Wednesday, April 7, 2021

IWSG: April 2021


 Welcome to April's IWSG. This blog hop was started by our energetic leader, Alex J. Cavanaugh. Join us in supporting each other in all our writing endeavors. Find the entirety of the list of blog participants here.

This month's optional 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?

No. I avoid controversial topics though I've been told by another writer that some of my work does involve controversial science. I don't agree. Science is science to me. I have a minor degree in science and I use it in my writing all the time. I don't believe there is anything controversial about scientific facts, but then again, there are people who don't trust science. I guess I should say I don't write anything controversial on purpose. 

"Life is infinitely stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent." Arthur Conan Doyle


Most of my writing time has been dedicated to planning and promoting the Pennwriters 34th Annual Writers Conference. Since the event is being held virtually this year, May 14th to May 16th, anyone can attend without great expense. The highlights are 36 workshops covering everything about a writing career, 2 amazing Keynote speakers, a free pitch session with an agent or editor, a Read and Critique opportunity, and 2 pre-conference intensive workshops on Thursday, May 13th. Read all about it here.

I'm so happy about the warmer weather. Hopefully, spring isn't as wet as last year. There have been a few TV programs that have caught my interest though not with great enthusiasm. Debris is very mysterious so far. Magnum and FBI are okay. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier has been excellent. 

My husband and I received our first Covid vaccine and will get our second next week. That will leave only three members of my immediate family waiting for their turn. I'll feel better when we're all vaccinated. I'm not sure what the summer and fall will look like. What is normal anymore? I do want to see my daughter soon. We had plans that have been waiting for more than a year now. 

"In three words, I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on." Robert Frost

One of our plans is a 3 or 4-day writing retreat for the two of us plus one of her friends. We're starting to look around. Right now, it all depends on whether her summer work in Jordan is approved by her university. I want her to get to do what she wants, but I don't want her to go. Typical mother's conflicts.

Hope you're having an enjoyable spring with sunshine and health.

Are you purposefully controversial in your writing? Do you like to read controversial writing? What is keeping you busy? 






43 comments:

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

Good luck with the conference!

Regarding TV shows, we're happy to see Top Chef back, and we're giving Law and Order: Organized Crime a few more episodes. Kind of on the fence about it.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I'm participating in a virtual con this weekend. Looking forward to them being in-person soon.

I calculated that we'll hit herd immunity by June. Just in time for everyone to start getting their shots again since they said they only last 6 months!

Natalie Aguirre said...

My daughter is a scientist too and thinks like you about science. Good luck with the conference. And awesome that your husband got his shot. I'm relieved that my immediate family has gotten their shots or will get their second one soon.

Nick Wilford said...

Not purposely controversial but sometimes difficult topics arise as part of a story. A story without difficulty would not be fulfilling. I always try to handle those topics sensitively. A writing retreat sounds wonderful - I hope it happens.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Jordan! Wow. I can understand your parental concerns, but what an opportunity.
Good luck with the conference.

Ellen Jacobson said...

I've heard about Debris - sounds like it might be right up my alley. I got my first shot. Can't wait for my second and then maybe hopefully life will get back to some semblance of normality.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

I think anything can be controversy if it's twisted to be taken that way. I think if you write from your heart, your reader will know it. How are you, Susan. I'm glad you've gotten the vaccine. Best to you.

Pat Garcia said...

Hi,
I love Robert Frost and I just absolutely love his summation about life. It goes on.
Wishing you all the best for the writing conference. Can anyone attend since it is virtual.

Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

Rachna Chhabria said...

I don't include controversial topics in my writing nor do I read controversial books!

cleemckenzie said...

Congrats on getting those shots. I'm still in line.

Chrys Fey said...

The conference sounds like it'll be great.

I'm glad you and husband have both received your fist dose. My mom has gotten both of hers, and i will be going in for my first tomorrow. :)

Olga Godim said...

