#IWSG - December is here!

Insecure Writer’s Support Group

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 December 5th posting of the IWSG are J.H. Moncrieff, Tonja Drecker, Patsy Collins, and Chrys Fey!


Today’s optional question - What are five objects we’d find in your writing space? 


First, I don't really have a permanent writing space. When the mood strikes me to write, I do so wherever I am and I'll write in a notebook, or on scrap paper, or on my laptop.
I will most likely have coffee. Before I had The BOY, I used to have more wine. :)
My ebook copies of my favorite thesauruses are on my computer. (https://writershelpingwriters.net/bookstore/)
And, that's pretty much it.

I recently saw a photo of a lady who gives herself gifts when she reaches certain word counts. She had them all wrapped up and ready to go. I'm thinking that sounds like a great way to reward ourselves for our hard work!!

The #IWSGPit Twitter pitch is coming up this January! 

Don’t miss it.

 

The next WEP Challenge is December 19! 

It's much broader than a Christmas story! Give us ribbons - a race? Or candles - a tomb? Sign up now at the WEP site.

 
We also have a winner for the February WEP theme challenge – Toi Thomas with the theme 28 Days.

Tyrean Martinson won the IWSG admin theme challenge for next December with the theme Footprints. 

Congratulations!

#IWSG - November - Stuffed w/ IWSG News!!

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.

The awesome co-hosts today are Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor JQ Rose Ann V. Friend and Elizabeth Seckman!

November 7 optional question - How has your creativity in life evolved since you began writing? 

 

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It's been a cold and rainy fall so far. I'm hoping things dry out soon so we can pick up all these leaves before the dreaded 'S' word. *shudders* I hate the 'S' word.

 

The elections may be over, but it's still scary out there. Remember to be kind to yourself. Take a break from the constant barrage of news and social media. Be kind to others. Remember we're all just people, not opinions.

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Are you following the IWSG on Instagram?
Here are the prompts for November: 

The #IWSGPit Twitter pitch is once a year now – and the next one is in January!

Don’t miss it.

 

The IWSG partnered with Write…Edit…Publish and we are hosting a contest for the February theme!

Rules: Submit your idea for a WEP February theme by November 12 to admin AT insecurewriterssupportgroup.com. Nothing so U.S. culturally bound. Should have wide appeal.

Prize: Feature in the December newsletter for the winner. And, of course, the winning theme will be the official February WEP theme!

Deadline: November 12. Winner announced in the November newsletter on November 28.

#IWSG - October - Where I use the 'F' word - Annual IWSG Anthology Contest!

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group

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. 

Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.

Our Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG.

October 3 OPTIONAL question - How do major life events affect your writing? Has writing ever helped you through something?

   
Alex's awesome co-hosts for the October 3 posting of the IWSG are Dolorah @ Book Lover, Christopher D. Votey, Tanya Miranda, and Chemist Ken!

  Be sure to visit the
Insecure Writer’s Support Group Website!! 

I'm frustrated. Yep. I said it. Frustrated.

It's frustrating when I get dinged by agents/publishers for parts in my book that they see as an 'issue' or their reason for not wanting to take the next step with me, and yet there are lots of books out there with much worse problems than mine.

I'm not saying my books are perfect, they're not, but it's nothing a good editor couldn't fix if given half a chance.

So, I have to assume its something else they don't like and instead of telling me that, they simply choose something obvious so I'll move on.

Then I have to wonder what that something 'else' is and can I find it and fix it myself so I can get these dumb books back out on the market?

And then I think, of course I can't. If I knew the problem, I would have fixed it already.

It's frustrating. I'm frustrated.

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The 2018 Annual IWSG Anthology Contest needs your stories! 

 

Guidelines and rules:

Word count: 3500-6000

Genre: Young Adult Romance

Theme:

Masquerade

A Masquerade can be a false show or pretense, someone pretending to be someone they aren't. It can be a ball, a fancy dress party, it can be a mask. Open to interpretation.

Submissions accepted: September 5 - November 4, 2018

How to enter: Send your polished, formatted (Double spaced, no page numbers), previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter IWSG group. 

Prizes: The winning stories will be edited and published by Freedom Fox Press next year in the IWSG anthology. Authors will receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will have the honor of giving the anthology its title.

Our previous IWSG anthologies:

Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime

Hero Lost: The Mysteries of Death and Life

Parallels: Felix Was Here

Gwen Gardner, Jen Chandler, and LG Keltner know what it’s like to have the winning story.

Yours could be next!

