
Inspsiration


The Incredible Power of the Written Word
The Insecure Writer’s Support Group
May 1 question: What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?
My experience would have to be when I first started publishing. One of my earliest publications was to a small magazine and it was about finding the positive in anything and everything, including the not so positive experiences we go through from time to time.
The day I got my copy, I got a phone call from a reader who lived in Oklahoma. I lived in Michigan. He was quite direct wanting to know what my day was like right then and what was so positive about it.
I must admit, that day wasn’t the best day for me. I paused.
Right away, he quipped, “Ha, I knew you couldn’t do it.”
“Give a minute,” I said. A few seconds later, I found my positive and told him.
He paused and said, “I guess you showed me that we can find the positive if we’re willing to look around and think about it.”
The fact that my little article could reach someone halfway across the country like that was a powerful message to me that I needed to take care about what I wrote.
More than ever that holds true in today’s social media and e-mails. We have the power to help or to hurt. I’ll choose to help every time.
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: 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 writer – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
Writing Secrets, Myths & Truths
Years ago, when the Internet was relatively new, I formed a group of screenwriters, called Scribelink. It was popular with lots of good quality sharing of information. I made a lot of screenwriter friends because of that group. Many who are still friends today.
Because I miss that camaraderie, I’ve formed a Facebook group for all genres, of all levels, called “Writing Secrets, Myths & Truth with Diana Stout.” While there are many writers groups out there today, I find that many are narrowed by genre or writing element, like self-publishing. I want an all-inclusive group, as we can all learn from each other and from different genres. I learned a lot of writing novels using screenwriting techniques.
Writing Secrets… is a closed group, meaning you have to make the request to join and answer a few easy questions, but no one can see the posts unless they are a member.
Come ask your questions, share your expertise, and join this fun group of people, who share your love of writing.
Recommended Books – are these books on your shelf?
Because I’m repeatedly asked to recommend books for writers, here is the start of my list. Some of these are older books, but they stand the test of time. I can’t get rid of them because I refer back to them from time-to-time. I use them to teach from. Plus, it would take forever to remove all the Post-Its that mark important pages!
More to be added . . .
https://sharpenedpencilsproductions.com/index.php/recommended-books/