December #IWSG: THE END IS NEAR

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: As you look back on 2017, with all its successes and failures, if you could backtrack, what would you do differently?

Co-Hosts: Julie Flanders,Shannon Lawrence, Fundy Blue,and Heather Gardner!

The end is near.
How did this happen? If I could backtrack, I would switch brains with a NY Times Bestselling author. Okay, maybe that's not what IWSG intended by the question of the month. But I write fiction. Can you blame me for dreaming?

My NaNo month ended on a high note. In November, I wrote almost 25k for my new MG mystery, and I started a new MG sci-fi thriller with another 8500 words. In fact, I'm so pumped about my new sci-fi that I'm ditching the other one (for now) and going full force with the newer one.
Did that make sense?
Brain is fuzzy.
Writer's cramp.
Where's my coffee IV?

During Thanksgiving vacation, we stopped at a hotel about an hour from Chicago where I got this crazy idea for a sci-fi novel. Inspiration can literally hit you anywhere at anytime. I don't think I've ever been struck before with such an overwhelming and fun idea for a story!

Good luck with revisions this month. I'm sticking to my rough draft. Hoping to edit after the new year. Merry Christmas!

How about you? What would you do differently this past year? Want to switch places with anyone?

November #IWSG: NaNo Time!

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

IWSG Day Question: Win or not, do you usually finish your NaNo project? Have any of them gone on to be published?

I n the month of October, I managed impromptu hiking excursions, trips to corn mazes, haunted houses, pumpkin patches, and indoor soccer games, trick or trreating, and binge-watching Stranger Things 2. Whew. I just got tired writing all of that.  

Writing? Er, not so much. But today's the day!!!

 I like to start my NaNo prep in late September, so I'm already fifty pages into my new MG mystery. I always finish my NaNo projects even if it's in the month of December. My first book ever published was a NaNo novel.

So grab your pencils, er, laptops, and let's get cracking! After a very busy month of playing around, I'm ready to rumble, er, write. Join me on a fantastic way to crank out a rough draft in thirty days.  

Good luck on your NaNo project or finishing your work-in-progress that you started last year. 

Corn Maze time!

Mathessin State Park near LaSalle Peru, Illinois

 

January #IWSG: Are We There Yet?

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 going to skip the question of the month, because I can't think of any writing rule I wish didn't exist. But I'm sure all of your answers will be very interesting to read.

Nine hours in a car with three kids takes patience and caffeine and earplugs. With my current work in progress, I keep asking myself the same question: are we there yet? And I am happy to report that I am almost there! Hopefully in the next few weeks I can add the last finishing touches and send it off to beta-readers and critique partners. I've never fallen out of love (yet) with this new, shiny manuscript. 

We made it to Michigan to spend Christmas with the in-laws. I spotted this cozy barn on the side of the road. My techie son could've photo shopped the power line. Oh well. This pic makes me want to get out the laptop and the coffee and get writing. Anyone else almost there yet with your latest manuscript?