Wednesday, March 7, 2018

IWSG & Celebrations

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. He, his clones, minions, friends, and fellow authors make it an amazing event every month.




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!

And we’re revving up IWSG Day to make it more fun and interactive! Every month, we'll announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.

March 7 question - How do you celebrate when you achieve a writing goal/ finish a story?

This might be a bit of a weird answer... (I can tell you're not shocked!)

I don't.

Celebrating causes me all kinds of stress. Imposter syndrome hits me HARD when I celebrate - no matter how small the celebration.

I might indulge in an ice cream cone or take an evening off to read a book I've been salivating over. And then, BOOM.

My silly brain seems to snort in disbelief. You think you did good? You think that was worthwhile? You're celebrating that? Are you kidding me?

And then I can't put words to keyboard at all.

I do think these celebrations are important and I'd really like to indulge (especially if it involves some Rolo ice cream!!) but for now, I'm just going to keep those fingers moving and ignore the celebrations.

How about you? Does your brain let you celebrate? Anyone else get overwhelmed with Imposter Syndrome? Anyone now want some ice cream?

35 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Maybe that's why I don't do more to celebrate either. My brain starts to question it.

S.A. Larsenッ said...

Oh Jemi! You must slash that imposter syndrome to bits. I'll help. You are a writer. Geez, I think you've been blogging as long as me, if not longer. Sending you loads of positive confident vibes. You deserve it. (Psst...saying that, I get it. Still feel inferior from time to time.)

cleemckenzie said...

LOL Imposter syndrome. I love that.

Rachna Chhabria said...

Ice-creams and books are two of my favourite ways of celebrating.

Mary Aalgaard said...

Pretend you're celebrating something else, belated birthday, Spring, whatever, smile, then get back to it. You totally deserve indulgences from working so hard!
Mary at Play off the Page

Michael Di Gesu said...

Jemi...

Give yourself a BREAK.... you accomplish something so amazing, you need to give yourself a HUGE pat on the back and CELEBRATE.... Ice-cream is a GOOD START, but don't let the negativity get to you. Don't question it, just feel the excitement of knowing that you accomplished something sooooo amazing!

DMS said...

Ice cream is a great treat! Don't be so hard on yourself. You are a writer, you are deserving of celebrations. Think about what you would say to a student if they accomplished what you have accomplished. Say those words to yourself. We are often kinder and more forgiving of others than we are of ourselves. :)
~Jess

Cherie Reich said...

I don't celebrate either, but I am intrigued by the idea of eating some Rolo ice cream. That sounds delicious.

Cathy said...

I think we'll all feel like impostors until we get something published and maybe after that, we'll still feel like it may've been a fluke. I'd like to tell you how to get over it, but I suffer from it too. So if you figure it out, let me know.

Chemist Ken said...

So basically, celebrating makes you feel guilty. Just remember you accomplished something good and that you deserve to celebrate.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I do celebrate but I don't tell anyone I'm celebrating. I just say I'm going to the bookstore.

Unknown said...

I'll have that ice-cream.

I do celebrate, as often as I can--there aren't that many occasions.

I'm hit with the impostor syndrome especially hard when I face rejection, but when I win at something I celebrate, and thumb my nose at my inner critic ;)

I try and be kind to myself-- the writer's life is hard enough as it is. I believe that the creative self is a toddler, and needs as many cuddles, treats and as much nourishing as I can give it.

Jemi Fraser said...

Exactly! Much easier to keep on typing! :P

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks!!! The confidence needs to shore itself up so often - but I'll keep moving forward! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

I laughed the first time I saw the name too! It's perfect!

Jemi Fraser said...

Those are definite both fabulous! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

That's a really good idea!!! Thanks :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Good advice - I'll give it a try!! (promise!)

Jemi Fraser said...

That's so very, very true Jess! I'm going to pretend I'm one of my 'kids'! :) Thanks!

Jemi Fraser said...

It really, really is!!! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Sounds like a plan - we'll work on it together! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Yes it does! I've definitely got to work at this part!

Jemi Fraser said...

That's a very good plan - the big ones are so much fun!

Jemi Fraser said...

I love that!!! That sounds like something I could manage! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

You're so right! I love that toddler image - and I know that'll help me get through this!!! Thanks :)

J.L. Campbell said...

Our internal critic never shuts up. :)

H. R. Sinclair said...

I'm just so happy when I finish something that celebrating seems moot. LOL

Leslie S. Rose said...

I smile, set the next goal, and keep plugging away.

Heather R. Holden said...

Aw, sorry to hear you feel like an imposter whenever you attempt to celebrate. :( I totally get it, though. (My own brain often convinces me celebrating is a waste, and that I should use that time for something productive instead.) Hope your brain eventually allows you to indulge every once in a while--it can be a great way to recharge!

Gwen Gardner said...

Oh yeah, the insecure writer's brain! It's why we all belong to this club. LOL. But really, have some chocolate and read a good book. You deserve it!

Jemi Fraser said...

LOL - I think that might be it! :P

Jemi Fraser said...

Perfect! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

I hope so it! I definitely need the recharging bit now and again!

Jemi Fraser said...

And it's a very good club too! :)

Love Affair with Food said...

Yes, hard to really celebrate at small things. I would celebrate huge on something big!