December #IWSG: Crazy Chaos

                                                    

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

December 7 question - It's holiday time! Are the holidays a time to catch up or fall behind on writer goals?

The awesome co-hosts for the December 7 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Chemist Ken, Natalie Aguirre, Nancy Gideon, and Cathrina Constantine!


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

This time of year finds me writing and editing non-stop. And to add chaos to crazy, I read all the books. What can I say? Holidays don't slow me down. 

I do numbers for my day job. But words will always be my first love. Working from home gives me freedom to switch gears and carve out time for editing manuscripts and tackling my TBR list.

Are you ready for the holidays? What books are you excited about? I'm almost finished editing one of my favorite mysteries I've ever written. I'm even more excited about the editor I will be working with this time around!! I'm thrilled to try a different path to publication. 

Merry Christmas, writing family!

 

November #IWSG: The Never-ending Story...of Editing

 

   

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

The awesome co-hosts for the November 2 posting of the IWSG are Diedre Knight, Douglas Thomas Greening, Nick Wilford, and Diane Burton!

November 2 question - November is National Novel Writing Month. Have you ever participated? If not, why not?

I've written many books during the months of October and November. Love this time of year for all things spooky and mysterious. Something magical happens when the weather changes. When shorter days take over and foggy mornings fill the river front, it sets the mood for my favorite genre: mystery and suspense. 

Not speaking of endless sunshine and warm weather, we spent last week in Nevada visiting our oldest son. We had a wonderful time hiking and playing tourist. This is Red Rock Canyon. My son is quite the adventurous mountain climber! 

The Hoover Dam was amazing to view in person. Loved every minute of our vacation. I hope this November finds you writing or editing. I'm still in the never-ending story of editing. Call me crazy, but I love it! 

October #IWSG: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

   

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

The awesome co-hosts for the October 5 posting of the IWSG are Tonja Drecker, Victoria Marie Lees, Mary Aalgaard, and Sandra Cox!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

                                                        This month's question:
                What do you consider the best characteristics of your favorite genre?
                                            Remember, the question is optional!

                                You ready?

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Suspense! Duh. The best characteristics of the mystery genre are the thrill of the chase, discovering who-dun-it, and plot twists around every corner. 

My taste in movies, books, and TV series always gravitates toward mystery and suspense. I remember reading an agent's words once that every great book has an element of mystery whether you're writing romance, fantasy, or science fiction. 

I hope all is well this October. I'm writing (editing) before I send my work off to a professional editor. It's what any sane person does, right? I still love my book that landed me an agent who ended up quitting her agency. I'm in control now. 

Muhahaha. 

*Rubs hands together.

Enjoy the most wonderful time of the year: spooky season.

 

Do you add mystery and suspense to your writing? 

September #IWSG: It's No Mystery

     

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

The awesome co-hosts for the September 7 posting of the IWSG are Kim Lajevardi, Cathrina Constantine, Natalie Aguirre, Olga Godim, Michelle Wallace, and Louise - Fundy Blue!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

This month's question:
What genre would be the worst one for you to tackle and why?

Remember, the question is optional!

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

Let's start with my favorite genre to write (and read). It's not a mystery that I LOVE mysteries. For some reason, I feel horror would be difficult to manage. I enjoy the unfolding of suspense and the clues leading to the crime. The genre of horror spills everything, guts and all. There's nothing left to the imagination. Mystery and horror are not the same thing.  

Fall has arrived in the Midwest. Endless pumpkin spice days ahead! 

Hope this season does not disappoint. 

August #IWSG: Best of Both Worlds

     

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

                                          

 The awesome co-hosts for the August 3 posting of the IWSG are Tara Tyler, Lisa Buie Collard, Loni Townsend, and Lee Lowery!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember, the question is optional!

August 3 question - When you set out to write a story, do you try to be more original or do you try to give readers what they want?


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

Of course, every writer uses a formula for writing a novel and plotting out the story line. The hero's journey, the star-crossed lovers, enemies to friends are a few basics. To be original in the execution is the key to an unforgettable book! My brain never shuts off. I pick up unique and interesting original content all the time.

We are in the process of too many things this summer! I'm hoping to slow down and write more, but only finding time to read at night. Love my murder mysteries right before bedtime:-) 

Are you enjoying the last of summer? Who's ready for fall? ME!!!

June #IWSG: Is the ending the end or just the beginning?

 

        

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

                                          

The awesome co-hosts for the June 1 posting of the IWSG are SE White, Cathrina Constantine, Natalie Aguire, Joylene Nowell Butler, and Jacqui Murray!

