Gratitude and Manifestation: A Writer’s Journey of Abundance

Posted on June 18, 2024 by Dr. Diana Stout

What I’m posting today is a journey. It evolved over time and may appear a bit fractured, but trust me: it’ll come together in the end. As all good stories do. And, I’m posting it on two of my blogs: Behind the Scenes with Diana Stout, MFA, PhD because the story concerns my writing and life as a writer; and Into the Core: One Woman’s Mystic Journey because this story deals with my intuitive, mystical side where manifesting and gratitude play a huge role.

March 13, 2023

I’m doing a 30-day manifestation exercise with my niece, Heather. Part of the ritual is to record 10 things you’re thankful for and then list what you’d like to manifest. Thirty days.

I started my notebook on this date, which, incidentally, is my deceased Mom’s birthday. I’ll clue you in on the importance of that memory in a minute.

Each day, before I made my list of 10 things for which I was grateful, I’d reread a passage that basically said, for those things you are grateful, you will have abundance. For the things where there is no gratitude, what you have will be taken away.

Later, I added: Nothing will change until you are grateful.

After our daily exercise concluded, I was still recording daily gratitudes plus journaling events and opportunities I’d been manifesting, along with lessons I was learning.

That night, a group of writers interested in writing a story for an anthology to be published through the Greater Detroit Romance Writers, of which I’m a member, was discussed.

I’ve had an idea for a Gothic based on a spooky house for a long time. The Uninvited with Ray Milland, Ruth Hussey, Donald Crisp, and Gail Russel, a black and white movie released in 1944, was my inspiration. (Great movie!) I was in 9th grade when Mom introduced me to that movie and that genre. I would start inhaling every book published by Victoria Holt, Dorothy Eden, Phyllis Whitney, and Mary Stewart.

According to Lori A. Paige in her book, The Gothic Romance Wave: A Critical History of the Mass Market Novels, 1960-1993, her research discovered that these mass market books were published in the late 60s and 70s during what is known as the second wave of the woman’s rights era. It was during that time, I was reading everything those authors published. Paige says:

In Jane Eyre, the work on which most mass market gothic romances were based, the hero and heroine (at least upon first glance) represent the two extremes of Victorian psychology, sentimentality, and brutish cynicism, which heightens the conflict (as well as the attract) between them.

What drew me to the Gothics were the haunted houses. The heroines weren’t active or strong but were passive and cowered in fear a lot. The heroes, at first thought to be creatures of the night as vampires or werewolves, would come to their aid and rescue them from the true source of evil—the house and its ghosts. The books’ covers showed women running away from the houses.

I realized by volunteering to do an anthology novelette, it could be my entry into a full-length Gothic novel where I would change the story after I got the rights back four months after publication. I already had the house. Now, I just needed some ghosts.

The novelette, Harbor House: Say You Will, was written and turned in by the August due date for an original October publication, which in September got moved to January 2024.

Summer 2023

While writing the story through the summer, I was reading Freida McFadden’s psychological thrillers. I was hooked on the old-time Gothic feel of the books, at least those that had big mysterious houses out in the middle of nowhere.

And then, inspiration hit.

Why not turn the historical Gothic novelette into a modern-day psychological thriller? Better yet, let the Gothic story stand as it was, set in the 1920s, and turn the thriller into a story of the same family 100 years later?

I could now write an old-fashioned Gothic-style story but with added psychological thriller and paranormal elements.

Fall 2023

While at a weekend writing retreat, I created a rough outline of Harbor House: Last Blood on a storyboard, brainstorming with a writer friend.

I put it aside to work on CPE: Characters, Plot, & Emotion. Another idea I’d been manifesting for a while. The spark of its real-time creation is another story to tell.

March 2024

During a three-week period in March, while waiting for a testimonial for the CPE book, I created a more detailed outline, including the setups and payoffs, the triggers, the symbolism, and other little details that enrich a story. The story was ready to write, but first I had to finish and publish CPE and its companion book, the CPE Workbook.

May 26, 2024

I wrote the Epilogue and Chapter 1 to Harbor House: Last Blood.

Needing to prep for an online class I’d be teaching the first two weeks in June became a priority. Henceforth, any writing would be toward that class. The story would have to wait again.

June 9, 2024

The class ended, and I began writing Harbor House: Last Blood in earnest.

Today, Tuesday, June 18, 2024

A week later, I have now written 25% of the first draft. I’m on track to have the first draft finished by July 4. That leaves me July and August to rewrite, revise, and polish before handing it over to some beta readers.

