IWSG: When the Well Runs Dry

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IWSG: a place where writers and friends share woes or hugs.

Welcome to mine!

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The past month or so I've been finding motivation for writing difficult--this includes blogging!

I remember when I hit a wall over ten years ago while writing one of my books. It lasted a good few weeks! I had decided to help other writers out by critiquing, touting for them, encouraging them on their various platforms, including their blogs.

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I also read books that involved my genre along with watching movies until one day, I felt inspired again.

This time, I've only helped one writer with copyediting, but I haven't felt the desire to read or watch movies in the same genre as my current work in progress. I was hoping I would feel inspired but it's been so difficult! I think I might be depressed.

What do you do when your writing well runs dry?

Don't forget!

May 4th was the IWSG's latest anthology, Dark Matter: Artificial!

The stories are surprising and intriguing. What a wonderful collection!

My story, Resurgence: Living in a peaceful community, Damarin encounters a trail of inexplicable anomalies and is afraid to reveal his concerns for fear of retribution, until he follows an unsuspecting neighbor through a secret portal.

Photo by radityawijayaadi @ Pixabay

Please be sure to follow our tour!

May 4 – Laura Billings
https://bookishequestrian.wixsite.com/mysite/post/dark-matter-artificial-an-insecure-writer-s-support-group-anthology


May 4 - Jemi Fraser
https://jemifraser.blogspot.com/2021/05/dark-matter-releases-today.html


May 5 - Ellen Jacobson
https://ellenjacobsonauthor.com/2021/05/05/writing-update-plus-dark-matter-artificial-release-iwsg/


May 6 – Mason Canyon
https://masoncanyon.blogspot.com/2021/05/dark-matter-released-this-week.html


May 7 - Louise Barbour
https://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com/

May 10 - Nick Wilford
http://www.nickwilford.com/


May 12 - Cathrina Constantine
http://cathrinaconstantine.blogspot.com/

Get your copy of Darkmatter: Artificial!

IWSG: The Genre Preference

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IWSG: a place where writers and friends share woes or hugs. Welcome to mine!

Writers have a genre preference in story-creating but is it the same for those downtime moments when they reach for something to read?  Welcome to the question of the month!

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Whenever I read fiction, it's typically the genre I love to write about and that's romance! It captures my heart every time! There are those rare moments I am up for the challenge to write outside of my genre like I had with IWSG's Anthology Contest on Dark Matter (it is sci-fi and I didn't include romance).

I mainly read romance because I find it inspiring! It fuels my muse and every dull moment, though I rarely come across those in a day.

Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash

I once had a friend tell me that writers must be avid readers of all sorts of books. I digress; I have been writing for over thirty years and have not felt the need to read horror. I am, however, open to trying genres outside of my comfort zone, but the elements of the book (plot, setting, and characters) must speak to me before I give the book a try.

How about you? Do you only read what you write? Do you believe that all writers must read everything under the sun?

Thanks to this month's co-hosts: Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen Jacqui Murray, Chemist Ken, Victoria Marie Lees, Natalie Aguirre, and JQ Rose!

IWSG: Blogosphere Friendship

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IWSG: a place where writers and friends share woes or hugs.

Welcome to mine!

February's question is: Blogging is more than sharing stories. It’s often the start of special friendships and relationships. Have you made any friends through the blogosphere?

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It is true, wherever a person goes, they take a chance at meeting new people and forming new bonds of friendship. I've met so many lovely bloggers the past ten years and it is exciting to stumble across them on other social platforms. It's like coming across them at the grocery store after only seeing them at writers conferences.

One of the best events I've made friends on the blogosphere was during the A to Z challenge! It's like speed dating, friendship style!

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels

It is so nice to have you recognize me as well and be just as enthusiastic.

What about you? What has been your experience with friendship building on the blogosphere?

Thanks to the co-hosts: Louise - Fundy Blue , Jennifer Lane, Mary Aalgaard, Patsy Collins at Womagwriter, and Nancy Gideon!

#IWSG: Other People's Books & anthology Winners!

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IWSG: a place where writers and friends share woes or hugs.

Welcome to mine!

January 6 question - Being a writer, when you're reading someone else's work, what stops you from finishing a book/throws you out of the story/frustrates you the most about other people's books?

Characters that I can't empathize with as well as forcing me to believe something just because the author said so.

A good author is like a good waiter: if they do their job right, you will never notice them. 

IWSG Anthology winners!!!

Congratulations to the winners of the Dark Matter IWSG Anthology Contest!
Stephanie Espinoza Villamor
CD Gallant-King
Kim Mannix
Steph Wolmarans
Tara Tyler
Deniz Bevan
Charles Kowalski
Olga Godim
Elizabeth Mueller
Mark Alpert

Dark Matter: Artificial

An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

Discover dark matter’s secrets…

What is an AI’s true role? Will bumbling siblings find their way home from deep space? Dark matter is judging us—are we worthy of existence? Would you step through a portal into another reality? Can the discoverer of dark matter uncover its secrets?

Ten authors explore dark matter, unraveling its secrets and revealing its mysterious nature. Featuring the talents of Stephanie Espinoza Villamor, C.D. Gallant-King, Tara Tyler, Mark Alpert, Olga Godim, Steph Wolmarans, Charles Kowalski, Kim Mannix, Elizabeth Mueller, and Deniz Bevan.

Hand-picked by a panel of agents, authors, and editors, these ten tales will take readers on a journey across time and space. Prepare for ignition!

Release date: May 4, 2021
Print ISBN 9781939844828 $14.95
EBook ISBN 9781939844835 $4.99
Science Fiction: Collections & Anthologies (FIC028040) / Space Exploration (FIC028130) / Genetic Engineering (FIC028110)

Thanks to the official judges!:
Dan Koboldt
Julie Gwinn
Damien Larkin
Ion Newcombe
Colleen Oefelein
Lynda R. Young
David Powers King

What are your pet peeves when it comes to reading other people's books? Have you been able to suspend your disbelief while reading a poorly-written book?

IWSG: Writing the Times

click on image to join other IWSG writers!

IWSG: a place where writers and friends share woes or hugs.

Welcome to mine!

The fearless co-hosts for the month are Pat Garcia, Sylvia Ney, Liesbet @ Roaming About Cathrina Constantine, and Natalie Aguirre!


Before I address the question of the month, allow me to express how strange 2020 has been. Not only the Covid19 Pandemic but so many other crazy things are happening around us at breakneck speed--I find myself at the epicenter writing away as best as I can considering the circumstances. Whew, what a year. 

What goals were you able to accomplish? Do you have others in mind for 2021?

Okay, now what you've come for!

December 2 question - Are there months or times of the year that you are more productive with your writing than other months, and why?

Aaron Burden@Unsplash

For me, life happens nonstop whether by month or day. It doesn't make a difference when I have a houseful of kids and homeschool--it is busy every day, every month, every year!

I do find, however, that I am more productive during the wee hours of the morning when everyone is still asleep.

Merry Christmas, everyone! I pray 2021 is a better year for everyone!

How is it like for you?