The Insecure Writer’s Support Group by Captain Ninja Alex
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!
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Happy New Year fellow IWSG members! 2012 was a crazy year for many. I thought I’d take a minute to share some of the things I’ve learned during this writing journey, in hopes you can learn from my mistakes. 
In no specific order, here are a few things to think about for 2013
- Take time off, or you will burn out. Yes, I know you want to do it all, but you can’t. If you join thirty blog fests, write a novel, critique for three critique partners, and edit another novel in one month, you will burn out. Not that I’ve done this, I’m just saying.
- If you are a new author and you’ve been offered a contract for an agent and/or editor don’t sign it. What?!?! Did I really just write that? Yes, I did. Okay, what I mean to say is; don’t sign it the second you get it. Do your research.
**I’ll be writing a post on things to watch out for when signing a contract. If you have words of wisdom on this topic, please leave a comment and/or e-mail me. I’d love to compile a list of questions or ways to research prior to signing a contract.
- If you are burned by someone in the industry, let it go. The one good thing about authors are most of them are supportive, amazing people. Don’t blast someone publicly because you are the one that looks unprofessional. Move on and surround yourself with people you trust and admire.
- Take your time. Don’t send out an inferior manuscript because you have a request. I promise you, the editor would prefer a polished manuscript a few months late than a story riddled with typos.
- Give back. I’ve worked in a lot of industries over the years. I’ve been employed as a Walt Disney World dancer, a therapist in a hospital and a production data base administrator. During all those jobs, and many others, I’ve never witnessed such an amazing group of giving people. I am so lucky to have met all of you and I hope to give back as much as you’ve given to me.
Most of all take a deep breath and enjoy the journey.
Good luck in 2013!
I’m so sorry for not having been around as much as I used to but writing etc has taken so much of my time. This year I’m going to try to pace myself a little better.
Excellent words of advice! Yes, even Ninjas take some time off. And giving back is the greatest thing you can do.
Happy New Year Ciara! I have high hopes for all of us for 2013. Also, you gave very good advice in those bullet points!
I forgot all about IWSS *smacks forehead
Burn out. Oh yah, it can happen way too easily. Taking on too much and burning the midnight oil too often also runs down your immune system leaving you vulnerable to all sorts of things.
May 2013 be a good one for you!
Well said Ciara. Telling people to not accept a contract immediately and to take time to get away? Radical yet wise ideas indeed.
And, Happy New Year by the way.
Great advice, Ciara! Especially the first point. So easy to do.
No worries, Lindsay. I haven’t been around much either.
Ninja Alex took a break?
Happy New Year, Trisha.
Sia, I hope 2013 is great for you, too.
Slamdunk, I hope it helps some writers.
Kirsten – Yep, it sure is.
There are enough authors behaving badly out there – let someone else burn themselves online.
True, True, True! Great Advice!
Loved your post. I took off for a few weeks and feel so much better for it. Reconnected with friends, walked more, actually cooked and sat by the tree while reading whatever I wanted.
Happy New Year.
Don’t do it all? That’s very good advice. I do what I can. I reviewed four books this weekend for authors. All of them were good, but I didn’t get very much else done. Now I’m beta-reading for someone.
L. Diane – Well said.
C. Lee – I’m glad. You deserve a break.
Michael – Wow, four books? You are doing great.
Wonderful IWSG post Ciara! (Just joined the group last month, and love seeing all of the ‘old guard’ as I make my way through the list.
Thought this was particularly helpful: “If you are burned by someone in the industry, let it go. The one good thing about authors are most of them are supportive, amazing people. Don’t blast someone publicly because you are the one that looks unprofessional. Move on and surround yourself with people you trust and admire.”
Just do what you do, and don’t take things complete strangers say personally. As you say, there are so many great writers out there who are positive and supportive, find them.
Happy 2013 btw!
Good advice! I think it is important to avoid that burnout too!
Great advice! I haven’t really learned what “me” time is yet. I’m tied to my writing material with invisible strings but suffer burnout because of it.