Like you, I find myself sometimes tackling controversial topics without intending to do so. It could be very frustrating when I write something obvious to me, but people object, for various reasons, and I never saw it coming.

Pat Hatt said...

haha yeah, anything can be "fake" these days with the stupid internet. But then science is only right until they prove it wrong in some cases to when they discover something new. Hopefully you get to do your trip.

Anonymous said...

I am not purposefully controversial in my writing, and I generally don't appreciate work that is, unless I am specifically researching a factual issue of legitimate debate.

I'm waiting on my second Covid vaccine, as well. Such a relief to get the first one, I must say. I wonder if your commenter would consider that "controversial science"? Bwahaha.

messymimi said...

Science can be controversial in that sometimes one study shows one result, and another study shows a different result. Sometimes people interpret results differently. Still i understand what you mean when you say science itself is not controversial, not in the way most people think of controversy.

M.J. Fifield said...

I've been enjoying The Falcon & The Winter Soldier, too. It's been a lot of fun. I haven't seen any of the other shows you mentioned, though.

Hope the planning & promoting of your event is going well & continues to do so!

Liza said...

The Robert Frost quote is spot on. Good luck with the writing conference!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Susan - certainly Robert Frost's words are right ... life does just keep on going. You're busy with the PennWriters conference - and I'm sure people will enjoy participating. I'm sure you want to see your daughter ... especially if she's going to have an amazing experience of being able to work in Jordan - I hope that works out for her ... but more importantly you can get to see her. All the best - Hilary

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I find those Law and Order shows so interesting but also, I get so depressed watching them.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Are you taking pitches at the conference or doing workshops? And yea, about the shots. By the time we're done with the first round it will be time for the second.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I have my second one next week. I'll be glad when my two sons get theirs.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

My daughter and I are so up for a retreat. We're already planning our wine.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Yes, Morocco was stressful both times and Oman wasn't so bad. Jordan will keep me awake nights. And of course, it's my daughter instead of any of my five sons.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I'm desperate for something like normal too. This has been too long.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I think you are right. Anything can be twisted. Social media does it all day long.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Yes, Pat. Anyone can attend. So far, about a third of our registrants are not members or they join to get the member discount.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

So true. It seems like nobody follows the adage of keeping their opinions to themselves. They feel the need to convince everyone that they are right.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I try not to, also, but some people have different opinions about what is controversial.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Hope your turn is soon, CL. It was a circus to get an appointment here in PA.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Glad you're getting yours, Chrys. Hope you have no side effects.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

That's how those objectives hit me, too. It didn't even occur to me that someone would see a controversy in it.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Good point, Pat. How many times did the science change about Covid. And it still is.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I know, Lee. The person stopped following my blog so I guess I'll never know.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

People can usually dig up a study or something to support their side of something.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Promotion is never fun. Now the planning is for the technical side of a virtual conference.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Thanks, Liza.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Thanks, Hilary. Doing Facetime on the phone just isn't the same as sharing a bowl of popcorn together.

Diane Burton said...

Congrats on getting your covid shot. Yay, you! Good luck with your conference. Big task. Your Robert Frost quote is so right. I need to put that on my mirror so I see it every day. Thanks.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

No matter what we write, I think someone somewhere will find controversy if they want ;)

Tyrean Martinson said...

Sometimes, I'm controversial without meaning to be, because I don't think it's controversial - like writing female swordswomen having equal roles to male swordsmen in a fantasy world. I didn't think it was controversial when I wrote it, and I still don't.
I like Falcon and Winter Soldier, too!
Happy Writing!

Denise Covey said...

Hi Susan. I'd say science is more trustworthy than many things today. Interesting that you incorporate some in your writing.

Gwen Gardner said...

I don't write controversial either--at least not on purpose. I love your Robert Frost quote. Short, simple, and true. I've had my first covid jab as well. Two more weeks for my next one and I can't wait.

Diane Burton said...

I didn't know science could be controversial--other than with the creationists. Huh.