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I'm not feeling nearly as insecure as usual…and I have you all to thank for that.
My theme for The Blogging from A-Z Challenge April 2014 was flash fiction - stories of 100 words or fewer, corresponding to each letter of the alphabet. I was extremely nervous about putting mostly un-vetted and/or unpublished stories out there. I second guessed myself all the way up to - and including - the publication of the "A" post.
Then you started reading, and saying such nice things in the comments. You kept coming back, kept reading, kept commenting. I'm not sure if you'll ever know how much I appreciated that, how much I needed to read your comments at that point in my writing career. You all reinforced my writing dreams and goals, and reminded me of why I do what I do.
Sometimes you have to fight through those insecurities, those fears in order to experience certainty, success. But here's the thing - you are not fighting alone. You've got a whole blogging community at your back, at your side. We're ready - to encourage, support, sympathize, help. We're just waiting on you to make your move, to take that chance. And when you do? Our cheers will shake the Internet.
Go for it!
Your stories were absolutely amazing and you deserved all the praise you received. So glad I could be a small part of reinforcing your dreams and goals!
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, Julie, there are no small parts when it comes to that reinforcement. :)
DeleteSo true!! You're never fighting alone. And that's what's so great about blogging - we are never alone in this blogging world. Can't wait to see what you do with the challenge next year :)
ReplyDeleteAck! I can't even think about next year's Challenge. Oh, the pressure! :o
DeleteHi Madeline, I loved your flash fiction of 100 words and I kept returning for more. Our blogging community is wonderful, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI appreciated that, Rachna. And this blogging community is definitely wonderful! :)
DeleteWoohoo!!! Cheering with you! and for you! You an amazing writer!
ReplyDeleteCheering with you and for you, too! :)
DeleteGreat IWSG post! Congrats on finishing the A-Z challenge. That insecurity, I believe, exists in some form in all writers, whether we admit to it or not. :-P
ReplyDeleteIt's a lot easier to admit to it when there's a bunch of us feeling the same thing now and then. :)
DeleteGlad you're feeling less insecure than normal! I think the flash fiction for something like an A to Z is a great idea--I call the 100 word stories drabbles, and they aren't EASY per se, but an EXCELLENT exercise and suited so well for A to Z because they are short enough to be consumed quickly and people reading will not be expecting super polished for such a high volume (every day) kind of thing.
ReplyDeleteThe stories were an exercise in creativity for me, but I also thought they would be good for blog readers - short and to the point and hopefully entertaining, especially during the Challenge when there are so many blogs to check out.
DeleteYour little flashes were excellent. I hope to see more in days to come.
DeleteBest,
Deb@ http://debioneille.blogspot.com
Thanks, Deb! :)
DeleteLove this post! That's right, you are never alone! This is something I've learned too well these last few months as I've been embraced by this outstanding community of writers.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you came away feeling confident in your writing because you are an AMAZING writer! Your posts were the highlight of the A to Z for me. I still get chills when I think about some of them!
Thank you so much, Kristin! It thrills me to know my stories were a highlight for you. :)
DeleteI love this online writing community for just that reason. They're an amazing group of people—yourself included.
ReplyDeleteRight back at you! :)
DeleteYou had wonderful stories and I'm glad you didn't let any insecurities hold you back. I'm also glad we were able to help you feel less insecure. We're here for you. =)
ReplyDeleteI don't think I will ever feel totally "secure" but I'm happy with "less insecure than usual." :)
DeleteYep. We all have those insecurities, and I think those who succeed are the ones that put themselves out their despite that. Great post.
ReplyDeleteIt's the putting ourselves out there that's the scary part, but it can also be one of the best parts.
DeleteI loved your posts! And I'm so happy I found your blog!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words on my post and for reminding me that I'm not fighting alone. :)
Thank you!
DeleteI'm glad I was able to help remind you that you're not alone. :)
Wonderful message, Madeline!
ReplyDeleteYour flash pieces were awesome. I was in total awe of how big of a punch you could pack into so few words.
I really appreciate that, Alex. Thank you!
DeleteYour stories were great, and I am among those cheering for you too!
