#IWSG Taking risks

Articles on writing

This article is for Alex J. Cavanaugh’s The Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The goal of the support group is to share doubts and concerns, and reassure other writers who have struggled by offering assistance and guidance. The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day where we post our thoughts on doubts and the fears and how we triumphed. There are other bloggers listed who share their writing journey and I encourage you to check them out.

Here’s this month’s question:

Are you a risk-taker when writing? Do you try something radically different in style/POV/etc. or add controversial topics to your work?

The short answer is, no.

I did spend time reflecting on whether I am a risk taker, and I tend to consider and weigh up situations before making a decision. On the flip side, looking back at what I have done, I climbed a tree when 3 years old, drove the car at about same age (that’s a story for another time), did stunts on my bike and have the scars for the times I fell off, did some horse riding and not very well, climbed a steep hill only to misstep and roll down the side knocking myself out. I have abseiled, travelled to Europe on my own and bought my first home on my own.

Maybe I do need to take more risks in writing…

Does moving and working in 13 different schools in about 30 years of teaching considered as taking risks? That one I am not sure about.


Thank you to our co-hosts for the April 7 posting of the IWSG! PK Hrezo, Pat Garcia, SE White, Lisa Buie Collard, and Diane Burton!

Twitter @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG

Are you a risk taker? What risks have you taken?

Thank you for your continued support and as always, I look forward to your comments and will respond.

Historical fiction novelist and a secondary teacher, Luciana Cavallaro, burnt out but not done… yet.

16 comments

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    • cav12

      Funny, I never considered I had done much at all but after reading your comment I thought about what I have done so far, and surprised myself.
      Thank you, Astrid, for helping me see 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Jacqui Murray

    Good grief, Luciana. You are definitely a risk taker! I’d love to travel along while you drive the car (at 3–story coming), travel through Europe alone, but I’d be too nervous to do it alone. Kudos to you!

    Liked by 1 person

    • cav12

      My parents weren’t too happy about my little escapade in the car, considering my sister, who was one at the time was in the car. Definitely a story coming.
      I was quite apprehensive at first travelling on my own but when I arrived in Greece, my first stop, I was ‘this is awesome’ and had a great time 🙂
      Thank you, Jacqui. Pretty sure you can do it too.

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    • cav12

      Good question. I believe I’m a bit of adrenlin junkie when it comes to sporting activities, and little more circumspect when it comes to making decisions for life and profession.
      Thank you for helping me think it through 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  6. G. J. Jolly

    I would say you’re a risk-taker, but maybe you don’t do it any your writing because the things you do now work well for you. Why change when what you do is working. As they say, “Why fix what isn’t broken?”

    Liked by 1 person

  8. mlouisebarbourfundyblue

    Abseiling is my definition of risk-taking for sure, Luciana! Speaking as a retired teacher, 13 schools in 30 years is definitely challenging and risk-taking. I spent my whole career in one school. I think every writer is unique and writes what works for him or her. Have a great April!

    Liked by 1 person

    • cav12

      I enjoy abseiling, and there is trust in the equipment and the person anchoring the leads, but so much fun!
      I’ve colleagues who’ve spent most of their teaching career in one school. I like to move around. Coming up my 5th year now, almost time to move on 🙂
      Thank you, Louise and all the best for the rest of April.

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