IWSG - WRITING

The Insecure Writer's Support Group

Alex J. Cavanaugh

The awesome co-hosts are Tamara Narayan, Tonja Drecker, Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor, Lauren @ Pensuasion, Stephen Tremp, and Julie Flanders! 

Be sure to thank them!

August’s IWSG question is - What was your very first piece of writing as an aspiring writer? Where is it now? Collecting dust or has it been published? 

I wrote the third place-winning essay for the American Legion Young Citizens Contest when I was in the 10^th grade, but my first published piece was a poem for rape victims.

Although I do have a file cabinet that collects dust, and it does have several hand written projects sitting in a file, so yes, a few are collecting dust. So many ideas, so little time! J

I hope you all have a great writing month!

Don't forget to sign up for the latest WEP Flash Fiction Challenge – it's all about Gardens!

Here are a few words about gardens, to inspire you!

In my garden I spend my days; in my library I spend my nights. My interests are divided between my geraniums and my books. With the flower I am in the present; with the book I am in the past.

~Alexander Smith, "Books and Gardens," Dreamthorp: A Book of Essays Written in the Country, 1863


If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.

~Cicero


A garden was the primitive prison, till man with Promethean felicity and boldness, luckily sinned himself out of it.

~Charles Lamb, 1830

IWSG - QUESTIONS?

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group
 

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time. Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post.

As Alex say's, let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG

And the crew is revving up IWSG Day to make it more fun and interactive! Every month, they'll announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.

Today's Question:

What's the best thing someone has ever said about your writing?

My answer:

When they compared my writing to that of Stephen King, an author I've always respected. Although, it was also the reason given by a few readers for why they would not finish my book, Memories of Murder. 
Still, I'll take it as a compliment!

The co-hosts are ME, Tyrean Martinson, Madeline Mora-Summonte , LK Hill, Rachna Chhabria, and JA Scott!

The IWSG is also gearing up to announce the next anthology topic
and you get a vote on what that topic will be.
Just go HERE!

Today I have a question regarding reviews: 

When someone posts a review on their blog should you respond with a comment - a thank you? I've always tried to hit the 'like' button on Goodreads, and thank a blogger that I know with an email message, but will leaving a comment 'thank you' mean that the Amazon police will see it and delete the review? 

How do you respond to a great review from someone you know 

vs. someone you don't. 

Is there a certain etiquette to be followed?

IWSG - NORMAL

The Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh's awesome co-hosts are Murees Dupe, Alexia Chamberlynn, Chemist Ken, and Heather Gardner!

THE INSECURE WRITER'S SUPPORT GROUP

What is normal in the writing world? What is normal in the blogging world? 

     I've no idea what 'normal' is, and while writing is what I truly enjoy doing. Family and other goals also require my time.  I enjoyed my recent break. I loved getting my hands dirty in the garden. Although, I could have lived without the poison ivy - my fault - I knew the moment I pulled it out by the roots, what I was handling, yes, without gloves. A small breakout - no big deal. LOL
          My family especially loved the new recipes, and I loved experimenting, but they're an easy bunch to please. My house is almost reorganized and things are ready for sale at weekly flea markets. Time to get rid of all the collections.
          I did get some writing done, and added a few new projects to the list. To that end I've decided to change things up. I'm going to be making changes, all the way around. Work, writing habits, writing goals, blogging, my online presence, my family and work presence, as well as marketing. Besides, it's vacation time - priorities have to change, at least for awhile.
          For the rest next few months my blog will host authors and their latest releases. I hope you'll stop by and say hello, but more importantly I hope you'll consider buying and writing a review. It's through shared support that we all succeed. 
          Thank you, every one who's helped to make my dreams come true. Alex, thank you, for this group and everyone who participates - you get it - you understand, thank you!

Here's my favorite quote about 'normal' – do you have one?

What are your 'summer' 
or 'future' plans, 
writing or otherwise?

If you'd like to be a guest on my blog

send an email to - yolandarenee@hotmail.com

IWSG - GRAMMAR

My A to Z post for 'E' is HERE!

INSECURE WRITER'S SUPPORT GROUP

THE AWESOME CO-HOSTS ARE

Megan Morgan, Chris Votey, Viola Fury, Christine Rains, Madeline Mora-Summonte, L.G. Keltner, Rachna Chhabria, & Patricia Lynne!

Picture Copyright

INSECURITIES, INSECURITIES,  GRAMMAR

By this time, everyone knows of my Achilles Heel, grammar. If you've read any of my blogs, you also know the plethora of mistakes I can make in one simple post. This grammar affliction has haunted me since high school and several times it's almost derailed my dream of being a published author. I've paid thousands, literally, for editing services. By doing so, I've relied on others to make my work perfect. Despite all the dough, I've failed.

But even now as a published author, the same horror haunts me. I still pay for editing services. I've never sent a book to a publisher without an edit. Yet things have not changed. I'm nowhere near perfection.

This latest book is no exception. Another proof was just sent to me for my approval on Murder & Obsession. Yet when I sent it back – there were still mistakes that the proofreader had missed and I somehow picked up.

