A Kick in the Butt / IWSG

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is a safe place for insecure writers of all kinds.

Sign up here: Alex J. Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group


FIRST...

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

A couple of weeks ago I came across a link about how writers can get published on Huffington Post. I wouldn’t mind an article of mine to be featured on this site, so I clicked to check it out. I had to enter my email address in order to retrieve the strategy guide. Shortly after I got another email from Jon, the blogger/writer who created the guide. The subject line read: A friendly kick in the butt. The email was funny, clever, and I thought it would be perfect for those of us who really do need a kick in the butt, so I copied and pasted it here. I hope Jon doesn’t mind.

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?