The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writers. This group is all about connecting! The awesome co-hosts for the May 4 posting of the IWSG are Kim Elliott, Melissa Maygrove, Chemist Ken, Lee Lowery, and Nancy Gideon! May 4 question - It's the best of times; it's the worst of times. What are your writer highs (the good times)? And what are your writer lows (the crappy times)? The best times are when I receive positive feedback. After a contest win or glowing comment from a reader, I could take on the world. My highest high came from the first flash fiction contest I won. Competition was fierce thanks to the prize pack that included $500 cash and a $100 Tim Hortons gift card. It seemed impossible to win, but I entered anyway. An irresistible idea had popped into my mind when I saw the writing prompt. Like a barista blends dairy and coffee, I blended a meet-cute with Tim Hortons new cold brew beverages. I hit the 500-word limit precisely, making each choice count. After submitting, I daydreamed about the piles of apple fritters the gift card could buy, then I went back to loading laundry into the washer. The entry period was long enough I forgot about the contest. All my attention was on editing my first novel. When I received the congratulatory email, I jumped and squealed and ran circles around the kitchen island (silently, because my kids were napping). I CAN write! They like me; they really like me! Apple Fritters! Thankfully, no one was there to see it. Aaand the lows… I feel low when I read something amazing that I could never have written: How did this author make me cry over the death of a character I hated when first introduced? I'll never be that good...I'm a fraud! I get discouraged when circumstances conspire to keep me from writing: One chapter took a whole month...I'll never finish these edits! My lowest low comes when I feel trapped. When I feel I have no influence over my life or career and I’ll die a bitter old woman filled with regret for all the dreams I never accomplished. So emo. I combat the lowness by escaping to write in my head for a bit. Even on the busiest days, I can do that for a few minutes. The episode of DS9 I watched last week sparked an idea. What if I combine the Orion Syndicate, a cool bad guy inspired by a movie poster I saw at the theater, and a main character with a personality unique enough to be memorable but generic enough to be relatable… If I like the scene I conjure, I jot down an outline. It might make a good book someday. Let me close with one final thing. A few moments ago in a blog post right exactly here... It's May the Fourth!!! As a proud nerd, I can’t ignore a date like this. In honor of this auspicious day, I've prepared the following memes for your enjoyment. (I'm using the gallery feature for the first time, so I hope they show up okay!) May the Fourth be with you, always. *All Star Wars images from Pinterest
91 Comments
5/4/2022 03:19:24 am
I know that impostor feeling. Get it so many times. Congratulations for that flash fic win. I get that dancing in circles completely.
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Kim Elliott
5/4/2022 02:46:48 pm
We all feel like impostors at some point, especially early in the journey. I'm glad I'm not alone in that!
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Kim Elliott
5/4/2022 02:47:28 pm
Those moments can carry us through the dark times!
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5/4/2022 04:39:39 am
Running around the kitchen island - funny!
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Kim Elliott
5/4/2022 02:47:53 pm
Co-hosting has been fun!
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5/4/2022 05:15:59 am
I'm right there with you on these, Kim! When entering a contest, I always think of my fee as a friendly way to donate to the organizers and perhaps make new readers out of the judges. I NEVER expect to win.
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Kim Elliott
5/4/2022 02:48:54 pm
Ooh, getting a judge to be a new reader would be great!
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5/4/2022 05:27:12 am
Imposter syndrome is the worst, but I'm so glad you got to experience the high of a competition win. I'm still building up to actually entering one, but this year's the one I've decided
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Kim Elliott
5/4/2022 02:50:37 pm
Good luck! Even when I don't win, it's fun to measure myself against others. It's an added bonus if you get feedback!
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5/4/2022 05:51:06 am
Winning the contest sounds like a great high. That's great you can combat the low points by writing in your head.
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Kim Elliott
5/4/2022 02:51:57 pm
When life gets hectic, it's the only way I can write. I just have to try and remember everything until I can jot it down!
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5/4/2022 06:29:42 am
Hi,
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Kim Elliott
5/4/2022 02:52:53 pm
A win is great motivation, for sure!
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Cathrina
5/4/2022 06:42:05 am
I can relate to everything you posted!
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Kim Elliott
5/4/2022 02:53:18 pm
Thanks for the comment! Co-hosting was fun!
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5/4/2022 06:58:23 am
I, too, feel like a fraud when it comes to writing. I know you're not alone in this--so...you're in good company! :)
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Kim Elliott
5/4/2022 02:53:49 pm
Yep, it helps to know there are others feeling it.
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5/4/2022 07:19:12 am
Thanks for co-hosting this month.
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Kim Elliott
5/4/2022 02:54:58 pm
Yay for geeks! I remember when I used to get teased for my nerdy side. Nowadays it's cool to be a nerd!
