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

OPTIONAL IWSG Day Question: What are your favorite and least favorite questions people ask you about your writing?

Co-Hosts:  Patricia Lynne, Lisa Buie-Collard, Kim Lajevardi, and Fundy Blue!

I've had several people tell me lately they've read my first book and loved it. It amazes me how genuine they are! It was so many books ago.Then they ask, "So, when's your next one coming out?" 

It's almost as bad as the age old question spoken five minutes into a nine hour road trip, "Are we there yet?"

UGH. My middle-grade murder mystery went out on submission a few weeks ago. If only a button existed to make it appear on bookstore shelves instantly! Several more of my mysteries are itching to be released into the wild. My friends don't realize this takes TIME. Lots of time and PATIENCE. I'd love to be able to give them an answer, but it's impossible to tell when in the publishing world. I think this is precisely why people self publish. They have more control over their careers. Call me crazy, but I'm doing this old school, letting my amazing agent work her magic with a group of wonderful publishing houses. 

My favorite writing question is, "Where do you get your story ideas?"

Rubs hands together. "Gather around." *Speaks in a deep, gravely voice next to a camp fire* NO ONE IS SAFE. Friends, family, the people I eavesdrop on in the streets, photos, events, you name it, I take from everything in life and hoard it in my mind palace. 

I hope you've had a relaxing yet productive Christmas break filled with family fun and writing! Here's to the New Year filled with wonderful book news!! 

January #IWSG: Steps to Success

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: What steps have you taken to put a schedule in place for your writing and publishing?

Co-Hosts: Tyrean Martinson, The Cynical Sailor, Megan Morgan, Rachna Chhabria, and Jennifer Lane.

I write everyday. Some days I write all the words and other days only a scene or two. With an active family of five, it's challenging to be an author, but I make it a priority. And the kids hand me plot twists left and right and enough dialogue to fill endless novels. So there's that.

As for the publishing side, I would like to state that I have pursued new book deals and an agent with full force this past year. I have a couple of finished manuscripts with publishers and one with several agents. Still waiting on decisions. *Twiddles thumbs, taps fingers on the desk, refreshes email every ten seconds* This process takes time and patience. Oh, did I mention patience? Like an ocean full of tearing-out-your-hair kind of patience??? 

In the meantime, while I wait for bookish news, I write and live life. My two WIPs are shaping up nicely. 

I thought the Midwest dodged a bullet called winter. A week and a half ago I hiked with my family in fifty-degree weather. Yes, we enjoy those temps around here for December. This past week we plunged into wind chills of thirty below. Send summer and a remote car starter. 

Creepy barn from our hike.

One week later. Yay, snow.

I hope everyone had a safe and warm Christmas. And if you tell me you spent your holiday in Hawaii, I will stick up my nose at you. Hope everyone writes all the words this new year and has much success!