Great points. Burnout happens. Just this two week break over the holidays was enough to recharge my batteries, though, and I’m ready to go again. And I’ll look forward to your post on contracts.
Happy New Year!!
Love, Love, Love this post Ciara! That’s some great advice . . .and I’m interested in that up and coming post about signing . . .you’ve got me hooked.
EJ – I agree. BTW – didn’t you just have a book release?
Laura – You need to find some ‘me’ time. You deserve it!!
L.G. – Feel free to add anything you wish to my contracts posts. It’s a group effort.
Tyrean – I hope my post will help a few people pause and think.
Balance might need to be my word for the year, so your first bullet is spot on accurate. I think my hair is a little singed from the burnout.
Happy New Year!
What a great list! Thanks =)
Thanks for the great advice, and I’d love to hear more about your job as a Disney World dancer! Happy New Year Ciara!
Terrific advice! Happy New Year and may 2013 hold all good things for you and your family.
Happy New Year, Ciara, you brilliant prolific author. And thank you yet again, Alex, for solid, insightful advice. Me, I’ve gotten too burned out (as you) and will be taking things down a peg this year and trying to balance.
Kari Marie – I think that is a great word.
Julie – It only lasted a couple of years. Talk about burn-out rate. Yikes.
Helena – I hope you find the balance you are looking for. Good luck in 2013.
Great advice! Thanks for giving back. That’s what we authors and writers need, wisdom from the wise. Happy New Year!
Great advice, Ciara. I tried to choose something in particular that resonated with me, but it all does! Looking forward to following your 2013 journey.
Hi Ciara .. Happy New Year – and burnout is so easy to reach … good luck with all your goals – I’m definitely going to have a more balanced life this year … cheers Hilary
Very good points. Giving back is so important, but the one I’d highlight more than anything is not rushing to send out an imperfect MS – speed seems to be important these days, but how many times are we reading about authors who are revising their novels after they’ve been available for sale? That’s the wrong time to do it!
All sage advice. Happy New Year to you!
Excellent advice! And I agree, most writers are genuinely helpful and eager to reciprocate. The ones who aren’t aren’t worth thinking of twice.
Happy new year!
I took all of December off. Excellent advice, overall.
Nancy – Oh, please don’t think I’m wise. LOL
Annalisa – I totally agree. It is a fast market, but not when you are submitting.
Damyanti – Good for you!
Very true about letting go. People will let us down. Even burn us. But we have to let it go and keep moving forward free of these distractions.
I refuse to give people power over my life by being bitter at those who burned me.
Thank you so much for this informative post. Also, thank you so much for visiting my blog. I want to wish you all the best for 2013.
Thanks Ciara…
especially for the heads up about contracts. Many writers, like myself, who haven’t seen their first contract will not be prepared for what to look for, etc.
Looking forward to those posts. HAVE a HAPPY and HEALTHY New year!!!!!
These are ALL great tips. I especially relate to the one about burning out.
Great advice. Wishing you a wonderful 2013.
Hopping on over through IWSG. Thanks for visiting mine. You have given some great advice here.
Great advice for 2013, especially not signing a contract the moment you get it. Research is essential, as is patience.
Stephen – Well said!
Michael – Thank you so much. I intend to. I hope my post is helpful to you.
Lynda – Patience is the tough part.
Wow…the don’t sign the contract thing caught my attention. Can’t wait to read your post.
Those are excellent tips!
It will be interesting to read your posts on contracts.
Great insights for 2013, and I can’t agree with them more. Best of luck in the new year.
I too am curious about your advice on contracts, not that I need it right now, but I should learn more about it before I need to. I love your line of “enjoy the journey.” That’s key.
such awesome advice! and this is the best group of supporters i know too (Disney dancer? woo woo!)
successful new year wishes for you!
Some great advice in here. I’ll be looking for that post about signing a contract and hoping that the option comes my way in 2013.
Raquel – I hope you find it helpful.