So far, this is the best story I’ve created. As it should be.

The novelette, Harbor House: Say You Will is currently not in print, but I’m publishing it as a stand-alone book later this summer or early fall. To be followed by Harbor House: Last Blood in October.

Manifesting isn’t always instant. Many of my manifestations have germinated decades earlier… waiting for the right conditions to flower and grow. Though, it is fun to watch those manifesting desires that occur rapidly.

So, what does any of this have to do with gratitude?

  • I’m thankful for the ability to write fast.
  • I’m thankful for the ideas that flow my way.
  • I’m thankful for finally knowing that I have found my true genre. Even if this late in life.
  • I’m especially thankful for my followers, fans, and friends.
  • I’m thankful for the opportunity to share this story with you.

How about you? What are you grateful for, and what are you manifesting?

Posted in Writer at Work, Writing Behind the Scenes, Writing with Passion | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Procrastination Preparation

Posted on June 1, 2024 by Dr. Diana Stout

I’m teaching a Master Class for two weeks, starting Monday, Avoiding (& Using) Procrastination.

 As I went over the lessons, updating and rewriting some sentences, I got to review the content again. I’m always amazed at the science of procrastination. We’re told we’re awful people if we procrastination, but the science behind why we do it is eye-opening.

Then add the complexities of our actions that can include triggers and anxiety, and well, procrastination becomes a well-used recipe for disaster.

After I researched the topic more thoroughly, I discovered I could be in full control of my procrastination: choosing when to use it or choosing to dismantle its hold.

The best part of teaching any class for me is seeing my students’ aha moments. When they suddenly realize they have empowerment over a myth that they once considered as truth.

  • Do you struggle with procrastination?
  • Would you like to have super powers to dismantle its hold on you?
  • Would you like to learn how to change your perception and actions of procrastination forever in just a few minutes a day for two weeks?

There’s still time to join the class!

To learn more or to register, go to https://writeruniv.com/master-class-using-avoiding-procrastination/.

Posted in Struggling to write, teaching, Writer at Work, Writing Behind the Scenes | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Grendel’s Mother and The Mistakes I Made as a First-Time Indie Author

Posted on May 20, 2024 by Dr. Diana Stout

Back when magazines were delivered by mail or purchased on the newsstands—obviously pre-internet–one magazine, Calling All Girls which later merged with Young Miss, had a column called, “Was My Face Red!” The column consisted of letters by readers who revealed embarrassing moments. Some were funny, some sad, but they all had one thing in common: they showed how human we all are, reinforcing that we all make mistakes.

Well, I’m here to make a confession—a big one.

Recently, I discovered that my first indie-published book, Grendel’s Mother, was a bit of a mess.

A couple years after it was published, I saw a review by a German reader who commented on two characters’ names that were misspelled in the book. Sometimes Angus was Agnus. Sometimes Erik was Eric or Erick.

Fortunately, I was able to make the repairs to the names and provide a cleaner copy to Amazon and Ingram right after that reveal.

Or, so I thought.

Turns out there were more issues than just two names being misspelled. Now, I understand why there was silence from certain individuals, people who normally always have an opinion about a book.

During a recent experience of listening to Grendel’s Mother, preparing it to be listed as an audiobook on Amazon, I was stunned to hear the errors:

  • Missing words
  • Correctly spelled words but not the right word, such as again when it should have been against.
  • Repetition of words… in the same sentence.
  • Unclear meaning
  • and more.

Is my face ever red!

I didn’t know. No one said a word. Did they just not want to tell me, didn’t know how to tell me, or did they not see the errors themselves?

I’ll never know the answers, but I can only imagine how some might have been embarrassed for me. I wish I could have known then what I know now, but that’s a fruitless wish. The mistakes I made back then:

  • I had no beta readers, no proofreaders. Just me.
  • I didn’t reread the book multiple times. Multiple as in a dozen or more, until I stopped finding errors.
  • I suspect auto-correct may have been turned on.
  • I didn’t read it aloud.
  • I was in a hurry. The worst possible reason ever.

When I discovered all of these errors recently, I beat myself up for a few minutes, and then, I started to work the problem. I ran the story through the process I use today.

The one thing I don’t do anymore is be in a hurry. I take my time.

I figured it’d take me a week to fix Grendel’s Mother. It took me three weeks.

I’m happy to report that the audio version is now live!

To you readers who left glowing reviews, THANK YOU! To you readers who were brave enough to reveal the errors or flaws, THANK YOU! You made me want to be a better proofreader.

