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?
• 
  

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: 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?

IWSG: June 2024

 

Whew, I almost put the wrong date in my post. I typed 2026 but fortunately caught it. Time is flying but not that fast. But it is time for the monthly get together of the IWSG blog hop. As usual, thanks to our founder,  Alex J. Cavanaugh and all the IWSG admins who do so much. Find the entire list of participants here.

This month's optional question:

In this constantly evolving industry, what kind of offering/service do you think the IWSG should consider offering to members?

Good question, but not sure of the answer. I've learned so much from IWSG and met so many amazing writers, many of whom feel like close friends. I've been thinking of some things being done in my other writing groups. I'm not sure if they are things that would work for IWSG. 

One is a write-in, held on Zoom at certain times where writers meet and just write together. Participants come and go as they need. Sometimes the moderator starts the write-in with a short spiel about something writing related. Sometimes the write-in starts with participants sharing what they're working on. One group does this one day a week. Another group does it every weekday.

A second thing one of my groups does is have once monthly review parties. There are different ways to organize these, but the goal is to help other writers get reviews for their books.

Last month an amazing thing happened. I was privileged to meet L. Diane Wolfe in person. She was a guest of Pennwriters in Lancaster PA where she led workshops and took pitches from hopeful writers. She is even more wonderful than I expected. What energy! Everyone loved her. She was kind, funny, knowledgeable, and just a light wherever she went.

The entire conference was great fun and very informative, but Diane was one of the biggest highlights for me.

I'm still working steadily on my newest fantasy series. I hope to have the first draft done by the end of the summer. It's a really, really rough draft.

My exercising is going well and the warm weather always motivates me. And the swimming pool is open. I've been jogging at least two days a week and walking at least three days. My jogging is soooo slow that my younger self wouldn't even have called it jogging, but it works my muscles so much better than walking.

TV and streaming is so boring for me right now. I'm rewatching Fringe for the third time because I can't find anything I want to watch.

Do you have any ideas for IWSG moving forward? Have you made some forever friends in this group? Have you had a chance to meet any of them in person?

IWSG: May 2024

 It's difficult to believe it's 2024 and soon to be summer. I do love the hot weather nearly as much as I love IWSG. Please share all you insecurities with the participants on this list and my usual thanks and appreciation to the IWSG admins and our founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh.

This month's optional question: How do you deal with distractions when you are writing? Do they derail you?

I tend to write late at night after most distractions are already in bed. This is a holdover from my years teaching when the only time I had to myself was usually between 9PM and midnight. It's still my most productive time.

In the meantime, I'm about 40K into the new novel. The ideas are coming too fast and I can't keep up. It's fun to be there again.

"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." Maya Angelou

Only two weeks until the Pennwriters Annual Conference. Can't wait. I'll share any writing tidbits I pick up with you next month. For the first time in years, the bookseller will be selling some of my books at the conference book sale. Hoping to gain some new fans.

We're lucky to have Hank Phillippi Ryan as our keynote. Her books are great and she's a tremendous speaker.  Our other keynote, Timons Esaias, has been an instructor in a MFA for creative writing program for years. He's published many poems and short stories in speculative fiction magazines. I've attended his workshops numerous times in the past. He's a winner and very entertaining.

I'm looking forward to watching Shardlake on Hulu starting today. I've been a fan of those books for years and I do love historical thrillers and mysteries. In the meantime, I've been watching Beacon 23 on Amazon. I read that book a long time ago, and I don't remember at all how the story spools out.

Keeping busy with the warmer weather with walking, jogging, and riding bike. I feel strong but I haven't really lost any weight. Sigh...

"Nothing is impossible, the word itself says, 'I'm possible!'" Audrey Hepburn

Are you easily distracted when writing? Do you usually write at a certain time of day? Have you a favorite writer you'd like to hear as an inspirational speaker?

IWSG: April 2024

 Welcome to the monthly blog hop of the IWSG.  Please visit the site and check out all the participants, and don't forget to thank our founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh and all the admins of this terrific group. Let's share our pain and triumphs with other writers.

This month's optional question:

How long have you been blogging? (Or on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram?) What do you like about it and how has it changed?

Well, I've been blogging since 2008 so, a long time. I was on Facebook at about the same time. It's not my favorite place and I started Twitter whenever it started. I've had an Instagram account for a number of years but have only recently started being more active on there. Instagram is the most distracting for me. I really like the content I find there. I always feel a bit sad about how blogging isn't what it once was, but I have made real friends through this blog. I've never liked Facebook and only visit because I feel I shouldn't totally let it go and I see pictures of my relatives on there. Twitter is often mean. I've blocked so many negative people on there. Will we ever call it X? Never expect to see me on TikTok.

I still working on my new WIP and have taken a pause in getting my previously published books back out there since I now have all my rights back from the publishers. I did the work and have re-published my two completed fantasy series. The Morbunda Trilogy and The Futhark Chronicles are now available on Amazon. I still have more than 20 science fiction romance novels to re-publish.

