Blog Schedule

I post on Monday with an occasional random blog thrown in for good measure. I do my best to answer all comments via email and visit around on the days I post.

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Insecure Writer's Support Group

Posting first Wednesday of every month YOU can sign up HERE to find out more about the purpose of the Insecure Writer's Support Group, the brainchild of Alex Cavanaugh.

In an effort to keep these posts short and sweet, I'll be sharing an appropriate quote. 
***
"NeilGaimanNov04". Licensed
under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.
Today's quote is from Neil Gaiman and it's for those of us who can't seem to get our thoughts down on paper.

"Write the ideas down. If they are going to be stories, try and tell the stories you would like to read. Finish the things you start to write. Do it a lot and you will be a writer. The only to way to do it is to do it."

Can it really be as simple as that? Yes.

 Today I'm co-hosting IWSG, so I'd best be off to visit! Come follow me HERE and we can visit together. My awesome co-hosts for the August 5 posting of the IWSG will be Nancy Gideon, Bob R Milne, Doreen McGettigan, Chrys Fey, and Pat Garcia! 

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60 comments:

  1. Angela WooldridgeAugust 5, 2015 at 4:51 AM

    So true, faff around and procrastinate all you like, but until you've got something to sell... (and that's what I keep telling myself before I get side tracked by the next thing...)

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  2. UnknownAugust 5, 2015 at 6:10 AM

    I think it IS as simple as that. I've fallen off the "do it" wagon recently, but I'm struggling back on again. Perseverance is key. (So I keep telling myself.)

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  3. PatsyAugust 5, 2015 at 6:18 AM

    What an excellent quote! I too think it is as simple as that - though of course simple and easy aren't quite the same thing, so we do need to put in some thought and time.

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  4. Alex J. CavanaughAugust 5, 2015 at 6:27 AM

    I've always written the stories I wanted to read.
    Thanks again for co-hosting today!

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  5. MelissaAugust 5, 2015 at 6:32 AM

    Very appropriate quote. Sometimes we make it harder than it needs to be.

    Thanks for co-hosting. :)
    IWSG #119 until Alex culls the list again.

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  6. Natalie AguirreAugust 5, 2015 at 6:37 AM

    That's great advice, and not just for writing. Enjoy being co-host.

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  7. Pat GarciaAugust 5, 2015 at 6:38 AM

    Hi,
    I like your article. Yes writing can be as simple as that. We just have to do it.
    Shalom,
    Pat Garcia

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  8. Melodie CampbellAugust 5, 2015 at 7:16 AM

    Perfect quote. My theory is: I write the books I wish someone else would write so I could read them.
    Nice to meet you!

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  9. Diane BurtonAugust 5, 2015 at 7:26 AM

    Great advice from Neil. He is so on target. Thanks for co-hosting this month.

    Diane IWSG #95

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  10. L. Diane WolfeAugust 5, 2015 at 7:56 AM

    It's really that simple.

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  11. Christine RainsAugust 5, 2015 at 7:58 AM

    Neil is so wise. :) Thank you for co-hosting today!

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  12. Crystal CollierAugust 5, 2015 at 8:19 AM

    Totally. I hear from people all the time who are aspiring and want advice. It really just comes down to practice.

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  13. Joylene Nowell ButlerAugust 5, 2015 at 8:49 AM

    I once had a young fellow tell me he wanted to write a book and was wondering how to go about it. Haha, no I was unable to answer. Supplied him with a pageload of links and said basically the same thing as Neil. Didn't look near as striking while telling him though. Thanks for co-hosting, Bish! You rock.

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  14. Tamara NarayanAugust 5, 2015 at 9:06 AM

    Great quote. Now I just need to shake off this cold so I can do it.

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  15. LidyAugust 5, 2015 at 9:34 AM

    Great quote. I often forget it's really that simple. It's just that I can get easily distracted. Thanks for sharing and co-hosting today.

