This post was written in response to the Insecure Writer’s Support Group monthly (first Wednesday of every month) blog hop to where writers express thoughts, doubts and concerns about our profession. By the way, all writers are invited to join in!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world! Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG
February 3 question – Blogging is often more than just sharing stories. It’s often the start of special friendships and relationships. Have you made any friends through the blogosphere?
When I started blogging in November 2013, I had no idea what I was doing! I had heard of blogs, of course, and I’d probably read some blog posts, but I’d never even thought of starting one.
An online writer friend I met through Goodreads told me every writer should have a blog, so I started looking into what blogs actually were and decided to give it a go, and I’m really glad I did.
Blogging and interacting with other bloggers has helped me improve and develop my writing career by improving my craft through writing blog posts and creative flash fiction, showcasing my writing and sharing opinions and work with other readers and writers. It has given me a window to the world and a direct connection to other readers, writers and bloggers.
I’ve met a lot of bloggers along the way, and there are a few who I consider my ‘blogging friends’. But first I’d like to briefly reflect on the term ‘Blogging friend’. What is a blogging friend?
My blogging friends share many characteristics of the friends I see face to face. They are both supportive and friendly, which means I can ask them for help and advice on the topics that brought us together, in my case, mainly books and writing. We often share other personal opinions and some aspects of our private lives, too. We regularly read and comment on our posts and our projects. I feel as if I know them, so if I ever physically met them, I’m sure we’d chat away about our common passion and everything else we could think of!
The only thing blogging friendships lack is physical interaction and after this epidemic, when 95% of the contact I have with friends and family is online or on my phone, I’d say physical contact is overrated!
Sue Vincent: A Very Special Blogger
Talking about blogging friends, I’d like to introduce you to a very special blogging friend, who she has thousands of followers and blogging friends and is well-loved by many bloggers: Sue Vincent.
I ‘met’ Sue in 2017 when I first took part in her weekly photo prompt challenge on her blog called #Writephoto.
#Writephoto is a great challenge because there is no word or genre limit, just a picture prompt to take you wherever your thoughts go!
Sue is a very supportive host who comments on all entries and reblogs as many as she can every week.
She has three Websites where she shares her poems (And I love her #midnighthaiku) flash fiction, short stories, guest posts, poetry, books, etc.:
Sue is struggling with a serious illness at present read more about that here, so she could do with love and support from the blogging community to which she has contributed so much over the years.
Charli Mills’ Carrot Ranch Literary Community, another supportive online writing and blogging community, is organising The Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic, including a Flash Fiction Event to celebrate and support Sue. Read all about it in H. R. R. Gorman’s post on behalf of the Rodeo Organization Team and take part.
Find out more about Sue here
Finally I’d like to share a poem I wrote this morning. Hoping you all have a wonderful Wednesday.
Rereading Jane Eyre 
Thank you, Lucy,
The internet has grown up a lot since its early days and we have adapted, developing almost a ‘sixth sense’ about the people we meet online. The blogging community, the friendships we make here, are just as real as the ones we have in person… just with fewer physical bear hugs 🙂 Having said that… the virtual ‘hugs’ offered by the community to those who need them are incredible… as I can attest right now ❤
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Thanks for sharing! The rodeo is a great way for “insecure” writers to submit an entry without much pressure. The first submissions to contests or anthologies are the hardest!
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Yes, it is! I’m sure you’ll get lots of entries. I love writing flash fiction. Making every word count has helped me self edit my longer work.
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Yes, Sue. I see what you mean the sixth sense. It’s like when meet people in person, you instantly get a glimpse of their personality. The blogging community needs people like you and Charli and groups like #IWSG to help us meet and create blogging communities. I never feel lonely as a blogger or a writer because there’s always a post to read or comment on. Thank you, Sue for making it possible💖🤩
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I did not know you were part of the IWSG. 🙂 Happy to see you! I’ve been meaning to join this group for years. Yup, years. I kept putting it off for one reason or another. When I saw the prompt for this month, I decided to sign up and type a post. So, not the best start but it’s done. And I’m officially in the IWSG.
Great post and perfect tie-in to Sue’s rodeo. So happy to have met you, Luccia. 💖
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Hi Sarah! I’m happy to have met you too! I’ve been taking part in #IWSG on and off for years. It’s a supportive group, too, and there’s lots of inspiration and motivation on their webpage. There aren’t that many writers I regularly interact with taking part. I have no idea why.
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