IWSG Nov. 7th- EVOLVING
IWSG NOVEMBER 7, 2018
INSECURE WRITER’S SUPPORT GROUP
FOUNDED BY
Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh
Writer’s supporting, encouraging and learning from each other. Post on your own blog about your struggles, your triumphs, and your successes. Talk about your works in progress the good, the bad and the ugly or some other writing relating topic on your mind. Read others, interact, comment, and grow within this wonderful author community. Every month there is an optional question for those who may need help figuring out what to post about.
Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor,Ann V. Friend,JQ Rose, and Elizabeth Seckman!
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OUR BOOK SELECTION FOR OCTOBER/NOVEMBER IS:
THE MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE EDGAR ALLAN POE
This one is for VOICE. The discussion will start on October 17th and will go to the end of the month, but it will be up indefinitely, so you can hop in whenever you’re able. Join Us.
DISCUSSION
November 19th, Join Us Here.
BREAKING NEWS!
WEP and IWSG are holding a contest for the February WEP theme!
Rules: Submit your idea for a WEP February theme by November 12to admin@insecurewriterssupportgroup.com. Nothing U.S. culturally bound. Should have wide appeal.
Prize: Feature in the December newsletter for the winner. And, of course, the winning theme will be the official February WEP theme and accompanied by a stunning badge!
Deadline: November 12. Winner announced in the November newsletter on November 28.
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And don’t forget to start to prepare for the DECEMBER challenge!
It’s much broader than a Christmas story! Give us ribbons – a race? Or candles – a tomb?
[themify_button style=”black” link=”http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/” target=”BLANK”]OCTOBER WINNERS FOR WEB[/themify_button]
Simple conversations can trigger my MUSE to toss me a, “you know, hatch an army” when someone is talking about flies so thick on the river that fish jump out of the water to eat them. Or I read a totally fictional story and think, you know, that might really happen one day. We carry our phones in our pockets now, sign things with our fingers on a tablet, and can see 3D objects in the air around us whether VR or a clock that cast the time in the air. We grow body parts without a person attached to them.
Funny thing, I’m a little more organized in my daily living and writing. Sound can transport me to whole new worlds. I talk to invisible people and hang out with them. I’m a pantser who has learned that a little thing like 5 plot points and 10 key scenes can make all the difference in getting a whole story that flows in a way that keeps it moving forward. So immersing self in story structure where you know certain things like you know the grass is green changes the whole game: cause it ain’t like I didn’t or don’t know a lot about story craft with all the reading.
I still panst but with purpose. And guess what, I’m still inspired and still don’t know what is gonna happen most of the time, but familiarity with certain elements to the point of natural gives me more confidence when I am writing. Guess that is why all the emphasis is on…
![[âIMG]](https://i1.wp.com/www.junetakey.com/oldsite/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/eb8ef15b60029a41ff8d630a5c67f4a4.jpg?zoom=1.25&resize=236%2C299)
![[âIMG]](https://i0.wp.com/www.junetakey.com/oldsite/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/c615a4af6877e92904e3b589367c0206.jpg?w=192)
because practice builds confidence and familiarity with story elements. Actually, the game changer was a more in-depth study on things I knew, BUT HELLO, didn’t know like I thought I knew them. (Links if interested 5 Plot Points 10 Key Scenes ) Whole new perspective with a little inner epiphany with MUSE. My subconscious went OH, I get it, and the puzzle unlocked a little or I just leveled up in Muse game. There was not really any conscious thought MUSE just spit out 3 stories outlines. So I’m evolving.
And guess what, OMG, I set up my Amazon Author Page.
Little steps, right? Moving forward. After all,
I will be one year older at the end of this month and one step closer to doing the thing I said I was going to do. 
via GIPHY
I’m a little excited too, in my inner panic.
[themify_box style=”black”]WRITER’S GAMBIT AUGUST AUTHOR SPOTLIGHTS[/themify_box]
Sherry Ellis Big Dig to China
Audio & Indie Authors by Ronel Janse van Vuuren
Off The Beaten Path Anthology
Samantha Bryant on The 5 Benefits of Writing for Anthologies. 
Call of the Druids by Fiona Tarr
Fiona Tarr On The Challenge of Writing a Celtic Story
On all Hallows Eve this year. So, of course, the general theme was Halloweenish.
Read some really great short stories from authors all around the globe. This was one of our best hops ever.