I appreciate you all!

How about you? Do you have any publishing or writing-related Was My Face Red stories you’d like to share?

Posted in Grendel's Mother - Book, Persistance, Struggling to write, Writer at Work, Writing Behind the Scenes | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Best-ever New Thesaurus Is Here! (+ Giveaway)

Posted on May 13, 2024 by Dr. Diana Stout

I’m sharing Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi’s big day! The Emotion Amplifier Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Stress and Volatility has just released, and as part of the Street Team, I’m helping to get the word out about a HUGE giveaway Angela and Becca are running to celebrate!

This guide is a companion to the popular Emotion Thesaurus and covers all the ways to push a character emotionally, setting them up for BIGGER reactions.

Emotion Amplifiers are specific states and conditions that can strain a character to the point they lose control. Pain, exhaustion, arousal, and competition are just some of the amplifiers that can send your character over the edge. If they give in to what they feel, they might lash out, take foolish risks, show poor judgment, and act in ways that take their situation from bad to worse. Hello, conflict!

Win A Free Workshop!

Amplifiers can bring a character’s emotions to the surface for readers to see, which is exactly what we need to happen. But that’s not all they do. Becca and Angela can’t wait to dive into how they can power a story and are celebrating this release with a very special Zoom workshop.

100 Seats Are Up for Grabs!

If you’ve ever attended a workshop by Angela and Becca, you know you’ll learn a ton. Head over here to enter the giveaway, but hurry – the last day to enter is May 17, 2024.

Good luck!

Posted in Guest Blogger, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Are You a New Writer?

Posted on January 2, 2024 by Dr. Diana Stout

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group

The January 3 question: Do you follow back your readers on BookBub or do you only follow back other authors?

Are You a New Writer?

Rather than talk about who I follow on BookBub, because it’s the new year, I decided to address new writers, instead. I guess that’s the teacher in me: new year, new semester, ­new students.

I remember back to when I was a new writer, too. What I share with you are the things that best helped me as a new writer.

Read anything and everything. Read from writers you admire, notice their style, their voice. Read specific genres. Read across the genres. Read all the how-to books you can. Not only the newest publications, but older books, too.

Write a lot. Don’t worry about structure with your first drafts. Don’t edit or delete; just write. Write scenes of your desired genre. Or, just write whatever comes to mind and not worry about genre. Don’t worry about completing a book at this point. Instead, concentrate on making the dialogue sound true and creating believable characters.

Follow writers you admire. Learn about their process, any advice they offer. Take everything with a grain of salt, however, because no two writers follow the same process.

Subscribe to writing newsletters and writing blog; they’ll provide how-to information you need. Use that which sounds good for you.

Look for a critique partner or critique group you can join. In the beginning, you’ll be swapping writings with anyone and everyone. In time, you’ll want to vet them just as they should be vetting you. You want someone who will be honest, telling you what doesn’t work and why. Ideally, you want someone who writes in your genre or is knowledgeable about your genre.

Above all else, be open to hearing comments about your work and suggestions of how you can improve it. You don’t have to like everything suggested or even use it; and, don’t defend your work either. Just say thank you. What they provide and how they provide it will determine if you want to continue critiquing with them.

Attend conferences and make connections. Attending a conference is no place to be shy. Introduce yourself and then ask about their writing. People love to talk about themselves! Create elevator pitches, too. Don’t know what they are? Google elevator pitch. If you go with a group, don’t sit with them at every event. Sit away from them from so you can meet new people.

Create a business card. Make it simple. List yourself as a writer with contact information. That’s all you need.

Don’t think about a publisher or agent, yet. It’s too early. You’re just getting started. That said, any opportunity to hear an agent or publisher talk, sign up! Call it research; it’s a way to determine what kind of agent you want and what kind house you want to publish with. Don’t discount becoming an indie publisher, though. Do the research to compare your options.

Enter contests: local, regional, and national. Choose those that provide some kind of feedback. Consider who’s judging the contests, too. Consider if you were to win, would you get to meet with an agent, publisher, or production companies?

Find a writer’s group nearby or online and attend regularly. Check out past meetings to see what presentations they offered. You want a writer’s group that will help you grow as a writer, a group that provides you with quality takeaway.

If you are in a writing group, consider becoming a volunteer. It’s a great way to make connections. However, any volunteer work you do will take time away from your writing. Be prepared.

Learn and master basic grammar and punctuation. Both agents and publishers want polished work; meaning, reasonably clean work, not work riddled with errors on every page.