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Are you on Instagram?
This month, we are prepping for NaNoWriMo (if participating) and staying motivated in our writing lives.

 

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Do you Write, Edit, Publish with WEP?
October's WEP Challenge is:

 

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#IWSG - September is here! Wait. What? - Anthology Contest!!!

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 5 posting of the IWSG are Toi Thomas, T. Powell Coltrin, M.J. Fifield, and Tara Tyler!

September 5 optional question - What publishing path are you considering/did you take, and why?

 

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My apologies for the late post! I won't keep you long. Nothing new to report on the writing/publishing front. -- The BOY, aka my 12 year old, starts 8th grade tomorrow! Thank the UNIVERSE! I need a break! He's awesome, but a serious handful. -- It's hot in NY! We've been under heat advisories off and on for weeks now, but the way pumpkin spice is being advertised around here you'd think we were deep into October already. Fall is my favorite season too, but we get to keep summer until almost the end of the month, people! -- That's about it! Make sure you read to the end for some funny FB memes!!

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The 2018 Annual IWSG Anthology Contest

is now open for submissions!

 

 

Guidelines and rules:
Word count: 3500-6000
Genre: Young Adult Romance
Theme:
Masquerade
A Masquerade can be a false show or pretense, someone pretending to be someone they aren't. It can be a ball, a fancy dress party, it can be a mask. Open to interpretation.

Submissions accepted: September 5 - November 4, 2018

How to enter: Send your polished, formatted (Double spaced, no page numbers), previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter IWSG group.

Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges. This year, we are honored to have seven incredible judges:
Elizabeth S. Craig, author
Elana Johnson, author
S.A. Larsen,author
DL Hammons, Write Club founder
Gwen Gardner, author and previous IWSG anthology winner
Kelly Van Sant, agent at Red Sofa Literary Agency
Kristin Smith, author

Prizes: The winning stories will be edited and published by Freedom Fox Press next year in the IWSG anthology. Authors will receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will have the honor of giving the anthology its title.

Our previous IWSG anthologies:
Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime
Hero Lost: The Mysteries of Death and Life
Parallels: Felix Was Here

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Are you following the IWSG on Instagram?
Here are the prompts for September: 

 

 

 

 

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#IWSG - August - Anthology news / a new partnership / Goodreads giveaway!

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 August 1 posting of the IWSG are Erika Beebe, Sandra Hoover, Lee Lowery, and Susan Gourley!

August 1 optional question - What pitfalls would you warn other writers to avoid on their publication journey? 

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Hello Support Group Members!! Happy August? I really think this year is going by much too quickly and I don't feel like I'm getting anything accomplished.

But, that isn't exactly true. I decided to leave my publisher and I'm currently looking for a new home for my books.

That wasn't an easy decision. Seeing my books come down from online stores...again...is a really sad experience. Losing my pretty book covers was also really hard.

The PROS to my decision will hopefully outweigh the CONS in the long run. Crossing all my fingers and toes that I can find a publisher that will help take me to the next level of awesomeness in my publishing journey.

Keep reading for incredible IWSG news!!

Today we have a special reveal for the 2018 Annual IWSG Anthology Contest! We are announcing the theme one month early.
Here are the details:

Word count: 3500-6000

Genre: Young Adult Romance

Theme:
Masquerade
A Masquerade can be a false show or pretense, someone pretending to be someone they aren't. It can be a ball, a fancy dress party, it can be a mask. Open to interpretation.

Submissions accepted: September 5 - November 4, 2018

How to enter: Send your polished, formatted (Double spaced, no page numbers), previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter IWSG group.

Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges, who will be announced September 5.

Prizes: The winning stories will be edited and published by Freedom Fox Press next year in the IWSG anthology. Authors will receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will have the honor of giving the anthology its title. 

And....WRITE!!!

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The IWSG has also formed an awesome new partnership with WEP – Write-Edit-Publish.
We encourage our members, blogging and Facebook, to join this month’s challenge.



The August WEP Challenge – A Change of Heart
 
Who hasn’t had one? This one’s easy, right?
A commitment made when a prospect looked attractive, a decision on a course of action, and then regrets and reluctance to follow through. It could be an engagement, a date, a diet plan, a chore someone said they’d do and didn’t follow through. A strip poker-game. Or maybe a gamble with super-high, panic inducing stakes. A break for independence that once made, gives pause for second thoughts. A bolt for the grass-always-greener pasture and then wanting to vault-n-turn right back. Something offered, then withdrawn. Myriad ways to go.

