IWSG JANUARY 8th: Why Do You Write?
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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.
Publication of Grumpy Old Gods Volume 4 is reset for on or before January 15th. Due to all 3 editors having the flu that hung on for weeks and interrupted our schedule. December was a bust for progress at Stormdance Publications. We all are doing better, although the crap is trying to hang on for me anyway, hopefully, we all will get a lot more done this month.
IWSG JANUARY 8th: Why Do You 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 JANUARY 8th: Why Do You Write?
Twitter is @TheIWSG Hashtag: #IWSG = IWSG Instagram
IWSG JANUARY 8th: Why Do You Write?
Co-Hosts:
T. Powell Coltrin, Victoria Marie Lees, Stephen Tremp, Renee Scattergood, and J.H. Moncrieff!
IWSG OPTIONAL QUESTION: What started you on your writing journey? Was it a particular book, movie, story, or series? Was it a teacher/coach/spouse/friend/parent? Did you just “know” suddenly you wanted to write?
MY ANSWER: What started me on my writing journey? When I really think about it, I guess it started with loving to read and my mother. I could read before I started Kindergarten. I was an only child so books became my friends, my adventure and way to experience things that normally I could not.
My mother took me to the library whenever I wanted, which was often. She did not restrict my reading the way the school did. The school would not allow you to check books out of the school library they considered above your grade level. They did not have advanced reading classes in my early days of school.
I read “Gone with The Wind” by Margret Mitchell at age seven without a problem. Books played in my head like movies for as long as I can remember. I read Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys before age seven. I found Victoria Holt in Junior High. I fell in love with Gothic suspense romance. I then discovered Narnia and Lord of the Rings.
Off and on from about the
age of nine, I would draft little story scenes in a journal, or diary along
with various thought processes and doodles. I also discovered my friends like
me to make up stories to tell them, so I did, all done verbally, but I wish I
had written them down. I also had some story dreams that I would write down. I still have two dreams I wrote down. I lost a lot of early writing when our home
flooded in 1989.
In 1977 when Star Wars A New Hope was released, I was turning 14. My mother would buy me any related books which at first were few, but after the Return of the Jedi, all the books in the Expanded Universe started appearing. I read most of them every grade level including graphic comic books and cassette tape audios.
In adulthood around 1999, I started doing the online Star Wars roleplay fanfiction. I then joined other roleplay groups such as a LOTR group, a Regency historical romance fan fiction group, and one about dragons.
I played with the same groups up through
2005. In 2006 I wrote Star Wars fan fiction with a friend from the Star Wars
group until 2015, in fact, we were also roommates for 10 years of that.
In 2011, I decided
I wanted to be a paid author, so started writing and learning more in-depth
about the writing craft.
Don’t get me wrong I have always read and loved learning about the writing craft since the 1990’s when I took my first writing course. That was before there were online courses and the internet was in its infancy. The course came to me through the snail mail from Writer’s Digest and one from The Children’s Writing Institute, so I have always been preparing, I guess.
I had three poems published in 1995-1999. One of those poems was republished, to be set to music, for an anthology for the Millennium. I have had shorts in a couple of anthologies, took part in flash fiction blog hops, and Story Advent Calendars for the last few years. I have also published stories through Stormdance Publications. I am writing on Medium and I am working on four different novel series. I will also be doing the 2020 Ninja Write Along with Shaunta Grimes Ninja Writers Club.
My writing and writing life are a work in progress. I am working toward the long term, so everything seems to take forever, but I continue to make forward progress. Show up, persist, learn, practice, and set micro-steps. Just do them, don’t think about all the other that needs doing, and when you look back you will be surprised how much forward motion you have taken.
Yes, I would like to be further along in the journey, but I fight giving up all the time, but even if I do, I come right back to it. My best writing year so far has been 2019 for publication, and by April 2020 we will have published seven Grumpy Gods anthologies.
Any step counts as long as you complete it. That is something I keep telling myself. What about you? Why did you start writing?
