It is time for February's addition of the Insecure Writer's Support Group...

 Here it is the beginning of 2015 and already much has happened. Today my insecurity is not so much about writing, but about what I feel compelled to write. Book #3, Time Trials, has been lying around like missing body parts on a battle ground, waiting to be pieced together. Yet my thoughts are on the fragility of life. Within a week 2 young people I knew personally have died. Ashlee, age 21 was killed in a car accident, leaving behind a 3 year old little girl who will never know her mother. Spencer, age 25, a talented musician in the Houston area was randomly shot and killed while sitting in his truck at a red light.

In the blink of an eye life can be altered. It only takes turning on the news to hear of the atrocities on a daily basis. Have we become immune or simply numbed to the fact because at that moment the "incident" doesn't touch our lives personally? And then when tragedy does affect us personally, are we shocked the sun still rises every morning and people are routinely going about their lives?

I spoke with an 88 yr. old woman yesterday who told me she has decided to only watch the weather forecast on the news. I commended her on that.

When tragedy hits home, many turn to living a life of fear. I did that for most of my life. Not because of a specific tragedy, but just from the way I was raised. Around the age of 40, I realized the "Chicken Little" mentality no longer suited me.

I try not to use the words "I'm afraid" or "I fear." Not that the feelings don't crop up, I just don't want to put energy into them.  I prefer the word "concern." Helps me stay away from the slippery slope of again becoming fear-based.

Life comes with no guarantees, but I refuse to live in fear.

Carpe diem...seize the day
Peace be the journey...

Out Of The Closet And Into The Insecure Writer's Support Group

Hello, my name is Terry Lee and very glad to become a member of the Insecure Writer's Support Group thanks to S. L. Hennessey. At the age of 60 (2012) I had my first novel published, Saving Gracie, followed the next year by book #2, Partly Sunny. Marketing, of which I have no experience, is such a big part of having a book out there. My insecurities come roaring over the top of my computer when I spend so much time marketing instead of writing or joining author’s groups only to find they are worlds ahead of me in my endeavors (or at least that’s what my critical self says).

My goal is to devote 15 hours per week to writing, write a blog post twice a month and keep my head to the grindstone. Also, am having issues with getting my blog out there, so…..I believe I’m in the right place. Glad to be here!