What's this weird thing? A blog post? Huh!

I miss blogging.

It's been a busy summer and I haven't put in the time to write blog posts or visit my blog friends.

I miss venting to you guys and I miss catching up with all your news.

I got a part-time job for the summer, which was great, and it may even lead to another job, which is also great.

But, it threw off my timing for just about everything else. I wasn't even on the computer as much as I usually am.

I didn't write much, if anything, at all. That's been tough. I just didn't feel like it.

I didn't feel like editing my book either, which is problematic, cause it's done and I want it to be great and published, but I'm in book decision hell.

A story for another day.

Okay, enough about me.

Let's send out positive thoughts to everyone affected by Hurricane Harvey and the huge wildfires in California, Oregon, and Montana.

Watching Hurricane Irma closely as she gathers strength and heads for Puerto Rico and Florida and hoping she fizzles out.

Best wishes to everyone that has kids going back to school. I know some of you guys started in August, but here in NY they start this week.

Good luck to everyone's favorite college football teams! Florida State had a rough first game and lost to Alabama. They also lost their quarterback for the season. Let's hope their back-up QB is awesome.

Don't forget tomorrow is IWSG Posting Day!! 

Here is the 'Optional' IWSG question:

September 6 Question: Have you ever surprised yourself with your writing? For example, by trying a new genre you didn't think you'd be comfortable in??

 

I wrote a post, but it's not here & puppy pics!

It's been too long since I've said hello to everyone. My apologies. Not only is it summer, which means 24/7 The BOY, but I also have a summer part-time job, so that's made things interesting.


I wrote an awesome blog post, but I used it over at the IWSG website for today's post. It's called...Sometimes Writing Sucks.

Yeah, you know you want to read it.

Head over HERE to check it out!


Also, there is a contest to show us your insecurity on October 4th!

Check out all the details...HERE! 

There are some great prizes for the winners and some great IWSG SWAG to choose from – notebooks, pens, mugs, tote bags, etc.

Proceeds go to fund the upkeep of the IWSG site.

I'll leave you with puppy pictures.

Upside down Klaus.

#IWSG - We're talking Pet Peeves and SWAG in here! Don't miss it!

The Insecure Writer's Support Group and Show us Your Writer Insecurity

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month and encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.

The awesome co-hosts today are Christine Rains, Dolarah @ Book Lover, Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor, Yvonne Ventresca, and LG Keltner!

The August question: What are your pet peeves when reading/writing/editing?

Hi guys! Happy IWSG Day! I'm writing quickly this morning before I have to go to work, so forgive the short post! Hope you're all enjoying the summer. We are trying our best around here, but it feels like its slipping away fast. My son is upset because I've already started to invest in school supplies! :)

I have a HUGE pet peeve while editing. Well, when someone gives me their edits of my work. Don't touch my dialogue. No one speaks for my characters, but my characters. I know there are times when things need to be fixed, but just tell me what to fix, not how to fix it.

I must be horrible to work with. :) All growly and stuff. How about you guys? Got some peeves you want to share?

Check out the exciting news below before you go!!

July 27 was the very first IWSG Twitter pitch party, #IWSGPit. And it was a huge success!

Thanks to all who participated in or promoted the #IWSGPit Twitter pitch party. It was an incredible success – there were 2300 Tweets and we were a trending topic. The IWSG team learned a lot and the next #IWSGPit in January will be even better. Now that we’ve established ourselves and the site is a Writer’s Digest Top 101 Site for Writers, there will be five times the amount of publishers and agents watching the feed. Thanks again for such a successful event! - Alex

On August 24th at 2:00 pm EST, Chrys Fey will be participating in a LIVE YouTube interview with Evan Carmichael, an entrepreneur who she'll be interviewing about his book Your One Word and getting some great advice for IWSG members. You'll be able to watch the interview live HERE. You can set a reminder if you click on the link, or you can watch it later.The video will be uploaded in the August 30th IWSG newsletter issue.

