March #IWSG: ARE YOU BORING YOUR READERS?

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: Whose perspective do you like to write from best, the hero (protagonist) or the villain (antagonist)? And why?

Co-Hosts:  Fundy Blue, Beverly Stowe McClure, Erika Beebe, and Lisa Buie-Collard!

Each of my novels have been written from the protagonist's point of view. However, I do enjoy reading alternating POVs as well. I don't think I've ever read a novel written from the villain's POV. And, if we're all honest, we know that each villain thinks he's the main character. He is a hero in his own mind.

I love a good villain who is justified by his actions. I loathe antagonists who are ruthless and mean for no good reason. Talk about STEREOTYPE. PREDICTABLE. BORING. Please don't bore your readers. We endure enough tedious, uninteresting, dull, and monotonous moments in our lives already. Working in a school library has taught me one thing: kids won't tolerate boring books. 

I was invited to my first live Twitter chat on Monday night! You can check out the #RevPit feed on Twitter. My middle-grade murder mystery, THE INK AND PAPER SOCIETY, won runner-up in the #RevPit contest last April run by a group of professional editors.This contest led to feedback on my manuscript (other than my wonderful critique partner) and eventually resulted in me getting an agent. 

I'm so over the snow, ice, and below freezing temps. The end is in sight. Fifty-five degrees on Saturday!

I'm on a roll with my new murder mystery. Anyone else having a sudden burst of writing inspiration? I must go to the library this morning--my day job. But I'll try to make my rounds later today! 

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!!