IWSG #1 ~ June 2012

Thanks to a suggestion from Michael Pierce, (thank you thank you for connecting me to this great resource!) he helped me connect with The Insecure Writer's Support Group from Alex J. Cavanaugh 's blog. On the first Wednesday of each month, you can write a post on your own blog expressing any concerns and fears you have about writing. Go to Mr. Cavanaugh's blog to sign up for the group, and you will also find many blogs from other writers to follow, read their posts, and comment on what they say with encouraging words of your own. I'm a couple days late with this post, but I thought better late than never.

For at least ten years, I have been attempting to write a memoir about grieving the losses of close family members while trying to grow up at the same time. It's taken me a long time to realize this, but I am my own worst enemy. Before, I thought I had all the confidence in the world in my writing, but I've slowly come to realize that simply is not true. In fact, I am afraid of putting my writing out there because that means I'm also putting "me" out there, making myself emotionally vulnerable. I was even afraid to begin a blog when over a year ago my husband suggested having one might be a good place to start up some serious writing. I finally began this blog in January of this year.

At first, I began to think I wasn't meant to write about my life--what about it would be interesting to others? I thought maybe those family members felt I was using them for my own personal gain. I no longer think this is true. My reasons for wanting to write about my life aren't selfish, and my heart is in the right place. I'd just like to get my words out there, and who knows? Perhaps by reading about my struggles with grief and learning how to "go on" with my life, I might be comforting someone else, saving them from years of pain and suffering. That would make it all worth while to me.