And, I can’t repeat this direction often enough: WRITE A LOT! The more you write, the better you’ll become. Practice writing is no different from practicing the piano, hitting the ball, or riding the wave. Dedicated, regular practice improves!

Check out my Recommended Reading page on my website! I’ve got a great list of how-to resources and am adding to the list every month.

And, one last reminder about my two-week Master Class, Punctuation and Grammar Made Easy, starting Jan 6, 2024 with limited seating. So, sign up now! There may still be a seat or two left.

*****

Dr. Diana Stout appreciates her readers and fans and would love for you to sign up for her announcement only newsletter. She promises that your mailbox will love you because the newsletter is only sent out with new release information, discounts, freebies, and giveaways. And, if the season is right, she might provide a recipe from her own cookbook.

Learn more about Dr. Stout at her website, Sharpened Pencils Productions.

*****

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day.

Posted in #IWSG, Inspiration, Motivation, Struggling to write, writing | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

The One Book Review Every Author Wants

Posted on December 5, 2023 by Dr. Diana Stout

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group

The December 6 question: Book reviews are for the readers. When you leave a book review, do you review for the Reader or the Author? Is it about what you liked and enjoyed about your reading experience, or do you critique the author?

The One Book Review Every Author Wants

In my opinion, book reviews are for readers.

Ideally, the reviews should be about the writing: is the plot good, are the characters likable? Is it a book you enjoyed?

If you didn’t enjoy it, what in particular didn’t you like about it? How it ended? That words unknown to you were used? That there were grammar and punctuation errors on every page?

What’s sad is when a reviewer leaves a 1 star and states that the package arrived torn and the book destroyed. That review has nothing to do with the writing and everything to do with the shipping, of which the author has no control or involvement. So why penalize the author with that type of review?

I may read a book that isn’t my cup of tea but that doesn’t mean the writing isn’t any good. In most cases, the writing is incredible; it’s just that I’m becoming bored because as a writer, I know how it’s going to end. So, I skip to the last chapter and read it. Yup, sure enough. I want to read a book that stirs my emotions or has me guessing as to its outcome.

The thing is, I would never leave a bad review because of my own biases. I leave a review because the writing is good, giving it a good score, putting my bias aside. I know many other readers would enjoy it.

I’ll promote good writing every time. Reviews are subjective and each review is just one person’s opinion, that person’s opinion.

I’ve learned if one friend recommends a book, I probably won’t read it. Her likes and mine aren’t the same. However, if another friend recommends a book, I’ll check it out; she and I are reading similar genres and get excited about the same type of book—the psychological thriller.

The one review that can’t be bought is the word-of-mouth review. When your friend excitedly calls you and asks: Have you read XYZ yet? OMG, I couldn’t put it down. I was up until 3 a.m. last night finishing it!

The last books I read like that were The Martian by Andy Wier, Verity by Colleen Hoover, and Never Lie by Frieda McFadden. These are books I’d like to write; they’re intense and page-turners! They’re the standard I’d like to achieve and books that I highly recommend word-of-mouth.

For some fun reading, to clear my reading palette from the thriller intensity, I enjoy reading Amish romances by Mindy Steel and Sarah Price whose books are based on Jane Austen’s books and a few fairy tales.

What were your last few page-turner books?

*****

Dr. Diana Stout appreciates her readers and fans. One day she hopes to write a book that generates so much word-of-mouth advertising, thus motivating sales that she finally hits the milestone of earning the title of best-selling author and cross that goal off her bucket list.

Learn more about Dr. Stout at her website, Sharpened Pencils Productions.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writers. This group is all about connecting!

Posted in #IWSG, Writer at Work, Writing Behind the Scenes | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Authors Are Fans, Too

Posted on December 1, 2023 by Dr. Diana Stout

Even though I’m a screenwriter and author, I’m also a reader and a fan of authors and screenwriters whose stories can’t get enough of.

Years ago, that author was Constance O’Day Flannery. She wrote the first time-travel romance novels, which were a huge hit.

That year when I went to a romance writers conference and saw that she would be in attendance, I became excited. I decided I was going to get her autograph, so I packed my favorite book, her first one, into my suitcase, determined I would see her.

I carried that book everywhere. To workshops, to meals, in the bathroom, everywhere. On the next to last day, I left the book in the room. I can’t remember if my leaving it was intentional or a mistake, but there it was. And, there was no going back for it. The distance and time it would take would make me late for the day’s events.