Show Us Your Writer Insecurity!

Are you proud to be an insecure writer?

Then show us!

On Wednesday, October 4 (IWSG Day), post a photo of yourself (or your alter ego) with any of the IWSG swag or with the IWSG logo. Then leave a comment that day at either the IWSG website’s post or the IWSG Facebook post directing us to your photo. (All blog, Facebook, Goodreads, and newsletter members welcome, but photo must be posted on a blog or Facebook to qualify.)

The IWSG site admins will visit each one and pick the top three. Why? Because there are cool prizes involved:

Third place – EBook of A Change of Mind and Other Stories by Nick Wilford, eBook of The Remnant by William Michael Davidson, eBook of Cling to God by Lynda R. Young, eBook of Already Home by Heather M. Gardner, and eBook of Dragon of the Stars by Alex. J. Cavanaugh.

Second place – The entire eBook collection of the Totem series by Christine Rains, eBooks of Princess of Las Pulgas by C. Lee McKenzie, audio book of CassaSeries by Alex J. Cavanaugh, eBook of Black and White by Nick Wilford, and your choice eBook from J.L. Campbell.

Grand prize winner - IWSG website interview, IWSG newsletter spotlight, IWSG pinned tweet for one week, C. Lee McKenzie's Featured Follower for the month, the IWSG Goodreads book club eBook for October/November, a short chapter critique, and a pair of IWSG erasers.

We have some great IWSG SWAG – notebooks, pens, mugs, tote bags, etc.
Proceeds go to fund the upkeep of the IWSG site.

You have two months to prepare – show us your best insecurity!

Stop! In the name of the (Gnome) LAW!

"I'll need to see two forms of ID from each and every one of you. Right now."

Stormy: "Who's asking?"

 

"My name is Classified."

"And I work for Gnomeland Security."

Stormy: "Classified? Like you could tell us, but then you'd have to kill us?"

"No, I had it legally changed to Classified."

Stormy: "Oh. That's not weird. At. All. Well, we don't have ID. None of us have pockets. Or hands for that matter."

"OK. I expected a little more cooperation from a celebrity such as yourself, but I can overlook one tiny infraction. Gentlegnomes, I'm here to protect and serve."

Stormy: "Celebrity? You've heard of me?"

:)

#IWSG - Great opportunities you don't want to miss!

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!

July 5 Optional Question: What is one valuable lesson you've learned since you started writing?


The awesome co-hosts for the July 5 posting of the IWSG will be Tamara Narayan, Pat Hatt, Patricia Lynne, Juneta Key, and Doreen McGettigan!

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Only one valuable lesson? For writers?

Clear your browser history on a regular basis, but understand and accept that you're probably already on an FBI watch list of some kind. :)

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The Insecure Writer’s Support Group 

Twitter Pitch Party!

#IWSGPit

July 27, 2017

8:00 am to 8:00 pm EST

All writers and authors are invited to participate in our very first Twitter Pitch.

Create a Twitter-length pitch for your completed and polished manuscript and leave room for genre, age, and the hashtag. On July 27, Tweet your pitch. If your pitch receives a favorite/heart from a publisher/agent check their submission guidelines and send your requested query.

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The Insecure Writer’s Support Group made the Writer’s Digest 19th Annual 101 Best Websites for Writers!
 
This site was created to be a major source of information and support for writers everywhere. To make the list confirms that the efforts of those behind the scene who have worked so hard to make this site and the whole IWSG group and experience as awesome as possible.

Special thanks to all of you, the writers and authors who have supported the group and this site over the years. You are the reason for this site. We couldn’t have done it without you!

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Submissions are open for The IWSG Guide to Writing for Profit. What are we looking for? Anything writing related – books, journalism, articles, whatever. What have you tried that was successful? What have you tried that didn’t result in sales or making money? We need to know what doesn’t work as well! Submissions are open to all IWSG members – monthly blog post members, Facebook, and Goodreads. Details here.