The Insecure Writer's Support Group is a safe place for insecure
writers of all kinds.
I joined Twitter on Monday. I tried to follow as many
people as I could think of following, so if you're on Twitter, follow me and I'll
follow you back!
https://twitter.com/ChrysFey @ChrysFey
First, here’s the link to sign up to get the
guide yourself. CLICK
HERE.
Now read the email and be entertained:
A friendly kick in the butt:
You deserve one. You know that right?
I know, I know. It’s a little strange hearing that from me, a complete stranger.
But listen…
I saw you just grabbed one of our strategy guides.
Good for you. Smartest decision you ever made.
I have to level with you, though. Chances are, it’s not going to do you any good.
Why the hell not?
Because you’re probably not going to do anything with it.
You might give it a quick skim. Learn a thing or two.
If you’re really dedicated, you might even read it a few times. You know, give your mind a chance to chew on it a bit.
But then you’ll forget about it.
The phone will ring. You’ll have to go to a meeting. Your kids will make a mess.
Whatever. Bottom line is, you’ll get distracted.
Left to your own devices, you might even forget about all this for forever. Never accomplish anything at all.
“Now hold on a minute,” you might be thinking. “You’re being awfully negative. I just joined your email list, and you’re already calling me distracted and forgetful!”
Yep, I am.
Before you go getting indignant though, let me ask you a question…
How long have you been thinking about becoming a writer?
Months? Years? Decades?
How many websites about writing have you visited? How many articles have you read? How many books?
How many times have you downloaded a resource exactly like the one I gave you, but then you forgot about it and didn’t do a damn thing with it?
I bet it’s not the first time. Maybe not even the 100th time.
In fact, I’d guess you’ve been going through this routine your entire life.
Well, I have good news:
Today, I’m putting an end to it. Today, I’m going to snap you out of the vicious cycle. Today, I’m going to change your life.
How?
By sticking my foot up your ass. That’s how.
Other people might permit you to download their resources and forget about it. Other people might not care if you ever accomplish anything at all.
But I do.
You have too much potential. You have too much wisdom. You have too much to share with the world.
So, I’m kicking you in the butt. Right now.
Go on, bend over.
Stick your behind in the air.
Clench your teeth, and say a prayer. Because here it comes:
STOP SCREWING AROUND AND FOCUS.
STOP LETTING YOURSELF GET DISTRACTED.
STOP WASTING THE TALENT GOD GAVE YOU.
No more delays. No more excuses.
It’s time to write!
So, get to it!
Tomorrow, I’ll tell you a little story to keep you going when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Who knows, I might even give you another kick or two.
Until then, read the strategy guide I sent you.
No more screwing around. You don’t even want to know what happens if I catch you slacking off. :-)
Get to work. I’ll talk with you tomorrow.
Your new friend,
Jon
Jon doesn’t know me at all, because I always read and use the information that I download, but I could still use a kick in the butt. Couldn’t we all?
QUESTION: Did you need a kick in the butt to get writing?
That's a pretty creative way to draw in talent... well, did you bend over, grind your teeth and pray?
ReplyDeleteI have a twitter account, but don't use it hardly at all with the exception of following news. Have a great day!
Haha! No, I didn't. I didn't feel like he was talking to me because I am an author, published, and I always do what I set out to do. :D
DeleteI was curious and bite and got his kick in the butt... it might take a few more kicks to get me excited about writing for free :)
DeleteHaha! See? I wasn't lying! ;) I saved his first email because it was so epic. His daily emails might just be the kick you need.
DeleteHaha! That was great. I try to write/edit when the kids are sleeping or at school or when I lock myself in a closet. I love Twitter way more than facebook. I'll look you up:)
ReplyDeleteI'm starting to see why everyone loves Twitter more now.
DeleteJust what I needed today, Chrys (and Jon) - thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! :)
DeleteNow bend over - that was hilarious! He's right though.
ReplyDeleteHe is. So many people procrastinate.
DeleteI probably need several kicks in the butt.
ReplyDeleteAnd hooray for Twitter!!
That'll give you an aching tushy. lol
DeleteI loved Jon's message. We writers often need that hard kick in the butt ;)
ReplyDeleteWe sometimes do.
Deletelol I got enough cushion on my butt to withstand a kick. Do I need one? Hmm, depends on the day maybe.
