My husband and I have been watching some old favorite sitcoms lately and, in my opinion, one of the best theme songs ever is from Cheers. And although we don't serve drinks around here (to be honest, we'd most likely serve chocolate and coffee anyway, or banana and basil if it was up to the tortoises), the theme song makes me think of this blog and all of you.
In my June IWSG and July IWSG posts, I mentioned some things I was struggling with, and let me tell you how nice it was to have a place to go, even if it was "only online", where I felt encouraged and heard and supported.
Please don't ever underestimate the power of a simple line of recognition or a handful of cheerleading words. It might just be the boost a person needs to get over that next hurdle. Or, in my case, drag myself under it. (Hey, I never claimed to be graceful.)
So in this IWSG post, I want to say thank you to all of you. Not only for all the great advice and suggestions for the posts where I need an emotional pick-me-up, but also for coming by in general and commenting, for offering congratulations on my published work, for reading my stories and telling me how much you enjoy them and/or how much they creep you out. (And we all know around here that's pretty much the same thing.)
*** Thank you!!! ***
*****
Who or what are you thankful for today? In your writing life? In your life in general?
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| Join us! |
I am thankful for all the supportive community here at IWSG, and at the National Canoe and Kayak competition where I am currently preparing to film the Livestream feed. Lots of awesome people! And thankful for water and sunscreen in the Georgia heat!
ReplyDeleteYes for the IWSG!
DeleteAnd I agree about the water and sunscreen. I would say "stay cool" but in this heat? Just try not to melt. :)
The IWSG is so supportive and encouraging! It always feels like such a safe place to share and be uplifted.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Ellen
I totally agree, Ellen!
Delete(And your signature goes very well with the theme of my post. :))
Awesome! I know I wouldn't have kept writing if not for all of the support.
ReplyDeleteSupport is crucial, not only to the writing life but to our overall well-being.
DeleteThe networking I do with other writers on social media isn't just for selling books, but rather for finding the support you speak of in your post. A writer friend told me, when I was first starting out, that I'd find wonderful new friends among writers. He was right! Happy writing in August.
ReplyDeleteFinding your people, your tribe, is like coming home, isn't it? :)
DeleteThat's why I love the IWSG! It's nice to be able to talk to people about these things, otherwise I'd just be ranting on Twitter and getting no responses...
ReplyDeleteOne of the benefits of blogging! :)
DeleteHi Madeline, I agree with you that a simple line of recognition or a handful of cheerleading words have immense power when it comes to boosting a writer's morale.
ReplyDeleteA writer's morale and general well-being, too.
DeleteIt's great to have a writing community/family to talk to. Most of the people around us don't get our writing struggles!
ReplyDeleteYes! Pretty much no one in my "real life" - other than my husband! - really understands the whole writing life and the struggles we go through. Most don't even bother to try.
DeleteOne of the best theme songs ever. That's what IWSG is here for!
ReplyDeleteIt's one of those songs that I don't mind having roll around in my head all day. :)
DeleteI love that theme song! And I love the love and support of IWSG. Honestly, the great people here have kept me going when I've wanted to chuck it all. We all just keep plugging along, leaving no one behind.
ReplyDeleteWine and chocolate at my place!
Yes on the wine and chocolate! I could use some right about now. Okay, I could use some pretty much always/anytime.
DeleteI'll always be there for you. Contact me anytime. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
What a lovely thing to say - thank you!
DeleteCheers! Oh my gosh, you're so right - that song totally encapsulates what this group is for us. Thank you, too, for always being a bright spot on the internet, even when you're in need of a pick-me-up.
ReplyDeleteWith all my issues and weirdness, I definitely don't think of myself as a "bright spot." I do try to be positive when I can so thanks so much for saying that, Nicki. :)
DeleteWhat a lovely post! And, of course, you're absolutely right. The support system provided by IWSG is a God-send. So, yes, I'm grateful for it, for the inimitable Alex for coming up with the idea, and for all the people I've "met" through blogging, in general. Such a fantastic community of caring people!
ReplyDelete"Cheers" to and for Alex and the IWSG! :)
DeleteIWSG is an amazing group. The support makes me feel less alone and I'm glad to have found it.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way!
DeleteI like that. I agree--even when I know it's mostly cheerleading, it lifts my spsirits.
ReplyDeleteSometimes that's all we need. :)
DeleteThe writing community is such a great place. Some of my best friends are people I have never met. I get sad when I see writer friends give up or get discouraged, especially when they obviously have talent. Publishing is very much like rolling that trite boulder up that steep hill. It's o much easy with friends.
