December #IWSG: "What I Want, What I Really, Really Want."

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

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. 

December 4 question - Let's play a game. Imagine. Role-play. How would you describe your future writer self, your life and what it looks and feels like if you were living the dream? Or if you are already there, what does it look and feel like? Tell the rest of us. What would you change or improve?

The awesome co-hosts for the December 4 posting of the IWSG are Tonja Drecker, Beverly Stowe McClure, Nicki Elson, Fundy Blue, and Tyrean Martinson!

What I want is MORE TIME! If I were living the dream, my days would be filled with more writing time. On the other hand, I love being a school librarian. Reading hundreds of books a year has tightened my writing, twisted my plots (in a good way), and given me a better understanding of the children's book market.

Even though I'm not a publisher or an owner of a cozy book store, I am a buyer, seller, and lender of kid lit. Easy readers, chapter books, graphic novels, full-length novels fly across my desk. Librarians use Scholastic Book Fair and other avenues for obtaining books. We are the gateway to a child's mind. Okay, that sounded way creepier than I intended.

In a nut shell, we know what genres kids of various ages want to read. This is the advantage of reading more books over more writing time. I've included some fun kid lit data on my new website that is still under construction due to technical difficulites. I promise it's coming soon!

What do you want this Christmas? More writing time? More reading time? More coffee?

November #IWSG: I SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I AM UP TO NO GOOD

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 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 \ November 6 question - What's the strangest thing you've ever googled in researching a story? The awesome co-hosts for the November 6 posting of the IWSG are Sadira Stone, Patricia Josephine, Lisa Buie-Collard, Erika Beebe, and C. Lee McKenzie! When you're a murder mystery writer (even for kids!), one must google the many facets of detective work and death. My recent google search led me to the definition of county coroner: an elected official who is responsible for the investigation of deaths...to determine cause and mode of death.  Well, okay, then. On a lighter note, I dressed up as Hermione Granger for Halloween. And, yes, it snowed the morning of October 31st. I hope everyone has a fantastic November. And may the force be with you if you plan to participate in NaNo. How about the craziest thing you've ever googled? I can't wait to hear everyone's responses!

October #IWSG: Speedreading is my Super Power

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

October 2 optional question:
 It's been said that the benefits of becoming a writer who does not read is that all your ideas are new and original. Everything you do is an extension of yourself, instead of a mixture of you and another author. On the other hand, how can you expect other people to want your writing, if you don't enjoy reading? What are your thoughts?

The awesome co-hosts for the October 2 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Mary Aalgaard, Madeline Mora-Summonte, and Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor!

I can't imagine a world without reading. Just as I can't imagine a world without Octobers. Yet, we endured another grueling ninety-five degree day yesterday. Where is my sweater weather???? Meanwhile, in Montana... (No, thanks!)

free image via Unsplash

As a school librarian, I inspire kids to read every day. Currently, I'm devouring three books a week. Speedreading is my super power! I have no regrets. 

Reading books helps a writer write well. Re-reading my favorite book several times inspires me to reach for my best writing. 

Okay, I won't take all day to say that reading is knowledge. I am a professional book worm who promotes reading for a living. 

My hubs is having carpal tunnel surgery today. Sorry, I am late posting. He had the left hand done last week. He feels amazing after having this procedure! Today will be the right hand. I will visit blogs and respond to comments later in the day. 

Hope you are experiencing sweater weather and not shoveling snow or getting sunburned. Keep writing and READING.

September #IWSG: Digging Deep into My Soul, er, Amazon Account

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

September 4 question - If you could pick one place in the world to sit and write your next story, where would it be and why?

The awesome co-hosts for the September 4 posting of the IWSG are Gwen Gardner,Doreen McGettigan, Tyrean Martinson, Chemist Ken, andCathrina Constantine!

What a great question for this month's post. To answer this, I must dig deep into my Amazon account. Where are the settings for my novels? What genre of books do I read most? What movies do I watch over and over?

My Pinterest novel research board is locked. I don't need the FBI on my doorstep.However, my other boards contain a few of my favorite things: intimidating mansions with beautiful architecture and a past, spine-tingling abandoned places, dark forests, ancient cemeterys, fog-filled haunted houses, and October landscapes. 

The one place I'd like to sit and write my next story is...

Drum roll, please.

Inside a Harry Potter movie (or book).

free image from Unsplash

I'd enjoy writing any place where mist rises from the river, shadows dance in the firelight, candles hang suspended in the room. England, Ireland, perhaps Scotland? Or Salem, Massachusetts. Hocus Pocus is also one of my favorite movies!! Please don't ask me how many times I've watched this epic classic.

What can I say? I love mysteries, and I love fantasy. I love stories about boarding schools and adventures. And most of all I love fall. I didn't mean to rhyme! 

How about you? I can't wait to hear everyone's top choice.

#IWSG August: Surprise! School Starts Next Week

August 7 question - Has your writing ever taken you by surprise? For example, a positive and belated response to a submission you'd forgotten about or an ending you never saw coming?

The awesome co-hosts for the August 7 posting of the IWSG are Renee Scattergood, Sadira Stone, Jacqui Murray, Tamara Narayan, and LG Keltner!

I used to love when my kids went back to school. Now that I'm an elementary school librain, well, my sympathies are in full swing for the children. 

I met a lot of my writing goals this summer. My oldest son (computer science major) is helping me design a new website with Wix. I can't wait to share his amazing talent soon! 

To answer the above question, it's hard to stay positive in this tough writing world. Most surprises that come our way aren't good. I love when my writing takes me to another level--ususally after a long run, a round of editing, and a successful binge watching of Stranger Things.

One positive thing I'm looking forward to is FALL. My favorite time of the year. Story ideas flood my mind when the leaves begin to change. Hello, pumpkin spice! Hello, spooky tales. Hello, Hocus Pocus!

Haunted Hannibal Ghost Tours
It has begun.

Did you meet any goals this year? Any surprises this summer? Are you ready for the school year? Ready for fall? Ready to take the Haunted Hannibal Ghost Tour? 

July #IWSG: Out of the Office

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

I'm leaving today for vacation! Interent is spotty up North, so I'll see you guys next month.

P.S. We survived the flooding. The levees and flood gates held nicely! Thanks for all your prayers and kind thoughts. Have a fabulous month. Don't mind me. I'll be over here binge watching Stranger Things 3. 

June #IWSG: THE GAME IS AFOOT!

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

OPTIONAL IWSG Day Question: Of all the genres you read and write, which is your favorite to write in and why?

The awesome co-hosts for the June 5 posting of the IWSG areDiane Burton, Kim Lajevardi,Sylvia Ney, Sarah Foster,Jennifer Hawes, and Madeline Mora-Summonte!

Co-Hosts:

I'm excited to be co-hosting today! Of all the genres in the whole writing realm, mysteries are my absolute favorite. I know I sound like a broken record. The thrill of the chase, the clues, the secrets, the riddles, the red herrings, and the ability to solve the crime before the detective does are just a few of the reasons why I LOVE mysteries. Adult, YA, MG. 

I love the overall vibe and atmosphere presented with each new mystery! 

Yes, our town is partially underwater. But thankfully our flood gates and levees are holding back the Mississippi River from the downtown area!! They even added a five foot extension on all the gates. Here is a pic of Tom Sawyer, literally, fishing in the Big River.

Now, get back to writing. THE GAME IS AFOOT! 

This is located about a mile from downtown where the highway is under water. 

Lover's Leap- Eerily quiet on the river with the no boats or barges restriction!