Today I am very pleased to feature English blogger and writer, Cathy Cade.
Finding my Courage
There were a couple of reasons why I would have skimmed over Pete’s first call for guest posts, however attractive I found the prospect of reaching a wider audience. What on earth would I write about, for a start? I struggle to think of topics to post on my own blog.
Time would have been a factor too – isn’t it always? As well as formatting our writing group’s third anthology, I’m currently revisiting my ‘practice novel’. I have been known to tackle the ironing to avoid revisiting this novel.
But very little of my retirement wardrobe requires ironing, these days, which leaves me short of postponement strategies. And most of it boils down to simple cowardice.
I actually completed a first draft of the aforementioned practice novel before losing confidence and putting it aside in favour of short stories. Short stories are less scary and are quicker to produce and obtain feedback on. I could share them with online writing forums or a local writing group. However nerve-wracking it was to present my own work for feedback, I found critiquing others’ writing just as scary. But the sky didn’t fall.
Short stories can be submitted to competitions… some even free to enter. I sent off stories to competitions and most disappeared into the void. The world didn’t end.
Short stories can be sent off to magazines. The best of these gave helpful feedback when rejecting my stories. And the sun rose next morning.
I started a blog – the writing gurus all said I ought to, but I’d put it off. Who would be interested in my ramblings? What on earth would I blog about? (Still a challenge.) After my first tentative posts, I realised that the only one interested in who read my posts was me.
On publishing our writing group’s first anthology, nobody laughed at us for trying; the world didn’t end when it needed amending.
Eventually, one of my competition stories was shortlisted. Others were placed… and printed!
I reviewed my rejected magazine stories and sent them out to other magazines, both print and online. Some were accepted!
I followed other blogs and plucked up courage to comment. Some of the bloggers came to look at my blog.
We had the group’s anthology printed locally, sold them to our u3a members and went into a second print run. We published a second collection the following year. With one of our members producing our covers, all it cost us was the ISBNs, so I took the plunge to publish books of my own (on Amazon and Smashwords). The sky still hasn’t fallen.
If, like me, you have the courage of Oz’s Cowardly Lion, take heart. Most things in life become easier once you’ve taken that first scary step. Even guest blogging.
Cathy Cade
Here are some links where you can read more from Cathy, or buy her books.
http://www.facebook.com/cathycade.wordsmith
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Cathy+Cade&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
I loved reading your post. I’m something of a late bloomer. But the online writing community is so supportive. I am convinced that it’s never too late.
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Hi Cathy lovely to see you here.. I also took my first steps via a writing group and the rest is history… x
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It’s good to share our writing in person isn’t it? rather than just online. The end of lockdown can’t come soon enough for us.
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I know the feeling Cathy it has just started for us.. we had very few cases during phase 1 & 2..phase 3 has seen an escalation.. Not good.. X
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Stay safe…
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Bravo Cathy! You persevered, against all odds, and your writing has found an appreciative audience! So happy Pete introduced you to his community. I heading over to check out your stuff! Warmly, C
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Thanks very much for that, Cheryl.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks for reading and commenting. I’ve ‘met’ so many supportive and helpful bloggers online, it really boosts the confidence. Our group even mounted a talk in the local library when the first anthology came out, which brought us three new members and defused the terrors of public speaking a little.
Onward and upward!
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I am SO happy you took that first step and the many more that followed! The world needs people with courage. And look at you! You have courage AND talent, even better! My mom is a writer. She published 5 books in the 80s. I love to hear her story of perserverence and grit – maybe someday I’ll share it on my tiny little blog. It’s quite a hoot….involves a *tiny* kidnapping. Your story reminded me of hers though I could see no felonies referenced in the above. Glad you’ve found your tribe…and your vibe. 😉
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Thanks very much for your comment, Lindsey.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Now you have me hooked – would love to read your mum’s story. thanks for your encouragement. 🙂
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Hi Pete, I have seen Cathy around in the blogosphere and it is great to learn more about her here.
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Thanks, Robbie. That’s why I enjoy hosting guest posts, so everyone gets to know each other.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Nice to meet you. Thanks for reading 🙂
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I remember back in the early days of attending writers’ group my first achievement was to go on the computer and ( with technical help from Cyberspouse ) actually print out my word document on a piece of paper. I loved writing short stories and reading them out each week, but couldn’t imagine going further. When I assiduously read in Writers’ Magazine about having a website, a blog and publishing on Amazon Kindle, those aims seemed as remote as going to Mars!
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Thanks for adding your own memories, Janet.
Best wishes, Pete.
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One step at a time… 🙂
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As you know I am already a faithful reader, but I am glad Pete has introduced you to a larger audience.
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Thanks, Elizabeth.
Best wishes, Pete.
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My pleasure reading 🙂
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And thank you, Pete, for the opportunity 🙂
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My pleasure and privilege, Cathy. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Well done. Warmest regards, Theo
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Thank you – and thanks for reading
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Well done for not giving up, Cathy 🙂
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Thanks for reading, Mary.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thank you 🙂
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Words of wisdom from Commander Peter Quincy Taggart: “Never give up. Never surrender.”
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I think he stole that line from Churchill, David. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks – but the writing group were a great help – safety in numbers
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Bravo Cathy!
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Thanks, Kim.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks – now all I have to find courage for is getting out there and publicising… (shrinks)
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Great post by Cathy. Happy to have been introduced.
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Thanks very much for reading.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks – and thanks for popping over to my blog 🙂
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Nice guest post. We should not stop trying. ❤️
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Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for leaving a comment.
Best wishes, Pete.
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My pleasure!
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Thanks for your encouragement. 🙂
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I am reminded of a quote by Goethe, ‘What you can do, or dream you can, begin it; boldness has genius, power, and magic in it’. Well done to Cathy for her perseverance.
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Good quote, FR.
Best wishes, Pete.
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thanks, but I doubt I’d have stuck it out without the encouragement of our writing group.
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We all need support to get off the ground 🙂
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