November 13, 2018 @ 19:58
I like your view of scenes and plot points, and knowing those things to the point of complete naturalness. I think there are some things in my novel that I know that way–they will show up in the novel, because in my mind, they’ve already happened 🙂
(And yes, I’m a little slow making the IWSG rounds this month!)
November 13, 2018 @ 18:38
Yay for setting up your Amazon Author Page. I like the idea that we’re evolving with our creativity. 🙂
November 13, 2018 @ 12:54
Every little step is important. 🙂 I really like how you said pantsing with purpose. Yes! That’s what I do too.
November 9, 2018 @ 22:07
Congratulations on your author page, Juneta!
November 9, 2018 @ 08:14
I’m following you on your Amazon author page now 🙂
I’m intrigued by the 10 scenes and 5 plot points – off to check those links out now.
November 8, 2018 @ 16:41
Step by step gets you there.
November 8, 2018 @ 12:19
I love that your steps toward your goals are coming together! Awesome for the author page. And glad little epiphanies are happening!
November 8, 2018 @ 06:56
There’s no problem with pantsing if you know the basic plot points to gently guide you in the right direction. I’m glad there’s someone else who enjoys story structure too.
And getting your Amazon Author page up and running is another great step in the right direction.
November 8, 2018 @ 02:06
Love the images 🙂 Congrats on creating your Amazon Author Page — one step at a time and suddenly you’re running!
Ronel visiting on IWSG day Lessons in Writing from Sewing
November 7, 2018 @ 14:19
“I still pants but with purpose,” I love that! I’m always on the lookout for metaphors around me. That notebook travels everywhere with me. Happy IWSG day, Juneta! http://www.raimeygallant.com
November 7, 2018 @ 14:29
I keep a notebook with me too PLUS I have Google Keep, MS OneNote and EverNote Apps on my cell so if get caught without paper I can still take NOTES, lol. Happy IWSG Day to you too.
November 7, 2018 @ 14:00
I love not knowing exactly what will happen next. 😉
Anna from elements of emaginette
November 7, 2018 @ 14:25
Yeah me too, cause it allows me to live the adventure with the characters. Hugs Anna
November 7, 2018 @ 13:51
I’m a pantser at heart as well – and learning to plot is tough. I end up with so many revisions required that I abandon the story, so I’m hoping plotting will help in the long run. Like your 10 scenes idea – will have to think about that… 🙂
November 7, 2018 @ 14:23
I have always rebelled at the idea of plotting and MUSE really fights me on outlining beats, until just recently with these two things. It really was a hindsight epiphany and MUSE comprehended that too which made a huge difference. We want to find some more subconscious altering good habits hack to get us to JUST DO and not think about it, so we are looking back rather than forward on publishing books, not just short stories.
The 5PP was the biggest game changer and then I added in the 10 Key Scene thing and jumped with joy. I am still pansting, but like I said with purpose and some direction. And I’m aware of real choice in story structure as I write, whereas before I winged it without thinking because I was a reader and understood enough to do it somewhat.
Happy Pantsering!
Here are links to free info on the 5 Plot Points
Shaunta Grimes free short course. I pop up comes up for sign up. It’s free. https://whatareno.leadpages.co/leadbox/146bca173f72a2%3A16943f03af46dc/5756292874371072/
Script Lab where she actually learned about it and references it. https://thescriptlab.com/screenwriting/structure/the-outline/51-plot-five-key-moments/
Ten Key Scenes you can learn about here https://www.livewritethrive.com/2016/07/04/the-first-10-scenes-you-need-to-plot-for-your-novel/
The Course 10 Key Scenes by C. S. Lakin here. Scroll down the page to see it It has the name 10 Key Scenes https://www.livewritethrive.com/online-courses/
November 7, 2018 @ 12:41
Any step in this business deserves applause, so here’s mine for getting your author page up and running. Great post with so much news, Juneta!
November 7, 2018 @ 13:49
Thank you, thank you. I didn’t include the fact I signed up for November NaNo too. That I am still doing the Ninja Writer Write-Along, also going through How To Write A Novel by Holly Lisle, working on a Christmas Advent story for another anthology that is a bonus for the Advent Calendar.
Plus I was invited to co-editor an anthology with another writer and be part of the publishing process–anthology about Grumpy ole Gods or Retired Gods that will come out next year. Should be fun. I will post more about that and submission when we get further along. I will be doing a story for it too I think.
