IWSG: April 2026

 

April, so soon. If only it felt like Spring outside. Welcome to the monthly, IWSG blog hop, meeting on the first Wednesday of each month. Thanks to our founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh, and the other IWSG admins. Find the entire list of participants here. Please share all your current insecurities and your encouragements.

Speaking of encouragements, it means a lot when I read all the encouraging comments each month. Thank you to all of you who take the time to be so generous.

This month's optional question was about playlists meant to inspire our writing. I don't really do that. Music actually distracts me when I'm writing which is odd because I can have Netflix playing in the background and usually do without even noticing it. I have playlists for walking and that works for me. I listen to the music and don't even notice I've climbed that big hill.

As most of you know, I've been buried in work for the Pennwriters Annual Conference. By next month at this time, I'll have all the preliminary work done and be really relieved by that. And I have to use my jigsaw puzzle table to put together all the materials for it and that's just a hardship. I need my jigsaws.

I was part of a book fest this past weekend and didn't sell many books but it was fun spending time with other writers. I'm a huge introvert, so I had to take a nap when I got home. After the conference, I need days' worth of naps to re-energize.

I'm keeping this short as I have lots of work to do. Too much for someone my age. Keep writing. Keep warm and keep reading.

Do you use a playlist or do you like quiet when you write? What kind of music energizes you?

IWSG: March 2026

 

It's the first Wednesday in March and time for IWSG monthly blog hop. Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh and all the iwsg admins for keeping this amazing group going for years and years. If you want to learn and share with a lot of amazing writers, find them all on this list.

Apologies for missing last month's hop. I'm not sure where my head was at the time. Really busy with the planning of the 2026 Pennwriters' conference but I still shouldn't have missed IWSG.

I'm going to skip the optional book launch question, but I'm going to take notes on all the other answers. It's been a while since I had a book launch but I'm hoping that changes in the next 12 months or so.

"There is no telling how many miles you will have to run while chasing a dream." Author Unknown

Besides being busy working on the conference, I've still working on the second draft of my most recent WIP. I worked through a scene that was challenging me but need to do more work on it. Almost there because I hope to pitch it to an agent and an editor at the aforementioned conference.

I've been reading so many disturbing articles about AI and writing. I'm afraid of where this will go? But I'm going to keep on writing anyway.

"Life is like riding a bycycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving." Alber Einstein

In wonderful news, I found out that one of my five sons and my daughter are meeting on Facetime once a week to write together for an hour. My daughter has been writing for a long time but my son has just started. They're both so talented, I'm super excited.

And today, as you read this, our neck of the woods is supposed to finally get a break to this endless winter. After sleet and freezing rain yesterday, the temperature is supposed to climb to the fifties. Finally!

Except for all the not walking outside, all my other fun things are going great, crocheting, jigsaw puzzling, and writing, of course. I haven't made much of a dent over the winter in my TBR pile, actually added to it. But I've read so many great books.

So, what book launch advice are you giving? Are you worried about AI putting writers out of business? Is writing a family thing with you?

IWSG: January 2026

Welcome to the first IWSG blog hop post of 2026. I can't believe it's a new year already. Thank you to our founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh, and all the other admins of this amazing group. Please visit some other blogs participating today at this list.

And this month's optional question:

Is there anything in your writing plans for 2026 that you are going to do that you couldn't get done in 2025?

Yes, I'm going to concentrate on my writing. I've been busy for the past two years planning the yearly conference for Pennwriters. I love doing it, but it takes away from my own writing time and drains my socia battery. All the social interaction required exhausts me. That includes participating in events to promote my own books.  I hope I have the energy to do more events if I'm not so heavily involved in planning that one big one.

In the meantime, I'm working on the second draft of my WIP and hoping to pitch it to one of the agents at that annual conference.

I'm looking forward to the 3rd season of The Night Agent. I didn't love the 2nd season but am holding out hope. The ending of Stranger Things was okay and left me satisfied. I haven't started the next season of The Witcher. It's probably good for me that I haven't been watching much media lately.

I have starting the new year by getting back into my walking routine that had faltered a little during November and December. So far, so good with between 3 to 5 miles per day. Anything to keep the body moving and fight off old age for as long as I can.

I received some wonderful jigsaw puzzles for Christmas. Really challenging and enjoyable. Between walking, puzzling, writing, crocheting, conference work, and getting my granddaughter to the bus, my retirement days are pretty full. Retirement is the best job ever and I hope you all get there soon.