ReplyDeleteWith all you do, I don't think you need one.
DeleteI actually saw that tweet. Did sign up, though. I love his voice in this piece. Totally great!
ReplyDeleteDidn't... #duh.
DeleteI signed up to get the info, but he sends an email every day so I unsubscribed.
DeleteLOL! I think I've just been kicked.
ReplyDeleteOUCH! :P
DeleteI followed you this morning! And I do think we all need a kick in the butt. Not just about writing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, TB! :D You're right about that.
DeleteLOL! I think everyone could use that advice.
ReplyDeleteI think so too. ;)
DeleteJon really had it just right. Makes me want to skip mowing the grass and write instead.
ReplyDeleteSusan Says
Save the grass cutting for another day, Susan. ;)
DeleteI followed you back. Love the post.
ReplyDeleteHere's my link if you'd like to drop by :-)
Anna from Elements of Writing
Thank you, Anna!
DeleteWhat a great quote. Jon is so right. We all need that kick in the butt. Two really good writer friends gave me that kick a few years back when I was in the doldrums. Best thing they did.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes, Chrys. Glad you're on Twitter now.
Diane IWSG #99
That was good of your writer friends to do, Diane.
DeleteFollowing you on twitter now! Awesome post, so true, I'll check it out but I'm not an article writer, so a kick in the butt won't inspire me in that direction. But still would love to know what they're looking for.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Yolanda! :D
DeleteYou never know what'll happen when you get a kick in the butt. :P
Yes, I've been terrible with it this month. I've been letting my journalism take over, so thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I have a huge problem with HuffPo. I hate that they don't pay for content, even though that content has made them millionaires several times over.
It does suck that they don't pay for content but not many places, especially online do. You're right, though, it's not fair.
DeleteYes, like Yolanda, I have followed you on Twitter. Life is a harsh mistress or master. So I am more understanding about how life intrudes, hence my own post for IWSG. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Roland!
DeleteLove this message! I'm totally going to sign up - I really need that kick in the butt to get myself motivated to write again! Also, I'm off to follow you on Twitter :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rachel! I hope it give you the kick you need. :)
DeleteIt's funny you mention a kick in the butt because I ended my post saying I'd be needing a good kick to get myself working.
ReplyDeleteFunny how that happens. :)
DeleteA lot of my science-minded, skeptical friends really dislike HuffPo, though I like a number of their articles. It's not like every single article is clickbait, promoting pseudoscience, or fluff. They've turned on IFLS for similar reasons. Sometimes it feels like these people are being skeptical for the sake of being skeptical, and are being just as rigid as the woonatics we fight against.
ReplyDeleteI followed you on Twitter.
I can see why some people don't like it. That's fine.
DeleteThank you for following me! :)
Wow, yes! Needed that. It's true. I have been attempting to write for decades.
ReplyDeleteI do really need to get on with it. I do need motivation.
Ironically enough, part of my r.a.n.t. for this week as you well know.
I hope this kick give you the motivation you need. :)
DeleteCongrats on joining Twitter! I really don't do much on it (just not enough time, LOL :) Have fun with it!
ReplyDeleteGreat advice from Jon on a friendly kick in the butt. Advice anyone can use, no matter what they are trying to accomplish :)
betty
Thanks, Betty!
DeleteExactly. That's why I thought it was perfect to share for IWSG day. :)
He is soooooo right. I am still in the contemplation stage and should just move my ass but insecurities reign at this moment. One day I will not feel intimidated and start writing about my mom's life...one day. I feel that kick already
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to write about someone else's life.
DeleteWelcome to Twitter! I followed you there. Jon's message was amusing. I'm sure a lot of us need kicks in the butt to get moving. Not me. I write on my own. Maybe not as much as I could be, but every day I do a little. Fun post!
ReplyDeleteThank you for following me, Sherry!
DeleteI write on my own too, but some days I could still use a tiny kick. ;)
Welcome to Twitter Chrys! (I followed you ;-D) I need a good kick in the butt myself. But what to do about all those distractions from work and family? I already threatened to lock myself in my room to write. To which my sons held on to me for dear life and cried “No.” Sigh, I wish I had a mommy cave to call my own.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lidy! :D
DeleteI suppose things will get better when school starts up again. But what top do in the meantime?