ReplyDeleteYes on being friends even having never met! So many people don't understand that.
DeleteIt does make that boulder a little easier to push knowing other people are right there with us.
Thank you for your support as well, Madeline! This group is truly awesome.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure! I'm happy to be part of such a great group.
DeleteI'm incredibly thankful for my writer friends—both online and in real life. They always believe in me way more than I do. That support is priceless.
ReplyDeleteWhy can't we believe in ourselves the way our cheerleaders do?!
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you shared your gratitude. That's what we're here for but it builds up our morale when a fellow writer lets us know we've made a difference. Keep on writing, Lady.
All the best.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
What an excellent point, Pat, about how thanking people and letting them know they made a difference in our lives gives them a boost and builds up their morale. Love that! :)
DeleteI'm thankful for this group too! The IWSG really got me connected with a community of awesome writers that I didn't know existed (like you :)).
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks, Loni. And WE really are an awesome group of writers!
DeleteI wouldn't still be out here without the writers that I've connected with along the way.
ReplyDeleteI hear that!
DeleteI am grateful for time. Retired and still healthy, I get to write and write, take notes, journal. Time.
ReplyDeleteExcellent, Susan!
DeleteI too am thankful for the folks here who take time to read and comment. You have such a talent, Madeline. FYI, I was reading today about a fellowship for flash fiction writers this morning and I thought of you. Unfortunately I deleted the link, but if you are interested you can find it through Aerogram Writer's Studio. Keep writing!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Liza! And I'll look into that fellowship. It was so nice of you to think of me. :)
DeleteI used to watch Cheers with my husband. Glad that we could all help. I love how supportive IWSG is.
ReplyDeleteThe IWSG is amazing!
DeleteA little amount of encouragement goes a long long way :)
ReplyDeleteIt really does!
DeleteI'm always thankful for my husband and daughter. They're the reason I can keep going! :)
ReplyDeleteYes! My husband is my best friend and my biggest fan. :)
DeleteMembers of the IWSG have given me boost after boost when I needed it the most. :)
ReplyDeleteSame here!
DeleteI'm thankful for my friends who write great books and those who read great books and recommend them to me. You know who you are!
ReplyDeleteI love seeing what people are reading and loving, especially when it's the kind of thing I like to read. :)
DeleteIWSG is a wonderful community agreed. I know their encouragement has helped me keep on a many of time. Happy IWSG!
ReplyDeleteSame here, Juneta!
DeleteIt is always nice to have a place "where everybody knows your name." For me, this place is online, here, in this group.
ReplyDeleteAnd the group just keeps growing and getting better. :)
DeleteAw... yeah, I am also grateful for this group. I have learned so much from the other writers, and seeing those encouraging comments when I post about how hard it is to keep at the writing these days makes a difference, for sure.
ReplyDeleteSometimes you just need people who really "get it" to remind you that you're not alone in this crazy writing world and to keep going.
DeleteThank you for expressing your gratitude about our IWSG group! It's important to let others know our gratitude. I, too, am thankful for our on-writing group. It's lifted me up many times. I've just returned from a wonderful time with my extended family, including all of my siblings. I can't imagine where I'd be without their love and support ~ Likewise my amazing husband. I have many things to be thankful for!
ReplyDeleteYeh for amazing husbands! :)
DeleteI'm thankful for a family that supports my writing dreams. I've got friends with less supportive families. It really does make ALL the difference.
ReplyDeleteIt really means a lot to have that, and I am incredibly luck to have that in my husband.
DeleteI'm glad everyone came through for you. I'm also thankful for this online community, and the support I've received over the last few months. It's been a tough year. It's nice you're all here.
ReplyDeleteWe are all here, and we all know your name. :)
DeleteThe IWSG is a fantastic group! :) I miss the days of the good sitcoms. I don't watch any these days.
ReplyDeleteI miss those days, too! The last "newer" sitcoms I watched were The Big Bang Theory and The Middle. Now that they're off the air, I don't watch any.
DeleteA word of encouragement can definitely work wonders! This group is an amazing help for all of us.
ReplyDeleteYou just really never know what will happen and who it will matter to when you put good vibes out into the world. :)
DeleteIt is great to have a chorus of "We understand" or "You go!" that are all writers, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteAs long as I can shout - not sing! - in this chorus, it's all good. :)
DeleteI have always loved the support and online friendships in the blogosphere.
ReplyDeleteSame here!
Delete