The holidays were wonderful because we had the entire family here for Christmas Eve this year. Usually, we miss one or two. It was so much fun and actually relaxing. Hope yours was the same.

What are you hoping to spend more time on this year? Did you meet goals you set for 2025? Were the holidays had a success for you? 

IWSG: December 2025

 It really can't be the last post of 2025. Where did the year go? But it is the first Wednesday of the last month of the year and that means IWSG montly blog hop. As usual, thank you to Alex J. Cavanaugh and all the IWSG admins for all they do which is a lot. Please visit as many blogs as you can on this list.

This month's optional question:

As a writer, what was one of the coolest/best gifts you ever received?

I'm so fortunate. I've received so many great gifts over the years. The gift I needed most was a new laptop and there has been a few of those over the years. Coolest gift and most unexpected may have been the Ipad 13 one of my sons gave me last year for my birthday. And my children have given me so many great journals over the years, I don't know if I'll ever use them all. President Dan Arndt of Pennwriters gifted me a cool piece of art in thanks for doing so much work for the group and that livens up my writing space. Pennwriters also gifted me with a plague and a Meritorious Service Award a few years ago.  But the very best/coolest gift of all is the support my husband, children, and friends have given me over the years as I stagger along this writing journey.

Love the giver more than the gift. Brigham Young

I hope you have some great things planned for the upcoming holiday season. We have our usual family Christmas gathering on the 24th. I'm so grateful that all six of our children and our two grandchildren will be in attendance this year. It's my favorite day of the year. I wish I could gift all of you with the same joy and peace we'll share that day. If you are traveling, I pray for your safety.

"At Christmas, all roads lead home." Marjorie Holmes

In the meantime, I hope you're making plans for 2026. I'll share mine with you next month.

What terrific gifts have you received relating to your writing life? Are you traveling for the holidays? Are you making plans for 2026?

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year. 

IWSG: November 2025

Welcome to the November version of IWSG. Thank you to our founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh and all the admins of IWSG. Please join the others on this list as we share all our current insecurities.  

Optional question:

When you began writing, what did you imagine your life as a writer would be like? Were you right, or has this experience presented you with some surprises along the way?

Well, I expected success because I was naive and thought if I just worked hard enough I could conquer this career because that was how I'd pretty much gone thought life and career before. Wow, did I have a lot to learn and I'm still learning it. My success in on the low end of moderate, but I'm still working at it. 

One of the most rewarding part of writing for me is the need to keep learning though it is really difficult to keep up. And to add to the interesting part, there's always a new threat. I've been in the busiess long enough to remember the fears that e-books were going to close libraries. Then the big publishers and many of their authors spread the fear that small presses would ruin books and lower their quality. Than self-publishing would be the end of books.

Some threats have been constant, like book pirates. And now we have the AI threat, the first one I'm actually concerned about.

One thing I didn't expect in my writing career was how heavily I would get involved in a writing group. Pennwriters is amazing and running conferences for them is very fulfilling. But by next year at this time, I hope to have extricated myself from most of my responsibilities there and concentrate on my own writing. 

My husband and I are enjoying The Last Frontier on AppleTV and Slow Horses was its usual fun ride as the band of misfit spies saved the day again. Haven't started the new season of The Witcher yet. Still mourning the exit of Henry Cavill.

I'm finally going to get real glasses today instead of just the readers I use now. I've noticed road signs aren't readable as early as they used to be. I guess I should be glad to have gone over 60 years without needing them before now.

Fnished my 5,000 piece puzzle. It was pretty challenging because so much of it was similar colors. I have a 6,000 piece puzzle awaiting but I'm waiting until after Christmas to start. It takes up too much space and I need the room for family staying for the holidays. I did read a study that said jigsaw puzzles are major stress busters. I concur.

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and have many reasons to give thanks. Save travels if you're going elsewhere.

How has your writing journey progressed? Disappointing, amazing, or inbetween? Are you traveling for the holidays.

IWSG: October 2025

 Fall is flying by and it's time again for IWSG first Wednesday blog hop. Our usual thank you to all the IWSG admins, our founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh, and all the wonderful bloggers who participate. Find the list of participants here. Please share all your writing woes and victories with us.

This month's optional question:

What is the most favorite thing you have written, published or not? And why?

Easy question. Whatever novel I'm working on is my favorite and it always has been. I usually turn an idea over in my minds for months before I start a new novel or a new series. Once I start, the ideas expand and take unplanned twists and turns and keep me excited and the story flowing. I love working on a new series.

