#IWSG - Jeremy Hawkins Tribute - 2/2/2022

 Jeremy Hawkins Tribute

On January 3, we lost an amazing guy – Jeremy Hawkins.
On February 2, we are going to pay tribute and give back to one who was so giving and involved in our community.
To honor his life and support the family he leaves behind, on that day:
• Post a story or memory about Jeremy.
• Post photos of Jeremy.
• Share some of the graphics he made for you.
• Post a photo of you wearing one of the t-shirts he designed.
• And to support his family, between now and then, purchase one of his t-shirt designs, one of his books, or one of his prints. (He also created the IWSG t-shirt.)
Spread the word and let’s pay tribute to one of the most supportive and loyal guys ever to cross our paths, Jeremy Hawkins.

Taking a brief intermission from the blog.

 

 

 

Hi guys. I'm taking a little blogging intermission.

Hope to see you all again soon!

Take care.

Be well.

Be kind. 

#IWSG - September - The next Twitter Pitch, the updated Goodreads, and funnies!

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. I 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 for the September 1 posting of the IWSG are Rebecca Douglass, T. Powell Coltrin @Journaling Woman, Natalie Aguirre, Karen Lynn, and C. Lee McKenzie!

September 1 optional question - How do you define success as a writer? Is it holding your book in your hand? Having a short story published? Making a certain amount of income from your writing?

The next #IWSGPit Twitter pitch event is January 26, 2022!

Every year there are some great success stories. You could be one of them.

See the #IWSGPit page for full details.

The IWSG Goodreads Book Club kicks off with two books to chose from this month – Parallels: Felix Was Here and Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime.

If you haven’t read them, there are some fantastic stories within!

The Teen is finally heading back to high school for his junior year. Peace will return to the home starting tomorrow. :)

 

Here are some funnies for you guys!

 

 

#IWSG - August - Some news and some funnies!!

 

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. We encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.

Alex's awesome co-hosts for the August 4 posting of the IWSG are PK Hrezo, Cathrina Constantine, PJ Colando, Kim Lajevardi, and Sandra Cox!

August 4 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?


The IWSG Anthology Contest is open until September 1, so check out the details. Sweet romance – first love!!!!

Any purchase of IWSG swag goes to cover the IWSG domain expense. Some cool stuff – please consider making a purchase this month.


Please welcome Toi Thomas as she takes over the IWSG Goodreads Book Club!
We’ve got some changes in the works and Toi will taking those head-on next month. Juneta and Ronell will continue to assist as moderators.

 

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 Endings are hard. Any chapped-ass monkey with a keyboard can poop out a beginning, but endings are impossible. You try to tie up every loose end, but you never can. The fans are always gonna bitch. There's always gonna be holes. And since it's the ending, it's all supposed to add up to something. I'm telling you, they're a raging pain in the ass ...

 

 

#IWSG - July? What happened to June? And some funnies!!

 

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 - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

July 7 optional question - What would make you quit writing?

The awesome co-hosts for the July 7 posting of the IWSG are Pat Garcia, Victoria Marie Lees, ChemistKen, and Louise – Fundy Blue! 

 

June was a crazy month for sure.

 

The TEEN finished out his sophomore year of high school and what a strange year it was for him spending the whole thing in front of a chrome book in the house.

 

I pulled off working 2 part-time jobs for about 2 months straight.

 

Our local volunteer fire department managed to hold our annual 4 day carnival which was really weird seeing so many people all together in one place.

 

Writing? Yeah, I didn't do any of that.

 

As for July?

 

It's looking pretty busy for the Teen with all his library programs and meeting up with friends and wanting to practice driving! (HOLY CRAP!)

 

One day I hope to get back to that writing thing I used to do. I miss it. 

FYI....

Smashwords is having their Summer/Winter Book Sale for the whole month of July!

All 3 of my contemporary romance ebooks are 1/2 price! You can get them all for less than $5!

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/HMGardner28

Hope you guys are all doing well. Here's a few funnies for the road!

 

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The Seventh Annual IWSG Anthology Contest!

 

Guidelines and rules:

Word count: 5000-6000

Genre: 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.
 

And please note RWA's definition of romance:
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 main focus of the novel. 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.

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 as a Word file 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. Content must be PG rated or lower.

Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges.