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: 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?