting though.
ReplyDeleteYou know, that is a fantastic point. Makes sense, too. My hubby is always telling me I'm too complex and I see things in too many ways. He says I make things harder on myself (when it comes to contemplating things) than I need to. Guess he's right. Shh...don't tell him I admitted that.
DeleteYou're right - we need some kind of imperfection or there's no story.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have to admit my inner insecurities are much louder and whinier than my confidence is. I DO try to learn and grow. But it's hard to judge yourself and improve when most of the people in the world have different opinions. You can't please them all even if you try really hard... I hope you have a lovely July 4th weekend!
ReplyDeleteYes, that is true. Most people do have different opinions, so it can be difficult to see true selves.
DeleteHope you had a fabulous 4th!
if we had no fears or flaws, we'd have nothing to overcome, nothing to shoot for! you're so right! thanks for co-hosting and bringing us some perspective!
ReplyDeletehappy july!
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ReplyDeleteWhen I'm at my most uncomfortable, whether it's the situation or people involved that make it so, that's when I grow the most. Even in my writing,I've written about some strong topics and it's those manuscripts that have made me write the most gut-wrenching, emotional scenes.
ReplyDeleteI don't watch a lot of news, but it has inspired me to write my stories.
Ooh, your response really hit a core with me. You are completely correct, but I can't lie. I absolutely despise being in situations with people that make me uncomfortable. It's definitely gotten worse as I age. :(
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