IWSG FEBRUARY 5TH: Inspired to Write!
My News
Trickster Gods In April Call for Submissions V7
Call For Submissions
Deadline
February 10th, 2020
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES!
Please read the instructions for submission carefully and follow the requirements of the guidelines.
Unfortunately, I am sick again, and so is my Stormdance partner. I am so tired of being sick and feeling so tired and fatigued. I hope February will see us both feeling much better and staying healthy. 🤧🤢
IWSG FEBRUARY 5TH: Inspired to Write!
INSECURE WRITER’S SUPPORT GROUP
FOUNDED BY
Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh
IWSG Description from their Newsletter: A database resource site and support group for writers and authors. Featuring weekly guests and tips, a monthly blogfest gathering, a Facebook group, a book club, and thousands of links – all to benefit writers! #IWSG
Website / Facebook Group / Twitter / Book Club
IWSG FEBRUARY 5TH: Inspired to Write!
Twitter is @TheIWSG Hashtag: #IWSG = IWSG Instagram
IWSG FEBRUARY 5TH: Inspired to Write!
Co-Hosts:
Lee Lowery, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Jennifer Hawes, Cathrina Constantine, and Tyrean Martinson!
IWSG OPTIONAL QUESTION: Has a single photo or work of art ever inspired a story? What was it and did you finish it?
MY ANSWER: The song “Your Winter” by Sister Hazel
I first heard this song when the movie Ten Things I Hate About You was released in 1999. It was one of the theme songs in the soundtrack.
I created two characters and a whole Star Wars RPG story about their lives. They were major characters in play for the Star War RPG in Yahoo Groups which was a thing before a lot of others. I still repurpose these characters and parts of the stories in things I write today. I did RPG thing from 1999-2005, and then off and on through 2014.
I hear this song and I am right there again and these characters are instantly accessible to my muse. They are like old friends now, maybe even family.
The story was a love story, about family, friends, and connections that make life worth living, a survival story and rebellion against tyranny and oppression in an alternate version of the Star Wars galaxy.
I don’t have anything available with these characters for reader consumption, but this is one of the sidekicks that was also created in that time and part of the story. Also inspired by the pencil photo connected with it on the post, this one, and two to three others. Johnny Depp his Captain Jack character has also figured into the character’s personality somewhat.
REFLECTIONS OF CHOICE –An Allegory presented through character voice.
This photo inspired this short story, “The Boon,” you can download here.
IWSG FEBRUARY 5TH: Inspired to Write!
Voyagers: The Third Ghost
AN INSECURE WRITER’S SUPPORT GROUP ANTHOLOGY
Journey into the past…
Will the third ghost be found before fires take more lives? Can everyone be warned before Pompeii is buried again? What happens if a blizzard traps a family in East Germany? Will the Firebird help Soviet sisters outwit evil during WWII? And sneaking off to see the first aeroplane – what could go wrong?
Ten authors explore the past, sending their young protagonists on harrowing adventures. Featuring the talents of Yvonne Ventresca, Katharina Gerlach, Roland Clarke, Sherry Ellis, Rebecca M. Douglass, Bish Denham, Charles Kowalski, Louise MacBeath Barbour, Beth Anderson Schuck, and L.T. Ward.
Hand-picked by a panel of agents, authors, and editors, these ten tales will take readers on a voyage of wonder into history. Get ready for an exciting ride!
Available May 5, 2020 $13.95 USA, 6×9 Trade paperback, 168 pages, Freedom Fox Press Juvenile Fiction: Historical (JUV016000) / Action & Adventure (JUV001000) / Fantasy & Magic (JUV037000)
Print ISBN 9781939844729 eBook ISBN 9781939844736 Order through Ingram, Follett Library Resources, or publisher direct $4.99 EBook available in all formats
Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database; articles; monthly blog posting; Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram groups; #IWSGPit, and a newsletter. www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com
Amazon – Print Kindle Barnes & Noble – ITunes – Kobo –
Join the IWSG Book Club on Good Reads for polls, freebies, book chats, and fun.
This is what Chrys Fey put the club letter.
Writers and Readers,
The Insecure Writer’s Support Group Book Club is for writers to read/learn about the writing craft. We will swap back and forth between craft books and fiction books that demonstrate aspects of storytelling.
We will read one book every two months.
There will be polls, free gifts, and a lot of Discussion Day fun.
No promo. Just writers reading books and discussing those books with other writers.
Start reading date for reading February 1, 2020 End Date March 31, 2020
The discussion is in April 2020.
You get to pick which book you want to read this month. We are discussing them both. You only need to read one book, unless you want to read both. We will discuss them both.
OR
Next WEP Challenge
Feb 19-21
The Insecure Writer’s Support Group made the Write Life 100 Best List!
Storytime Quarterly Blog Hop January, April, July & October
Read January 29th, 2020 stories–My story and ten others.
Wanna join the next one April 29th, 2020? Rules & Guidelines here.
WANT TO BE A FEATURED GUEST IN MY AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT?
Author Spotlight Guidelines
LET ME KNOW HOW I CAN HELP!
February 17, 2020 @ 22:55
I sure hope you and your Stormdance partner are back to full health.
I never thought of being inspired by music. Makes perfect sense. I’ll try it. I’m constantly impressed with your wide range of publications.
I apologize for my late comment. I was traveling from Mexico to the USA, then pre and post surgery on my carotid artery. You visited my site and it was important to me that I visit your site, too!
February 14, 2020 @ 16:15
I hope you’re already feeling better. It seems like everything that’s going around is particularly nasty this year. I took a couple days off from work (and just about everything else), myself last week.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
February 13, 2020 @ 01:53
Cool story, Juneta. You must be a highly imaginative person.