So dear readers, what is the solution?

HAPPY A to Z - ing!

Click HERE for the 'E' post!

IWSG - FLU TRUMPS ALL

INSECURE WRITER'S SUPPORT GROUP

Created and hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh

His minions for this hop are

Lauren Hennessy, Lisa Buie-Collard, Lidy, 

Christine Rains, & Mary Aalgaard! 

My insecurity?

Oh gosh, so many, too many to count.
But I'm down with the flu.
Nothing else is really registering.
Thank goodness this isn't catch-able via the blogosphere.
Stay healthy!

*****

To help inspire you:

“Life is like photography. You need the negatives to develop.” – Unknown

“We learn something from everyone who passes through our lives.. Some lessons are painful, some are painless.. but, all are priceless.” – Unknown

“Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. it means that you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.” – Unknown

IWSG - THANK YOU!

The New Badge!

IWSG – February 2016

Despite reading that Cover Reveals are on their way out because folks are tired of seeing the same announcement numerous times (understandable) I ventured forth with one for my latest release.

I've waited for over a year to see Murder & Obsession hit the shelves, and I was beginning to believe it would never happen. But on Monday, the email arrived and the whole world changed. Murder & Obsession will be released on March 10th with new cover for all three books.

And then another email arrived and the IWSG Anthology Parallels: Felix Was Here cover was ready. My story Ever-Ton won a place. Wow, too cool. So while I still have insecurities galore - I'm celebrating good news.

I was over the moon by the response of blogging friends who wanted to help. Totally blown away! Therefore, this post is to say thank you to all of you for your amazing friendship and help in making the cover reveal the kind of announcement all writers dream of! Amazing!

THANK YOU!

Clare Dugmore  ~ Denise Covey  ~ Robyn Campbell ~ C Lee McKenzie

Stuart R West ~ Guilie Costello-Oriard ~ Chrys Fey ~ Ann Noser

Christine Rains ~ Lexa Cain ~ N R Williams ~ Stephen Tremp

Elephant's Child ~ Nilanjana Bose ~ Bish Denham ~ Alex J. Cavanaugh

Donna Hole ~ Tara Tyler ~ T B Markinson ~ Elizabeth Seckman

Nancy Lynn Jarvis – Julie Press Simmons – L G Keltner ~ Michael Di Gesu

Damyanti Biswas – Gary Pennick - Tyrean Martinson - Hart Johnson

*****

Almost forgot!

Be sure to thank the co-hosts

Allison Gammons, Tamara Narayan, Eva E. Solar, Rachel Pattison, and Ann V. Friend! 

&

Be Sure to Sign up and share your story.

Valentine

IWSG - RESOLUTIONS

IWSG - January 2016

Hello all, I hope your holidays were fabulous and that the New Year brings you the fulfillment of all your dreams and desires. But today is the day for insecurities, and while they seem to come and go in regular cycles, it's now time for new beginnings.

C. Hope Clark said in her most recent newsletter that her New Year's Resolution is "to write more this year."

She then followed that up with, " . . . maybe it's time we quit thinking of crazy ways to sell 99 cent books and instead slow down and write great stuff!"

Now that is a worthy goal, to write great stuff – and I wanted to make that my ultimate goal too. But I do have another book coming out this year, which tempers that resolution because selling that book is also a goal.

The necessary evil – marketing – that dreadful task that depletes writing time. A book signing that requires swag, table fees, transportation, and time – with the result being maybe 8 to 10 books sold. Is all that time and expense worth it?

Daily online socializing – how much is too much?

How about you – is your plan to sell more or write great stuff? Is it possible to do both, or are the two diametrically opposed?

Be sure to visit Alex's Blog today, the winners of the IWSG Anthology Contest will be announced.

Congratulations to all!

Especially the title winner

L. G. Keltner!

I'm thrilled to be included in 
such an amazing group!

____

Don't forget to give a special thank you to all the IWSG co-hosts:

L.G. Keltner  

 Denise Covey  

Sheri Larsen  

 J.Q. Rose  

Chemist Ken  

Michelle Wallace 

*****
Looking for a few writing challenges? 
Here's two to consider.

Find out more HERE!


&

Find out more HERE!

IWSG - DANCING IN THE RAIN

THE INSECURE WRITER'S SUPPORT GROUP

Meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month.

Please follow the proper protocol and keep your spiel brief 

as we have 254 speakers.

For a $.25 cent donation,

 coffee / tea and cookies 

are on the credenza.

Today, we have gingerbread cookies.

And please remember to welcome our awesome co-hosts
and thank our intrepid leader
Alex J. Cavanaugh!

 Sandra Hoover, Mark Koopmans, Doreen McGettigan,Megan Morgan, & Melodie Campbell!

Hello, my name is Yolanda Renée  

and I today I'm not feeling particularly insecure.

I know, miracle, right!

Therefore, I thought I would leave you with this

 thought:

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...

It's about learning to Dance in the Rain.

