Wednesday, September 7, 2022

#IWSG: Writers, Unite!


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




September's question of the monty - What genre would be the worst one for you to tackle and why?


A shout out to the wonderful cohosts for the month: Kim Lajevardi, Cathrina Constantine, Natalie Aguirre, Olga Godim, Michelle Wallace, and Louise - Fundy Blue!


I will address how writers need writers instead of answering the prompt. First, writing is a lonely place to be with our scribbling, imagining, and creating. Social interactions might become awkward to some of us as we prefer to scuttle back into our caves where our keyboard is safely tucked away.


photo by me--parts cannibalized from pixabay images. Muahaha!


But sometimes we feel brave enough to stir from our holes for a breath of fresh air or some warm sunshine and, yes, we meet other writers. We need others who share the same interests, who understand how it feels to have voices take over our thoughts, the voices that jump to life and seize the reins of a scene, and even the voices that refuse to be silenced when it's supposed to be The End.


photo by MysticArtDesign@pixabay


Who else can we turn to but those who experience such things?

I come from a place where writers are busting at the seams; where they can be found under books and hiding in the mortar of the libraries as well as at book stores (who knew, right?).

Well, moving to where I'm at, it was a shock to see what an antithesis it has been. There are no writers anywhere. Impossible! Where did they all go?


photo by Luismi Sánchez@unsplash


Inspired and feeling brave--finally!--after years of hiding under a rock, I found the courage to start a writing group. It isn't just any group, but an Insecure Writers Support In-Person Writing Group!


the coolest flyer you'll ever see


I started out with one the second week, then another, and another, and another--the first one as loyal as ever to the cause of writing. The numbers have stabilized to seven, but it is a good number. Everyone is at a different stage of writing but we all love it and take it very seriously.


photo by Donald Giannatti@unsplash


I like to follow the Knights of the Round Table concept where we follow a schedule but, since we are all adults, we are free to touch on what we need to do the most. It's not stiff and formal but relaxed and comfortable. I hope I'm doing okay with it because I'm insecure. Perfect, right? Haha!

I'm also reaching out to writers on other platforms to share their love for writing here on my website. We will do spotlights, interviews, guest posts--whatever feeds the muse.

I started my career this way, reaching out to others and lifting them high because everyone deserves the chance to shine. We are all in this together and books are like delicious bonbons--it's our responsibility to keep the readers well-stocked with our beloved craft. Right?


photo by GDJ@pixabay



Can you name a time when someone reached out to you and lifted you upon their shoulders for a better view (literally or figuratively)? How do you feel about connecting with other writers? Would you be interested in participating in a spotlight, an interview, or possibly as a guest?





Wednesday, August 3, 2022

IWSG: Write for Me or Write for Thee?

http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
click on image to join other IWSG writers!


Co-hosts for August are Tara Tyler, Lisa Buie Collard, Loni Townsend, and Lee Lowery!

Aaaand here is the question of the month:

August 3 question - When you set out to write a story, do you try to be more original or do you try to give readers what they want?


thommass68@pixabay


I knew the answer right away when I read that question--which usually doesn't happen to me. Ha! Honestly, I write to appease the demons inside me. The story is waiting to burst through this thin veil of bubble skin and it flows like a movie on a cinematic screen.

Sometimes I have to set it aside on the backburner like I did with Awaken but that came in an instant gush ten years later.

It is a cathartic experience to live through our characters, to puzzle through the challenges that unfold before them, to fight the foe and vanquish evil. Sometimes we mourn with losses and death but in the end, we come out the victor as the writer, the gods and goddesses of the worlds we create. The reader will sense our passion and rise with our truth!

I went crazy with a few book photos below and thought to share them. They are so fantastical, I couldn't resist!


thommass68@pixabay



mysticartdesign@pixabay



mysticartdesign@pixabay


                           0fjd125gk87@pixabay


mysticartdesign@pixabay



How is it like for you? Do you write for the love of writing or do you do it to please the masses?



Wednesday, July 6, 2022

IWSG: Insecurities, Book Releases, Making Videos--oh my!

http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
click on image to join other IWSG writers!
IWSG: a place where writers and friends share woes or hugs.

Welcome to mine!


Thank you, J Lenni Dorner, Janet Alcorn, PJ Colando, Jenni Enzor, and Diane Burton! for cohosting for July!

This month's question is: July 6 question - If you could live in any book world, which one would you choose?


I'm not sure how to answer this question other than if I could avoid any nasty turns and live in peace at all times then I'm good!

Speaking of turns...guess what? My book, Awaken: A Love Story, is FiNaLlY live over at Kindle Vella (first 3 episodes are FREE)! I've only been waiting for this moment for a long time and Alex Cavanaugh is spotlighting me over at his Ninja Dojo--thank you, Alex!

Sunday, June 19, 2022

Awaken: A Love Story

We interrupt this regular service for a very important announcement:

Wooohooo! I turned my nifty first *ever* video into a Youtube video. Please celebrate with me!


                           


What good is "perfect" without love? 

There is no crime in the Balance. No aging. No death. Living on the outskirts of society, Daemos escapes his prison with dark secrets that threaten the Balance. Because of this evidence, his life is forfeit. N'reena is drawn to him and the impossible happens--she falls for him. Lives are at stake, especially their own! Can she keep him a secret, or will the Balance destroy them? 

coming this July! :P

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

#IWSG: Pushing Forward and What's Next.

http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
click on image to join other IWSG writers!
IWSG: a place where writers and friends share woes or hugs.

Welcome to mine!


Thank you, SE White, Cathrina Constantine, Natalie Aguire, Joylene Nowell Butler, and Jacqui Murray for cohosting this month's IWSG posting!

June 1 question - When the going gets tough to write the story, how do you keep yourself writing to the end? If you have not started the writing yet, why do you think that is and what do you think could help you find your groove and start?

geralt@Pixabay

I typically don't have a hard time writing to the end. Most of the time, my stories hit the ground running. As for the times when my story becomes slow-going, I use a flow chart to plug in the plot structure. This forces me to see ahead and break through the bottlenecks!