IWSG February 2, 2022
IWSG February 2, 2022
I am on the Insecure Writers Support Group BLOG today! Visit me there to catch up on all the NEWS and find out my answer to this month’s IWSG question.
Writer’s Support Group
#IWSG Anthology 2021 WINNERS & #IWSGPit Coming Jan. 26th, 2022
#IWSG Anthology 2021 WINNERS/#IWSGPit
Hello Insecure Writer’s
#IWSG Every First Wednesday of the Month, January 6th, 2022
#IWSG
Sign Up And Become a Member
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
IWSG CO-HOST FOR JANUARY 6TH, 2022: HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The awesome co-hosts for the January 5 posting of the IWSG are Erika Beebe, Olga Godim, Sandra Cox, Sarah Foster, and Chemist Ken!
JANUARY 5, 2022 IWSG QUESTION:
What’s the one thing about your writing career you regret the most? Were you able to overcome it?
MY ANSWER:
My regret? That I am always holding myself back. That I did not put in the strong effort in earlier years that I do now. I missed a lot of opportunity that would have me so much further RIGHT NOW on the path I am walking, if I had done half of what I do currently THEN! I regret that I still let fear and doubt hold me back, especially slow me down, even if it does not stop me. I need to become more fearless in my pursuit.
My Words of the Year: EASE, FREEDOM, AUTONOMY!
I wish I was better at getting the work done and out there. I need to take a running start into overwhelm, and jump in the deep end-Geronimo! EYES OPEN WIDE.
The hardest part is I am a person who needs stability in my life to function at my best. Finding the balance between stability and the courage to push farther can sometimes feel like a walk on thin ice, especially when life does not cooperate and throws rocks into your soup. My eyes are on my POLESTAR—The story of my life. My heart, my dream, I will rise up.(Andra Day on YouTube)
“You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it.”
Benjamin Mee: We Bought A Zoo The Movie
“Courage is nothing more than taking one step more than you think you can.” -Holly Lisle
Read about the WINNERS and Judges at IWSG BLOG HOME: HERE
#IWSGPit
Read the Twitter Pitch Jan. 26, 2022 Rules & Guidelines Here
The Glass Gargoyle by Marie Andreas and Satellite Blues by Team Netherworld
Tips To IWSG Members on how to make your book findable from Toi Thomas.
#IWSG August 4th: Writing Inspiration
#IWSG First Wednesday of the month!
IWSG August 4th: Writing Inspiration
| Insecure Writer’s Support Group—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 Reedsy Discount / Past Issues Fast Five Free Gift–Mobi / Epub / Pdf Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer help and guidance. It’s a safe-haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer—aim for a dozen new people each time—and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG. |
You ready?
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
August 4th IWSG Co-hosts
The awesome co-hosts for the August 4 posting of the IWSG are PK Hrezo, Cathrina Constantine, PJ Colando, Kim Lajevardi, and Sandra Cox!
IWSG SWAG
From the newsletter
Show off your writer insecurities!
Buy some IWSG swag and wear/use it with pride!
Buy Here!
IWSG August 4th: Writing Inspiration
August 4th optional question –What is your favorite writing craft book? Think of a book that every time you read it you learn something or you are inspired to write or try the new technique. And why?
My Answer:
I don’t have just one. Save the Cat help me to really see how structure worked together with all the elements, and Robert McKee just so many insights I never thought about. Jordan Rosenfield was very specific about tension and the way it works. Christopher Vogel made me look around and see the character archetypes in my own life, in the people surrounding me and how I could make better characters. Romancing the Beat gave better insight as to how romance fit in a story in structure, pacing, and the why. There are more great craft books out there but this is my top five.
Save The Cat Writes A Novel, by Jessica Brody
Dialogue: The Art of Verbal Action for Page, Stage, and Screen by Robert McKee
How To Write Page Turning Tension by Jordan Rosenfield
The Writer’s Journey – 25th Anniversary Edition: Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogel
Romancing The Beat by Gwen Hayes
THE SEVENTH ANNUAL IWSG ANTHOLOGY CONTEST
SUBMISSIONS ACCEPTED: MAY 7–SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
ATTENTION PARTICIPATES:
Overall, your story should be clean of offensive material, including profanity, vulgarity, excessive violence, or sexually explicit or suggestive scenes. Elements in your story should focus on romance, not on sex, which should be kept “behind closed doors.”
The overall plot should lead to a positive and uplifting outcome, also known as “happily ever after.”
Absolutely no erotica or pornography.
THIS IS THE BASIC DEFINITION OF ROMANCE FROM RWA (ROMANCE WRITER’S OF AMERICA):
Definition: Two basic elements comprise every romance novel: a central love story and an emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending. A Central Love Story: The main plot centers around individuals falling in love and struggling to make the relationship work. A writer can include as many subplots as he/she wants as long as the love story is the primary focus of the novel (or Short Story). An Emotionally Satisfying and Optimistic Ending: In a romance, the lovers who risk and struggle for each other and their relationship are rewarded with emotional justice and unconditional love.