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  16. Kai Strand, AuthorAugust 5, 2015 at 10:12 AM

    "The only to way to do it is to do it." <-- Best part of the quote!

    Thanks for hosting this month.

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  17. TBMAugust 5, 2015 at 10:19 AM

    Well, gosh, he makes it sound so simple ;)

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  18. Jennifer HawesAugust 5, 2015 at 10:23 AM

    I'm pretty sure this is why I became a writer: to tell the stories I'd like to read!! It keeps me going everyday:)

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  19. Jacqui Murray--Writer-TeacherAugust 5, 2015 at 10:26 AM

    I love it when it's simple. Wonderful quote.

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  20. Susan Gourley/KelleyAugust 5, 2015 at 10:37 AM

    Perfect advice though not always so easy to accomplish.
    Susan Says

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  21. cleemckenzieAugust 5, 2015 at 11:12 AM

    It's often the simplest plans that are the hardest to execute!

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  22. AnonymousAugust 5, 2015 at 12:19 PM

    I suppose it IS that simple. I love Neil Gaiman. He's seriously so awesome :)

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  23. Dean K MillerAugust 5, 2015 at 12:23 PM

    How else can it be? The ideas are there, talking to us, prodding us to action. If we don't, the ideas die. Keeping it simple creates the canvas that others admire as complex. Thanks for co-hosting this month!

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  24. Toi ThomasAugust 5, 2015 at 1:03 PM

    Thanks for co-hosting today...
    Good quote; simple and sweet...Now let's go do it.

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  25. Cherie ColyerAugust 5, 2015 at 1:31 PM

    Great quote. Thanks for co-hosting.

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  26. Zan MarieAugust 5, 2015 at 1:34 PM

    Great quote, Bish! Thanks for dropping in at The Shade. ;-)

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  27. Chemist KenAugust 5, 2015 at 1:36 PM

    It's easy to just play around at writing. It's only when we take it seriously that we become writers. thanks for co-hosting this month's IWSG.

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  28. Olga GodimAugust 5, 2015 at 1:37 PM

    Wonderful quote and so true.

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  29. SpacerGuyAugust 5, 2015 at 1:59 PM

    Simple is best, get it written and make it so!

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  30. Nick WilfordAugust 5, 2015 at 2:03 PM

    He gets straight to the point! Finishing in particular can be hard, but we need to knuckle down and do it or we don't have a story.

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  31. Sharon HimslAugust 5, 2015 at 2:08 PM

    Excellent advice. Why write something you wouldn't want to read yourself? Thank you for co-hosting!

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  32. Loni TownsendAugust 5, 2015 at 2:27 PM

    Being a writer is simple! It's just not easy. :D

    Thanks for co-hosting!

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  33. Megan MorganAugust 5, 2015 at 3:36 PM

    Great quote! It takes a lot of hard work, for sure.

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  34. M PaxAugust 5, 2015 at 3:47 PM

    It does sound so simple. A good thing to read when blocked or feeling overwhelmed.

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  35. Bish DenhamAugust 5, 2015 at 3:58 PM

    Thanks EVERYONE who has stopped by. Being a host today has really been eye-opening and very enjoyable. I might even do it again some day!

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  36. Chrys FeyAugust 5, 2015 at 4:13 PM

    "The only way to do it is to do it." Best advice!

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  37. Juneta keyAugust 5, 2015 at 4:52 PM

    Great quote. Neil Gaiman is one of my favorite authors too. Thanks for being a host,
    Juneta @ Writer's Gambit

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  38. Haneen IbrahimAugust 5, 2015 at 4:59 PM

    definitely, following this had me finishing my four years old ever first manuscript.

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  39. Heather M. GardnerAugust 5, 2015 at 5:37 PM

    Now that is pure truth.
    Great post.
    Thank you for being a co-host!
    Heather M. Gardner

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  40. Doreen McGettiganAugust 5, 2015 at 6:01 PM

    It really is that simple but oh my, why do we make it so hard. Summer has me a bit lazy with my writing. Not the best excuse but it is what I have.