I hope you feel better soon.
February 12, 2020 @ 13:10
I hope you are feeling better now!
February 8, 2020 @ 18:08
You have lots of great inspiration. I like that song! And, the images are very inspirational.
February 7, 2020 @ 15:45
so much going on!
i love how a song can create images and even a story—i wrote a short story based on a song too. wish i had time to whip up a story for your contest, but i’m stretched so thin—summer is when i get the most writing done…
and thanks for always supporting me—you’re the best, juneta!
February 7, 2020 @ 10:18
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Sorry you’re not feeling well. Hope you feel better soon.
It’s cool how a song inspired you to create Star Wars characters.
I look forward to your next Grumpy release.
February 6, 2020 @ 18:12
I love songs that inspire stories. 🙂
February 6, 2020 @ 17:03
A tune sending you to a galaxy far far away sure is a win indeed. Hopefully the germs get the boot soon.
February 6, 2020 @ 13:23
Ugh on the being sick! Wishing you healing and good health going forward. 🙂
February 6, 2020 @ 09:57
Hope you feel better soon!
Music is a big part of my writing process too. I’ve had one that inspired my book’s title, but not the actual story. I’d not heard the song you linked before, thank you for sharing.
February 5, 2020 @ 22:40
Yep, both music and images inspire me too in various different ways.
Sorry to hear you aren’t feeling well. Sending you a virtual hug.
February 5, 2020 @ 22:54
Ah… That did make me feel better. Hugs back. Thank you.
February 5, 2020 @ 22:07
Sorry to hear you’re not feeling well. I hope you feel better soon! I don’t know if a song has ever inspired a story for me, but once I get stories going, I often end up finding a theme song to go with them.
February 5, 2020 @ 22:28
Thank you. That is what happens most often for me, but this song was an exception.
February 5, 2020 @ 20:42
I understand why a song could inspire both characters and stories. It never happened to me, but I did use a song in one of my flash WEP stories as a prop.
February 5, 2020 @ 22:27
This is the only one that inspired full characters and their story. I wish it would happen like that again. I remember I floated on that feeling for a year. I still do if I play and start trying to write them or repurpose them. Something about the sound of the song and the words really get to me.
February 5, 2020 @ 15:33
Songs are great sources of inspiration. I haven’t had a particular scene come from one, but I love to get the feel of characters coming out in music.
February 5, 2020 @ 18:34
Soundtracks help me with that too.
February 5, 2020 @ 14:47
Connecting a character to a song is brilliant! I’m thinking how much background I could fill in from the choice. Hmmmm. There goes the Muse down a rabbit hole. As for music when I’m writing, I generally have RainyMood on. The sound of storms activates something in my brain. I can relax and tune out of the world.
February 5, 2020 @ 18:33
This song was an exception but generally, I too listen to storms or classical when writing sometimes epic soundtracks just music no words.
February 5, 2020 @ 14:27
I’ve never been successful with music, but I do use YouTube to listen to storms. They are lovely and drown out the world around me while I focus. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
February 5, 2020 @ 18:31
I don’t actually write to music, but this song was an exception. I usually listen to storms or classical when writing.
February 5, 2020 @ 13:17
Love how your mind works – connecting the song to characters!
Hope February brings you better health and energy!
February 5, 2020 @ 18:29
Thank you.
February 5, 2020 @ 12:51
I love the song! Sort of a cross between Sawyer Brown and Blue Rodeo. I can feel the emotion emanating from the music and lyrics. Nice.
February 5, 2020 @ 12:52
Yes, that is what caught me up too.
February 5, 2020 @ 11:39
Oh wow that’s a cool story about the song. Love it! Sorry you’re feeling under the weather – I hope you are back to 100% soon. Take care!
February 5, 2020 @ 11:49
Thank you. I am some better but still fatigued and coughing. It is one of my favorite songs of all time.
February 5, 2020 @ 11:08
A lot of great pictures for inspiration, Juneta! And loved the song, too.
February 5, 2020 @ 11:47
Love Sister Hazel. Thank you.
February 5, 2020 @ 10:58
Love that song — and the movie, of course 😉
I’m so sorry to hear that you’re still sick. I hope that you get well soon.
Ronel visiting on IWSG day Project Evergreen
February 5, 2020 @ 11:47
Thank you. I am better but it is still hanging on.
February 5, 2020 @ 10:19
That was a rambling little song. I’ve had a lot of music continue the inspiration of my characters and stories.
February 5, 2020 @ 11:46
I love that song. Fell in love with it the first time I heard it.
February 5, 2020 @ 10:04
I hear you about sick and tired of being sick and tired, Juneta! That was my entire January. But today the sun is shining to preface a winter storm warning which means time to stick to the keyboard. Love your inspirations. Music is one of mine, too. I always create a playlist for each new book. Star Wars . . . cool!
February 5, 2020 @ 11:45
It is a pretty sunshiny day today here too, but I am still hacking away. Star Wars has always meant a great deal to me in imagination, fun, and inspiration.
February 5, 2020 @ 09:04
That is some great stuff to be inspired by! I forgot about songs. Every one of my heroine’s in my stories has a them song- but I’m not sure which comes first, the song or the character.
February 5, 2020 @ 11:44
It sometimes comes after for me too, but in that instance, it was the song.
February 5, 2020 @ 08:52
You wrote a Star Wars story from that song – that is awesome!
February 5, 2020 @ 11:43
I did, It with the human connection with the characters.
February 5, 2020 @ 08:21
So cool how a song inspired you and that you remember your characters so vividly when you hear the song.
February 5, 2020 @ 11:43
It is. It is the emotion of the story it evokes that makes the memory so vivid.