IWSG: August 2023

 

Welcome to the monthly blog hop, IWSG, and led by our creator, Alex J. Cavanaugh. Join the entire group of bloggers on this list as we share and our successes and give support to other writers.

If you haven't read this IWSG inspirational post, I hope you'll take a few minutes and check it out. Would love to see your own comments after reading it.

This month's optional question:

Have you ever written something that afterwards you felt conflicted about? If so, did you let it stay how it was, take it out, or rewrite it?

I don't know if conflicted is the correct word. I have changed or deleted scenes or characters because I wasn't sure I represented them correctly. I have cut ties with a fellow writer who thought science could be interpreted as something offensive. Science is science, or at least my degree claims it is. I hope my writing never hurts anyone, but in today's world, it seems everything hurts or offends someone.

I have been getting a lot of writing done in the last month. Not my fastest work ever, but I feel more enthusiastic about than any of my more recent projects.

I started an online class sponsored by Pennwriters. I've shared how my romance publisher closed their doors and returned all my rights to me. And I have the rights back to my high fantasy series also. The class is to guide writers like me through the self-publishing process. I've never wanted to self-publish but I have no other options at this point. I will continue to work on my new stuff while I try to figure this all out.

Summer has flown by, and I'm not looking forward to cooler weather though the recent heat was a bit much even for me. I hope you all were safe and cool enough.

No much new to watch anywhere and with the strike, there's not going to be much new for months. Time to re-watch some old favorites. Now I'll have no excuse not to be writing.

Do you believe you are easily offended? Have you read anything recently where you felt the writer should have removed that part? Has the heat been too much for you? Have you ever taken an online class?

IWSG: July 2023

 

Half way through the year already. Time for the monthly IWSG blog hop. Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh and the awesome group of admins, we meet through our blogs the first Wednesday of every month to share victories, set backs, ideas, helpful wisdom, and most of all support to writers everywhere. Find the entire list of participants right here.

This month's optional question:

Where do your ideas for your writing predominantly come from?

I think writers often are asked this question. I can't wait to read all the answers. For me, I don't really know. They usually start with a character for me and then I build a world and story around them. Start small and expand the idea into a novel or multiple novels.

"The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Summer is rolling along. I do love the heat compared to the cold. I've been riding my bike more than walking for exercise. I can really feel the work for my thighs than I can when I walk. I'm trying bigger and more hills every day. I'm doing pretty good for an old lady. I have some biking goals.

"Like is like riding a bicycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving." Albert Einstein

In the last few months, I have added so many books to my shelves, all waiting to be read. I went to two local library book sales, a new independent book store, Barnes and Noble, another independent store, the Pennwriters Annual conference where I always pick up a load of books, and then a trip to 2nd & Charles filled up the last inch of space left in my office. It's tough to sit down to my own writing when I have so many good books calling my name.

Good thing I have so many books and my latest 3,000K puzzle to entertain me since there is nothing to watch on TV. I'm thinking of watching Narcos. I've also been playing a few docu-drama series on Netflix and Prime in the background while I'm doing other things. I think I've become too picky.

If you live anywhere near Erie, PA, Pennwriters is hosting a one day mini-con in October. Registration is open, but more details are being added every day. I've attended this event in the past and it's very professional and a great time for writers at every point in their careers. Here is the link.

How big is your TBR pile? Do your creative ideas pop into your head? How are you exercising in the heat? (Unless you live where it's winter now) How is your writing coming along?

IWSG: June 2023

 

Difficult to believe it is June already. Time for another first Wednesday Insecure Writers Support Group. Thanks to our found, Alex J. Cavanaugh, and all the IWSG admins, we can share our woes, victories, expertise, and ask questions. Find the entire list here.

This month's optional question:

If you ever stopped writing, what would you replace it with?

Though I hope many years pass before I even consider stopping, I have so many things I love doing besides writing. Reading. So many books and so little time. Cross-stitch. I have two projects started and many more I would like to do. My beloved jigsaw puzzles. Just finished a 4,000 piece and have two 5,000 and one 6,000 waiting my attention. I'm into my new bicycle and pickle-ball. I have sisters in three different states I want to spend time with. So much to do and so little time. When do I find time to write?

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." -Abraham Lincoln

Looking forward to a new season of Jack Ryan on Prime and The Witcher on Netflix. And Justified is making a short comeback. At least some good things to watch in June.

Coming up on two years in our condo and I love it more everyday. The upkeep is so easy and no grass to mow. Not that it is growing much with our current lack of rain. Lots of places to walk, bike, and a pool to swim in that I don't have to take care of.

Had a great writers conference last month in Pittsburgh, PA. Great keynote speakers and so much goodwill  and talent surrounding every workshop and activity.

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
― Aesop

What keeps you busy day to day? What are you looking forward to in June?

IWSG: May 2023

 

I can't believe I missed last month. I believe it was the only time I've missed. I'm not sure why I'm busier ever when I'm 'retired.'

But welcome to my post for IWSG. Thank you to Alex J. Cavanaugh and all the admins for the this amazing group. Find the entire list of blog posts here.

This month's optional question: When you are working on a story, what inspires you?

I'm inspired by lots of things. Reading a good book. Hearing about one of my writer friend's success. Sometimes watching a good show or movie. Visiting a bookstore or library. Attending a conference or any writing event such as a book signing. With all that inspiration, you would think I would get more writing done each day.

