Wednesday, December 7, 2011

The Insecure Writer's Support Group

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh. We post on the first Wednesday of the month. To join or to read other post go here.

Last month I shared my greatest insecurity. It has followed me throughout my life in everything I have attempted to do. To read it go here.

This month I will share how to overcome your insecurities. How I overcame mine and still must struggle against it to overcome every time I sit down to write.

Perseverance.

I first learned about perseverance when I was a child. Because I struggled to learn how to read due to being switched from my left hand to my right hand, the result of the whole learning system in schools which resulted in my mother teaching me to read using phonics. However, I was already in the 3rd grade. I faced a long and difficult journey. Libraries were not my favorite place. I didn't have a collection of books I couldn't wait to read. All because I couldn't read. Every night my mother read to me and at the top of the list was, The Little Engine That Could, byWatty Piper and Lauren Davis.

What is the message in this childrens book? It is perseverance. The Little Engine was smaller than the other engines and was entrusted with delivering toys to a town over a hill for the good little girls and boys. The hill was steep, and the Little Engine struggled up the hill. All during that struggle the engine said, "I think I can, I think I can." Once it reached the top of the hill the engine proclaimed, "I thought I could."

When I struggled with the sounds of words and then piecing them together my mother would say to me. "I think I can." By the 4th grade I was reading.

In 6th grade we studied the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln. I learned that he had failed at everything he attempted to do in life until he found his passion. Abraham Lincoln suffered from depression. I suffer from depression. He overcame debilitating depression while he kept this country together. My depression is not as severe. St. John's wort seems to do the trick. I think I can overcome to write my stories.

Whether we have real people or fictional characters as our heroes, it is important to own what lessons are of value. Perseverance is one lesson that all of us can embrace and practice. So go out there and follow your dream.


I hope this is an encouragement to all of you.
Nancy

21 comments:

Mel Chesley said...

Excellent post and a great reminder. Thanks for sharing this!

N. R. Williams said...

Hi Cass, you're welcome.
Nancy

Anonymous said...

We can learn a lot about the characters we read and write about, fictional and real. I love the life of Abraham Lincoln. Very inspiring!

N. R. Williams said...

Me too. Thanks for stopping by Stephen.
Nancy

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

We'll never make it if we give up.
Lincoln's story is amazing. He failed at almost everything in life, and yet he was one of our greatest presidents and succeeded when it mattered most.

S. L. Hennessy said...

This was truly an amazing post. Maybe my favorite so far today. Lincoln and The Little Engine - two amazing heroes for us to look up to. It always makes me feel better to think about my idols struggling as I've been struggling. Makes me think there's a light at the end of the tunnel...somewhere. Thanks for writing this.

J.B. Chicoine said...

Perseverance is a biggie--the sooner we learn it the farther we go. Unfortunately, sometimes it comes later in life. Even now, I have to remind myself to keep moving ahead and don't look down!

Nas said...

Great post and a good reminder. Thanks for sharing this!

N. R. Williams said...

Lincoln does amaze Alex.

Hi S. L.
Yes, when we compare our attempts to those who have triumphed we can learn patience and success.

J. B.
I must remind myself to preserve all the time as well.

Thank you Nas.

Thank you everyone for coming by and leaving a comment.
Nancy

Jacqueline Howett said...

I had to be a speaker once at school, reading on the life of Abraham Lincoln. My knees shook all the way through it.

Thanks for sharing your story, and for being so honest. And you also must continue to dream!

I seem to be dwelling on new perspectives lately that bring courage.

N. R. Williams said...

Hi Jacqueline
Dreams are so important and it takes courage to see them through. Thanks for stopping by.
Nancy

Golden Eagle said...

Perseverance--great post!

Denise Covey said...

Hi Nancy. What a great post. It must have been such a struggle learning to read but you were blessed with a loving mum/mom. I'm glad you make it. I love thst story too, and I'll be going "I think I can, I think I can. I know I can" all day!

Just letting you know you're RFWers Featured Writer this week!

Denise

dolorah said...

You have overcome a lot to get so far. Bravo. This post was certainly encouraging.

Oh and look: congratulations on being the featured writer. I aadored your story :)

.....dhole

Pat Tillett said...

Hi there! That was both thought provoking and inspirational. Look at you now! I haven't stopped in for a while. I hope you are doing well...

N. R. Williams said...

Thanks golden.

Hi Denise.
I am honored. It seems even sickness can't keep the writer in me down.

Hi Donna,
Thanks for the compliment and the comments. They mean a lot to me.

Oh ho Pat, nice to see you. I'm glad my post was inspiring.

Thank you all for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Nancy

LTM said...

It IS an encouragement! Thank you so much, Nancy! I didn't know that about Lincoln, but it's nice to hear that in the face of sadness, you can do so much good if you just will persevere. Just keep swimming~ :o) <3

N. R. Williams said...

Hi Leigh
I'm glad my post was informative. Thanks for stopping by.
Nancy

Not So Simply Single said...

Thanks Nancy! You are always an inspiration...

However, why would you go to the insecure writers blog? YOU are FABULOUS!

Lisa

Romance Reader said...

Great post and reminder, thanks!

N. R. Williams said...

How sweet of you Lisa, thanks.

Glad you enjoyed it Romance.

Thank you bot for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Nancy