I went to Star Wars Theme Park @ Disney World in Orlando Monday, Jan 6th. I came home with a pet Porg from the planet AchoTo and a BB8 droid. And I developed a hidden Yoda connection and grew some Yoda EARS. Oh yeah, I booked passage on the Millennium Falcon twice. The first time as a gunner and the second time as one of the pilots. Obviously we survived and captured our cargo, but not without a bit of damage to the Millennium Falcon. Don’t worry it will be fixed they took the credits out of our pay for the delivery.
We did not get to ride the new ride The Rise of the Resistance even though we got there at 7 am when the park opened. They have a capacity limit. We were #155 on the backup log. Another girl that was there at 650am said she was number 126 and did not get to ride either, so get there before they open at least while it is new if you want to ride it. They said it was pretty awesome.
The Millennium Falcon was awesome too it was like being inside a moving video game where you feel everything. The best position is the pilot for the best in action experience, but the gunner was fun too. They have a pilot, gunner, and engineer position. Two for each, it seats six. The details of everything was awesome to be in and walk around.
IWSG JANUARY 8th: Why Do You 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 –
The next #IWSGPit will be in January 15, 2020
8:00 am – 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time
Create a Twitter-length pitch for your completed and polished manuscript and leave room for genre, age, and the hashtag. On January 15, Tweet your pitch. If your pitch receives a favorite/heart from a publisher/agent check their submission guidelines and send your requested query.
Many writers have seen their books published from a Twitter pitch – it’s a quick and easy way to put your manuscript in front of publishers and agents.
IWSG JANUARY 8th: Why Do You Write?
Join the IWSG Book Club on Good Reads for polls, freebies, book chats, and fun.
The December 2019/January 2020 book will be On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King.
Discussion Fun Day will be January 22, 2020.
The Insecure Writer’s Support Group made the Write Life 100 Best List!
January 23, 2020 @ 03:35
Man, I hope everyone recovered fully from the flu! Like you, my parents supported my reading habit. They were both avid readers, and they read different things, so I got exposed to more genres than I think I would have otherwise.
January 20, 2020 @ 15:37
You have such an amazing journey, Juneta! Sounds like the theme park was loads of fun 🙂
January 20, 2020 @ 16:45
Thank you. The theme park was fun.
January 18, 2020 @ 15:14
How nice that your mother supported your book habit!
January 20, 2020 @ 16:45
Yes, my mother encouraged me to read.
January 17, 2020 @ 10:51
I think Disney needs to open another whole park in a different location so there would be 2 parks. So sorry visitors spend all that money and the lines are so long they can’t get on many rides. 2parks might help with the congestion too. But probably each park would be packed anyway! You sounds like a real fan! I like your idea of long term planning, but 4 series at once? Whew…I’d never be able to keep all the characters straight! Best wishes on your wonderful plans and congrats on the publications. Great post.
JQ Rose
January 20, 2020 @ 16:44
Oh yeah, I am a mega fan just short of fanatic probably. I have always been inspired by Star Wars. Well, not exactly at once, I work on one at a time but alternate. I picked one this year and I am focusing on it. Thank you.
January 17, 2020 @ 05:58
Reading Gone With the Wind at age seven? Writing stories in a journal at age nine? You were obviously always going to be a writer. Amazing. Love that picture of you. 🙂
January 20, 2020 @ 16:42
Thank you.
January 16, 2020 @ 21:27
Once I started reading, I was reading everything from all grade levels. Both of my parents were avid readers. They could both read a book a day. I didn’t get that gene! I wish I did.
January 20, 2020 @ 16:42
When I was younger I could more than one book a day if I put my mind to it, but reading 4 to 5 a week was not unusual.
January 14, 2020 @ 08:33
Wow, you’re definitely a true fan.
I’m an only child as well, and it was the same thing with my mother, thankfully. She never restricted what I read, which I’m sure she regretted sometimes, as it resulted in a LOT of questions.
Happy 2020! All the best in the New Year. Thanks for volunteering to be an early listener–I’ve put your name on the list. Hope you love Dragonfly Summer!
January 14, 2020 @ 11:07
*Squeal in delight* Looking forward to listening. Congrats to you. You are inspiring and awesome.
My mama may have felt the same way she said my middle name was why lol.
January 13, 2020 @ 12:37
That’s an amazing journey!