I have been getting some writing done. About 6K words in April. Still, slower than I'd like. And I have a conference coming up in about two weeks that will inspire me further. Had some work done of our home so that was disruptive and distracting and a few more events coming in May that will slow me down. I'm already collecting my excuses so they're ready to go. Hopefully, June will bring some peace and quiet at the old homestead.

"He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

So little to watch on TV. I have enjoyed Will Trent in its debut season. The Last of Us was good considering I am completely ignorant about the video game it was based on. I'm going to watch Amazon's newest The Citadel but I haven't started it yet. The Mandalorian was disappointing but I have hope for next season.

I hope the spring season is filling you all with warmth and inspiration. 

What inspires you? Are you getting some writing done? What is your biggest distraction?

IWSG: March 2023

 

Time once again for the monthly blog hop. Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh and his intrepid admin team, the IWSG is rolling along helping and supporting writers at all stages of their writing careers. Find the entire list of participants in this month's blog hop here.

This month's optional question:

Have you ever read a line in novel or a clever plot twist that caused you to have author envy?

I have admired many plot twists but the most recent one that comes to mind is by Sarah J. Maas. In the cliffhanger at the end of Book #2 of her Crescent City fantasy series, she linked the series to one of her earlier series. It gave me shivers of delight and envy. Can't wait for the next book!

I'm nearly finished with edits on the fantasy series I've decided to self-publish. Waiting for my cover art for the first book. In the meantime, I'm also outlining my next three book series. Just a bare skeleton at this time, but it's getting some flesh on it. I'm pretty excited about it.

"I dwell in possibility." Emily Dickinson

I've been enjoy the new ABC show Will Trent. I read the books by Karin Slaughter. Fortunately, the show isn't as dark as the novels. I'm looking forward to the return of the Mandalorian and a second season of Shadow and Bone. I've found The Last of Us entertaining though it is rather brutal. Went to see the new Antman movie. It was okay...

I hope we see some more spring-teasing weather. I'm tired of chilly rain, clouds, and artic breezes. I know many of you live in locations with much more to complain about.

I'm also busy handling online registration for the 36th Annual Pennwriters Conference being held in Pittsburgh this year on the third weekend in May. Check it out if you're in the area. We have lots of great workshops and numerous agents and editors eager to hear your pitches. No matter how long I've been writing, I always learn useful things at the conference. Hope even one of you can join us.

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit." Aristotle

Have you suffered or maybe enjoyed some writerly envy? Yeah or Nay on any of the entertainment I mentioned? Are you ready for spring?

IWSG: February 2023

 

We're here already. Thank you to all the admins of the IWSG and our founder Alex J. Cavanaugh for this amazing group of writers. Hope you're here to share woes and victories. Find the list of participants here.

This month's optional question:

If you are an Indie author, do you make your own covers or purchase them? If you publish trad, how much input do you have about what goes on your cover?

If you read my last post, you know the small press I've been with for around 15 years closed their doors at the end of 2022. Suddenly, I have 28 homeless books that had already been published. I also had a three book epic fantasy series that had been contracted by another publisher who closed their doors a few years ago. I wasn't sure what to do.

I hate designing covers but I found a person to partner with me. We've started to get some of my work back on the market. And now I have full control over my covers though I'm always open to the recommendations of my partners. My previous publisher was very good about asking for my thoughts and then trying to bring my stories to life with a great cover. No complaints.

It's great to be back to writing though I'm mostly editing right now. I feel really good about it all. I'm also keeping busy helping set up the registration for the 2023 Annual Pennwriters Conference that will be held in Pittsburgh in May this year. I'll let you know when registration is open.

I've been so busy and it's wonderful. 

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

I've been enjoying the new show, Will Trent, based on the book series by Karin Slaughter. The show isn't near as dark as the novels which I like. The Last of Us is holding my interest also. Otherwise, not much happening. Give me some recommendations, please.

I feel like I'm in the best place as far as my writing that I have been for a while. I hope it is the same for you.

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." Henry David Thoreau

Do you get a say in your covers? Do you have a favorite style of cover or least favorite? Are you following or living your dream?

IWSG: January 2023

 

Can we believe it's 2023? Not quite but welcome to the first blog hop post for IWSG for this year. Thanks to the IWSG admins for keeping us going and to our founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh, for bringing us together in the first place. Find the entire list of participants on this page.

I'm skipping this month's question and putting to page some thoughts going into a new year. As many of you know, my publisher closed their doors at the end of 2022. That's more than 20 published books that are now homeless. Enough to crush my motivation. But...

I have found some things to inspire me.

1. Seeing colleagues having new books coming out. Some are writers I've known for years and have spent time at writers conferences networking together. I love seeing them succeed and it makes me work harder.

2. Reading the various newsletters that come my way from a variety of sources. Some are writing groups like this one and some are from individual authors. I learn so much and also witness the writing successes of the other members.

3. Finding a new author, or new-to-me, that I fall in love with. There have been a few recently, but one fantasy writer I'll point out is Kel Kade. Kel's first serious was self-published and her second series was picked up by TOR.

4. Helping set up registration for the Pennwriters Conference coming to Pittsburgh, PA in May of this year. I love spending the weekend with other writers.

5. Receiving an invite from a successful local author to join her FB group. If you attended last year's Pennwriters Conference, you know Misty Simon. A gifted writer of mysteries who brings a lot of laughter and joy to those she interacts with.

Those are a few things to keep me going on this writing path with all its hills and valley. Things to remind me to work harder. What keeps you going?

"There are no traffic jams along the extra mile." Roger Staubach

"Hope is a waking dream." Aristotle