This is from IWSG August Newsletter:
Stories have been rolling in, but there’s still time to polish up your best Sweet (CLEAN) romance and send it in! If you can’t decide what constitutes a sweet, clean romance, here is a great article by K. Anthony Wilson that might help.
No time for another link? In a nutshell, think G-rated, relationship-focused, love-to-the-rescue kind of stories.
Guidelines and rules:
Word count: 5000-6000
Genre: Sweet Romance
Theme: First Love
Submissions accepted: May 7 – September 1, 2021
How to enter: Send your polished, formatted (double-spaced, no footers or headers), previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your full contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter IWSG group. You must belong to at least one aspect of the IWSG to enter.
* A short reminder on the characteristics of a sweet romance.
Overall, your story should be clean of offensive material, including profanity, vulgarity, excessive violence, or sexually explicit or suggestive scenes.
Elements in your story should focus on romance, not on sex, which should be kept “behind closed doors.”
The overall plot should lead to a positive and uplifting outcome, also known as “happily ever after.”
Absolutely no erotica or pornography.Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges.
Our official judges:
Author Nancy Gideon
Nancy Gideon is the award-winning bestseller of over 70 romances ranging from historical, Regency, and series contemporary suspense to dark paranormal and horror, with a couple of produced screenplays and non-fiction writing books tossed into the mix. She’s also written under the pseudonyms Dana Ransom, Rosalyn West, and Lauren Giddings.
Agent Caitlin Blasdell, Liza Dawson Associates
Caitlin Blasdell has been a literary agent with Liza Dawson Associates since 2002 with a focus on commercial fiction. Before becoming an agent, she was a senior editor at HarperCollins Publishers.
Author Susan Gourley
Susan Gourley is traditionally published in fantasy and science fiction romance using the name Susan Kelley. She is currently serving as the President of the Pennwriters writing group renowned for the annual conference.
Author Meka James
Meka James is a writer of adult contemporary and erotic romance. A born and raised Georgia Peach, she still resides in the southern state with her hubby of 16 years and counting. Mom to four kids of the two legged variety, she also has four fur-babies of the canine variety. When not writing or reading, Meka can be found playing The Sims 3, sometimes Sims 4, and making up fun stories to go with the pixelated people whose world she controls.
Agent Melissa Gaines, Victress Literary
Melissa Gaines is part of the dynamic trio that makes up Victress Literary. Together with Shannon Orso and Lizz Nagle and their combined experience in literary sales, publishing, marketing, multimedia and writing equips them to go to battle for every client. Together, they are a well of creativity and cultivate relationships in what has become a rapidly-changing industry.
Author Jennifer Lane
Jennifer Lane writes sports romance and romantic suspense with a psychological twist. She has published nine novels and two short stories, including Behind the Catcher’s Mask as part of the IWSG Masquerade Anthology.
Agent Rachel Beck, Liza Dawson Associates
Rachel Beck joined Liza Dawson Associates in January 2020 after working at a boutique literary agency for four years. She has been in the publishing industry since 2009 and worked at Harlequin editing romance novels for nearly six years before transitioning her skills to the agent world in order to be an advocate and champion for authors.
Author Loni Townsend
By day, she writes code. By predawn darkness, she writes fantasies. All other times, she writes in her head. People call her peculiar with a twisted sense of fashion, but don’t let those understatements fool you. Her behavior is perfectly normal for a squirrel disguised as a human.
Prizes: The winning stories will be edited and published by Dancing Lemur Press’ imprint, Freedom Fox Press, next year in the IWSG anthology. (Please see their site for general submission guidelines.) Authors will receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will have the honor of giving the anthology its title.
This is our seventh anthology contest! Previous titles include Dark Matter: Artificial, Voyagers: The Third Ghost, Masquerade: Oddly Suited, Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime, Hero Lost, The Mysteries of Death and Life, and Parallels: Felix Was Here.
MORE ON THE IWSG BLOG!
Atlantis Lost, Atlantis Rising: Emergence Origin Story Novella Magic Born or Magic Cursed? Series—Coming 2020-2022
Follow Smoak Below:
Do You Believe In Magic? — Smoak is Magic.
I am a Fae spirit entity. My element is fire. My name is Smoak. I’ve been mistaken for an angel. As a spirit entity, I have many forms — I shape-shift, but my core form is Dragon.
I am a master at using shadow magic for illusion, but I can’t live alone. To survive, spirit entities must bond with another whose element is the same as theirs.
Elemental fire magic connected me to Remi at her birth. But, our magic was never used.