- Vivian Greene

MAY THE BLESSINGS OF THE UNIVERSE ENVELOP

YOU THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

AND ALL THROUGH THE NEW YEAR!

IWSG - WHERE'S DINNER?

Time for the meeting of the

Insecure Writers with Alex J. Cavanaugh. 

His awesome co-hosts are Stephen Tremp, Karen Walker, Denise Covey, and Tyrean Martinson! 

     Insecurity is a constant thing, something I can banish to the background temporarily, but never really get rid of. I think, and I'm guessing here, that most writers/creative people feel that way. If you don't, then you aren't reading this post because you'd see no reason to belong to the IWSG. J

     Yet, despite all my insecurities, I'm still participating in the NaNoWriMo. This is my fifth time and regardless of a win or not, I've actually felt like a winner each time I've participated. The opportunity to write and have an entire communities support is priceless. In the real world, it's a very different story.

     I love it – you say you're doing NaNo and the world allows you to skip out on other responsibilities, at least the online world does. In the real world, say you're doing NaNo and they look at you as if you've lost your mind.

In my house, it goes something like this:

"What's a NaNo?" Even though it's my 5th year, the same question.

"You're going to write, you do that every damn day now. Husband's snide smile follows.

"Hey Mom, where's dinner?" 30 days out of the 30.

"Mom, all my shirts are dirty." Laundry, it may get done (this I don't promise) but it won't be put away. Notice the living room chair it is now a mountain of stacked clean, folded clothes.

"Mom, where are the spoons?" Dishes stacked up in the sink. Silverware disappears first even though they see the mess in the sink, they all ignore it.

"Pizza, again. I love NaNo!" says a grateful son. Dinner I don't have to cook and they appreciate.

"If you cook Thanksgiving dinner, we'll do the shopping." 

Who can pass up a request like that? I try to have NaNo finished before this, but it's not always possible. Besides, if you stick to the rule of not going back and doing any editing, this is the best time to do that – as long as you've reached the 50,000 that is.

My Goal is:

November 30^th – Book 4 – DARK MOTIVES is complete, well, the first draft is.

(a quickly created cover for NaNo)

Sometimes Dark Motives arise from the best of intentions.

I'm looking forward to this celebration!

Wishing you all a very successful NaNoWriMo!

and/or

the ability to push those insecurities to the background for a very, very long time!

Is eternity too much to ask?

Are you participating in NaNoWriMo?

Does your family understand and offer support or are they like mine and suddenly become even more needy?

*****

Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's

 possible; and suddenly you are doing the 

impossible.

Francis of Assisi 

*****

I just learned that 8 of my 9 submissions to 
~ espresso stories ~
tales you can swallow in a single gulp

were accepted for publication. Please drop in and give them a read and a vote. 
I'd love to see them climb the charts!
Such awesome news.
These are micro-flashes of 25 words or less.
Can you tell a story in 25 words, give it a try, it's a blast!
Let me know your favorite.

'Adventure Leaves No Room for Love'

'Don't Bother Me'

'Hell Hath no Fury . . .'

'Nothing Will Stop Me Now'

'Dinner's Ready'

'Don't Break The Eggs'

'Remember Your Vow'

'The Cost of Freedom'

Don't Break the Eggs
is mine.

IWSG - PERFECTIONISM

The Purpose of the IWSG is to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time. Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post.

As Alex says, let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

The awesome co-hosts are TB Markinson, Tamara Narayan, Shannon Lawrence, Stephanie Faris, and Eva E. Solar!

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group

PERFECTIONISM

I've been dealing with issues of perfection, and how far from perfect, I seem to fall. It's something I, and many of you (be honest) strive for, and often to our own detriment. 

What I've decided is that perfection is a great goal to have, but one I'll never actually achieve. 

BUT the journey toward it means learning, doing, listening, learning, accepting, and above all learning and trying again and again, because just the effort means I'm doing my best. And doing my best may not always work out the way I intended, but each step forward is a step closer to my dream.

At least that's what I'm telling myself this week. Hey no one is perfect! :)

For your pleasure a few quotes on 

perfectionism

.

Which one is your favorite?

Do you suffer from perfectionitis?

“They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds.”

Winston Churchill

“The artist who aims at perfection in everything achieves it in nothing.”

Eugene Delacroix

“People throw away what they could have by insisting on perfection, which they cannot have, and looking for it where they will never find it”

Edith Schaeffer

A Halloween Treat

Author Interviews and a Flash Fiction Challenge

This is a group of amazing writers. 

And it started with

Thom Futrell & Empty Graves

&

Christine Rains & Of Blood & Sorrow

Each author is hosting a giveaway

and the postings continue all month.

All you have to do is comment.

*****
TODAY all my books are free via 
Kindle Unlimited
including
my latest
and just in time for Halloween!

When Zombies Attack
Tales of Horror & Romance!

After all romance and horror are just so combatible, I mean compatible!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Sign ups for the

WEP-Halloween Challenge

Youthful Frights vs. Adult Fears

is now open!

Get your scare on!