"I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else." Winston Churchill

This Saturday, I'll be at the Hershey Public Library as one of many authors participating in the Chocolate Town Book Fest. I can't wait. I'm sharing a table with a friend and many other writers I know are also participating. This is one step in my goal to attend more in-person book events where I can sell my books. I have three scheduled for 2026 so far. Wish you all could be there.

I haven't been spending any time watching movies or any TV. I don't think I'm missing much. My husband and I did spend some enjoyable hours watching The Last Ship, an older TNT show that is now on HBO. It was very tense and enjoyable. Later this month, the 3rd season of Dark Winds will be on Netflix. I hope it's as good as the first two seasons.

I know I'm an oldster now, and I think I have a pretty good idea of what that means. But the thing I didn't anticipate was that so many of my long-time friends as well as family would start facing so many health issues. It drags me down sometimes as I realize I'm going to lose them. I've already lost a few. Hug everyone you love while you can.

"Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance." Eckhart Tolle

Do you have a favorite writing creation? Do attend book fests or participate in them? Anything about getting older that have surprised you?

IWSG: September 2025

Welcome to the September IWSG monthly blog. Thanks to all the admins of IWSG and our founder , Alex J. Cavanaugh. Visit all the participants of this blog hop on this list.

 What are your thoughts on using AI, such as GPChat, Raptor, and others with your writing? Would you use it for research, story bible, or creating outlines\beats?

Wow. 

The question of the year, decade, and century. Where are we going? Do we use it, ignore it, or be destroyed by it. Not in the Skynet way. I mean will AI destory the arts? Everytime I'm with a group of writers, this question comes up.

One of my friends used GPChat to edit her book! Another told me that AI is being used heavily in the tech writing world. Ask any teacher who teaches a writing course. It's a battle and hours of extra work for them to run student writings through an AI detection program. And as AI gets better, the detection will get more difficult.

I have had writers and professionals in the publishing world advising that one use AI to help write blurbs, outlines, and everything else.

As of today, I'm still writing the way I always have. I do my own outline and story beats. I use the spelling/grammar check in my documents. Of course, I use the internet to research. But tomorrow?

I don't know. I have attended workshops on AI where I've heard many pros and some of the cons. I know writers who have had their novels used to train AI without permission of compensation. I've seen amazing promotional items created by AI. The only thing I'm sure of about AI is that we should learn everything we can about what it does or we'll be blind-sided. 

Will future generations who do most of their reading on their phones or tablets going to be able to tell the difference between something created by a human and something created by AI? 

I personally have no interest in any story that has no character development. Can an AI write something with character development? Can it be taught to do that? If AI can create a new 'Beatles' song, will it also be able to eventually create a 'Stephen King' novel or a Harlequin romance?

I can't wait to read what you all think about AI. I believe this discussion will happen over and over again.

"The future's not set, There's no fate but what we make for ourselves." John Conner, Terminator 2: Judgement Day

I had to put a Terminator quote in there.

On the writing side of things, I'm about halfway through the second draft of my latest WIP. Lots of cutting, rearranging, and using better verbs.

Someone somewhere among my blogging friends recommended the show, The Last Ship, as a good series to fill the evenings with. I admit, I fell in love with it. So much tension. There are only 4 seasons available. Apparently, the 5th series was so bad, they don't even license it to streaming platforms. I'm kind of glad I didn't watch before the Covid pandemic.

I have so many great books to read right now, but I'm also busy with so much else. Hope you're enjoying some lovely fall weather. I am, before the miserable cold gets here.

Did you ever watch The Last Ship? Are you predicting a 'Skynet' scenario or can we tame AI into a useful tool?

IWSG: August 2025

 

Another month has flown by shockingly fast. Time for our monthly blog hop to share our insecurities advice and sometimes, our successes. Thanks to the entire IWSG admin team and our intrepid founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh we've been at this for a while. Find the entire list of participants here.

This month's optional question:

What is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?

I'm not sure I would call it in the 'industry' but the illegal selling of ebooks has always been an issue. And now we have the illegal use of our books to train AI so that someday AI may learn to actually be creative in a really creepy way. Where will it go from here?

I'm looking forward to reading other answers to this question. I believe there are probably unethical things in most professions and some more horrible than what we face in writing.

I'm about a third of the way through my second draft of my WIP. I have a title for the book but not the series. It will come. As usual when I start a second draft, the first one isn't nearly as terrible as I thought it was.

