January #IWSG: The Underdog

                                           

Come join Alex J. Cavanaugh and the Insecure Writer's Support Group. We discuss our fears, insecurities, ups and downs of the writing process and post the first Wednesday of every month! http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html

Remember, the question is optional!!! 

You ready?
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

 

January 5 question - What's the one thing about your writing career you regret the most? Were you able to overcome it?

The awesome co-hosts for the January 5 posting of the IWSG are Erika Beebe, Olga Godim, Sandra Cox, Sarah Foster, and Chemist Ken!      

I had the pleasure of watching American Underdog this past weekend. What an amazing true story of Kurt Warner and his football career. Everybody feels that life is against them at some point. However, if you don't get over unfortunate events, you will never move on. 

One of Kurt Warner's teammates on the winning Super Bowl team the St. Louis Rams is a good friend of our family. His son and my son are best friends and wrestled on the same wrestling team coached by my husband. Small world! These people are real and give God the glory for everything in their lives, the good and the bad.

 I encourage you to see the film. It's not a typical Hollywood agenda-filled two hours. What a great inspirational story that will not leave you disappointed!

Will you be an overcomer this new year? How will your begin in 2022? Will you let disappointment defeat you? Spoiler alert: God wins in the end! 

#IWSG: December: BACK IN THE GAME

                                                                 

                                               

Come join Alex J. Cavanaugh and the Insecure Writer's Support Group. We discuss our fears, insecurities, ups and downs of the writing process and post the first Wednesday of every month! http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html

Remember, the question is optional!!!       

                                             You ready?

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

This month's optional question:
 In your writing, what stresses you the most? What delights you?
The awesome co-hosts for the December 1 posting of the IWSG are PJ Colando, Diane Burton, Louise – Fundy Blue, Natalie Aguirre, and Jacqui Murray!

I love coming up with new story ideas. Opening scenes excite me. The release of a new book, movie, or TV series creates the same feeling in me as a kid on Christmas morning. When an author I love writes another book in the series I adore, I jump for joy like I won the lottery.  

Stressing....where do I start?? I'm over stressing about not being able to control my writing career. After wining countless writing contests and securing a literary agent, my agent left her agency a year ago and went straight for representing only graphic novels. She quit before we even got started so to speak. Don't get me wrong. I love graphic novels and so do kids! But there is so much more to the middle-grade and young adult market. And, yes, I could publish more books with my original publisher of my first book, but something is holding me back. 

I'm back in the writing saddle and changing things up. Being a teacher and a librarian for over a decade, I understand what kids want to read. Running two libraries and helping my daughter with endless amounts of homework last year, left me exhausted and unable for any time to write or think about my writing career. Working from home has freed me! With several books ready to go, I will be forging a different path in the new year. 

Is your holiday season starting out on a good note? On a scale of 1-10, how excited do you get over new releases, book series, or a new season of your favorite show? 10 for me!!!

FYI: Alex Rider season two drops December 3rd! Locke and Key season two did not disappoint.

#IWSG November: Falling for Book Blurbs

                                        

Come join Alex J. Cavanaugh and the Insecure Writer's Support Group. We discuss our fears, insecurities, ups and downs of the writing process and post the first Wednesday of every month! http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html

Remember, the question is optional!!!       

This month's optional question:
What's harder to do, coming up with your book title or writing the blurb?

The awesome co-hosts for the November 3 posting of the IWSG are Kim Lajevardi, Victoria Marie Lees, Joylene Nowell Butler, Erika Beebe, and Lee Lowery!

 

To answer this month's question, I enjoy writing book blurbs almost as much as I love coming up with titles. Reading solid book blurbs in your favorite genre helps you create your own. Sometimes I read book titles on the shelf and make better ones up in my head. Like, what was the author/publisher thinking?? 

We are in the grips of fall weather, and I couldn't be happier! This is the moment I live for all year. My oldest son got married last month, a bittersweet moment. My house is slowly getting back to normal. I've already transformed his old room into my home office and guest room. So excited to have a place to work from home and start the writing journey again. 

Enjoying fall? Any exciting plans or excursions this season? Anyone participating in NANO? Anyone "falling" into a good book or TV series?

