Tuesday, September 2, 2014

IWSG: So, you're a poet now?


                                                                 
Now that it's the third anniversary of the Insecure Writer's Support Group,  I finally feel like I belong here. Yes, I've always been insecure, but with the publication of our new anthology, Old Broads Waxing Poetic, I officially consider myself a writer. Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh  for all of your support, and congratulations on leading this inspirational group for three incredible years. You can visit the other talented IWSG members here.

When I told my friend about our poetry book she replied, "So, you're a poet now?" Well, the jury is still out, but I do feel confident that I've surrounded myself with seven sensational poets. Since we are constantly being judged by the company we keep, my poems have been given a chance to shine among shooting stars.

It's also been a tremendous learning experience. This has enabled me to go behind the scenes in the world of self-publishing. Though I was always the last to be picked in gym class, this was a true group effort, and I owe it all to this hard-working team.

To celebrate our book launch on Friday September 5th, we're inviting bloggers to enter to win a copy of Old Broads Waxing Poetic by writing about their Favorite Old Broads in the comments section of our blogs. I hope to see you on Friday for the cover reveal, details about our broad spectrum of writers, and easy-breezy contest rules.

Though I'm still insecure about my writing, thanks to my three years of therapy with the IWSG, and wonderful experience with Old Broads, I have graduated from a tricycle to a big girl bike. Nonetheless, I'm not quite ready to take the training wheels off, just yet.


34 comments:

  1. I'm trying to remember some of the old broads I've encountered. There was a gypsy woman whose urine I turned blue after she tried to hex me, but she wasn't a favourite by any means. Anyway, congratulations on your book of poems. I like poems that I can recite like a spell!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Congratulations on the anthology!
    In time, you'll graduate from big girl bike to superbike status...
    Old Broads Waxing Poetic? I LOVE that title. I'm really looking forward to reading the poems!
    (As a matter of interest, poetry was my 1st love, but has since been ousted by flash fiction)
    Happy IWSG Day!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Gorilla - I played the wicked Queen in Snow White in high school, and remember reciting a spell which made Witch Hex appear! I never made anyone's urine turn blue though! Thanks Gorilla!

    Michelle - Susan Flett Swiderski helped me come up with the title. I started with Old Broads, and she added "Waxing Poetic!" I always said that there was a special rhythm to your Five Sentence Fiction. Once a poet, always a poet! Hope you'll come back on Friday! Thanks Michelle!

    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  4. Congratulations, Julie. Susan wrote about this book a few weeks ago and I have been looking forward to its publication.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Congrats on your anthology! I always admire people who can write poetry. It takes such talent to say so much in so few words.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Congratulations on the anthology! It's really great to hear good news. Happy for you! New follower here, by the way.

    ReplyDelete
  7. You don't need those training wheels. You are already flying!

    ReplyDelete
  8. You can sure be a poet, even if you didn't know it haha

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is wonderful news Julie. Congrats to you, and I'm sure your poems are fabulous.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'll be back on Friday to check out the cover! Now go take off those training wheels :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I think you have a very real gift for storytelling. I wish you could watch me laugh as I read so many of your posts. That, my friend, is a Writer. So, ditch the training wheels and just be who you are!

    ReplyDelete
  12. You're a poet and your friend didn't know it! Sorry, couldn't resist. Congrats on your poetry book. That's awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I read about it on Liza's blog - congratulations!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. You don't need any training wheels! You're already flying. Congrats for Friday!

    ReplyDelete
  15. You are a writer, poet, publisher, etc. You have lots of friends in the writing community. No insecurity - you are kicking butt

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne - We couldn't have done it without you! Thanks to your beautiful poetry, and fantastic formatting skills, we're off and running! You never let anything stand in your way, including flash floods! Thanks again for everything!

      Julie

      Delete
  16. Arleen - You should write a mini-version of the wonderful story about your mom for Friday's contest! Thanks so much Arleen!

    Natalie - It's amazing how the Old Broads make it look so easy! Thanks Natalie!

    Sittiecates - Thanks for the kind words, and for following me! I'll head over to your place later!

    Liza - Thank you, and I really enjoyed your post about Old Broads today! It was a pleasure working with you on the book!

    Pat - Thank you Master Poet!

    Miranda - There's a little bit of everything in the book, and I'm glad to be a part of it! Thanks Miranda!

    Carol - Looking forward to seeing you on Friday! Thanks Carol!

    Robin - I can't begin to tell you how much this means to me! You always make my day, and I'm so grateful that we met! As Liza pointed out, if it weren't for you, Robyn would've never seen her first poem for Old Broads! Thank you, thank you, thank you, dear Robin!