I watched the 3 Body Problem on Netflix. I found it to be okay but I don't get all the hoopla about it. I enjoyed the new version of Roadhouse. 

In some cool news, my granddaughter has joined in my jigsaw puzzle hobby. Though she just turned 7, she's doing 300 piece puzzle by herself. She used an end of my puzzle table while I'm working my my 3,000 piece puzzles and we talk about everything. I know all the first grade intrigue from her elementary school which I can't share because I'm sworn to silence.

I hope spring is heading your way. Be safe if you're lucky enough to see the eclipse next week. I'm excited about it.

What is your preferred social media contact with the world? Any social media you despise? Is spring upon your abode yet? Did you love The 3 Body Problem? 

IWSG: March 2024

 It's warm, rainy, and March. Welcome to another blog hop of IWSG. Please check out the entire list of participants here. Thank you to our founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh and to all the admins who provide a safe place for writers of all genres and all levels of experience.

This month's optional question:

Have you "played" with AI to write those nasty synopses, or do you refuse to go that route? How do you feel about AI's impact on creative writing?

Excellent topic. I can't wait to read everyone's opinion and experiences. I have not used AI for any of my writing stuff. I think it's a slippery slope. I know some writers who are touting it, and I think they are sliding down that slope. AI can already duplicate your physical voice and with training, can duplicate writing styles. Some AI companies have already been sued for using writers' work to train their AI. We all like to think that nothing can replace human creativity, but I think that belief underestimates AI's possibilities. I fear AI's impact on the writing world. 

And let's not get started on SKYNET.  LOL

My own writing is going pretty good. New stuff is getting done, though slower than I'd wish. Old stuff is getting editing and new covers. I'm almost done with that for the immediate future. I'll have my two completed fantasy series available on Amazon very soon. Book #3 in The Futhark Chronicles, Beneath the Mountain, is now available on Amazon.

I'm feeling good about exercising. With the warmer weather, I'm off the elliptical and back on the road with my old-lady jog.

I'm really disappointed in Netflix. They canceled two shows I enjoyed, Shadow and Bone and The Brothers Sun.  At least a few network shows I follow are back on, but I'm not really exited about any of them except Will Trent.

I'm busy organizing the registration for the 37th Annual Pennwriters Conference being held in Lancaster this year. I'm so excited to meet in person, L. Diane Wolfe, who will be attending, leading workshops and taking pitches from attendees. She's making a long drive and we appreciated it.

Do you think you're read anything written by AI? Do you attend in-person writing conferences or workshops? Any shows you love get cancelled lately? 

IWSG: February 2024

Here we are for this month's Insecure Writers Support Group blog hop. Big thank you to the admins of IWSG and our founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh. Please stop by and share your highs and lows in this crazy writing life. And stop by to visit as many of the blogs on the participant list as you can.

Before answering this month's question, if you have a minute stop by my guest post featuring L. Diane Wolfe as she talks about her favorite 'alien' themed movies and announces her newest release, In Darkness: The Alien.

Diane is so talented. She writes fiction and nonfiction, runs her own publishing company, and attends
many events and conferences. And does them all very successfully. I'm very excited to announce that L. Diane Wolfe will be a guest publisher at the 2024 Annual Pennwriters Conference being held in May in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. After being online friends for years, I'll get to meet Diane in person. You can too. Find out more about the conference here

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This month's optional question:  What turns you off when visiting an author's website/blog? Lack of information? A drone of negativity? Little mention of author's books? Constant mention of books?

I can't put my finger on any one thing. If I go to an author's website, I want to hear about their books or I've followed a link because they're sharing some writing advice. I don't even mind if their newsletter invite pops up. I don't see many author websites that turn me off so I'm interested to read the other posts on this subject.

My writing is going okay. I'm still spending time each day on getting my books back out into the world. I have more than 30 books previously published by small presses that I now have my rights back to that

I'm re-editing and publishing myself. I'm trying to do one per month and have managed that so far. My latest re-emergence novel is my first fantasy novel ever published. The Keepers of Sulbreth is the first book in The Futhark Chronicles. Books 2, 3, & 4 will be forthcoming. I admit, I like the cover I designed better than the one my previous publisher created.

I'm so eager for spring, but I know it's a long way off. In good news, I think sometime within the next week or so, TV networks are finally getting some new shows on the air. I loved Will Trent last season and I'm looking forward to season 2 of Halo. Did you watch The Brothers Sun on Netflix.  Highly recommend.

I hope you're staying warm, and if you're in California, dry and safe. Seems that some kind of dangerous weather somewhere all the time.

Do you have a favorite alien movie? Do you have pet peeves about author websites? How is your writing going?

IWSG: January 2024!

 It  can't be 2024, yet here it is. There's a great way to start the year and that's with IWSG. Thanks to the admins and our founder Alex J. Cavanaugh, we can all share our insecurities for another year. Please find more bloggers participating in this blog hop here.

I am going to skip the optional question this month and talk about other things today.