If I didn't say it last month, I loved Murderbot on AppleTV. I've been reading the books since they came out and was thrilled they were doing a show. I was worried they wouldn't do it justice, but they did. I don't know if they'll do a second season, but I'm hoping.

Did some more planning for next year's Pennwriters Annual Conference. We selected our menu and it's one of the best we've ever had. The hotel updated their restaurant and selections. Chuck Wendig and Maria V. Snyder are going to be incredible keynote speakers.

My granddaughter is on a crafting binge so that is fun. I would enjoy it more if arthritis was n't destroying my thumbs right now. I had to give up crocheting and now needlepoint is becoming too painful. No sympathy needed. I earned all that damage with years of playing sports and other things that overworked and injured those joints. I feel grateful for all the phyical things I can still do like walking and swimming. And I always have my jigsaw puzzles. Working on my first 6,000 piece puzzle. It's wonderfully challenging.

Still enjoying the heat. We've had a few great days with temps in the high seventies and little humidity. We get about a dozen of those perfect days in PA so we appreciate them when they happen.

Hope your writing is going well. What nasty things have you discovered in the publishing industry? Do you enjoy any crafting? Have you read anything by Chuck Wendig or Maria V. Snyder?

IWSG: July 2026

 

Hello writerly friends. The year is half over already! Yikes. I want to thank the founder of IWSG, Alex J. Cavanaugh and all the admins who make this group the best place to share and work through your insecurities. Find the entire list here.

This month's optional question:

Is there a genre you haven't tried writing in yet that you really want to try? If so, do you plan on trying it?

Excellent question. I really, really intend to dabble in poetry. I have a book and so many scraps of paper. But it never seems like I have to time to really put my mind to it. I will. Someday, I will.

My writing time now is all going toward the second draft of my current WIP. The name of the series and the books revealed themselves also. Not sure about the series name.

I've been good on my exercising. 10,000 steps on most days except when it rains, which unfortunately, is pretty often. I don't mind the heat dome, but rain keeps me inside. 

I'm also promoting the Chocolatetown Bookfest coming in October. It's the first year I've managed to secure a spot. Registration opens and fills up within two hours. It's crazy. 

I'm also busy planning the 2026 Pennwriters Annual Conference. We're extremely excited to have Chuck Wendig and Maria V. Snyder as our keynotes. We'll be in Lancaster, PA, next May. This month, we'll be settling the menu and collecting workshop proposals.

I enjoyed Dept Q on Netflix. The Accountant 2 was okay. Lots of funny stuff mixed in with the brutality. The Old Guard do is coming soon. I hope it's as good as the first one.

What genre do you want to try out? Are you okay in the summer heat? If it's summer where you are, that is. Anything entertaining you on the small or big screen?

IWSG: June 2025

 

Welcome to June's IWSG blog post. Thanks to our founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh, and the other admins of IWSG, we meet each month to share the writing wins, losses, questions, and advice with all the other writers on this list.

First apologies for missing last month's bloghop. I was very busy with the Pennwriters Conference and didn't even think of my post until a week too late. 

This month's optional question is a good one. I can wait to read the responses:

What were some books that impacted you as a child or young adult?

I was always a voracious reader, but I grew up way out in the back of beyond and I didn't have easy access to books. My little country school didn't even have a library until I was in sixth grade. My fourth grade teacher had a few shelves of paperback books we could borrow. I loved her for that.

A Wrinkle in Time was one of my first favorites and introduced me to speculative fiction. Bambi taught me that Disney really takes liberty with source material to make their movies family friendly. Where the Red Fern Grows taught me to really cry over a book. My oldest son reminded me that I traumatized him by giving him that book to read when he was in elementary school. I read every animal book I could get my hands on.

But in 9th grade, my english teacher did a unit where we had to read The Hobbit. From that moment on, reading fantasy was what I loved best. It wasn't until almost ten years later that I even considered writing a story of my own. Another ten years before I seriously considered it, and ten more before I started. Unlike a lot of writers, I had no desire to write a novel growing up.

The Pennwriters Conference was amazing. We're already well into planning next year's conference. More about that later this year. If you have a chance to attend a writer's conference, I highly recommend it. It's inspiring in a special way and there is so much to take in.

I'm working on the second draft of the first book in my next fantasy series. I finally came up with a series title and a few days into the second draft I figured out the title of the first book. The first draft is really rough so the second one is going to need a lot of work.

• "If everything was perfect, you would never learn and you would never grow." – Beyoncé

I'm enjoying Murder Bot though I wish the espisodes were longer. I binged Department Q on Netflix in one day. Enjoyable. I haven't watched the second season of The Last of Us yet, but it's on my list as is Captain America, Brave New World. I also will watch The Accountant 2 when it starts streaming.