ReplyDeleteI'll take all the cheering I can get. :)
DeleteThat is definitely true. And I think there's major comfort in realizing that everyone suffers those insecurities, even the greatest fiction writers of all time. I have a feeling even doctors, lawyers, and CEOs have that insecurity on a regular basis--they're just a lot less likely to admit it publicly than artists are!
ReplyDeleteI don't like to admit it publicly either, but I find it a lot easier to release it into the blogosphere and as part of the IWSG precisely because I know I'm not alone. :)
DeleteTruly, your blog posts were among the best I read during April. The flash fiction with its precision--that takes skill and focus!
ReplyDeleteSusan, I so appreciate that! Thank you very much.
DeleteWhat an inspirational post! You're so right that there are so many in our writing community that have our backs. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it. :)
DeleteI hope you gained confidence through the A-Z because your stories were amazing! You have an incredible talent!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I did definitely gain some confidence. :)
DeleteOh my gosh, you're the best. We really are not alone even though sometimes we feel like it. This is a great reminder and a wonderful message. This community is just amazing, as are you! :)
ReplyDeleteS.K.Anthony: IWSG
You all are making me blush! :)
DeleteYour stories were so much fun. Hope you're submitting them somewhere.
ReplyDeleteI plan on doing another collection soon…. :)
DeleteI love IWSG posts like this. Yay for taking a chance. I've seen mention of your awesome A-Z flash fiction around the blogosphere. I'll have to come back and check it out. Sounds like you have leveled-up, too :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you do come back, Shell! :)
DeleteThe kind of support this group offers--and everyone within the writing blogsphere--is so great to have. Congrats for making it through the A-Z challenge. There's something special about sharing our stories...even if it's also scary.
ReplyDeleteYou're right - it's special and scary. And definitely worth it. :)
DeleteSuch wonderful words, Madeline. I've missed your blog! I hope to be around more. :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll be around more, too!
DeleteI didn't do A to Z this year, but I remember that each time I visited your blog last month, I enjoyed reading what you put out there. Sharing what you write is like sharing a piece of your heart and mind with the universe, and you were so brave to be able to do that.
ReplyDeleteI never really thought of it as brave, but I guess all of us who put our words, our art, ourselves out there are courageous in a way.
DeleteWhat an encouraging post! Having such a group to go things through definitely makes it easier to keep going and of course the positive feedback and support never hurt either. Glad to hear insecurities are gone. Congrats on finishing A-Z!
ReplyDeleteI don't think the insecurities are ever truly gone but they're better…for the moment. :)
DeleteVery true! I think I probably missed all of your A-Z posts, but now I know they're there, I'll pop back when I'm not busy. I liked your collection 'The People We Used to Be', so I expect these to be just as good. Hearing people saying good things about your work is very uplifting - especially the immediate feedback of blogging and commenting :-)
ReplyDeleteIf you want to wait a little while, you'll get a chance to read some/most of them in an upcoming collection. :)
DeleteBrilliant, Madeline :-)
DeleteGreat attitude in your post! Things are never so bad when there are people to pick you up and encourage you. :) I thought your stories were really intriguing, and I'll need to check back for the ones I missed!
ReplyDeleteI think the trick is to remember that there are people out there, wiling and able to help. :)
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ReplyDeleteGreat post! I've been toying with a book idea for quite a while now, and seeing all of the writers participating in the A-Z Challenge, who were willing to take the step and put themselves and their writing out there, and then seeing the positive responses they got in return, was the push I needed to actually get started on my first draft :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent! Good luck with it. :)
DeleteWe kept coming back because the stories were GREAT! Keep writing!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'll do my best. :)
DeleteI loved your flash fiction, too. I hope you keep on writing.
ReplyDeleteOh, I will. I wouldn't know what to do with myself. :)
DeleteYour pieces were excellent! You have no need for insecurity, or to ever be alone :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! :)
Deleteit's so awesome, isn't it!!
ReplyDeleteglad you are a part of my bloggy world!
Right back at you! :)
DeletePutting 26 flash fictions up in a month is super brave. If I wore a hat, I'd tip it at you. I'm not sure I'd be up to that LOL
ReplyDeleteI barely made it myself.... :)
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