Hahaha! That letter is AWESOME!! Thanks so much for sharing! I think we all need a good kick in the butt from time to time. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd welcome to Twitter! I will find you!! :)
You're welcome, Kristin! And thank you!!!! :D
DeleteGreat post to read, thanks for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
You're welcome.
DeleteThis is perfect and I honestly needed a kick in the butt today so I'm so glad you shared it. Awesome. :)
ReplyDeleteHope you are enjoying Twitter so far.
I'm glad I shared it today then. :)
DeleteI am enjoying Twitter so far. It's like a playground.
I followed you on Twitter! I've been around for a while on there, but it's a whole nother beast and hard for me to stay active on!
ReplyDeleteI needed that kick in the bum :)
Thank you!!! Twitter does seem like a beast. It take me a little time getting used to adding it to my social media list.
DeleteI kind of just fell into writing at the beginning so I didn't need a kick in the butt, but now that I'm a writer, I do need the occasional kick in the butt.
ReplyDeleteI followed you too.
Same here, Ken.
DeleteAnd thank you! :D
When I first started writing, I was excited and hopeful and didn't need a kick. Now though, sometimes I'm lazy and put off what I need to write till another day and another. Could use that kick, I guess.
ReplyDeleteFollowing you on Twitter.
I know just what you mean, Beverly.
DeleteThank you! :)
Can't bend over without falling over, and sure Jon won't kick my butt. So I'll have to kick myself mentally. But then did I really want to write for the Huffington Post? Maybe that was why I retired and use writing to stay sane. Am I insecure? Am I distracted? From what? ;-)
ReplyDeleteJon is actually in a wheelchair too. I learned that in the next email I got.
DeleteInteresting. I will have to challenge him to a wheelchair race. In fact, it makes his words more powerful as kicking someone's butt becomes an apt metaphor for encouragment.
DeleteI bet that race would be close. ;)
DeleteIt certainly does make his email and his words more powerful.
I consider myself well and truly kicked up the butt! Great email.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Twitter :)
HAHA!
DeleteThanks. :)
Oh, wow - that must have been an interesting email to receive! It is pretty good. Currently, I don't need a kick in the butt but there have definitely been times I could have used one, or two... or three. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't need one right now either, but I'll pull out this email when I do.
DeleteHa!! Great share, Chrys! Thanks for the kick in the butt :) Hey, I'm so happy you've joined twitter! I was going to tell you to get your butt on there (or I would kick it---I kid!)
ReplyDeleteHAHAHA! I know, I know. I was procrastinating about joining Twitter for years. I didn't feel like I was ready. Now I feel like I have a LOT of catching up to do.
DeleteAwesome letter! Goodness knows I've read lots of stuff, but I think I've used it. Maybe not as well as I could have, but I'm still moving forward. Still writing and putting stuff out there. :) However, I always need some kind of kick in the pants for something or other. Without it I get sucked into binge watching Netflix and try to call it research. LOL
ReplyDeleteWe can all use a kick for something.
DeleteWow! Thanks so much for sharing this one - I'm sure more of us need this than would care to admit! Definitely saving this for future reference :-) Were you expected to respond to his daily emails?
ReplyDeleteI think so too.
DeleteNo, I wasn't expected to respond to his emails. There were just so many of them that I unsubscribed from them.
Welcome to Twitter! I just followed you :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome email. Yes, I need kicks in the butt all the damn time!
Thank you, Liz!
DeleteLOL! Especially now with those twins on the way, huh? ;)
ReplyDeleteMay I just say that was an awesome letter. I want Jon to be my friend, too. And yes, I could always use a kick in the butt—more’s the pity.
VR Barkowski
That was probably the best email I have ever received.
DeleteIt took me a while to get started with the writing thing. But once I started... That's the trick, right? Getting started.
ReplyDeleteThat is the trick.
DeleteHaha! Love it. THAT guy knows how to motivate.
ReplyDeleteHe sure does!
DeleteYes! That was great! Thank you for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. :)
DeleteGreat post...so true.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting!
DeleteThat was quite motivational! I'm sure it has helped many :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're tweeting. I follow many bloggers on Twitter.
Twitter is pretty neat, but I have to get used to seeing so many small tweets mashed together with more coming in every minute.
DeleteNot on Twitter yet. I still own a dumb phone, so using it wouldn't benefit me.
