The Insecure Writer's Support Group
Join us on the first Wednesday of each month in Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group--a forum of writers who gather to talk about writing and the writer's life. For a complete list of participants visit Alex's Blog.
The co-hosts for the May 6 posting of the IWSG are Jenni Enzor, Jemima Pett, Jamie of Uniquely Maladjusted but Fun, and Kim Lajevardi.
May 6 question - What was the most inspiring feedback you received from readers, including agents, editors, and beta readers?
Prior to my starting a blog, any readership I ever had was extremely limited so this month's question doesn't apply that much to me. From the start of my blogging just getting some readers and a few comments was fairly satisfying to me. It was really never enough to satisfy any writer's ego, but it was nice that someone had read what I wrote and even responded to it on occasion.
I guess the best recognition that I've received as a writer who started a blog was the ongoing yearly A to Z Challenge event. It doesn't say much about my actual writing, but it has been a recognition. I That being said I'll defer the rest of this post to my Reflection on the recent 2026 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge.
To paraphrase Frank Sinatra, "It was a pretty good year" for me and the Challenge. I didn't really do much. I give the biggest credit to the A to Z Team --Thanks to All of you! I managed a post every day even though they were a bit haphazard and truncated. At least I finished. Congratulations to every one who managed to get to the end successfully and hopefully see you next year!
Congrats on getting the A-Z done again. People who can commit to and complete writing challenges like this inspire me.
ReplyDeleteThe Challenge team was very excited about it this year. A good team is the secret.
ReplyDeleteAlex, thank goodness for the A to Z Team! If they were waiting on me to do something, not much would happen.
DeleteLee
The A to Z Challenge has been around for so long and that was all you.
ReplyDeleteL.Diane, started with me, but the A to Z Teams and the participants get the real credit in the end.
DeleteLee
Congrats on completing the A to Z Challenge! That's a huge commitment. I hadn't even thought of the comments I've received from blogging, but those have spurred me on many times as well.
ReplyDeleteThe A2Z is an impressive accomplishment! And yes, feedback on the blog counts. I'm glad to occasionally get comments there to reassure me that someone is reading.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes blogs count! Not to mention the fabulous AtoZ Challenge ;-) Congratulations for another successful year. And thanks, Lee. You may not remember but you got me hooked on blogging -- and music all those months (36?) ago. Happy summer of 2026!
ReplyDeleteI think the A to Z challenge is fabulous. Thank you for starting and running it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your honesty and openness in talking about the impact of writing challenges and being part of a writing challenge. Works for me too! At least, most of the time. Not this April though. Please keep writing!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat’s such a warm and humble wrap-up 🎨🙂 I really like how you framed it with gratitude and a bit of humor—especially acknowledging the A to Z Team and everyone who made it through to the finish line. Even if you felt your posts were a bit rushed at times, showing up consistently is still a real accomplishment in itself.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the Sinatra nod—it gives the whole reflection a nostalgic, celebratory tone. Definitely sounds like a “mission accomplished” kind of year for the Challenge!
That’s such a thoughtful and gracious reflection 🎨🙂 I really like how you focused on the community side of the Challenge and gave credit to the A to Z Team while still acknowledging your own effort in getting all the way through. Even when posts feel a bit uneven in the moment, consistency is no small thing, and finishing the full run is something to be proud of. It has a nice sense of closure and appreciation running through it.
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful to you for creating the challenge. You did a LOT over the years. You created a blogging community. Not just a hop, but a real community. Sure, people have come and gone, just like any other community in the world. But the core, the heart, that's still here.
ReplyDelete“Think before you speak. Read before you think.” — Fran Lebowitz
J (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) @JLenniDorner ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author and Co-host of the April Blogging #AtoZChallenge international blog hop