IWSG September 4th: Calgon Take Me Away…
My News
Submission Call for Grumpy Old Gods 5:
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IN STORY:
We want stories of cantankerous gods, aging heroes, and the occasional mortal caught up in their shenanigans. Small gods, demigods, and gods that the author made up are all welcome. We love it when a writer takes the ‘normal’ form of a God or Goddess and remakes it for the modern world, or conversely, shows a pantheon that’s refusing to adapt. Sparkling dialogue, well-drawn characters, and most of all a real ending with a twist will make our little editing hearts skip a beat.
These are the stories we want to see in Grumpy Old Gods Volume 5. Be creative with the pantheon. Show us something we haven’t seen before.
We much prefer a hopeful, humorous take on the subject and theme. Make the reader chortle, chuckle, or choke on their tea if they drink it at the wrong time.
Submissions are due December 1st, 2019 with an eye to releasing the anthology late January 2020.
READ MORE DETAILED GUIDELINES HERE.
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
Twitter is @TheIWSG Hashtag: #IWSG = IWSG Instagram
Co-Hosts:
Gwen Gardner,Doreen McGettigan,Tyrean Martinson,Chemist Ken, andCathrina Constantine!
OPTIONAL IWSG DAY QUESTION:
If you could pick one place in the world to sit and write your next story, where would it be and why?
Since this is imagination or wishful thinking… LOL, Money, accessibility, and time not an issue… Well, I would write from the position that I earn a 6 figure income or more, with an indefinite stay in New Zealand at a private villa or home with a spectacular view. The whole country is beautiful. I tend to like oceanic and lake views but not opposed to the forest or maybe mountains. Maybe a Hobbit Hole or Hobbit Set… ( I would also consider England, Spain, Greece, Ireland, Scotland, Italy.) I’m open to other suggestions.
Okay, a houseboat or Oceanview Bed and Breakfast, not in Hurricane season, or Lake house retreat. More down to earth thinking here.
Realistically, I would be thrilled to feel comfortable, relaxed enough and totally at home to sit outside and write on my laptop, day or night, but I alas, I need the privacy of my room to feel unencumbered enough to allow my imagination the freedom to take flight on paper or computer. Before we moved this last time, the end of 2016, my room had a lake view. I miss that.
Why? Because settings like that give me a sense of peace and hope. Also helps my mind escape to far off places. I know, weird right? Or maybe not, it is something about being in the beauty of nature for me. Feeling that vastness makes me feel closer to God and inspiration.
One of my most rememberable was on The Big Island of Hawaii at night. It was so dark away from towns I never saw so many stars. The ocean and the stars embraced you and separated you. I could feel it in my spirit. I could feel I was in the middle of the ocean on an island. It was an odd feeling, and then knowing the only way off was by boat or plane. That feeling made some of my traveling companions nervous, but I felt wonder.
I’d like to go back one day. They had a ritual that if you threw a lei from a certain cliff and it came back to shore you would return. Mine came back, so maybe one day.
I feel like I totally did not answer this question but it is what came to mind.
Insecure ANGST:
Still the fear of not getting everything done, that needs doing and is expected. All the same ole writing insecurities, especially in ability and talent. Not living up to expectations I guess mostly my own more than others. Of not being enough or doing enough.
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.
Our
August/September book is
The Forest for the Trees: An Editor’s Advice by Betsy Lerner
Discussion Fun Day will be September 25, 2019.
Join Us!
As you sow so shall you reap. What will your character sow – dragon’s teeth, elven bones, gouged eyes from tormented souls? Or will it be a more mundane series of actions with some awful unforeseen consequences, but without a whiff of a ghost anywhere?
Write a ghost story, or write a mainstream one. Most of our members go with horror or speculative for October. But that’s not written in stone. Nothing rigid about us – we are a culturally diverse mix and we welcome all interpretations.
WANT TO BE A FEATURED GUEST IN MY AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT?
Author Spotlight Guidelines
LET ME KNOW HOW I CAN HELP
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHTS AUGUST
Meet the authors Grumpy Old Gods Vol. 2
Spotlights were thin in August but will pick up in September.
This link will take you to Stormdance Publications The Meet the Authors on Writer’s Gambit is still ongoing as these posts are also posted individually on this site.