Hope your weather has warmed up. Ours if finally doing so. Way too much rain lately. The older I get the more difficult it is to force myself to go outside when there is a chill, too much wind, or wet stuff falling.

Any good entertainment on your to-see list? Did you read any of the books I loved growing up? What was the first book to make you cry?

IWSG: April 2025

 It's time again for the first Wednesday blogging event. Thanks to the great admins at IWSG and our founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh, we have a safe place to share our concerns, victories, and ideas. See the entire list here.

This month's optional question: What fantasy character would you like to fight, go on a quest with, or have a beer/glass of wine with?

I always wanted to go through the Stargate to another planet and still haven't forgiven SyFy network or ending that series. But I guess if have to pick a character, I guess I would like to travel with Doctor Who and see all those worlds and universes. There must be so many cool things to see and beings to meet.

Still busy working on the conference stuff. This is always the tense time when deadlines are approaching and so is financial concerns. There is always the worry we'll cover the costs and break even. Even is our goal as a nonprofit. That also means we live on slim margins. It's looking like we're going to eek our way through. Pennwriters Annual Conference is good for another year.

Reacher was violent this year. Really, really bad guys but I found it somewhat predictable. Not sure how I like the new season of Daredevil, but so far, pretty good.

Had a great visit to Troy, NY to spend some time with my daughter and her wife. They have a great farmer's market every Saturday morning. Great food and crafts. They also have one of my favorite bookstores. Bought my granddaughter two books while I was there.

Helped her with some workstuff, though mostly I just carried things. She works at a tough job, emotionally. I couldn't do it everyday like she does.

Where is your fantasy vacation to and who with? Were you a Stargate fan? Is the spring weather drawing you outside? Are bulbs and blossoms adding color to your neck of the woods?

IWSG: Maych 2025

 

Time again for the first of the month blog hop with Insecure Writer's Support Group. Thank you to our founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh, and all the IWSG admins. Time to share our insecurities and support each other in this difficult business of being a writer.

Firstly, I hope you'll stop in and comment on my guest post on the IWSG blog page titled:

Planning a Conference: A Big Job and an Adventure

This month's optional question:

If for one day you could be anyone or *thing* in the world, what would it be? Describe, tell why, and any themes, goals, or values they/it inspire in you.

Well, I would absolutely be Superman. If I could be Superman, there would be world peace and a lot of bad things would stop happening. Now, if the answer has to be someone or something that really exists, I think I would like to be the smartest, best hacker in the world. I would go after all those scammers stealing from regular folks. But since I can't be either of those things, I would just like to be the best person I can. I would like to be have more patience, be kinder, and a better person overall. I'm trying.

I'm so busy getting ready for that Pennwriters Annual Conference. We have so many awesome writers ready to share their expertise. It is a great weekend.

I'm also working on setting up some book signing events for the coming year. So far, I only have two on the schedule, but I'm hoping for more.

Please, please warm up soon. I have no tolerance for even chilly days and I want to walk outside.

I'm excited to see Daredevil coming back to Disney. Hope they did a good job. I watched Night Agent and didn't like it as well as the first season. The end of the first season seemed to end with the good guys on top. This season didn't feel that way even though they stopped the attack.

Would you like to be Superman? It would be a lot of responsibility. Are you attending or running any book events in the coming months? Are the days getting warmer in your neck of the woods?

Guest at IWSG

 Good day everyone. Not only will temperatures be above freezing for at least part of each day this week, but I have the supreme privilege of doing a guest post on the IWSG blog.

I was asked to talk a bit about the nuts and bolts behind putting on a writing conference. I highly recommend attending one if you can. There is nothing quite so inspiring as spending time with other writers.

I hope you'll visit and leave a comment. And if you're able, attend the 38th Annual Pennwriters Conference this May in Pittsburgh, PA. Would love to see you there.

IWSG: February 2025

 

I've been so busy, but I didn't forget the first Wednesday IWSG. I want to start with an apology for not getting around to other blogs the last two months. I'll do better.  Thank you to IWSG founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh and all the admins of this super supportive group. There is so much information on the IWSG site, you can spend all day there when you need to procrastinate. 

I expected to be done with my first draft on my newest fantasy series, but I keep writing and not getting to 'The End.' I will keep going, but the second draft might take forever. I already of a list of things to fix, rewrite, delete, etc.

