Wednesday, May 7, 2014

IWSG: You Are Not Alone


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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 I was extremely nervous about putting mostly un-vetted and/or unpublished stories out there.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! 

68 comments:

  1. 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!

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    1. Believe me, Julie, there are no small parts when it comes to that reinforcement. :)

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  2. So 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 :)

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    1. Ack! I can't even think about next year's Challenge. Oh, the pressure! :o

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  3. Hi Madeline, I loved your flash fiction of 100 words and I kept returning for more. Our blogging community is wonderful, isn't it?

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    1. I appreciated that, Rachna. And this blogging community is definitely wonderful! :)

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  4. Woohoo!!! Cheering with you! and for you! You an amazing writer!

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  5. Great 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

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    1. It's a lot easier to admit to it when there's a bunch of us feeling the same thing now and then. :)

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  6. Glad 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.

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    1. The 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.

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    2. Your little flashes were excellent. I hope to see more in days to come.
      Best,
      Deb@ http://debioneille.blogspot.com

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  7. Love 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.

    I'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!

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    1. Thank you so much, Kristin! It thrills me to know my stories were a highlight for you. :)

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  8. I love this online writing community for just that reason. They're an amazing group of people—yourself included.

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  9. You 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. =)

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    1. I don't think I will ever feel totally "secure" but I'm happy with "less insecure than usual." :)

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  10. Yep. We all have those insecurities, and I think those who succeed are the ones that put themselves out their despite that. Great post.

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    1. It's the putting ourselves out there that's the scary part, but it can also be one of the best parts.

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  11. I loved your posts! And I'm so happy I found your blog!

    Thank you for your kind words on my post and for reminding me that I'm not fighting alone. :)

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    1. Thank you!

      I'm glad I was able to help remind you that you're not alone. :)

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  12. Wonderful message, Madeline!
    Your flash pieces were awesome. I was in total awe of how big of a punch you could pack into so few words.

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  13. Your stories were great, and I am among those cheering for you too!

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  14. That 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!

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    1. I 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. :)

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  15. Truly, your blog posts were among the best I read during April. The flash fiction with its precision--that takes skill and focus!

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  16. What an inspirational post! You're so right that there are so many in our writing community that have our backs. :)

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  17. I hope you gained confidence through the A-Z because your stories were amazing! You have an incredible talent!

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  18. Oh 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! :)

    S.K.Anthony: IWSG

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  19. Your stories were so much fun. Hope you're submitting them somewhere.

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  20. I 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 :)

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  21. The 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.

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    1. You're right - it's special and scary. And definitely worth it. :)

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  22. Such wonderful words, Madeline. I've missed your blog! I hope to be around more. :)

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  23. I 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.

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    1. I 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.

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  24. What 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!

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    1. I don't think the insecurities are ever truly gone but they're better…for the moment. :)

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  25. Very 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 :-)

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    1. If you want to wait a little while, you'll get a chance to read some/most of them in an upcoming collection. :)

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  26. Great 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!

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    1. I think the trick is to remember that there are people out there, wiling and able to help. :)

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  28. Great 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 :)

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  29. We kept coming back because the stories were GREAT! Keep writing!

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  30. I loved your flash fiction, too. I hope you keep on writing.

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  31. Your pieces were excellent! You have no need for insecurity, or to ever be alone :)

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  32. it's so awesome, isn't it!!
    glad you are a part of my bloggy world!

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  33. Putting 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

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