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The IWSG Goodreads Book Club’s selection for August/September is The Art of Memoir by Mary Karr

This one is for our memoir writers and anyone who has ever thought of writing a memoir. The discussion will start September 19th and will go to the end of the month, but it will be up indefinitely, so you can hop in whenever you're able.

Book club members have the chance to win a paperback copy of Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell. This is a used copy, but it’s in great condition. One winner will be randomly selected on August 8th, and Chrys Fey will email the winner to get mailing details. All info will be kept private.

To enter, go to this Rafflecopter Form. It’s free to enter, but you have to be a book club member. We will verify this, so join us on Goodreads!

#IWSG - July - It's only 'mostly' hot outside.

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.

The awesome co-hosts for the July 3 posting of the IWSG are Nicki Elson, Juneta Key, Tamara Narayan, and Patricia Lynne!

Today’s optional question - What are your ultimate writing goals, and how have they changed over time (if at all)?



Hello my blog peeps.
We're experiencing a slight heat wave here in New York, but I know there are some places that are hot like this all the time. We need some humor to get us through!!

#IWSGPit
Over a thousand agents and publishers have been invited to watch the feed on July 19, 2018 for #IWSGPit!





So get those pitches ready. Over five thousand tweets last January and we were a trending topic – plus several authors have now found homes for their books. Don’t miss out! Details at the IWSG site.

#IWSG - Bring coffee, this one is packed full of news!!!

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 link above and sign up!

The awesome co-hosts for the June 6 posting of the IWSG are Beverly Stowe McClure, Tyrean Martinson, Tonja Drecker, and Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor!

Please note - the July posting will be on July 3, a Tuesday, due to the US Fourth of July holiday.

June's optional question:
What's harder for you to come up with, book titles or character names?

YES! I have trouble with both of these. Let's face it, I have trouble with all of it. The writing. The titles. The characters. The finishing. The starting. :)

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Announcing the IWSG Anthology Contest genre and dates! Young Adult Romance is the genre.
The theme will be revealed on September 5, along with the judges and other details.
Our previous anthologies were Parallels: Felix Was Here, Hero Lost: The Mysteries of Death and Life, and Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime. Your short story might be included in the fourth anthology!

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The next #IWSGPit is Thursday, July 19, 2018, 8:00 am - 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time
Over a thousand agents and publishers have been invited to tune in that day.
Polish your story and your Twitter pitch and be ready!

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  Write with Fey: 10 Sparks to Guide You from Idea to Publication by Chrys Fey
Catch the sparks you need to write, edit, publish, and market your book!
Write with Fey: 10 Sparks to Guide You from Idea to Publication offers an abundance of data in one handy book. From writing your novel to prepping for publication and beyond, you’ll find sparks on every page, including 100 bonus marketing tips. You’ll also discover how to write specific scenes and characters, adding depth to your work.
Find it at Amazon US, Amazon CA, Amazon UK, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and iTunes
GIVEAWAY! Open to all from June 4th 2018 – July 6th 2018. Click HERE to enter.

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Fellow InkSpell Publishing writer,
Pamela Q. Fernandes.

  

The heist of the decade and yet, no one would have guessed… it was her. 

The Milanese stars are missing from the famous Buccatino boutique. When American insurance investigator, Samuel Keane is called in to liaise with the polizia, he finds the whole heist odd. Not only are the Milanese stars, a set of five pink diamonds, not listed in the inventory of stolen items, worse, none of the surrounding owners or passersby witnessed a thing. 

Samuel is anxious to solve the case and partners with local café owner, Vita, who has a very good vantage point to watch Buccatino. Vita herself has quite the interest in Samuel. He's a decent man, not to mention delicious, and he’s smart. But the last thing she wants is to be caught. After all, Vita has planned the heist for years. Five to be exact. The only thing she didn’t plan is falling in love with the young American. 

As Samuel digs further into the history of the stars, he discovers Vita’s friends and her physically challenged sister are all connected to them. He learns of Vita’s past and the loneliness she’s resigned herself to in an effort to protect herself from loss. Samuel also learns Don Giovanni, proprietor of Buccatino, is no ordinary man. He’s a local Mafioso and will stop at nothing till he gets the stars. 

The more Samuel investigates, the more dangers he and Vita face. Can he solve the case and what will happen with Vita? What will he do when we learns the heist of the decade isn’t about stealing pink diamonds… it’s about settling the score 

Here's the link: https://amzn.to/2wQkULy

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And, finally, a little gnome told me that Tara Tyler has a weekly shout-out and this week it's ME! Thank you, Tara! Make sure you VISIT her! She has a great line-up of books and awesome writing advice!