I have a book signing in about 10 days. It's at a combination greenhouse and gift shop. I've been doing this event off and on for about ten years. I sold a lot of books last year and hope to do even half as well this year. I also give out information to other writers about IWSG and Pennwriters. I have the best of both worlds, Pennwriters, an in-person writers group, and IWSG, an online community. There is so much expertise in each group, that I will never learn everything that is offered.

"Teach thy tongue to say, "I do not know," and thous shalt progress." Maimonides

I expect many of you will be enduring an ice storm tonight into tomorrow. What it means for me, besides worrying about people who have to drive to work, is that my granddaughter will have virtual school. Since her parents are both teachers and will be conducting their own Zoom classes, that means Grammy is sharing her office. I recently gifted her with her own desk and desk chair because she loves using mine so much. Hers is like mine except smaller. She loves it and it means I can get work done while staying out of sight for her virtual school day. Stay safe and warm, everyone.

"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain." Dolly Parton

I've been keeping up with my walking, averaging around 14K steps per day. I feel a difference in my energy the longer I keep at it. But I can't take the cold, so most of my steps are inside. I need a little warm weather to keep me motivated.

I've been watching a lot of documentaries on Amazon and Netflix lately. I can't seem to keep interest in any series or movies lately. Nothing I'm really looking forward to either.

Are you in the path of the coming ice storm and the two following behind it? Watched any good documentaries lately? How do you get your exercise when the weather is bad? What are you working on currently?

IWSG: January 2025

 Hello all in the brand new year. Time does go so fast. Thank you to the admins of IWSG and our founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh, for keeping this group together and growing. There's always something happening. Find the list of participants here.

This month's optional question:

 Describe someone you admired when you were a child. Did your opinion of that person change when you grew up?

So easy for me. My father was an amazing person. He was a WWII vet and mostly self-educated. Like a lot of men during that time, he didn't finish high school so he could enlist. After the war, he and my mother bought a farm and raised their family of seven children. It was a dairy farm and my father worked long, long hours. The farm paid for five of us to go to college, though it didn't cost near so much back in those days. Despite his tenth grade education, my father was a voracious reader, mostly non-fiction. We were very close with similar introverted personalities. It was really rough when I lost him. He had a strong faith, and I hope to see him again in a better place.

"The man who has done his best has done everything." Charles M. Schwab

I've been so busy with writing and writing related stuff. I've almost completed my first draft of the first book in my newest epic fantasy series. I've also been busy organizing the Pennwriters Annual Conference Registration. It is now open. If Pittsburgh, PA isn't too far for you, please consider joining us in May for 3 days of over 60 workshops, agent/editor pitch opportunties, networking with other writers, and some amazing keynote speakers. Check it all out right here.

I've barely turned on the TV and haven't watched any new shows for a while now. I've put on my writing playlist and work away.

"I'd rather die of passion than of boredom." Vincent van Gogh

I have been exercising regularly and getting results so that's a good trend going into the new year.

"Either you run the day, or the day runs you." Jim Rohn 

For Christmas, I received a new set of shelving for in my office. My TBR pile is better organized now. Then one of my sons surprised me with a brand new set of cookware from Cusinart and another son gifted me a new iPad Pro. So exciting.

I hope the snow storm didn't bury your abode this week. We only have a few inches but with this cold weather, we're likely to have it for a while.

Stay safe, and stay warm.

How much snow did you get if any? Who have you admired in the past? Have any plans to attend workshops or conferences in 2025?

IWSG: December 2024

 

Welcome to the last IWSG post of 2024. Thank you to our founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh and all the IWSG admins. They do a great job and provide a service to all members. I hope they know we appreciate them. So share your woes and wins to the all the IWSG Members on this list.

This month's optional question:

Do you write cliffhangers at the end of your stories? Are they a turn-off to you as a writer and/or a reader?

Kind of. I write series and there has to be a hook to carry the reader to the next book. Often that mean a character in danger at the end of a book, so it is a cliffhanger, but I also make sure each book has some kind of satisfying payoff. If that makes sense.

As a reader, I don't mind if an author leaves a book on a cliffhanger if they don't take years to write the next book. (Looking at you, George RR Martin, and you, Patrick Rothfuss) 

I'm very grateful as the year draws to a close, for all my writing friends. You've been so supportive and helpful to me.

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays and hope you get it to spend it with those you love. We will have our big family celebration on the 24th and a quieter day on the 25th with all the kids stopping by for leftovers. I love Christmas. Unlike Thanksgiving, which is a lot of work for me since I always host, Christmas is just fun and comfort of family. Hope you have the same.

