Today’s post is part of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, a blog hop where insecure writers like myself can share our worries and offer advice and encouragement. Click here to find out more about IWSG and see a list of participating blogs.
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So I guess my 2017 is going to be all about trying new things and taking bigger and bigger risks. Already, some of these new things have fallen apart. Others are proceeding at a frustratingly slow pace. But some stuff is working, and working out quite well, if I do say so myself.
Welcome to a Universe of Possibilities!
I recently became a contributor for Universe of Possibilities, the new Sci-Fi hub started by blogger extraordinaire Simon Farnell. My first Universe of Possibilities post went live last week. It’s called “Why Sci-Fi?”
That post ended up being a huge emotional risk for me. It was originally intended to be a simple little article about why I became interested in science fiction and what science fiction means to me. But it ended up turning into something deeply personal. Something kind of painful to write.
I had doubts about sharing such a personal story on the Internet. But after talking it over with some friends plus doing a lot of late night soul searching, I realized that this is who I am. I’m the kind of writer who writes with his heart on his sleeve.
What’s My Next Big Risk?
Now I’m taking another risk. I almost chickened out for like the third or fourth year in a row, but I’m finally doing it. I’m doing the A to Z Challenge, and… wait a minute. There are how many letters in the alphabet?
Oh jeez… umm… sorry, I need to get back to writing my A to Z posts!!!
P.S.: Click here for my A to Z Challenge theme reveal, and click here for today’s A to Z post on dinosaurs.
Planet Pailly 
Writing without revealing ourselves seems very hard. I know I picked up a lot about the personalities of writers like Isaac Asimov, Jack Vance, Arthur C Clarke, and J.R.R. Tolkien from their various works, whether they meant to reveal it or not.
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I know what you mean. There are recurring themes in my own writing that I never intended to put there, and I never knew I was doing it until friends started pointing it out. Still, with “Why Sci-Fi?” I made a deliberate choice to write about a very personal subject, and that was something new for me.
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Hey, J.S. It’s nice to touch base with you again. I’ve been traveling a whole lot, and my blog visiting and posting has suffered. I like writers who write with their hearts on their sleeves, because their writing is full of heart. It’s definitely risking putting your heart on display, but I also think writing has to have heart or why bother reading it. Good luck with your A-Z this month. I haven’t worked up the courage yet! Take care!
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I bet that post was wonderful because it was personal. I’m going to go read it next. Cheering you on. Stepping out of your comfort zone is very brave. Wishing you a joyful and plentiful pay off from putting yourself out there.
https://universeofpossibility.wordpress.com/2017/03/30/why-sci-fi/
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Thanks. As hard as it was to write, seeing it finished and posted has been a very rewarding experience for me, and I really appreciate the positive response it’s been getting so far.
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Hey, without risks, there’s no reward. Glad you took the leap. I’ll have to go over and check out the SciFi hub.
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You’re right: no risk, no reward. It’s been a valuable lesson for me.
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Best of luck with the challenge.
I really like what you’ve said about writing the deeply personal and how painful it was. I feel like writing demands that, at least interesting writing does. If it doesn’t hurt, demand something of you emotionally, I’m not sure its worth the time.
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You may be right about that.
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