I: Insecure Writers Guide to Publishing and Beyond

My theme for the A to Z Blogging Challenge this year is a mishmash of books, movies, writers and TV shows that have in one way or another taught me something about writing and helped me be a better writer. Some inspired my own stories and a few taught me what not to do. Each post is a one minute lesson on writing. And take a moment to stop over at the IWSG blog for some April inspiration.

I feel very privileged to be a co-host of the IWSG blog. I've been part of this monthly posting group started by Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Ninja Captain, since the start. Last year, Alex had the idea to put together a nonfiction book that would be compilation of posts by the groups' members. Out of his idea and lots of hours of work by my fellow co-hosts, the writing book, The Insecure Writer's Support Group Guide to Publishing and Beyond. Inside this FREE book, you find not only inspirational support but also a section on the

craft of writing and publishing, and a section on marketing and promotion. How do you write a blurb or a query? How do you make a header for your blog? What are some ways to promote that you haven't tried yet? And did I say it's FREE? The reviews are overwhelmingly positive. I learned so much in the making of this book and also refer to parts of it where I found out to do some things I previously had thought too complicated or time consuming to try.

Lesson: Nearly every writer had learned something valuable to be shared with others. Some of the people you meet and make friends with blogging, are actually experts in some areas. If you belong to a thriving and growing community like IWSG and you have a question, someone in that group will know the answer. Never pass up a free reference book.

"Creative activity can be described as a type of learning process where teacher and pupil are located in the same individual." Arthur Koestler

"I am not young enough to know everything." Oscar Wilde

Are you a member of IWSG? Do you take advantage of free reference books? Do you have an online community you can go to with questions? Do you remember being young enough to know everything?