January 13, 2020 @ 13:14
Thank you and thanks for visiting me too.
January 13, 2020 @ 09:19
I’m late making the rounds, really late, but thanks for stopping by my blog.
It’s wonderful that your mother nurtured your love of reading.
It’s sweet that your love of writing came out of your love for reading.
I too write a bit of fanfiction but haven’t really shared any of it.
I admire your accomplishments.
Your adventure at Disney sounds like so much fun.
January 13, 2020 @ 13:14
Thank you. We had a great time.
January 12, 2020 @ 15:06
Wow, you’ve been writing for a long time. And, reading from a young age sure helped develop your writing skills and imagination! Like your mom, mine took us to the library (actually two – one in the town we lived and one in the city she worked) every three weeks. We could each take five books home (library rules) from each place and they were always read by the time we returned three weeks later. I loved reading at a child. I still do, but I have very little time for it. I must be the only writer who rarely reads books!
January 13, 2020 @ 13:13
Yes, I loved going to the library as a kid. I checked out the max too.
January 11, 2020 @ 19:49
So jealous you got to go to the new Star Wars land! I’ve also been a fan since the original release of A New Hope. Loved Rise of Skywalker and the Mandalorian series on Disney+ (which I insist on referring to as the Baby Yoda Show. My husband is starting to pick up that habit too.)
January 11, 2020 @ 19:56
It was awesome. I had a really good time.
January 11, 2020 @ 17:08
Your writing journey seems fascinating and multifaceted. A wonderful post.
January 11, 2020 @ 19:12
Thank you.
January 11, 2020 @ 10:23
Oh, I’m so jealous! I can’t wait to get back to Disney World and see all the new Star Wars stuff. I especially can’t wait to take my daughters there. 😀
January 11, 2020 @ 10:32
It was great and definitely worth the visit.
January 10, 2020 @ 19:29
so much info!
love all the star wars guys and gear! how awesome. (and I never try to ride a new ride in the first year–tho this star wars ride may stay popular much longer than that!)
gone with the wind at 7? wow. lovey beginnings story =)
happy 2020!
January 11, 2020 @ 10:31
Thank you. Happy 2020 to you too.
January 10, 2020 @ 18:30
Happy New Year, Juneta! I relate to this post. I’m definitely a work in progress. I’m never satisfied. Writers write, right? When Woody Allen was asked, “How have you become such a successful film maker?” He answered, “I showed up.” Happy IWSG!
January 11, 2020 @ 10:31
That is sage advice. Yes showing up is half the battle.
January 10, 2020 @ 17:25
School libraries are really fickle. Great that your mother and the public library let you read away whatever you wanted.
January 11, 2020 @ 10:30
So true. Thank you for visiting.
January 10, 2020 @ 16:53
I’d love to visit the Star Wars section of Disney World one day.
Your new ears are awesome 🙂
January 11, 2020 @ 10:30
I hope you get to visit one day too. It is worth visiting once at least in a lifetime. Thank you. A surprise it is. May the Force Be With You.
January 10, 2020 @ 11:21
You read Gone with The Wind at the age of 7?? Holy cow! I own it but still haven’t read it. That’s amazing! I had trouble reading as a kid. It wasn’t until I was 10/11 when I pushed myself to get better and then fell in love with reading.
January 11, 2020 @ 10:28
Yep and a few others similar. It is a great book if you ever do read it.
January 10, 2020 @ 10:22
You’ve been a writer for quite a long time! So far, every entry I’ve read for this prompt mentions some sort of fan fiction–interesting. I wish you happy writing in January.
January 11, 2020 @ 10:27
Thank you. Same to you.
January 10, 2020 @ 10:11
Juneta – I love the photo of you with the ears. Thoroughly enjoyed reading about the details of your writing journey.
Have a great year!
January 11, 2020 @ 10:27
Thank you. You have a great year as well.
January 10, 2020 @ 09:28
It’s ridiculous how schools will restrict kids from reading what they want to read. When I was a kid, my teachers told my parents that I didn’t like to read. Meanwhile, I was reading tons of Star Trek and Star Wars novels. But according to my teachers, those sorts of books didn’t count.
