IWSG October 2020 You Matter to Me

 

Welcome readers, writers, authors, and bloggers!

It’s Recovering Coffee (caffeine) Addict Month. Good luck, everybody. I refuse to recover ;-) In fact, in honor of National Coffee with a Cop Day, I may just haunt a couple of coffee shops later on. And here’s a new one (on me, anyway): today is the 11^th annual National You Matter to Me Day…because everyone matters to someone.  I feel like I need to make a few phone calls today ;-)

For the tenth time this year it’s the First Wednesday of the month when we celebrate IWSG Day, in the form of a blog hop featuring all of the members of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. Founded by Alex Cavanaugh and fostered by like-minded associates, IWSG is a place to share the awesome views and exciting news that occurs along our fascinating writing journeys. Pull up a chair and join us!

Our awesome co-hosts for the October 7 posting of the IWSG are Jemima Pett, Beth Camp, Beverly Stowe McClure, and Gwen Gardner!

 

Optional question:  When you think of the term working writer, what does that look like to you? What do you think it is supposed to look like? Do you see yourself as a working writer or aspiring or hobbyist, and if latter two, what does that look like?

“Working Writer” implies the writer is employed, and therefore getting paid for his/her creativity. I can’t think of a better job than that, and it’s a safe bet it’s the crux of every writer’s aspirations. To call writing a hobby is, frankly, insulting.  And, while not every writer needs to be paid in order to eat, every writer does write in order to breathe. It’s natural. If you’re nodding as you read this, you know it’s true ; - )

This was a good question, though I’ve never met a writer who hasn’t already answered it. If only to themselves. At that point, you might also be asking yourself WHY you write. The following is an excerpt from an essay that won first place:

“On the message side of a postcard from Paradise, my missive could not be simply “Wish you were here”, for my propensity for description too often exceeds the boundaries of confined space.

              I find that writing facilitates definition, and provides an unobstructed avenue for communicating thoughts, sharing dreams, and imparting knowledge. To describe the cacophony of tangible senses after a southwest summer rain to the extent that the reader can almost feel the electric humid air, smell the musky scent of creosote or hear residual raindrops plopping on wet earth is to capture the reader’s complete attention - and a compelling reason to write.””

I almost didn’t submit that essay; insecurities and all. But honestly, what scares me more than writing is the thought of not writing. How about you?

If all goes well, the remainder of this year will be challenging, as well as incredibly productive, since I’ve agreed to write 46 short stories by Christmas. What are your plans for the rest of this year?

In the meantime, have you been binging on scary movies? Which one scares you the most?

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy Halloween!