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  41. ELAdamsAugust 5, 2015 at 6:05 PM

    Awesome quote! Neil Gaiman's writing advice is spot-on. Thanks for co-hosting!

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  42. J.Q. RoseAugust 5, 2015 at 6:38 PM

    It's simple. Apply butt glue and you have to stay in your seat and write. That's all. Great post. Thanks for co hosting!

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  43. AnonymousAugust 5, 2015 at 7:09 PM

    Great philosophy. It's important to start on something. What I have down is either practice or future things to rewrite or it turns into something that's publishable in the near future.

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  44. Cathrina ConstantineAugust 5, 2015 at 7:22 PM

    Wow, it sounds simple for such an accomplished author!!

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  45. C.D. Gallant-KingAugust 5, 2015 at 10:06 PM

    Oh, Neil, looking sexy and giving good advice at the same time. Some guys get all the gifts.

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  46. Shannon LawrenceAugust 5, 2015 at 10:15 PM

    Of course, it sounds simple... But yes, it's the only way. Get it in gear, write, write, write. Finish. Thank you for co-hosting!

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  47. kimlajevardi.comAugust 5, 2015 at 10:23 PM

    He is right, but definitely not easy.

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  48. kimlajevardi.comAugust 5, 2015 at 10:23 PM

    He is right, but definitely not easy.

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  49. SittieCatesAugust 6, 2015 at 12:21 AM

    Neil Gaiman's correct. Simple yet direct. :-)

    Thanks for co-hosting!

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  50. Michelle WallaceAugust 6, 2015 at 8:25 AM

    Do it.
    Short, simple and it packs a punch! (why do we complicate it?)
    Thank you for co-hosting the IWSG this month, Bish!

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  51. Nissa AnnakindtAugust 6, 2015 at 8:40 AM

    I love Neil Gaiman's writing advice. 'Write the ideas down'. My addition to that: 'Don't lose the papers or computer files with the ideas on them.'

    http;//myantimatterlife.wordpress.com

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  52. Bish DenhamAugust 6, 2015 at 8:57 AM

    I'm a bit overwhelmed! I don't think I've ever had this many people comment on my blog! Thanks everyone!

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  53. AnonymousAugust 6, 2015 at 12:43 PM

    I like that quote. I need to remember it when I get ideas in bed and think "I'll remember in the morning." LOL

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  54. Melissa AmateisAugust 6, 2015 at 3:46 PM

    This is so true. Writers must write. Steven Pressfield wrote a fantastic blog post today about that very thing. http://www.stevenpressfield.com/2015/08/the-artists-most-important-skill/

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  55. Donna McDineAugust 6, 2015 at 5:49 PM

    Words to live and write by!!! Thanks for co-hosting #IWSG!!

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  56. Shah WhartonAugust 7, 2015 at 6:15 AM

    Oh I do love a good quote! :)

    shahwharton.com

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  57. Misha GerrickAugust 7, 2015 at 7:25 AM

    I love Neil Gaiman's writing advice. It's all so sensible. :-D

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  58. DMSAugust 7, 2015 at 10:49 AM

    I love Neil and his writing advice. I try to remind myself to just sit and write and I can always make changes later to make the writing better. Sometimes just getting the ideas down gets the ideas flowing. :)
    ~Jess

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  59. ViolaFuryAugust 8, 2015 at 8:03 PM

    Bish, Thank you so much for the visit! Neil's advice is marvelous and simple. That is often the best. I've seen writers with pie charts and schedules but no output and that always makes me sad. I like simple. Playing music is bad enough, sometimes. Thanks again for the visit! Mary

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  60. ElizabethAugust 14, 2015 at 7:35 PM

    Great quote! If only I would get past the writing ideas down phase... Thanks for co-hosting and for the visit :)

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