Insecure Writers Support Group: 2/13 Edition

Hello, fellow Insecurists. I hope this month finds you all well. Thank you, Alexi, for inventing and hosting this monthly shindig that has become my most favorite thing in the blogosphere.

Here are my not-so-deep thoughts for this month: I think because writing consumes so much of our waking hours and because we pour so much of our souls into it, it often feels like writing is our lives. So when we suffer a setback in our writing, like  a seemingly insurmountable plot issue, yet another rejection, or sinking Amazon rankings, it feels like everything is bad.

Well guess what---writing is not your life. Writing is a gift you've been given, and I don't know its purpose in your life, or mine either, but I do know that you've also been given a host of other talents and blessings. Don't minimize these other wonderful things by letting a writing setback cast a cloud over them too. Instead, when the writing gets you down, chuck it aside for a bit and take joy in these other things.

My challenge to you is this: think of one totally non-writing related thing you've already accomplished this month and celebrate it. Doesn't have to be fancy. For example, my accomplishment is that I used my mad vacation-planning skillz to find the cheapest, most sensible airline fare from Chicago to London and helped my parents book tickets to visit my sister across the pond this spring. They do so, so much for me, so it always feels great to finally be able to do something for them, even such a small thing. Okay, your turn.

Here's some listening music whilst you think. Sing it to yourself.
Because it's awesome. And so are you.
(is restricted for playback, so click the link to YouTube)

Speaking of celebrating---Visit the Omnific Publishing Blog to see how they're celebrating the company's 3 Year Anniversary. Loaded Kindle giveaways, a book sale (including Three Daves, woohoo!) and it all starts on Valentine's Day. You can bet I'll be posting all about it here next week.