December IWSG

7:30 AM Elizabeth Seckman 31 Comments

As a writer, what was one of the coolest/best gifts you ever received?

This month's optional question is fodder for a post I should've written a long time ago.

Years ago, after my youngest son headed off to school, I assumed I should return to work. My husband suggested I table that idea and instead take some time to write. It was something I always wanted to do, but only in that one day. lottery-wishful sort of way. By my husband's way of thinking, we were used to being broke, so why return to work now and get used to the extra income?

Sweet man said I'd spent the last seven years home with our boys; I deserved to do something for myself. Now, I know to a lot of people "staying-at-home" sounds so quaint and leisurely, but in truth, it meant no lunch breaks. (I worked out of the house until Boy #3 was a year old and I so very missed having a lunch break.) My "lunch breaks" usually consisted of eating everyone's else's PB&J crusts.

Great idea, but I couldn't.

Society expected me to return to work.

My husband suggested I treat writing like work.

Such a silly suggestion. A job comes with an office and a name on a plate on your door.

A few days later, my husband surprised me with a new desk, a swivel chair, and a plaque on the space formerly only known as the Danger Room (Read more about the Danger Room in last week's post, if you missed it.) .

A boost like that got me through the first five books :)

I've always been an insecure, procrastination-prone writer, but I have been blessed with a husband who has always been my biggest fan.

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! Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can't find you to comment back.

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the December3 posting of the IWSG are Tara Tyler, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Pat Garcia, Liza, and Natalie Aguirre!