To keep her safe, her mother suppressed Remi’s magic at age three to hide them from the monster that chased them. On Remi’s sixteenth birthday, the spell will break and reunite us.
Let’s hope everything doesn’t burn down around us.
PROGRESS METER: Coming December 2021
You can view this brief story on Medium too. I wrote it as short form fiction–150 words or fewer for a friend’s Short Form Publication on Medium The Daily Cuppa.
#IWSG Insecure Writer’s Support Group July 7th Blog Hop
#IWSG First Wednesday of the month!
IWSG Insecure Writer’s Support Group July 7th Blog Hop
| Insecure Writer’s Support Group—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 Reedsy Discount / Past Issues Fast Five Free Gift–Mobi / Epub / Pdf Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer help and guidance. It’s a safe-haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer—aim for a dozen new people each time—and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG. |
You ready?
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
July 7 IWSG Co-hosts
Pat Garcia, Victoria Marie Lees,Chemist Ken, and Louise – Fundy Blue!
July 7th optional question – What would make you quit writing?
MY ANSWER:
Lots of stuff has made me quit for a season, BUT nothing can make me quit forever. There is a need to tell a story that bugs me. Besides, I miss my characters and worlds. AND, then I get to thinking what if I just kept at it? I mean, if I had never stopped I would be so much farther along now. The progress I have made to date surprises even me. So, I will put my best foot forward and keep on writing, and when obstacles appear I will find my way around them and pray that the universe and God want me to stay an author/writer too.
I am an author! You should say it out loud to yourself every day. The only one stopping you is YOU! Heard that saying, “Life will find a way.” The quote is from Jurassic Park movie and some other source I don’t remember.
Well, writers will find a way.
I am the IWSG Blog Today. Come, say hi to me there.
The Seventh Annual IWSG Anthology Contest
Submissions accepted: May 7–September 1, 2021
Attention Participates:
Overall, your story should be clean of offensive material, including profanity, vulgarity, excessive violence, or sexually explicit or suggestive scenes. Elements in your story should focus on romance, not on sex, which should be kept “behind closed doors.”
The overall plot should lead to a positive and uplifting outcome, also known as “happily ever after.”
Absolutely no erotica or pornography.
This is the basic definition of ROMANCE from RWA (Romance Writer’s of America):
Definition: Two basic elements comprise every romance novel: a central love story and an emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending. A Central Love Story: The main plot centers around individuals falling in love and struggling to make the relationship work. A writer can include as many subplots as he/she wants as long as the love story is the primary focus of the novel (or Short Story). An Emotionally Satisfying and Optimistic Ending: In a romance, the lovers who risk and struggle for each other and their relationship are rewarded with emotional justice and unconditional love.
Find out more about the contest on the IWSG Blog!
IWSG Insecure Writer’s Support Group July 7th Blog Hop
IWSG FEBRUARY 3RD: Honoring Friendship
MY NEWS
From Stormdance Publications:
Be My Grumpy Valentine Coming February 2021!
You Will Want To Keep A Look Out For Grumpy Old Trickster Gods Coming April 2021
My January 3rd, Release.
Magic Born or Magic Cursed?
Short Story Collection
This is a bind-up of my Moon Hollow stories with one new, never-before-published story.
Blurb: Atlantis has risen! Cataclysmic events reshape the globe and a new world order emerges. Magic once hidden is released back into the world. The magical Isle of Moon Hollow is no longer just an ordinary seafaring community.
Discover how the residents of Moon Hollow overcome their trials and tribulations.
Pre-Emergence: Remi and Smoak
A young girl comes into her magic when she comes of age. Is she magic born or magic cursed? So far she’d say cursed.
The Emergence: Poseidon’s Island
A young thief triggers the rising of Atlantis setting off global catastrophic events.
Instinct
A young boy’s innate magic is ignited early, in the aftermath of the rising of Atlantis. Scared and alone, his instincts take him on a survival journey to find his destiny.
Deep Dive
What secrets and legends lay under the Isle of Moon Hollow? A tourist shop owner and deep sea diver will soon find out.
Immortality
No one expects to outlive their children. Driven by grief, a man seeks the portal to Hades in Mermaid Cove.
Coming Soon For Newsletter Subscribers Only!
The new story, Remi and Smoak, coupled with Poseidon’s Island begin Moon Hollow’s serialized origin story. Keep on the lookout for Parts 3 and 4, coming soon only for my newsletter subscribers!
Find it on Amazon for . 99!
IWSG FEBRUARY 3RD, 2021 Honoring Friendship
IWSG JANUARY 6TH, 2021
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time. Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can’t find you to comment back. JOIN US!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG.
Co-hosts IWSG FEBRUARY 3RD, 2021
Louise – Fundy Blue , Jennifer Lane, Mary Aalgaard, Patsy Collins at Womagwriter, and Nancy Gideon!
