AUGUST #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

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
The awesome co-hosts for the August 2 posting of the IWSG are Kate Larkinsdale, Diane Burton, Janet Alcorn, and Shannon Lawrence!

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 2 question: Have you ever written something that afterwards you felt conflicted about? If so, did you let it stay how it was, take it out, or rewrite it?

The last two months have been a roller coaster of happenings. After fifteen years in our current home, we bought our dream house in the country! The packing and purging and organizing and hauling made me realize I'm not a spring chicken anymore. We managed to go through a decade and a half of stuff and still live to tell about it. Such great memories surround our old house. But it was time to move on. We bought a spacious new build with three acres, a pond, and a creek at a terrific price. 

So, I'm choosing to not answer the question this month, because my brain is...well, wait, what question? What are we talking about? I need a break this next month!  

Hope your August is as productive as my July has been. Happy writing!

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!!!

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? 

December IWSG: Don't Quit Your Day Job

 

 

 

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!!!

December 2 question - Are there months or times of the year that you are more productive with your writing than other months, and why?

 

The awesome co-hosts for the December 2 posting of the IWSG are Pat Garcia, Sylvia Ney, Liesbet @ Roaming About Cathrina Constantine, and Natalie Aguirre!

When the weather turns chilly with a hint of fog and mystery, my inner writer comes to life. October through December are the best months for me to get cracking on new book ideas. However, with a full time job, my writing is on hold to some degree. Squeezing in writing time on the weekends or at night keeps me going forward. 

My job allows me tons of reading time. I'm okay with that for now. Everyday I am surrounded by thousands of treasures new and old. It's a dream job but not ideal for cranking out novels.

I don't plan to quit my day job anytime soon. With my entire summer free and all holidays off, I can write without interruption. (Okay, kids and cats and life...never mind) 

I'm planning on outlining a new novel this weekend. Hopefully, I can crank out a J.K. Rowling inspired kids novel during my two week Christmas break. Lofty goals. 

My plan is to visit blogs tonight. Merry December!

August #IWSG: Where Have You Been All My Life?

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

August 5 question - Quote: "Although I have written a short story collection, the form found me and not the other way around. Don't write short stories, novels or poems. Just write your truth and your stories will mold into the shapes they need to be."
Have you ever written a piece that became a form, or even a genre, you hadn't planned on writing in? Or do you choose a form/genre in advance?

The awesome co-hosts for the August 5 posting of the IWSG are Susan Baury Rouchard, Nancy Gideon, Jennifer Lane, Jennifer Hawes, Chemist Ken, and Chrys Fey!



I am opting out of this month's question. Remember last month's post when I asked the question, "Where have all the good books gone?" Well, let me tell you what happened. While perusing my local thrift stores for lightly used books to add to my library, I discovered a whole new series. (You wouldn't believe the books I have found over the years!) I screamed like a girl! Two books out of the six-book series sat there on the shelf, begging to be bought. Teenage spy school for girls? Yes, please! 

Currently on book four and I'm forever hooked. Ally Carter's New York Times best-selling Gallagher Girls series has everything I love about a good Young Adult novel: mystery, intrigue, secrets, plot twists, surprise endings. I have one question for these books published in 2006. "Where have you been all my life?" 

Life is picking up speed as our schools reopen this month. Stay safe out there! 

Read any good books lately? (I have!)