September 23, 2019 @ 19:43
Posting this for Victoria Marie Lees, http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com/
“Wow! Is there a lot of information there. Bravo to all who are included in the Area 51 anthology. You guys sure have your act together on this. I saw Alex’s books and videos and the Grumpy Gods info. Grumpy Gods is such a great title. All the luck with these endeavors, Juneta. And thanks for always visiting my Adventures in Writing blog and leaving comments. It truly means a lot.”
September 16, 2019 @ 19:40
I don’t think it’s weird at all. Setting is so important, and it always inspires me too. When asked for advice for other writers, I always say travel as much as you can, even if you can’t afford to go far from home.
You chose some great places.
September 9, 2019 @ 10:51
I hope you get to return to Hawaii. 🙂
September 7, 2019 @ 17:04
I saw another post that said they’d want to write in a hobbit hole. LOL. I’d like that too. Or anywhere near water. It’s so soothing.
September 6, 2019 @ 08:36
Grumpy Old Gods is such a funny name. It cracked me up as soon as I opened your post. 😀
I can imagine you miss your old view! That would be perfect for inspiration. I do best writing at home too even though it’s fun to daydream
September 5, 2019 @ 22:16
Those are some wonderful locations, many of which would work for me too. New Zealand especially.
September 5, 2019 @ 19:10
A lake view is my favourite as well. I’d love to get to New Zealand one of these days – visit all of the LotR areas and see the beauty of the land!
September 5, 2019 @ 17:29
haha yeah, you may need quite a bit of dough for those first ones. Inside writing away is a win any day though.
September 5, 2019 @ 15:15
I never answered this month’s question either. I don’t know if there is a perfect location to write for me. Maybe if I had a time machine, I would enter it and set the dial to five or ten years back. I wrote a lot in those days, and my imagination worked much better than it does now. Or maybe that would be cheating.
September 5, 2019 @ 15:01
Your dream locations sound nice. I’m not much of a beach person, but I do love the view. Hawaii is on my list of places to see, so hopefully one day.
September 5, 2019 @ 14:44
Sounds like a busy summer. I prefer to have nature outside my writing window as well, although once my uni residence window offered a snow capped mountain/volcano in the far distance and I just spent all my time staring at it in awe and not working. So! Trees and lakes for me too. cheers.
September 5, 2019 @ 10:34
They say busy people get the most done. Good luck with all your projects. You mention so many fantastic locations. I’m afraid I’d be so interested in the scenery and what’s going on that I wouldn’t write. But, hey, whatever works.
September 5, 2019 @ 10:26
Thanks, Juneta, for stopping by my blog.
Nature helps me write too.
I wish you all the best with your writing to-do list, but also want to say “way to go” with all you’ve done with the Grumpy series. I can’t believe it’s up to 5.
September 5, 2019 @ 05:33
I, too, was an office-only writer but the need to get words in forced me out of my Hobbit Hole into the real world (eewww). Even in a coffee shop (shudder!) or at the airport! Have laptop will make words. Music helps me tune out the surroundings.
You have a great bucket list of writing spots! Your office must be jealous.
September 5, 2019 @ 09:44
I have trouble tuning out the world even when I can’t hear it. If I can see it, I will watch it which is distracting, lol. However, for a beautiful locale, I will give a go.
September 4, 2019 @ 21:58
You seem to be getting a lot done–and I’m with you on peaceful settings to get writing done. need some time away 🙂
September 5, 2019 @ 09:42
It feels like I am barely skimming through what had to be done, but at least some stuff is getting done. Thanks for stopping by to visit.
September 4, 2019 @ 18:06
My best friend manages a resort on the big island, so I hope to visit her in the next couple years and experience it for myself.
September 4, 2019 @ 19:51
It was awesome there. I hope I get to go again one day.
September 4, 2019 @ 17:01
A vast and pretty view certainly would help stir the creative juices!
September 4, 2019 @ 19:05
Yes, indeed. Happy IWSG Day.
September 4, 2019 @ 15:47
I think you answered the question quite well, Juneta. I’d love any of those places, but I doubt that I’d write a single word in any of them. I’d be too tempted to explore and enjoy.
Hang in there with those insecurities and keep doing what you’re doing: writing and giving other authors an opportunity to be published.
