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.
February 7 optional question - What do you love about the genre you write in most often?
The awesome co-hosts for the February 7 posting of the IWSG are Stephen Tremp, Pat Garcia, Angela Wooldridge, Victoria Marie Lees, and Madeline Mora-Summonte!
***
I can't believe it's the first Wednesday of February already! Holy crap!
It's snowing here in NY. A lot. They're saying it won't amount to much, but by the look of things...it's going to be a biggun.
In May of 2010 I started this blog right after I sent out a bunch of queries for a book I still haven't published. Eight years later and things haven't changed much.
I just sent out some queries and the rejections are poring in fast.
I tell myself that my book is like mashed potatoes. Some people like them, some people don't. Some people want them with lots of toppings, some with just butter. Some people want them smooth, some with lumps.
My mashed potato book isn't going to appeal to everyone and I just have to keep going until I find just the right kind of taste buds.
Is this making sense to anyone or is it just me?
Anyhoo...fingers crossed that someone is going to like this story, not just my mom.
***
As for this month's question? I'm the least romantic person writing romance. It's true. But, I love the anticipation. The subtle signs of interest. The electric spark. The first kiss. I can't get enough. And, if I can't find it while I'm reading, then I must write it myself.
How about you guys? How do you like your mashed potatoes? What do you like about your writing genre?
***
In case you missed it. The next IWSG Anthology has a cover and release date.
Can a dead child’s cross-stitch pendant find a missing nun? Is revenge
possible in just 48 minutes? Can a killer be stopped before the rescuers
are engulfed by a city ablaze? Who killed what the tide brought in? Can
a soliloquizing gumshoe stay out of jail?
Exploring the facets of time, eleven authors delve into mysteries and
crimes that linger in both dark corners and plain sight. Featuring the
talents of Gwen Gardner, Rebecca M. Douglass, Tara Tyler, S. R. Betler,
C.D. Gallant-King, Jemi Fraser, J. R. Ferguson, Yolanda Renée, C. Lee
McKenzie, Christine Clemetson, and Mary Aalgaard.
Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these eleven tales will
take you on a thrilling ride into jeopardy and secrecy. Trail along,
find the clues, and stay out of danger. Time is wasting…
Release date - May 1, 2018
Mystery & Detective/Crime/Thrillers
Print ISBN 9781939844545 eBook ISBN 9781939844552
And it is now up for Pre-order. Get your copy today!
***
It's all in the timing - don't give up on those potatoes.
ReplyDeleteNo lumps and a lot of gravy for me.
I'm not very romantic when I write either, as you well know...
Good luck with querying! You're sure to find someone who likes your kind of mash potatoes.
ReplyDeleteWe're getting that same storm. It just changed to freezing rain so I'm visiting blogs before the power goes out. Keep throwing those mashed potatoes around.
ReplyDeleteExcellent analogy between potatoes and stories. Here's to success with all that you whip up...in the kitchen as well as on the computer.
ReplyDelete"I'm the least romantic person writing romance." LOL! So am I! (Well, trying to write it) But romance is the majority of what I read and I do really love it--I'm just not romantic at all in real life.
ReplyDeleteIt's snowed down here in the boroughs, by the way. I think maybe an inch? It's raining right now, so hopefully the snow won't stick around too long.
I totally get what you mean! Though now I'm craving mashed potatoes... I laughed when I read you said you're the least romantic person writing romance. I feel the same way about myself! :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck querying! I'm in awe of your grit, to last through so much rejection. It always stings when your perfectly prepared potatoes aren't to someone's taste. Good for you for continuing anyway!
ReplyDeleteWait...you can't be the least romantic person writing romance. I thought that was me...
ReplyDeleteThe mashed potato analogy makes perfect sense. Hope you find that perfect pairing soon...I really want to read the book!
If there's one thing I've learned over the past few years querying agents, you can't please everyone. Sometimes it feels like a joke or a children's book. This book is too ghostly. This book isn't ghostly enough. This book is fun, but I need serious. This book is too serious. Oh. boy. I feel your pain!
ReplyDeleteYou just need to find someone who says YES! This is what I was looking for.
ReplyDeleteI try to add some romance but I'm not very good at it. On the upside Chase Manhattan did get the girl in the end!
ReplyDeletewww.stephentremp.com
Mashed potatoes? With garlic...just like a good book...leaves a good aftertaste. And don't give up. I'm finally self-dubbing a manuscript that I've worked for ten years on and off. One day you will be published. In the meantime...mashed potatoes are great comfort food when the weather is a chillin'.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the agents. Looking forward to the Anthology coming out. (I knew there was something I was going to blog about on Monday!)
ReplyDeleteHeh, well, I usually skip on the mashed potatoes, but my family loves them. I hope you find someone who relishes that first bite.
ReplyDeleteLoni
Hi Heather,
ReplyDeleteWell, interesting that you are not romantic yourself but you seek it in your work, that's a great reason actually. Just like I don't kill people but it happens a lot in my work. Here's my blog post on the same iwsg question: http://genedesrochers.com/insecure-writers-support-group-monthly-post-feb-2018/
ok, now i'm hungry.
ReplyDeletebut i get it - there are as many readers with different tastes as writers with different styles to go around!
i'll take snow over freezing rain - and we're making up for lost snow days this year which isn't a bad thing =)
stay warm and cozy and keep writing!
I'm querying now, too, and no bites so far. Good luck to you!
ReplyDeleteLove the blog title, Heather!
ReplyDeleteQuerying? Good luck to you!
I love good old-fashioned bangers and mash - it's like comfort food.
Hi Heather - love mash potatoes ... but now when I have them I can relate to writing stories - I don't think I could do romance either. The snow would definitely put me off! Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your queries. I've given up with self publishing children's novels, although reasonably successful, and decided to go down the route that many successful novelists follow in the UK, working for an MA in Creative Writing. Fingers crossed for us both, Heather.
ReplyDeleteI JUST started querying--as in, I sent out two queries in the last week. The waiting, the nail-biting suspense might threaten to drive me insane, but I have numerous other stories that need to be revised or drafted, so I'm staying busy. I know it's a long process, but I believe it's worth every ounce of effort. I love the writing life, with all its ups and downs.
ReplyDeleteI have to say, I've never met a potato I didn't like. As for mashed, ANY kind will do! (Hmm. I might have to make mashed potatoes for dinner tonight.) If it makes you feel any better, I've been blogging since 2009. I started writing my first "book" (call it that loosely) in 2011. I'm querying my third book now while working on my fourth, and still hoping against hope that book #3 that I love so much will see publication. Nobody said it would be a short haul. Keep going!
ReplyDelete