I've said many times that I don't set goals, but I do make plans and right long to-do lists. Writing this post was on my most recent list. Other things on there for January of 2024:

1. Reach out to more reviewers and review sites for The Morbunda Trilogy.

2. Update my Goodreads page and other social media.

3. Continue work on my newest WIP. (No title yet even though I'm almost 30K in)

4. Write more reviews for my writer friends.

5. Help Pennwriters open registration for the Annual Writers Conference being held in May.

6. Begin editing on another of the book series I've recovered my rights for so I can self-published it.

That's enough for January. In the last three months of 2023, I managed to self-publish 3 books, write that 30K, attend a mini-con and set up a book signing for February. 

"I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have." Thomas Jefferson

The holidays were joyful and filled with family and friends. Too much food, but that's what the treadmill and stepper is for. Later this week, I'm heading out to meet a friend at an indie bookstore/cafe. I hope you find time to support those local bookshops and keep them running.

I enter 2024 with more optimism than I felt a year ago about my writing. I wish I could make enough on my books to dent the inflation that is hurting my pocket.

"If you can dream it, you can achieve it." Zig Ziglar

I wish you all a happy and healthy 2024. 

Are you making goals and plans for 2024? Are you feeling optimistic this January? Did you accomplish what you want in 2023? Do you have a favorite indie bookstore?

IWSG: November 2023

 

Whew, November already. Thanks to all the admins at IWSG and our founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh, we're still going strong with our monthly supportive blog hop. Please find the entire list of participants here.

This month's optional question:

November is National Novel Writing Month. Have you ever participated? If not, why not?

I have never participated in NaNo and likely never will. It's not how I write, with that hurried urgency to just get words on the page. I admire those who do and will cheer them on. I know many writers have written successful novels during NaNo. I won't be one of them.

I am working on new writing and getting work done of the books I received my rights back from the publishers who previously held them. Not all the books were published before I took back the rights, but most of them have already been through multiple rounds of edits.

My big news is that with the help of others, I've re-released First Dragon, Book One of The Morbunda Trilogy. 

Birthed in fire. Bound by family.
A fast-paced tale of a war smoldering for centuries and waiting for a spark to burn down the fragile peace. The foundling, Kerik, learns his true nature as war rolls over the land of Morbunda. Everyone he cares about is in danger and only he has the power to keep them safe. But can one dragon stand against an entire invading army?

Find First Dragon on Amazon in ebook and print.

I'm busy doing final line edits on the second book, War Dragon. And still working on my new stuff which is a change for me. Usually, I tend to only work on one project at a time.

Not that there's anything to distract me on TV. This week I'm going to try Bodies on Netflix. Nothing else interests me right now. But I've kicked my workouts into a higher gear and am back to jogging after almost two years of walking only. I'm sooooo slow, but it still feels good and I've lost some weight. I hope I can keep it going as cold weather creeps in to ruin my days.

I hope those of you in the USA have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. The family all comes to my house so I'll be busy and exhausted but also surrounded by love and fun. Everyone gets along and there's never drama. I wish that all for you also.

Are you doing NaNo? Are you dreading the cold like I am? Having Thanksgiving at your house?

IWSG: October 2023

 

Here we are again. Time for the IWSG blog hop. Thanks to founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh, and all the admins of this amazing group. Please share your woes and victories so we can support you and celebrate you. Find the entire list of participants here.

This month's optional question:

The topic of AI writing has been heavily debated across the world. According to various sources, generative AI will assist writers, not replace them. What are your thoughts?

I think AI is the biggest threat to writers there is, and it's only going to get smarter. The Hollywood strike really alerted us to their concerns. If I'm correct in what I know, AI could read a few books you've written and then create a new book using your voice. Not that anyone would want to do that to me, but I think big-name writers need to be aware. It's already been done for music. Soon art? I hope that humanity continues to want human-created content and art, but I fear the point will come when machine generated material will replace so much. A disclaimer here, I'm not even close to an expert on what AI can do, but I'm not sure anyone else is either.

I do know a few fiction writers who have embraced it. I don't understand how they think it improves their work. My family jokes about the coming of Skynet of Terminator fame, but I'm starting to wonder if reality is getting closer to fiction.

But as usual, I just keep on going and doing my thing. I wrote about 10K in my newest work this past month, and I almost have my re-releases ready on Amazon. 

A few entertainment things have given me an hour or two of mindlessness. The second season of the Wheel of Time is underway. I try to appreciate it for what it is and not compare it too much to the books. I find it 'okay.' The second season of Loki starts tomorrow. I'll probably watch it. I started to watch two new shows, Irrational and Found. Not sold but I'll tune in a few more times.

I'm going to a one day conference in Erie later this month. I'm excited about it.

This month marks my blogging anniversary. I started this blog in 2008 so I've been here a long time. I'm not as active as I used to be but I still enjoy keeping up with all my blogging friends. I would love to have you follow me on Instagram and Twitter also.

Are you embracing AI or wearing a foil cap? Getting any writing done? How long have you been blogging?