Struggling with something to say? 
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or a story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember, the question is optional!

June 1 question - When the going gets tough writing the story, how do you keep yourself writing to the end? If have not started the writing yet, why do you think that is and what do you think could help you find your groove and start?

"Ends are not bad things, they just mean something else is about to begin." 

Not sure who wrote that, but I love that quote.

I love writing endings. But does a story truly ever end? Even in the great novels and movies and tv series, there's always room for more story. Who doesn't love an epic finale? With a loophole? That leads to another plot line? And another book or movie? ME!!  

Just returned from an epic Bucket List trip to Salem, Massachusetts. Best week ever! The lives of those accused did not end well, but they have since been exonerated. Loved all the historic sights including the Hocus Pocus filming locations. The cool weather with no humidity made this visitor from the humid Midwest extremely content.

                                            Max and Dani's house on Ocean Drive

                            The Ropes Mansion-Allison's House from Hocus Pocus

What are your plans for the summer? Any writing goals? Any Bucket List trips? I plan to finish my latest novel!  

 

MAY #IWSG: May You Fulfill All Your Dreams!

        

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

                                            

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

The awesome co-hosts for the May 4 posting of the IWSG are Kim Elliott, Melissa Maygrove, Chemist Ken, Lee Lowery, and Nancy Gideon!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember, the question is optional!

May 4 question - It's the best of times; it's the worst of times. What are your writer highs (the good times)? And what are your writer lows (the crappy times)?

The good times consist of having my first book published and winning an award. The lows are mostly not having the time to finish my dream. But we are moving to an enormous house with a built in home office and I am sooo excited! I'm going to get organized and on with publishing a slew of books. Stay tuned.

Busy packing today! We are staying in the city limits but moving to the country. Do you need to be organized before you can write, edit, work out publishing details? 

 

April #IWSG: To read or to be read to--via audio books

 

                                               

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!

April 6 question - Have any of your books been made into audio books? If so, what is the main challenge in producing an audiobook?
The awesome co-hosts for the April 6 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Jemima Pett, Patricia Josephine, Louise - Fundy Blue, and Kim Lajevardi!

I'm a little late to the blog hop party today. Loving this spring weather! 

To be read to is an easy question to answer. Yes, I love audio books. Yes, I buy them on Chirp--no monthly fees. I listen to them with my daughter. It's been a life-changer for her. She eagerly asks for the next book in the series.

 

I've seen ads on Pinterest where you can sign up and get paid to actually use your voice to read an audible book. I wonder if you have to audition? Just curious. Wouldn't that be cool to hear your own voice reading an awesome book or your own? 

Gotta run. Hope this post finds you refreshed and ready for spring or summer! 

MARCH #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!!!      

                                                                         You ready?

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

March 2 question - Have you ever been conflicted about writing a story or adding a scene to a story? How did you decide to write it or not?
The awesome co-hosts for the March 2 posting of the IWSG are Janet Alcorn, Pat Garcia, Natalie Aguirre, and Shannon Lawrence!

The snow has disappeared as we jump right into today's high of seventy-two degrees. Hope everyone is enjoying the first signs of spring. Okay, so this weather is more like someone hit us over the head with summer, but I'll take it! I'm spring cleaning and organizing and enjoying the great outdoors again. 

This will be short and sweet as I have to "go to work" today. Even though I work from home (still loving it!!!), I have to be "out of the office" for a few hours today. Take care and God bless. 

Happy spring cleaning or writing or both. 

February #IWSG: Snow Over 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!!!      

                                                                         You ready?

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

February 2 question - Is there someone who supported or influenced you that perhaps isn't around anymore? Anyone you miss?

The awesome co-hosts for the February 2 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Jacqui Murray, Sandra Cox, and Lee Lowery!

My fifth grade teacher read to the class and cultivated my love for books. However, she is still alive! A few English teachers and professors in college made writing fun. I think most of the people who influenced me are still present and accounted for. 

However, I missed having quality or quantity writing time when I worked as a librarian. I got plenty of reading time, which I will never regret. Now that I work mostly from home, I write everyday. Balancing this new job and starting a different path to publication has been the best decision ever. Words are flowing, plots are forming and twisting, and the pressure is off. I'm my own boss! 

We are ready for the snow-pocalypse! There's already a foot of snow outside. I'm praying this is the last storm of the season. Do you like being your own boss? Have you ever changed directions in your writing journey? 

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!