January 11, 2020 @ 10:26
I am rereading Star Trek’s Voyager Homecoming right now. Oh yeah, gobbled them all up too. That was stupid. Fictional stories help understand the world in some ways. I learned a lot about life through fiction.
January 10, 2020 @ 07:28
Hi Juneta,
I loved reading about your journey. What a memory you have for detail.
I always loved to read, as long as I can remember. While in grade school, I started reading the Reader’s Digest from cover to cover. I always saved the condensed book for last.
My real interest in writing started when we sailed from San Diego, California to Mexico with plans to sail through the Panama canal and on to the Mediterranean. That voyage didn’t happen, but there were plenty of adventures to write about.
January 11, 2020 @ 10:24
Your sailing blog is so cool. I really enjoy your stories.
January 9, 2020 @ 23:13
Your mum sounds pretty awesome. Mine was too, but I still hid Gone With the Wind under my mattress when I was 13. Haha. I wasn’t sure how she’d feel about me reading such a grownup book. I used to use cut-outs in my stories, so I could arrange them during the exciting moments. LOL. They (my characters) seemed so real to me even then. Oh, my mum bought me my first diary/journal when I was eight.
January 11, 2020 @ 10:23
LOL, I had already watched the movie with mama more than once, so she did not care that read the book. What is so funny my mother was not a fiction reader. That is so cool about the cut-outs and imaginative. That is about the age I received my first diary/journal too.
January 8, 2020 @ 23:34
Moms who read and encourage us must have special awards, Juneta. So glad yours was there to encourage your early interest in writing.
January 11, 2020 @ 10:21
Yes my mother always told me I could do anything I put my mind to doing.
January 8, 2020 @ 21:18
I read well above my age “level” and also encountered school library restrictions. Fortunately, the public library had no such rules. Loved Victoria Holt. I also read Shell Scott and Stanley Gardner “before” my time.
January 11, 2020 @ 10:20
I need to check those last two out. I have not read them.
January 8, 2020 @ 13:32
Love the whole collection from ears to BB8. I didn’t read for fun until Lord of the Rings. I discovered it in high school.
Writing is another story. hehehe
Anna from elements of emaginette
January 11, 2020 @ 10:20
I have always read for fun which is probably why I to write despite my hand writing being crap. Glad the invented the typewriter and the computer.
January 8, 2020 @ 13:27
Happy New Year!
I was one of those early readers too. I would read anything that I got my hands on.
Have a great year and an awesome start in the new decade.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
January 11, 2020 @ 10:19
I hope you have a wonderful year as well.
January 8, 2020 @ 11:51
Oh my gosh I remember reading Victoria Holt! I loved her books. That name is a blast from the past.
My parents took me to the library a lot too and those are some of my fondest memories. 🙂
January 11, 2020 @ 10:18
I still remember the way she made me feel reading. My all-time favorite was “Shadow of the Lynx” and several more written in that time frame in her career. “On the Night of the Seventh Moon”, “The Time of the Hunter’s Moon”, “Bride of Pendorric” and more.
January 8, 2020 @ 11:49
Loved reading about your writing journey. Books were my friends as a kid too. Awesome that you have another anthology coming out this month.
January 11, 2020 @ 10:12
Thank you.
January 8, 2020 @ 10:20
Star Wars sparked a lot of writing and was also one of my inspirations.
I hope to see the new Star Wars exhibit at Disney sometime soon.
January 11, 2020 @ 10:12
It is my biggest and maybe first inspiration to write regularly. I hope you do too it was great fun.
January 8, 2020 @ 08:34
I have one porg but I’d love another. Thanks for the tip on the ride. We hope to visit the park again this year.
I read like crazy when I was a kid and fell in love with the Narnia books when I was 11.
January 11, 2020 @ 10:11
They are so cute, aren’t they? This one can sit on my shoulder. I wore him all around the theme park.
January 8, 2020 @ 06:07
Happy IWSG Day. I love your journey. Gone with the Wind at 7? Impressive! I would love to see the Millennium Falcon too! It sounds like you had a lovely time at the theme park, one of the items on my bucket list 🙂
January 11, 2020 @ 10:09
Yes, the park was great fun. Thank you for visiting with me.