ReplyDeleteKick received and welcomed. ;-)
I own a dumb phone to! I can barely text on it. I can't take pictures. No internet access. I'm using my computer. :)
DeleteThanks for the kick in the butt. I have to go and check it out. Thanks for the warm wishes for my husband. I hope you and your family are well!
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome for the kick and the warm wishes. <3
DeleteI love this post, Chrys! Lol! I'm not even going to lie and say I haven't done exactly what he's accused us of doing. < Hangs head in shame > I definitely deserved that kick in the butt.
ReplyDeleteThanks for some wonderful information and I'm going to grab a copy for myself too (and read it!). One foot up my butt today was enough. :P Love ya girl! Eva
Hey, Eva! I'm glad you got a "kick" out of that letter.
DeleteI think we all need a kick in the butt from time to time. I could pretty much use one daily.
ReplyDeleteWe sure could.
DeleteHa yes, welcome to Twitter!
ReplyDeleteSuper motivator! I try to kick my own butt regularly as it saves others the effort.
Enjoy your 4th.
I ho
Thanks!
DeleteI do too. :)
Happy 4th of July!
Welcome to Twitter! And thanks for the butt kick. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks! And you're welcome. ;)
DeleteHi Chrys. Have followed you on Twitter. Great kick in the butt. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you!!! :)
DeleteThat's hilarious. I need a kick in the butt every so often, but that's what writing friends are for :-)
ReplyDeleteExactly!
DeleteNot on Twitter yet. Maybe that's where I need a friendly kick. Lots are joining lately. Seems to be the way to go.
ReplyDeleteI needed a serious kick to join Twitter. I had procrastinated for years!
DeleteHa, thanks for the kick in the butt. I'm not on twitter, no plans to. Got enough to handle between FB and the blog.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I joined Twitter only when I felt 100% ready to take it on.
DeleteThat's brilliant, I like Jon already.
ReplyDeleteMe too. :)
DeleteThanks for posting, I needed that today :-)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. :)
DeleteThat's a good way to get people to stay committed. I like Jon, too. I don't procrastinate or get distracted from writing, but I do sometimes leaf through those marketing articles or ebooks and just set them aside. This post is my kick in the butt today.
ReplyDeleteI'll look for you on Twitter, Chrys.
I can't even imagine how many writers he's kicked in the butt. ;)
DeleteThank you!!
Hi, Chrys,
ReplyDeleteWell that was a KICK IN THE BUTT! LOL. Actually he is spot on! This is good. I need to sign up for it. I've TOTALLY been distracted all year with LIFE. But it's time to start writing again. I need to focus and prepare myself for the LA SCBWI conference. It is costing me a FORTUNE, so I need to get as much out of it as I can....
Thanks, Chrys...
Life can sure get in the way of writing and what you've gone through is a doozy. I hope you can get back to writing and enjoy the conference!
DeleteI definitely need one right now. I let my family and house distract me constantly.
ReplyDeleteThose are the easiest distractions.
DeleteWe all could use a kick in the butt from time to time. Very funny email too!
ReplyDeleteWe sure could.
DeleteWow! That hit me a little hard, lol. I am a distracted procrastinator like Jon was talking about and I have quite the growing list of resources that I forget about and never really use. I needed to read that :) Thanks for sharing, Chrys!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Elizabeth! :)
DeleteHe certainly didn't pull any punches, did he? Great kick in the butt!
ReplyDeleteNo, he didn't. :P
DeleteI kick myself in the butt daily! Ha!
ReplyDeleteSo do I. lol
DeleteROFL! Jon is funny. x) You've read my IWSG post, I've kinda lost my steam in writing and I'm thinking it's because I've been a bit depressed. No longer. Any spare time I will move forward in my writing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the smile!
♥.•*¨Elizabeth¨*•.♥
Depression can sure suck away the motivation to write. I've been there, so I'm happy to make you smile. :)
DeleteI like the way he went straight for the jugular. Direct - tells it like it is.
ReplyDeleteHey, we ALL need a kick in the butt now and again!
It's a great wake-up call! lol
He does tell it like it is. I don't often do that so I admired him and his directness when I read that email.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic and yes, I do need a kick every now and then. Thanks for posting this.
Shalom,
Patricia
You're welcome, Pat! Thanks for visiting and commenting! :)
Delete