This past year, I managed to re-publish my two completed fantasy series, The Morbunda Saga, and The Futhark Chronicles. The small presses that had previously published them both closed and returned my rights to me. I also have started the next fantasy series. I hope to complete the first rough draft of Book 1 by the end of December. It's still called Book 1 because I haven't some up with a title yet.

Besides writing and getting ready for Christmas, in my spare time I'm working on the 2025 Pennwriters' Annual Conference. It's happening in May in Pittsburgh, PA. I hope any IWSGers who live near there will consider attending. Last year's conference was one of my all-time favorites because I was able to meet L. Diane Wolfe as she took pitches and led workshops. Our attendees loved her. She is so upbeat and knowledgeable about the publishing world. I hope I can meet more of my blogging friends this year. I'll share links to the conference information in January's post.

My live reading went really well last month. Though I was nervous about it, once the time came, I was comfortable and the audience was great. I even sold some books afterward.

Beyond finishing the first draft of a new novel I'm working on, I hope to attend at least one book signing event each month next year. I have two already on the schedule. That's the end of my plans (goals) for next year.

What about you? Cliffhangers or no? Plans for next year? Did you meet this year's goals. Happy and joyous season to you all.

IWSG: November 2024 Version

 

Welcome, all you bloggers who keep on blogging away every first Wednesday for the IWSG blog hop. Thanks as usual to our founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh, and all the admins who keep this group vibrant and so very useful. And most of all, thanks to all of you for being supportive and positive through all the ups and downs of this business we call writing. Find all the participants here.

The monthly optional question:

What creative activity do you engage in when you're not writing?

Well, not as many as I used to do. I love to bake, but my children are all grown and living on their own. Baking would be too much temptation for me and my husband. I still do a little with my granddaughter. I love baking bread and haven't done it for years. I also love crocheting and crossstitch, but I've been having some trouble with arthritis in my thumbs. Probably products of a misspent youth playing various sports. Probably the most creative thing I do besides writing now is planning and producing writing conferences. It takes a lot of organization, hours of work designing the schedule, and tons of patience dealing with instructors and attendees. I've been spending my walking time pondering a theme for the 2026 Conference. Our 2025 Conference theme is Thrills, Chills, and Quills. Our keynotes write thrillers that are quite chilling.

I'm doing a live-reading from one of my books at an event this coming Sunday. I haven't done one of these before. I'm not shy about speaking in public, but reading from my own work is giving me some qualms.

I think I complained about the rain in my last month's post. I'm not complaining, but we're on day 31 of having had no measurable rainfall. I'm quite happy living in a desert, but I know we need some rain if we expect the bulbs to come up again next spring.

I'm 85K into my latest WIP. I hoped to type The End by Christmas but I'm not sure I'll make it. It's been fun finally working on a new book and being excited about it.

I've been showing my age in what TV I've been enjoying. I'm really into Matlock and Elsbeth. Both star older women who are very clever. Yep, I love those old ladies outsmarting everyone.

It's true, I've become one of those grumpy older women. Penelope Wilton

No matter who you voted for in the election, you have to be as happy as me to have your phone stop blowing up everyday. I live in PA, so it's been really irritating.

• “Every election is determined by the people who show up.” — Larry J. Sabato
• I hope those of you who live in the USA have a great Thanksgiving planned. I'm still having the entire family at my house. It's nice that everyone can make it this year. I wish you a peaceful gathering and lots of leftovers for the weekend. 
• What are some of your creative outlets? Are your holiday plans coming together? Did you ever do a live reading? Did you enjoy it?
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IWSG: October 2024

 

Hello all and happy fall. Time for our monthly blog hop. Thank you to the admins of the Insecure Writers Support Group who keep this show running. And a special thanks to our founder, Alex J. Cavanuagh, who saw the need for writers to share their woes, experiences, and expertise.

Today's optional question:

Ghost stories fit right in during this month. What's your favorite classic ghostly tale? Tell us about it and why it sends chills up your spine.

I don't think I have a favorite ghost story. I'm not into ghost tales. One of my favorite uses of ghosts in a movie is The Lord of the Rings when Aragon called on the ghosts who had betrayed his ancestors and they fought beside him to save Gondor. They were cooler in the book, but the movie did a pretty good job.