The day was massively long and still no sign of Ms. Flannery. It didn’t matter that I hadn’t carried it around with me, after all.

Bone weary, feet hurting, and brain dead, my writer friend, Maris, who was also my roommate, and I went to the elevators. There was another lady there, so we stood next to her waiting for the elevators to come down from higher floors.

We were chatting about the long day, when she turned toward us, slightly.

I looked at her name tag.

Constance O’Day Flannery.

“Oh, my God!” My heart racing, excitement welling up, I grabbed her arm. “You’re Constance O’Day Flannery! I’ve been carrying your book around with me the entire conference, wanting you to sign it! But I don’t have it with me right now! I’m so excited to meet you.”

I felt like I’d been screaming. I probably was.

She laughed and patted my hand. “Nice to meet you, too. Bring it with you tomorrow and if you find me, I’ll sign it.”

Our elevators arrived. She got on one and Maris and I got on another one. The doors closed. I looked at Maris. “I think I just slobbered all over myself.”

Maris laughed. “You did.”

I was so embarrassed. How would I ever be able to face Ms. Flannery again?

The next morning, despite the odds of seeing her, I picked up her book and put it in my bag. I probably wouldn’t see her, but if I did, I’d brush aside my embarrassment.

Lo and behold, at breakfast, I saw her. Before she left the room, I approached her with my book. I handed it to her. “I am so sorry for last night. I was beside myself, so happy to finally see you. I was slobbering all over myself.”

She laughed and said, “Honey, that’s why we come to these affairs.”

Posted in Readers and Fans | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

4 Reasons Why I Participate in NaNoWriMo

Posted on October 27, 2023 by Dr. Diana Stout

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group

The November 1 question: November is National Novel Writing Month. Have you ever participated? If not, why not?

4 Reasons Why I Participate in NaNoWriMo

I’ve been a participant in November’s National Novel Writing Month since 2013, although not in 2014. All total, I have participated for nine years, ten if we add next month’s event.

During eight of those years, I worked on writing and then later editing my Laurel Ridge romance series of seven stories. It was during 2016’s NaNoWriMo, after the spring publication of the first story, that I discovered I had a timeline nightmare with the other six stories. I spent the rest of 2016 and a good part of 2017 mapping out the remaining six stories.

Once I had the timeline properly mapped out, I spent 2017-2022 writing first drafts and then editing them, publishing #2, #3, and #4 in 2022, and #5, #6, and #7 earlier this year. All were first published as eBooks, and just last month, I published the bundled eBook version and print book.

During that five-year period, I published six additional books consisting of a cookbook, two screenplays, a nonfiction how-to book, and reprinted two romances. I was editing the novellas in between these other books.

Besides the November event, I attended Camp NaNoWriMo in April and July 2022.

  • I participate every year and am adding other monthly camps because:
  • It creates accountability.
  • I write faster with a goal and deadlines.
  • I get to buddy up with other writers.
  • I like to look back over past years’ goals that are now published.

Since 2013, this will be the first time I won’t be working on a romance. This time I’m working on a how-to plotting book/workbook for writers. For now, the title is a secret; I don’t want to give too much away. Not yet.

My goal is to finish the book this year, hopefully publishing it this year. Even though it’s not a big book, I’m hoping it’ll make a big impact and be helpful to writers who struggle with sagging middles and who’d like to write faster.

By the time you read this, November’s NaNoWriMo will have started. I can’t wait.

Are you joining us this year? Want to become a buddy with me? I’m listed by my name.

*****

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writers. This group is all about connecting!

Posted in #IWSG, Writer at Work, Writing Behind the Scenes | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

How to Stay Positive

Posted on October 2, 2023 by Dr. Diana Stout

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Instead of answering this month’s question, which is an AI question, I queried a writer friend and asked, What would you most like to read about in a blog right now? Her response was, “Staying Positive.”

How to Stay Positive

As writers, when the world’s toxicity seeps into our homes, our thoughts, and feelings, writing can become more difficult. It’s harder to concentrate, to focus.

So, what can you do to stay more positive?