    Stephanie - Thank you so much! We're all excited about it!

    Alex - Thanks for bringing us all together through the IWSG! Happy 3rd anniversary, Alex!

    Nick - It seems like only yesterday when you published Overcoming Adversity! I can't believe how quickly and professionally you pulled it all together. I am very proud to be a part of your anthology Thanks for everything, Nick!

    Julie






    ReplyDelete
  17. Now I know what Susan was on about with her Old Broads comment! I never guessed. This is so wonderful, Julie!! Congratulations! I know the poems will be fantastic.
    But for the record I would never think of you or Susan (or the other ladies involved, no doubt) as old broads!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Woot, woot! Friday? My goodness, how exciting! I'm not going to be around that day, but I am SO looking forward to seeing your work. Yay!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Well, we've just about made it to the finish line, kiddo. We may not be running very fast, but we're still moving. Here's to all the things we learned together. (Salut!)

    (Fun post!)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Take all the time you need with your training wheels. Congratulations on getting published.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Congratulations on the publication. Literary stardom surely awaits around the bend. Well, it sounds good at least.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
  22. Congratulations on your publication. There is nothing like being published (so I hear, LOL) to heighten your security. I'm still feeling very insecure, almost to the point of giving up. I'm glad today is the day for such a post. I intend to write about it tonight. I look forward to reading your work. Don't you just love it when people say things like, "oh you're a poet now," or "oh, you're a writer now," once you become published. It's as if our non writing friends don't even recognize that we are writers and poets long before the book is finally published. Drives me nuts! Congrats again. Enjoy the feeling. You worked hard for it,

    ReplyDelete
  23. Julie - Remember when we were kids, and we thought everyone over 40 was old? Now 90 is the new 70, but we still thought the title was catchy! Thanks Julie!

    Crystal - The contest will be running all week, so you can still pop in when you have time. Thanks Crystal!

    Susan - Thanks for being the best partner, mentor, seeing eye dog, life coach, negotiator, and shrink! Oh, and your poems were terrific too!

    MRR - I really appreciate your advice! Thank you!

    Lee - I truly developed my love for poetry during my first A to Z in 2011. Thanks for the kind words, and for inspiring me, Lee! Oh, and " literary stardom" will be waiting a very long time for me!

    Melissa - You should publish an essay, short story or poem in an anthology. It's a great way to get started, and there are so many that raise money for charities. Thank you, and good luck to you!

    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'm so excited about Old Broads and grateful to have been included. I can't wait to see the finished anthology. :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Favorite old broad? Sounds like winner. Congrats on your book.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Julie, you were always a poet. Congrats on the new book. Exciting stuff. As for your title, I just had no business cards printed, with no title. Now I can be what ever I want . . . who knows maybe one day a poet (but I doubt it).

    ReplyDelete
  27. Daisy - It's been fun laughing and crying through your lovely poems with you! I'm so glad that you decided to become an Old Broad!

    Susan - Everyone has had a Favorite Old Broad in their lives. It could even be a Broad you love to hate! Thanks Susan!

    Rhonda - Actually, you were the one who led me to A to Z where I decided to try my hand at poetry. You would make a great globe trotting poet! Thanks for cheering me on!

    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi, Julie,

    Of course you are a writer!!! Those training wheels we off decades ago.... YAY for Broads! I know it will be a success. You are all a very talented group of ladies...Looking forward to Friday! I'll be posting too!

    We have to have that lunch downtown very soon. The weather has been glorious lately...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael - I would love to have lunch with you soon! Thanks for being such a huge help to us with the amazing cover, and I can't wait for everyone to see it! Looking forward to your post on Friday!

      Julie

      Delete
  29. Hi Julie - the title is definitely catchy and what a great combination to come up with - then I see from Michael's comment there's some more blogger help around .. that's fantastic ... and so clever to keep it so quiet ..

    Well tomorrow's Friday and if I can get on line - I'll be back .. cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  30. Insecure or not, you did an amazing job from start to finish, Julie. A lot of that was about your craft, and a lot of it was about your diplomacy and people skills. You and Susan are a dynamic duo on both fronts. I hope you're practicing your autograph, dear friend. Congratulations on your first book publication. I'm very excited for you! You're just getting started! xo

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hilary - There are eight wonderful Old Broads, and Susan calls Michael our "honorary Old Broad!" Hope to see you tomorrow, but no worries, the contest is running all week long. Thanks Hilary!

    Robyn - You always say the nicest things! I'm so happy that you're a part of this even though you're our youngest Old Broad! In addition to your fabulous poems, you also helped recruit some of our finest talent! Thank YOU Robyn!

    Julie

    ReplyDelete