 

October #IWSG: Hello, Fall!

                                                      

Come join Alex J. Cavanaugh and the Insecure Writer's Support Group. We discuss our fears, insecurities, ups and downs of the writing process and post the first Wednesday of every month! http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html

Remember, the question is optional!!!

October 6 question - In your writing, where do you draw the line, with either topics or language?

The awesome co-hosts for the October 6 posting of the IWSG are Jemima Pitt, J Lenni Dorner, Cathrina Constantine, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, and Mary Aalgaard!

 

I finally went on the Haunted Hannibal Ghost Tour last night with my family! For years we've watched the bus leave the station and wander all over town, exploring the creepy historic buildings and places. We planned to take the tour during the spooky month of October. It did not disappoint! Mark Twain would be impressed. I highly recommend it. 

I started training for my stay-at-home job. This new phase of my life is going to be awesome. I plan to get my writing career back on track soon. With all the wonderful inspiration this town has to offer, I'm ready.   

Who's ready for October? Any fun writing inspiration in your home town? I apologize for the day-late post. Had to move my son yesterday:) 

September #IWSG: Gotta Have Faith

                                          

Come join Alex J. Cavanaugh and the Insecure Writer's Support Group. We discuss our fears, insecurities, ups and downs of the writing process and post the first Wednesday of every month! http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html

Remember, the question is optional!!!

September 1 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 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!

I'm positive the definition of success will vary greatly in this awesome group of writers. I've held my book baby in my hand. After some success, I continue to navigate the weird waters of the publishing world. My job as a librarian was pretty demanding especially having two schools last year. I think I've finally found my dream job of working from home! At first, it was a leap of faith. But the pay is great, the hours are flexible, and I can read and write way more than in previous years. I will miss my kiddos at school, but it was time for a change. 

Speaking of change, I'm so over this heat. Little did I know that the Midwest has a boiling point. However, today the temperature dropped to the low eighties. Yes, my house is decorated for fall. Yes, I long for sweater weather. No regrets.

Anyone else anxious for autumn? How do you define success as a writer? What needs to change in your life? Will you step out in faith? Anyone going back to school this fall? 

JUNE #IWSG: We Made It!!

 

Come join Alex J. Cavanaugh and the Insecure Writer's Support Group. We discuss our fears, insecurities, ups and downs of the writing process and post the first Wednesday of every month! http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html

Remember, the question is optional!!!

 

June 2 question - For how long do you shelve your first draft, before reading it and re-drafting? Is this dependent on your writing experience and the number of stories/books under your belt?

The awesome co-hosts for the June 2 posting of the IWSG are J Lenni Dorner, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, Lee Lowery, and Rachna Chhabria!

I hope everyone is doing well! Today marks the last day of school for me. (Passes out. What a crazy year!!!!) With out-of-town family, an anniversary, and a kid's birthday coming up, I've been swamped. I welcome summer vacation. Between all the fun and family, I hope to get in some fresh writing over the next couple of months. To answer the above question, I don't usually take too long after the first several drafts are done before I begin re-drafting. It's an endless process. 

Any summer plans? Anyone else ready to start summer vacay?  

 

April #IWSG: The Final Countdown

                                                  

Come join Alex J. Cavanaugh and the Insecure Writer's Support Group. We discuss our fears, insecurities, ups and downs of the writing process and post the first Wednesday of every month! http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html

Remember, the question is optional!!!

 

April 7th's question, if you'd like to answer it, is:  Are you a risk-taker when writing? Do you try something radically different in style/POV/etc. or add controversial topics to your work?

Thanks to our awesome co-hosts for the April 7 posting of the IWSG! PK Hrezo, Pat Garcia, SE White, Lisa Buie Collard, and Diane Burton!

When it comes to reading, I'm more of a risk-taker. Writing, not so much. My spare time in the library leads me to all the books. I can't wait for summer, because I miss writing!

I hope everyone had a blessed Easter. The final countdown has begun. Less than 8 weeks to go. Pumping myself up for the last leg of the race. Things are changing! The future looks bright. 

Are you ready for summer? Anyone else on hold for now? I will swing by blogs later tonight or by the weekend.