  • Take a shower. Let the toxicity go down the drain!
  • Create a playlist that lifts your spirits and matches the mood of your current work in progress and play it when writing.
  • Take a walk in nature. Listen to the sounds, become one with nature.
  • List things you’re grateful for every day.
  • Start a positivity diary. List of all the good things that have ever happened in your life. Keep that list handy and keep adding to it. Refer to it as needed.
  • Don’t drink. Alcohol is a depressant.
  • Journal. Write your feelings out on paper. It’s about opening the dam of feelings and thoughts, venting on paper. Afterward, burn it, shred it, or tear into tiny pieces and flush down the toilet. Or, save it, and give those feelings to a character!
  • Stop worrying—99% of what we worry about never comes to pass.
  • When tired, take a nap or take a break.
  • Do something different.
  • Find a way to laugh. Start saving funny videos. Follow those people! Watch a comedy series or a funny movie.
  • Do a search for flash mob dances or orchestras on social media.
  • Dance! Alone for the length of a song.
  • Blow up an imaginary balloon, blowing your feelings, thoughts, and problems into the balloon. Then, release it to the Universe. Imagine yourself outside, seeing it rise above the houses and disappear into the clouds.
  • Perform some self-talk.
  • Plant something. Get your hands into the soil.
  • Go to a playground and swing or play in the sandbox.
  • Spend time with people who make you laugh, with whom you feel good about yourself when you leave their company.
  • Put positive affirmations on your bathroom mirror, at your desk, or in other places that you frequent and will see often. Change them up as needed.
  • Give someone a compliment.
  • Don’t take things personally.
  • Drive a new route home.
  • Buy yourself some flowers.
  • Do something differently. Drive a different route, go into an unknown store.
  • Eat out alone with a book. Enjoy your own company.
  • List goals you want to achieve. Break down a goal into manageable chunks—something you can do in 10 or 15 minutes. As you achieve them, cross them off!
  • Remove the triggers!

One of the best things I did to stay positive was to remove anything in my home that triggered me, immediately taking me back to a toxic event or conversation, which I started reliving, noticing my feelings and thoughts became a downward toxic spiral. Even though I had reconciled or had moved past it! Those triggers included clothing, knickknacks, furniture, and especially photographs.

Staying positive requires action on your part.

We are what we say, what we think, and what we DO!

*****

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writers. This group is all about connecting!

Posted in #IWSG, Inspiration, Motivation, Struggling to write, writing, Writing Behind the Scenes | Tagged , | 12 Comments

A Community of Writers

Posted on September 5, 2023 by Dr. Diana Stout

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Congratulations, Founder Alex J. Cavanaugh, as you celebrate IWSG’s 12th anniversary, achieving the status as one of Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers!

The question this month asks: When did you discover the IWSG, how do you connect, and how has it helped you?

A Community of Writers

I started a writing blog on May 13, 2010. Called Only for the Brave, originally that was the name of my five-year, weekly newspaper blog-like column I wrote back in the ’70s. Only for the Brave was about life as a writer.

A few years later, I started a second blog, Behind the Scenes, with a focus on the craft of writing. Around 2019, I combined the two into this blog you’re reading now.

During that same time period, my attention was drawn to the IWSG blog as two writer friends—Nancy Gideon and Diane Burton—had posts with the IWSG insignia and linking website each month. By May 2019, I was a member and have been writing monthly IWSG blog posts ever since.

What I like most about this group is that they’re all writers. They’re my tribe of people even though we’re in different seasons of success or angst. It’s comforting knowing that I’m not alone.

The benefits of belonging to this group of writers outweigh what can be seen as a negative for some—having to write a post each month, but that requirement is a positive actually. That have-to becomes motivation; it acts as an accountability partner. Any month I don’t post, I’ll lose my spot and be removed from the list, immediately. Those at the top of the list have been blogging since the group’s inception—12 years of monthly blogs!

Joining this group of bloggers motivates me to put my butt in the chair regularly. Any help we writers can get in that regard is always a plus.

I belong to a number of different communities of writers; this is just one kind of community that can help you as a writer.

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Dr. Diana Stout is an award-winning writer in multiple genres and media who enjoys helping other writers. She just published the last book of her Laurel Ridge romance series, Sweet Craving #7. The print book of all seven stories will be published later this month. Also, she’s working on a plotting workbook for writers.

In January 2024, she’ll be teaching a Master Class, Punctuation and Grammar Made Easy, with limited seating, so enroll now!

To receive updates and announcements subscribe to her newsletter. Learn more about Dr. Stout at her website, Sharpened Pencils Productions.

Her other blogs are:

  • Into the Core – a blog about her paranormal experiences and from time to time shares how you can strengthen your intuitive abilities.
  • Featured Guests with Diana Stout – an interview blog that features writers, editors, publishers, producers, and other guests who work in the writing industry.

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Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writers. This group is all about connecting!

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