So see so much more news, lol.
November 7, 2018 @ 11:05
Juneta, I love this line–“I still panst but with purpose.” I’m kind of a combo of pantser and planner–a planster? Who teaches the 5 points and 10 scenes? Sounds easy. hee hee
JQ Rose
November 7, 2018 @ 11:33
I first learned about the 5 Plot Points from Shaunta Grimes who founded Ninja Writers Club, which gives access to her course A Novel Idea and includes a workshop called The Plotting Workshop. The Plotting Workshop a course you can get separate from A Novel Idea course had the PW and is an 8-week course. ANI course designed to go through over a year, and is broken into segments, or you can faster as it is at your own pace course but setup for a year.
Now for a short answer.
You can learn about the 5 PP free through her How to develop an idea +test a story course. The free one that also contains info on The 5 Plot Points here. You will have to sign up for it through a pop up to get it. https://whatareno.leadpages.co/leadbox/146bca173f72a2%3A16943f03af46dc/5756292874371072/
Ten Key Scenes you can learn about here
https://www.livewritethrive.com/2016/07/04/the-first-10-scenes-you-need-to-plot-for-your-novel/
The Course 10 Key Scenes by C. S. Lakin here. Scroll down the page to see it It has the name 10 Key Scenes
https://www.livewritethrive.com/online-courses/
It was just going through the courses and learning then working on something *epiphany* I realized that I learned and it had affected my writing in a good way. It was a hindsight realization for me.
November 7, 2018 @ 11:35
The Script Lab also has some free info on it.
https://thescriptlab.com/screenwriting/structure/the-outline/51-plot-five-key-moments/
November 7, 2018 @ 10:48
Minions!
I need to try the 5 plot points and 10 key scenes and see if it helps me move forward with my current WIP.
November 7, 2018 @ 11:41
I love Minions. They are so funny. I love the 5 Plot Points since I found them too.
I gave J Q a more detailed answer above. You can find free info here
Shaunta Grimes free short course. I pop up comes up for sign up. It’s free.
https://whatareno.leadpages.co/leadbox/146bca173f72a2%3A16943f03af46dc/5756292874371072/
Script Lab where she actually learned about it and references it.
https://thescriptlab.com/screenwriting/structure/the-outline/51-plot-five-key-moments/
It really helped me with my current work.
November 7, 2018 @ 10:18
Learning more about what you already know–that’s a good way to put it. I still need to set up my Amazon author page–thanks for the nudge. Happy writing in November!
November 7, 2018 @ 11:46
LOL, thank you. Well, I have been studying and reading about story craft since the mid 90’s so I learned a lot over years, beside the fact I am a voracious reader.
I felt I had a firm grasp on everything. It was a surprise to realize how much I did not have a firm grasp on. Tada, Muse said.
Setting up the Author Page as I said gives me butterflies, BUT it also made me realize hey, you’re serious about this, and MUSE said, okay, let’s get serious. Muse liked the way we felt doing despite the fear and nerves.
Happy Writing to you too. I am signed up for NaNo, but Nano is not my focus but #amwriting.
November 7, 2018 @ 08:54
Congrats on setting up your author page on Amazon. I kind of write like you–part pantser with some plot points to keep me organized
November 7, 2018 @ 11:52
Thank you. Hurray for pantser’s! In order to have a house, you first have to set up the structure to hold it up. It a basic law of physics which also I realize applies to story and actually having a book in hand that other people will read.
It doesn’t take away from my process nor was it that hard to adapt to my writing; a bit here, a bit there so was not painful to add either. MUSE was so happy with the result she wants to add more, but I know it is gradual build in my subconscious where the real results stem from played out by just taking the course and doing the work, instead of struggling against the idea.
Just don’t think about it–just do the work. I wish I would do that in more areas of my life.
November 7, 2018 @ 08:38
Thanks for mentioning all of the IWSG events coming up.
Congratulations on your Amazon author page.
November 7, 2018 @ 11:55
You’re welcome and thank you.
November 7, 2018 @ 07:38
Yay! Go you with your amazon author page!
You’re getting there one step at a time, and when you get there you’re going to be like a massive firework lighting up the writing world! 🙂
November 7, 2018 @ 12:30
LOL, Thank you. Oh I hope so, I really, really hope so