Wednesday, December 4, 2019

IWSG: December 2019

Welcome to the last post for IWSG for 2019. I hope you're joining this amazing group of writers led by Alex J. Cavanaugh and his team of hardworking administrators. Find the entire list of participants at the IWSG site.

This month's optional question:

How would you describe your future writer self, your life and what it looks and feels like if you were living the dream? Or if you are already there, what does it look and feel like? Tell the rest of us. What would you change or improve?

I think we all change our dream a little bit or maybe a lot as we learn the true nature and difficulty of this business. I've achieved my dream of being multi-published (23 romance novels and 4 fantasy novels) but it didn't make me rich or famous. All my published books are with a small press but I do still dream of TOR taking on my next fantasy series. My feelings are up and down about if I'm living my dream or not. I feel like I could work harder, do more, but I'm also happy and content with my life. 

"A contented mind is a continual feast."  Old Farmer's Almanac

Hope your Thanksgiving was great. I did more traveling than I intended and took up too much of time. But the entire family got together. They all get along so well, it's a joy to have that time. I have more than most to be thankful for and it's wonderful to witness how thankful my children are.

"Gratitude is the sign of noble souls." Aesop

My granddaughter is done with the stitches. Still a little mark but hopefully over time it will fade. She's become very verbal and tells entire stories over and over again. She's so happy and cooperative all the time. We're doing Christmas decorating today. We cleaned yesterday and she helped with everything.

"Allow children to be happy in their own way, for what better way will they ever find?" 
Dr. Samuel Johnson

Later this week, V-Wars is coming to Netflix.  I'm so excited for this. Jonathan Maberry, the author of the books V-Wars is based on, is someone I know personally. He is a member of
Pennwriters, the Pennsylvania writers group I belong to and which I serve on the board. And best of all, he's going to be our keynote speaker at our conference in May, 2020. He's such a nice guy and very supportive of other writers. I wish I had his work ethic. He writes 5,000 words per day!

Then The Expanse returns to Amazon next week. The Witcher come to Netflix the week before Christmas. Christmas Eve will have the second season of Lost In Space on Netflix. I really enjoyed the first season of that remake though lots of critics didn't like it.

Are you living your dream? Are you excited about anything coming to Netflix or Amazon in this last month of 2019? Was Thanksgiving good for you? Are you ready for Christmas?




28 comments:

Liza said...

I love your quotes. They are reminders to cherish what we have.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I always feel like I could do more. 5000 words a day would be great.

S.A. Larsenッ said...

So cool that you personally know the writer of V Wars. I've seen the ads for this upcoming show and I've been wondering if it will be different.

I totally understand about your fluctuating feelings on whether you're living the writing dream or not. It's good to question. But it's also good to be happy with where we are in the here and now.

I'm glad your granddaughter is healing up. Have a safe and joyous holiday season!

Nick Wilford said...

I do think most of us adjust our expectations as we go along but if you're still enjoying writing and producing great work, that's a pretty good place to be.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

My definition of success keeps evolving as I change, publishing changes, the world changes, etc. I'm getting better - a little! - at rolling with it. Sometimes I need to work harder, but sometimes I think it's more I need to work smarter.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Very cool you know him! I'll definitely watch when it hits NetFlix.

Ellen Jacobson said...

So impressed with how many books you've published! I have daydreams about Tor picking up my sci-fi series. Of course, I have to write it first :)

I'm really looking forward to the next season of The Expanse.

T. Powell Coltrin said...

I want to write 5000 words a day!!! It's not like I don't have that many words swirling in my mind. The most I wrote during November, per day, was 1900.

Teresa

betty said...

Glad your granddaughter is recovering from her stitches. I bet she'll be a big help with decorating today! I think you've done great with the publishing you have done with your books. I think you live a balanced life. So what if those 5000 words aren't written daily. At least you write when you can and enjoy life all the time I'm thinking.

betty

Tamara Narayan said...

I'm not ready for Christmas. At first the kids were reluctant to come up with any gift ideas for me to get them. (They're teens.) And now they can't stop telling me things they would like. How do I close the floodgates? Sigh...

I'm enjoying the third season of The Handmaid's Tale and have also purchased a DVD of the first season of Castle Rock. As for Netflix, I'd love to see what they come up with for a second season of The Haunting of Hill House and would truly love a third season of Dark. I really enjoyed watching Marianne even though it was in French. I don't mind reading my tv shows.

Jo said...

I don't have Netflix so that is out. But cool that you know someone like that Susan. Personally I am looking forward to your next series having thoroughly enjoyed all your books so far.

cleemckenzie said...

I like being a bit dissatisfied with what I've accomplished because that keeps me from complacency. You've done so much with your writing career, so I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next! Here's to 2020.

Christine Rains said...

Fantastic quotes and so glad you had a lovely Thanksgiving. Ours was quiet. My writing dream has changed over time, and I expect it to change again. I'm excited to watched The Witcher on Netflix which is coming on... the 20th, I think. I've been reading the books in anticipating of it!

M.J. Fifield said...

I can't imagine having published that many books. You're amazing!

I'm looking forward to the next season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Amazon. It's always a master class in dialogue. I'm also interested in checking out The Witcher.

Natalie Aguirre said...

That's awesome how many books you have published. I'll have to check out The Witcher.

emaginette said...

It makes sense to react to the new information about the industry. Something has clicked inside my head. Could be logic or self-discovery. But I'm wiser for it.

Anna from elements of emaginette

Pat Garcia said...

Hi,
The main thing is that you are content. Contentment is a valuable key to enjoying life.
Take care and have a happy Christmas.

Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

Tonja Drecker said...

That is quite a few published books! I think there's always a difference between the 'big' dreams and reality. But being content and happy in reality is such a wonderful thing.

J E Oneil said...

Keep listening to the granddaughter's stories! She could be a great writer someday :)))

Pat Hatt said...

Neat you know him. Something to be said for happy and content. And enjoying time with the kiddos and grand kiddo too.

Sarah Foster said...

I think it's a great attitude to be content with what you have but to still strive for more.

Juneta key said...

Wow, I would love to be able to do 5000 words a day. That is inspiring. Happy IWSG!

lostinimaginaryworlds.blogspot.com said...

Good news about your Granddaughter, Susan. Wishing you a very happy holiday and a healthy new decade 🌹

Tyrean Martinson said...

Wonderful quotes! Way to go on your dream and best wishes and making it even better!
I will definitely check out that show on Netflix.

BobbieTales said...

GREAT - like the freeie idea -- nice blog.

messymimi said...

Thanksgiving was good, except that eldest son and daughter couldn't come, she had a flat and as she was giving him a ride, they just could not make it down.

Hope you get all of your publishing dreams to come true.

Michelle Wallace said...

23 romance novels and 4 fantasy novels is amazing, Susan! Congratulations! With that many books under your belt, it sounds like you're already living the dream.
"A contented mind is a continual feast." This resonates. Love it.
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

Damyanti Biswas said...

27! That's so amazing. Congratulations!!