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Agreed! That "cry over the death of a character I hated when first introduced"--I'm shocked when that happens and awed by the power of words.
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Kim Elliott
5/4/2022 02:56:24 pm
No, I did not. All images came from Pinterest, a website where I've wasted many an hour. May the Fourth be with you!
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5/4/2022 08:18:28 am
Congrats on the contest (Apple fritters… yum)! It feels so amazing to have your writing recognized like that.
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Kim Elliott
5/4/2022 02:57:23 pm
Don't forget that tomorrow is Revenge of the Fifth!
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5/4/2022 08:39:34 am
Apple fritter dance! I love it! Thanks for sharing all those Star Wars memes. We need a laugh today.
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Kim Elliott
5/4/2022 02:58:10 pm
Fun fact: Tim Hortons is one of the few donut shops that doesn't charge extra for fritters.
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5/4/2022 09:40:31 am
Apple fritter dance well deserved! Got to live up those highs to combat the slew of lows. Thanks for hosting!
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Kim Elliott
5/4/2022 02:59:06 pm
Yes indeed! I try to bottle the highs so I can bring them out whenever I need a pick me up.
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5/4/2022 09:56:20 am
We all have those books that make us think we'll never write that well. I'm having less of those moments, though, so maybe my writing is improving.
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Kim Elliott
5/4/2022 02:59:47 pm
That is a good sign!
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5/4/2022 10:53:57 am
I got out of my chair to dance and applaud your contest win! The little things are big things to emerging writers, as you describe yourself!
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Kim Elliott
5/4/2022 03:01:53 pm
I dunno if I'd call apple fritters a little thing, haha. Thanks for celebrating with me!
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Kim Elliott
5/4/2022 03:03:32 pm
Thanks! Writing is so many things: a comfort, a challenge, a pain, a relief... I love it!
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5/4/2022 11:37:06 am
I love your description of yourself when you won that contest. I could almost see you bursting with joy. You definitely CAN write.
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Kim Elliott
5/4/2022 03:05:02 pm
"Bursting with joy" is a good way to describe me on that day! Thanks for the comment!
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5/4/2022 12:44:34 pm
Congrats on the win! I think a part of us always feels like a fraud no matter what accolades we get, but at least it inspires us to do better.
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Kim Elliott
5/4/2022 03:06:03 pm
You are so right. I sometimes wonder if even the big names feel that way.
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Kim Elliott
5/4/2022 03:06:27 pm
Thank you!
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5/4/2022 01:19:52 pm
Bravo, Kim, for winning a writing contest! Yahoo!!! Way to go!
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Kim Elliott
5/4/2022 03:07:27 pm
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the Star Wars silliness!
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5/4/2022 01:24:31 pm
That is an awesome high! And I completely relate on the lows. There really is nothing like reading an excellent book and being in awe of the writer's skill with words. That's a high for me, though. Thanks for co-hosting today!
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Kim Elliott
5/4/2022 03:09:38 pm
Yes, I suppose it's part high, part low for me as well. Even though it makes me feel inferior (deservedly so, most times), it's a challenge I'm eager to accept as well.
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Kim Elliott
5/4/2022 03:10:06 pm
Yes! Both are fuel for my writing!
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Louise (Fundy Blue)
5/4/2022 03:24:25 pm
The memes are hilarious, Kim! I was laughing all the way through them. Congratulations on winning the flash fiction contest and getting a gift card from Timmy's. Every time I go home to Canada, I have to go to Tim Hortons. The $500 is pretty nice too. May the force be with you as your write!
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Kim Elliott
5/5/2022 08:55:50 am
There were a few Tims scattered across the Midwest when I lived in the States, but there's one on every corner up here! I've come to love their breakfast wraps as well.
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Kim Elliott
5/5/2022 09:04:14 am
Thanks! Yes, the low days outnumber the high, but the high carry me through the low.
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Kim Elliott
5/5/2022 09:04:46 am
Thanks for reading!
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Diane Burton
5/4/2022 04:40:12 pm
Love the Star Wars memes. May the Force be with you, too. Thanks for cohosting. Your highs and lows are understandable, as are the emotions connected to them. I hope the highs outweigh the lows.
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Kim Elliott
5/5/2022 09:06:35 am
I hope so too!
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5/4/2022 05:44:26 pm
Hello Kim. Congratulations on your flash fic win. I run a flash fic online group, but sadly we can't afford to offer prizes of $500. Writing flash is such a great way to strengthen your storytelling muscles!
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Kim Elliott
5/5/2022 09:08:28 am
It really is!
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Tyrean Martinson
5/4/2022 06:00:15 pm
Oh, those edits that take forever. I have some of those going on right now. Ugh. But they are going, slowly.