Michael – Congrats on your tour. I hope it is wildly successful!!
Tara – You, too.
Far Away Eyes – It should be up next week.
I’m sure I’ll be needing your publishing contract advice very soon! I know with my new agent, there was no rush in signing our agreement. Her very advice NOT to rush into anything (on my part) goes far in my book.
Here’s to a fabulous 2013!!
I especially like the “take time out” advice. I try to do too much and then end up burnt out. Thanks for all the tips, Ciara!
Great philosophy to live by day in and day out. Thanks for sharing. Best of luck!
Great advice. Agree! Agree!
I can’t wait for you to do the post on contracts.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
I agree about taking a break and not trying to do everything. Sometimes I have so much on the go I can’t seem to get anywhere.
Those are excellent and VERY useful tips. Thanks for reminding us again.
Completely agree about taking some time out to avoid burnout! It’s important to take some time to wind down after finishing one book, particularly if it’s a very long book. You might not be able to immediately move onto the next book in the series, or a new book, if you don’t have some breathing time.
What’s time off? lol
The advice on the rest is very good. For contracts, remember they’re negotiable. If you don’t know what something means, ask.
Candilynn – That is a sign of a good agent. Awesome.
Patsy – That is so true.
Carrie-Anne – I am so guilty of that. I’m always rushing to the next project.
Mary – Great point about contracts!!
Such a great post. The best part is, all of it is true. Especially the part about most writers being awesome individuals.
This is such great advice from top to bottom. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for your blog post on what to watch out for when signing a contract. Not that I have any contracts being thrown at me, but I am curious since I’m totally clueless on the topic. Have a great year Ciara! (:
You’re right about the taking time off thing. I hate to do it cos I’ve procrastinated a lot on the internet this week, while editing, but I haven’t been reading as much and I really feel the need for it! Gotta take a day off tomorrow
Thanks for the great advice. I am guilty of trying to do it all and have been forcing myself to slow down. I def want it all but have no patience for it to come slowly. To the point where writing becomes all consuming and not simply fun. This is such a good reminder.
Such great advice here! I’ll be looking forward to that post about what to look for (or look out for) when signing a contract! Sounds like a good one to read! Happy New Year!
Elise – I hope you find it helpful.
deniz – I miss reading. I hope to find some time for that soon.
Lan – Take time for yourself. It’s so important.
Kimberly – Happy New Year.
Hi Ciara, great post. One piece of advice regarding looking over a contract is if you have an attorney friend check it out, make sure that attorney knows about publishing. One of my friends freaked me OUT about a contract that was actually quite fair. It brought in anxiety when there was already enough there!
Great advice. I was burned by a publisher, but I learned my lesson and moved on. Have a great 2013!
Great post!
I can especially relate to your insight about burnout. Being new at writing, I’ve had a tendency to take on way too much at once! Right now, I’m so excited to even have critique partners that I have four and counting. Awesome as that is, keeping up with all those manuscripts takes up a lot more time than I anticipated.
I definitely don’t ever want to burn out though-I love writing way too much.
Happy Writing in 2013!
Great post, Ciara and really good advice. Thanks for sharing it with everyone.
Awesome list! Giving back is so important!!!
So spot on on, Ciara. Love this IWSG post—all such great points. And you were a Walt D dancer??? That’s awesome! Too cool.
Uh oh. One of my goals for 2013 was “No More Off Days.” Have I set myself up for a rough year?
In actuality, I don’t plan on killing myself, I just want to make sure I write something every day this year, even if it’s only a couple hundred words.
Good luck in 2013, Ciara!
Jennifer – Great advice!
Christine – I’m so sorry to hear that.
Kirsten – Four is a bunch. I have a hard time keeping up with three.
Morgan – Many moons ago.
J.W. – LOL, do what is best for you, but don’t burn out. Happy New Year!
What a wonderful post! Chocked full of great advice! It is important to take breaks, be supportive of others, and take your time.
Thanks for these great reminders. Wishing you a Happy New Year!