September 4, 2019 @ 19:04
LOL, I totally get that. I would try to do a bit of both and write in my head while exploring. Thank you.
September 4, 2019 @ 15:05
Hi,
I love the fact that you would like to spend an indefinite time in New Zealand. I’ve heard so many positive comments about that country. One of my acquaintances would like to move there permanently.
Thanks also for having a very informative blog about what’s going on in the IWSG.
All the best.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
September 4, 2019 @ 18:57
Yeah, New Zealand is beautiful. The Hobbit movies and LOTR really sold me on it. Truly, I would like to visit all kinds of places if I were able and still mobile enough for it. Shalom aleichem.
September 4, 2019 @ 14:36
Great post. It’s a reminder of all the information I forgot to share. Egads!
September 4, 2019 @ 18:36
LOL, I was already sharing most of it on a regular basis, so I just have kept doing it with a +, lol.
September 4, 2019 @ 14:18
Water, the sound of waves mostly, is pretty good way to get back into a story. For me at least. 😉
Anna from elements of emaginette
September 4, 2019 @ 17:44
Yeah, that has always done it for me. I love being on the water too.
September 4, 2019 @ 14:16
I so enjoyed reading about your memory of Hawaii. It sounds lovely.
I like feeling private and tucked away when I write because then it’s safe to let my imagination roam. 🙂
September 4, 2019 @ 17:40
It was a great and wonderful experience.
September 4, 2019 @ 13:35
A houseboat! That’s one of those places oft-discussed and never-followed-through on in my family. I love the idea.
September 4, 2019 @ 13:59
LOL, yeah I have dream about living on one ever since I saw Tammy Tell Me True movie where they live on a houseboat The Ellen B, and the movie Houseboat with Cary Grant, both old movies. The movie was made before I was born, but I was little when I saw them and fell in love with the idea of living on a houseboat. It look like so much fun., of course, to a 3 to 5-year-old it would. Still looks fun to me actually, don’t know about as long term home bast though, lol.
September 4, 2019 @ 13:29
Some great locations! I say yes to Greece – specifically Santorini!
You’re open to other suggestions? Come join me at a great location which is on my doorstep… literally.
Happy IWSG!
September 4, 2019 @ 13:42
You are very lucky. I did have that for a year when we lived on a lake. Thank you.
September 4, 2019 @ 13:22
I’d definitely take a cottage in Scotland. Love the weather, the people, and the history. Congrats on the upcoming Grumpy Gods. You are rocking those anthologies!
September 4, 2019 @ 13:29
Oh yeah, I do so love the way they talk too. Thank you.
September 4, 2019 @ 13:11
Volume 5? Holy moly!
A 6 figure income or more…yes! And I’d choose Ireland for an infinite stay with freedom to be able to visit all of those other places for a vacation.
September 4, 2019 @ 13:15
Yeah, those are dream locations for me too. LOL, dreaming of that income too. Happy IWSG.
September 4, 2019 @ 12:50
So many of us seem to fall short of our ideal and spend time and energy kicking ourselves. You are a prolific writer and contribute to other writers. You’re enough. Exactly, as you are. The massive collection of stars in the sky are waiting for you. In time, you will see them again. Patience my dear.
September 4, 2019 @ 12:56
Thank you. I hope so.
September 4, 2019 @ 09:39
Then you would love the location I selected for writing!
It would be amazing so see so many stars like that…
September 4, 2019 @ 12:59
It was amazing. I have spent time in the country and the sky certainly has more stars away from city lights— but that, that was like a deep dark dome filled to the brim with stars, and so breathtakingly vast, wow, I can still recall the feeling and feel it–yeah I want to feel it again.
September 4, 2019 @ 08:31
I’d love to live in a private villa or a real hobbit hole and write from there. And I agree with Karen that you’re getting a lot done. There’s always too much to do.
September 4, 2019 @ 12:59
I know and I know. Thank you.
September 4, 2019 @ 06:57
From where I’m sitting, it looks like you’re getting a phenomenal amount done! I can’t believe Grumpy Gods is already up to #5! Congratulations!
September 4, 2019 @ 13:01
Thank you. Yup, we are on 5. We will be putting out the call for 6 and 7 in November.