February 3 question – Blogging is often more than just sharing stories. It’s often the start of special friendships and relationships. Have you made any friends through the blogosphere?
MY ANSWER:
Oh yeah, a lot through IWSG. I joined in 2014. So many writing friends, and the friendships have lasted through the years. I love you guys, IWSG!! I have also made writing friends on Holly Lisle Forums and Ninja Writers, and through blogging on Medium. Not to mention the many writers groups on Facebook. Networking can also create friendships.
IWSG FEBRUARY 3RD: Honoring Friendship
She was an avid beta reader for some and for others, she would buy our books and offer reviews and shout outs from her blog. She never considered herself a “writer” although her poems and a few short stories made their way into publication, not to mention she wrote on her blog almost daily entertaining us with her check-ins and updates. If you knew Jo, you know she was a loving wife to Matt and a busy lady who never allowed life’s hiccups to slow her down. She kept busy with her blog, her books, cooking, bowling, and the hunt for the best asparagus.
To honor Jo, the IWSG is hosting a hop on February’s IWSG posting day in Jo’s honor. If you knew Jo, we’d love to hear how she touched your life. If you didn’t know her, we’d still love to have you join our tribute o
n February 6 and share a recipe that brings you warm memories of friendship and love.
Sign up here to join the official hop
I did not know Josephine really, although I visited her blog during IWSG day. So, I am sharing a favorite food that I have enjoyed with many a friend and family over the years in her honor.
CHILI
I’m not really a cook but I like MILD chili. I have never been into the hot spicy stuff. I like eating it with such topping as shredded cheese-EXTRA, sour cream, sprinkled with chopped green onion. Also saltine crackers or corn bread whichever I had in the house, and if had both, chose cornbread. Sometimes we left off the beans and added extra ground beef. Sometimes served with side salad. Desert strawberries and cream or watermelon. Or if going for hot food, cold desert–ice cream.
Once upon a time before I moved to Florida, while still in Texas, I used the One Alarm Chili brand you buy in store or Two Alarm Chili and leave off the hot spice.
Lately I have just been using the classic recipe and cook in a crockpot all day, most often, without beans. In fact, I had it last night topped with shredded cheese, no sour cream (out) and crackers since we did not have cornbread. No salad. Desert was Lindor Chocolate Truffles. We didn’t have ice cream.
A Classic Chili Recipe!
IWSG FEBRUARY 3RD: Honoring Friendship
Dark Matter: Artificial
An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology
Discover dark matter’s secrets…
Ten authors explore dark matter, unraveling its secrets and revealing its mysterious nature. Featuring the talents of Stephanie Espinoza Villamor, C.D. Gallant-King, Tara Tyler, Mark Alpert, Olga Godim, Steph Wolmarans, Charles Kowalski, Kim Mannix, Elizabeth Mueller, and Deniz Bevan.
Hand-picked by a panel of agents, authors, and editors, these ten tales will take readers on a journey across time and space. Prepare for ignition!
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.
https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/
Release date: May 4, 2021
Print ISBN 9781939844828 $14.95
EBook ISBN 9781939844835 $4.99
Science Fiction: Collections & Anthologies (FIC028040) / Space Exploration (FIC028130) / Genetic Engineering (FIC028110)
186 pages
Congratulations to our winning contributors!
Artificial – Stephanie Espinoza Villamor https://stephanieespinoza.com/
Space Folds and Broomsticks – C.D. Gallant-ing http://www.cdgallantking.ca/
Rift – Kim Mannix https://makesmesodigress.com/
The Utten Mission – Steph Wolmarans https://www.teasighcreate.com/
Sentient – Tara Tyler https://taratylertalks.blogspot.com/
One to Another – Deniz Bevan http://thegirdleofmelian.blogspot.com/
Resident Alien – Charles Kowalski https://charleskowalski.com/
Nano Pursuit – Olga Godim https://olgagodim.wordpress.com
Resurgence – Elizabeth Mueller http://www.elizabethmueller.com/
Vera’s Last Voyage – Mark Alpert http://www.markalpert.com/
IWSG FEBRUARY 3RD: Honoring Friendship
Our book club is changing things up!
We will have quarterly book selections now, giving us more time to read. We will also have one fiction book selection and one writing craft book selection. Members can read both or choose between them.
Finally, we won’t be offering 5 optional discussion questions anymore. Instead, we will be utilizing the polls that our members enjoy, so there will be one poll question for the fiction book and one for the non-fiction book on Discussion Day.
Discussion Day for both books will be February 24, 2021!
JOIN US!
Have You Ever Read A Book In Second Person?
Ghost Light is written in second person. Since many readers haven’t read a book in second person, and many writers haven’t written in second person, this is a great chance to explore something new.