“Monsters are real, and ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win.” - Stephen King

This month is my blog's anniversary. I shared my first blog in 2008. The blog-o-sphere was a much busier place then and I blogged three times a week. I don't know how I kept that up and still had time to write. In the years since, three bloggers I felt close to passed away. It was an odd sadness when I had never spoken to those people in person. More bloggers have just stopped blogging. I haven't. Yet. And there are enough friends still active to keep me here.

On the other hand, there are some blogs that thrive and grow. One of those is Terrible Minds by Chuck Wendig. He does a lot of promo for his own successful books but also for other writers. He also blogs about a lot of things important to writers. Here is his opinion on the NaNoWriMo fiasco. And then his take on Generative AI. I read most of his content.

Finally, some new stuff on TV. I'm watching the Rings of Power on Amazon. It moves so slow sometimes and has so many story lines, but it keeps me interested. I'm going to catch up on the new season of Tulsa King on Paramount, and The Old Man on Hulu. I guess I'm feeling my age that I'm enjoying shows where the main characters are old folks.

I hope whereever you live, you're getting some sunshine today. We're on our 11th straight day of clouds, drizzle, and endless rain. I know we need rain and some people like rain, but I would be happy in the desert. And I have relatives in the south who are fortunately all safe, but I feel for all those who were in the path of the recent hurricane.

"Keep your face always toward the sunshine and shadows will fall behind you." Walt Whitman

Do you enjoy ghost stories? How long have you been blogging? Is there a good informative blog you follow faithfully? Did the recent storms impact you?

IWSG: September 2024

 

Welcome to this month's IWSG blog hop. As usual thanks to our founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh, and all the admins of IWSG. Find more bloggers who are sharing their news and giving support on this list.

This month's optional question:

Since it's back to school time, let's talk English class. What's a writing rule you learned in school that messed you up as a writer?

Excellent question. I struggled with 'never end a sentence with a proposition' bull when I first started writing. A few others that really don't apply to fiction writing like using complete sentences. People don't talk or think in completes sentences all the time. I can't wait to read what everyone has to say.

Some new TV is slowly being offered. The Rings of Power started off grim and dark as expected. I'm looking forward to the return of the second season of The Old Man on Hulu and the Tulsa King on Paramount +. We'll wait and see what the networks have to offer.

I'm still doing good on my exercising. My granddaughter and I spent a lot of time and distance on our bikes the last few weeks. Since she's mastered the skill, we've been doing about 4 miles a day. Not a big distance but her legs are still pretty little. Long walks on other days.

The writing is going well. I'm about 70,000 words on my latest. I'm also busy planning the 2025 Pennwriter's Conference which will be held in Pittsburgh next May. More details coming in the next few months. I've also signed up to be involved in two book events. More on that next month.

IWSG has brought up AI a few times. Here's an opinion from Chuck Wendig.  My other writing group had already been advising members to stay away from NaNo. I have to agree.

What writing rules have you been breaking? Have you heard about the NaNo scandal? Hope your neck of the woods is cooling off as we rush toward fall.

IWSG: August 2024

 Welcome to my take on IWSG first Wednesday blog hop. Thanks to all the admins of IWSG and our founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh. And to find all the other participants, check out the list.

This month's optional question:

Do you use AI in your writing and if so how? Do you use it for your posts? Incorporate it into your stories? Use it for research? Audio?

Like many people, I use Grammarly. And I'm sure there are ways I use AI without even being aware of it. Is the stupid auto-correct on my phone, AI? I don't use it to write my content or brainstorm, or to create audio. I've attended a few workshops about it. Many writers are using AI to help with blurbs and such things. I haven't turned there. I feel like everyone's answer to this question will evolve.

I want to apologize for missing last month's IWSG. I think that might be the second time since the very beginning since I skipped a month. The time really got away from me.

I've been busy working on my WIP. I'm over 60K and have been averaging about 500 words per day. I'm kind of pleased with it though this first draft is really, really rough. My hope is to have it completed and a more polished version ready for next year's Pennwriters Annual Conference.

"It doesn't matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." Confucius

I'm looking forward to the upcoming final season of The Umbrella Academy on Netflix and the next season of The Rings of Power on Amazon. I've barely turned on the TV all summer.

Still exercising on a pretty regular basis despite the heat. I've always liked the heat, but I'm more careful since I'm an old lady now. A few more weeks of the pool being open. That helps when I have that to look forward to at the end of a 4 mile walk. Summer goes by so fast.

"Eighty percent of success is showing up." Woody Allen

Is your opinion about AI in writing evolving? Do you have thoughts about where this will lead? Has the extra hot summer changed your routines?