#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.

March #IWSG: Oh the Books I Read!

 

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!!!

 March 3 question - Everyone has a favorite genre or genres to write. But what about your reading preferences? Do you read widely or only within the genre(s) you create stories for? What motivates your reading choice?

The awesome co-hosts for the March 3 posting of the IWSG are Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen Jacqui Murray, Chemist Ken, Victoria Marie Lees, Natalie Aguirre, and JQ Rose!

As a librarian in elementary schools I read middle grade and young adult novels. Even if I wasn't a librarian I'd read them anyway. I write mostly mystery and suspense. They happen to be my favorite genres. I love reading books and being able to recommend them! The kids motivate me to read.

How is everyone? I hope you're getting lots of writing or reading accomplished. Reading only for me. Summer is coming where I'll have time to write. Temperatures are reaching spring time levels this week. Celebrating Dr. Seuss all week at my two libraries! 

Will try to visit blogs and return comments tonight or by this weekend.

January #IWSG

 

 

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!!!

January 6 question - Being a writer, when you're reading someone else's work, what stops you from finishing a book/throws you out of the story/frustrates you the most about other people's books?

 

The awesome co-hosts for the January 6 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse van Vuuren , J Lenni Dorner, Gwen Gardner Sandra Cox, and Louise - Fundy Blue!

As a librarian I put down a lot of books. Yes, you read that right! I'd like to answer today's question in reverse. Here are some reasons a book ends up in my "unputdownable" category.

It hooks you immediately. The plot thickens. Best sellers don't mess around with 365 pages before the first plot point. The characters can stand alone. Each word, sentence, and paragraph moves the story forward. On the nose dialect doesn't exist. Each chapter contains three main bombshells: goal, conflict, disaster. 

Over Christmas break I discovered a bestseller that did not disappoint! Meet THE INHERITANCE GAMES by Jennifer Lynn Barnes... 

 What are you reading this month? I will try to visit blogs this evening or by this weekend. What are your goals? Happy New Year!