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Kim Elliott
5/5/2022 09:09:37 am
Most people would call it daydreaming, but I prefer to make it sound productive, ha. Good luck in your editing!
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5/4/2022 06:21:50 pm
I love the story of that massive high. What a wonderful surprise after you'd forgotten contest. And what a brilliant achievement!
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Kim Elliott
5/5/2022 09:10:41 am
Thanks! It was exciting.
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5/4/2022 06:26:26 pm
You are definitely not the only one that does celebratory laps around the kitchen islands when something really affirming happens in writing. (I do have to adopt that whole "Apple Fritters!" thing, though). And thank you for the memes- I needed that laugh!
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Kim Elliott
5/5/2022 09:13:04 am
Glad you enjoyed them. Memes can help with low days too!
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5/4/2022 06:27:10 pm
Congrats on flash fiction win! I love the 'writing in you head'. I do this on walks while carrying a notepad. I wasn't thinking about it as therapeutic self-care, but it totally is! Happy IWSG day, and thank you for co-hosting.
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Kim Elliott
5/5/2022 09:15:17 am
It sounds better than "daydreaming" doesn't it?
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5/4/2022 06:32:24 pm
May the fourth be with you as well! Thanks for co-hosting this month. I definitely get that feeling of being trapped sometimes, too.
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Kim Elliott
5/5/2022 09:17:11 am
Co-hosting was fun! I have to remind myself I'm not really trapped. It just feels that way sometimes.
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5/4/2022 07:19:05 pm
My highs come when I go back and read my words and fell pretty good about them. My lows come when I'm reading someone else's words and I know I'll never write like that.
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Kim Elliott
5/5/2022 09:24:34 am
We have to remind ourselves we're not supposed to write like anyone else. We just have to write the best version of our own voice and style.
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Kim Elliott
5/5/2022 09:25:37 am
Glad you liked them. Star Wars has the best memes!
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5/5/2022 05:18:33 am
"One chapter took a whole month...I'll never finish these edits!" I relate to this a lot!
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Kim Elliott
5/5/2022 09:34:03 am
Sometimes it's slow going!
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I so enjoyed the imagine of you squealing and jumping around the table! Clearly, you deserved first place.
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Kim Elliott
5/5/2022 09:35:39 am
I like the features on Weebly. There's plenty of options without it being confusing a low-tech person like me.
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What a fun, bubbly, bouncing post today! (That is a compliment in case you wondered!) Loved you couldn't shout for joy cause the kids were napping! Been there, done that! Congrats on the win! Love your voice. Good to meet you. Thanks so much for co-hosting! Isn't IWSG a special place?
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Kim Elliott
5/5/2022 06:26:12 pm
Yes, it is!
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Kim Elliott
5/5/2022 06:27:33 pm
Thanks! I love memes about Anakin and sand especially. Best movie line ever.
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5/5/2022 06:02:55 pm
Congrats on winning the contest! That would make me dance around the table, too. The reading something wonderful and thinking I'll never write that well - I've been there. And not having time to write is incredibly frustrating. Hopefully, your high points outweigh your lows. Thanks for the funny memes. May the Fourth be with you, as well. Thanks for co-hosting!
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Kim Elliott
5/5/2022 06:29:01 pm
Glad to hear so many others experience the same lows. And yes, the highs outweigh them for the most part.
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5/6/2022 10:30:16 am
It's fascinating how many of us can share the same events and some will see them as highs and others lows. Thanks for sharing!
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Kim Elliott
5/7/2022 08:46:53 am
It’s all perspective!
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5/6/2022 08:41:32 pm
Congrats on the short story win!
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Kim Elliott
5/7/2022 08:49:11 am
Good plan! Reading excellent writing brings me a mix of envy, inspiration, and despair, ha...
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5/7/2022 10:41:54 pm
I'm glad you've found an escape that works! That writing contest sounds like a hold my beer [coffee] moment. I love those, when there's a challenge and you can go all in. And making exact word count is so deeply satisfying!
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Kim Elliott
5/8/2022 08:35:44 am
I am a competitive person. My competitive side and introvert side are often at war with each other…
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5/13/2022 09:47:48 am
That's a pretty amazing high! Awesome work!
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Kim Elliott
5/15/2022 01:48:22 pm
Thanks for the visit, Loni!
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Thanks for co-hosting this month! I’m the same, I feel the writer lows when I read something amazing and I’m all why can’t I have written something like this. Or when an author releases many books to back. I think to myself why can’t I be so prolific. Then after my short bout of writer lows I remind myself I can only be me, write what I write, how I write (after all someone else may think the same of me) and at my own pace.
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Kim Elliott
5/25/2022 07:53:52 am
Exactly! It’s hard not to compare and feel that I fall short. At the same time, other people’s writing inspire me and pushes me too.
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