Pages

Wednesday 5 September 2012

The Insecure Writers Support Group - First Check-in


So this is my first proper post for The Insecure Writers Support Group.  I think it's a brilliant online community to help and be helped by fellow writers that can (hopefully) relate to how I'm feeling about my writing.  Thanks very much to Alex J. Cavanaugh for setting up such a place where we can all get together and share our woes and our successes.

I'm struggling a little at the moment admitting to myself that I'm an actual writer.  I take the time to sit and write stories, I've posted some of my pieces here on my blog and on the Shortbread Stories site, so in the literal sense of the word I am indeed a writer.  However, I still find I am hiding this fact from many of my closest friends and relatives.  My husband knows that I indulge now and again, and so I can hide away for an hour or so and don't have to feel guilty about doing something secretive.  Only two other people know, that I actually see every day anyway, and fortunately one of these is also a writer.  This is handy as we can sit and discuss our own projects and spur each other on.  But apart from all you lovely followers, no-one else has any idea that I've been doing this. 
It's like I'm carrying around a huge secret that I'll go to weird lengths to hide.  For example, until recently I had two Facebook accounts, one in my maiden name and one in my writing/soon-to-be married name.  My older account was for all my friends and I'd post the usual rubbish about everyday nonsense in status updates and messages.  My writing one was then used to begin networking with fellow writers and follow groups and communities about writing.  I also set up an automatic feed that posted all of my blog pages to this account so my 'friends' could see what I'm posting.
Now, my old account was hacked twice in about two weeks so I got fed up and deleted the account.  By chance, one of my friends found my other account and sent a friend request.  I have since started using this account for my old friends but felt the need to cancel the automatic feed of my blog posts.  Part of me doesn't quite understand why; I am a writer, there is nothing wrong with having a hobby.  Part of me though is a bit worried about what people may think about it.  What if they laugh at my writing?  What if they think I'm trying to be something that I'm not?  I'm not sure if I'm slightly embarrassed at revealing all, like it's some dirty little secret.

I think some day soon I'm going to overcome this hurdle and put the feed back up.  After all, it will increase my readership (maybe) as none of them follow me as yet.  I just need to feel brave enough to do it.

Does anyone else hide their little secret?  Is it liberating to get it out in the open?

Hopefully next month I'll have taken the plunge.



16 comments:

  1. Hey Heather, welcome to IWSG! I just started a few months ago and it's a very welcoming place. I hear you on questioning your writer identity...I was there a couple of years ago but the more you practice being a writer, the more it feels like it's you so keep at it!

    I use a pen name because I'd prefer to keep my psychologist and author lives separate, and my pen name is the only account I use for social networking.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jennifer, thanks for stopping by. I've considered using a pen name and can see the advantages of the anonymity. I'll have to think of something I like.

      Delete
  2. Hi honey, welcome to the lovely IWSG :)

    I went through this a few months ago, but then I discovered Jeff Goins and read his book. Now, I proudly say I'm a writer, I have it listed on FaceBook as my 'job' and I'm happy to tell everyone :) I struggled with the idea because I considered someone who is a "writer" to have been published. I now know that's not the case, and it's More like a lifestyle choice than an actual job :)

    I'm hoping that one day in the future I may be able to adopt the term 'author' or 'novelist' :) Now, wouldn't that sound brilliant :)

    Good luck honey!

    Xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Vikki, I've just been over to check Jeff Goins out so thanks for the tip. Thanks for visiting, I hope to keep it interesting.

      Delete
  3. You are a writer if you write. You're an author when you become published.

    We have all endured the eye rolls and the looks of pity from friends and family members. Ignore it. Or better yet, use it to push you onward. Welcome! This is really good, cheap therapy.lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Marsha for the encouraging words. I'm so glad I discovered IWSG!

      Delete
  4. Hi Heather. I am so glad you stopped by my blog because I TOTALLY feel your pain!! We are in the same boat. I, like Vikki, discovered Jeff Goins who has boosted my confidence but I have also contemplated having a second facebook page. For now, I keep my writing on blogger and my "other life" on Facebook. Hopefully one day this will change.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Heather, I hope one day we can both proudly declare our writing status. I think I'm one step closer already.

      Delete
  5. I was hesitant to tell anyone I was writing. My wife knew, and my parents, but that was about it. I think it's normal. But you'll find as you connect with other writers, you'll feel better about telling others.
    And welcome to the IWSG!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Alex, and thanks so much for creating such a wonderful group. I for one am very appreciative.

      Delete
  6. I didn't even tell my wife for the first 6 months. I thought she might think I was being silly, but once I told her, she was very supportive.

    IWSG is a wonderful place to vent your insecurities. I haven't had a single month go by when I've failed to come up with an insecurity to write about. They're everywhere in writing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for dropping by Ken, I've discovered some great blogs through IWSG. It's comforting to have so much support out there.

      Delete
  7. Oh, by the way, it's great to see that you work in a science lab. Woo hoo!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi, found you through the IWSG and like you, am just starting but also hope to get my work published someday. I told my husband, siblings and a few friends about my writing adventure from the beginning. Thought that letting others know about it will make me more committed to what I have envisioned for myself. Good luck on your work and hopefully, we both get there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Anne, it's great to discover new friends through IWSG. I hope we can all encourage and support each other.

      Delete
  9. I can relate to this, Heather. It took me a long time to tell even a few friends about my interest in writing and my blog. Hang in there!

    Ana

    ReplyDelete