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. 

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. 

October #IWSG: Better than Christmas Morning

                                                     

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!!!

October 7 question - When you think of the term working writer, what does that look like to you? What do you think it is supposed to look like? Do you see yourself as a working writer or aspiring or hobbyist, and if latter two, what does that look like?

 

The awesome co-hosts for the October 7 posting of the IWSG are Jemima Pett, Beth Camp, Beverly Stowe McClure, and Gwen Gardner!

October is better than Christmas morning. Watching Hocus Pocus for the hundredth time never gets old. Don't judge me. I live for this time of year! 

Lately, my life consists of reading to myself (I guess that's better than talking to myself) and to my students. I love being surrounded every day by thousands of my favorite things...BOOKS and FALL LEAVES. My perception of the term working writer is writing full time with no other job. That's not gonna happen anytime soon. 

With so many responsibilities this year, it's getting harder to dedicate my time to being a full-time writer. I may jump on the NaNo bandwagon this November to finish a novel I started a few months ago. 

As a librarian of two schools this year, it's been challenging, but so worth it. When boxes of books come in, it's like Christmas morning. (We got hundreds of new books this year!) The looks on the kids' faces when I put them on the shelves is priceless.

Are you enjoying the best month of the year? Reading any suspenseful mysteries this October? 

Found these classics this fall.

August #IWSG: Pet Peeves and World Domination

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

This month's question: What are your pet peeves when reading/writing/editing?

My pet peeves consist mainly of slow drivers and teenage boys who make messes and don't clean them up. Oh, sorry, I forgot we were talking about writing and not everyday life. When does school start? Soon. Very soon. 

Okay, then. I'll stick with my editing pet peeve. It's personal. My editing brain needs an off button when I'm drafting. Seriously, someone shoot a tranq dart at me so I can write the first draft without freaking out. I'm 10k into my new WIP and now the editing bigwigs want world domination. "But we have such a long way to go," I keep telling my brain. 

Today, I shut down the inner nerd and let loose the creative geek to steer this story in the right direction.

Only a few weeks left of summer. I continue to spy, er, play tourist around town all in the name of research. Did I mention the Mark Twain Cave is 52 degrees all year round? Since Hannibal has been hotter than Texas lately, I plan to hang out with Jesse James as much as I can. Happy summer!

July #IWSG: Critique Partners, Frog-Jumping Contests, and Mud Volleyball, Oh my!

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

This month's question: What is one valuable lesson you've learned since you started writing? 

Don't go it alone. You might think you can, but you won't last for very long. I'm writing this ahead of schedule and I've hit the were-going-on-vacation-tomorrow panic stage, so this will be short and probably not sweet, but to the point. 

You need an extra set of eyes on your work, and I don't mean your mom or significant other unless they are a professional editor. Then by all means go for it. I love my beta-readers and critique partners and writerly cheerleaders. Get over yourself if you think you can't take criticism. Make your work better!

Hannibal is hosting yet another festival this week. Come check out the always fun National Tom Sawyer Days complete with fence painting and frog jumping contests and mud volleyball. Not sure how the last one is relevant to Mark Twain, but who cares? Have fun this Fourth of July!

I'll be enjoying a week off. Who am I kidding? I'm outlining a new story!! I'll try to visit other blogs and get to your comments sometime this week. 

June #IWSG: I Quit (Just Kidding)

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

This month's Question: Did you ever say "I quit"? If so, what happened to make you come back to writing? 

Every. Single. Day. 

My crazy life includes two teenage boys, an eight-year-old princess, and enough stress to fill an entire galaxy. Of course, I want to quit some days. Then I stop whining and plunk down in front of my laptop and begin again. Did I mention I have two teenagers in the house? Now there's an endless supply of writerly inspiration. Paybacks are wonderful.

Writing always snaps me out of my notion to resign. When everyday life squeezes in and knocks me off center, I fight back. I'm a writer. Quitting isn't an option for me. I love what I do.

Don't give up, people!

And don't be afraid to take a break. It's summer for Pete's sake. Get out and live. Life moves too fast. Ferris Bueller, anyone? Oh, boy. 

Found this gem of a waterfall about a mile from my house. Sometimes you just need a change of scenery or to send those kids to summer camp or to send your hubs off on a fishing trip. By the way, he's caught some amazing fish this week.  

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer break!

February #IWSG: Less Is More

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

Question of the month: How has being a writer changed your experience as a reader?

Before I became a writer, I read for the experience and for pure pleasure. Now, I'm a ninja on a mission, always searching for that elusive "best book ever written." To discover why some novels stand out in an overcrowded book market and why others fall short, I read all the books: the good, the bad, and everything in between. I read in my genre and out of my genre. I read MG, YA, and Adult books.

One element I keep discovering in stellar works of fiction is story subtext. I admire an author who doesn't beat you over the head with every single detail and doesn't explain everything. Readers are intelligent. If a book can pass this simple test, I know right away it's going to be an instant hit.

K.M. Weiland said it best. "Overexplaining in fiction causes flabby sentences, confused metaphors, and condescending descriptions."

Anyone else have a crazy month? Between both of my boys knee deep in their wrestling seasons, and the flu virus flourishing, and finishing edits on my latest MG mystery, I'm ready for summer or a nap.

I read with a much better eye now that I am a writer. How about you? Do you study books in order to become a better writer? K.M. Weiland has written an excellent article on Story Subtext. Go check out her amazing blog for writers!

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?

October IWSG: To the Editing Cave!

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


This month's question: When do you know your story is ready?

Definitely not December 1st--the day after NaNo. Let the rough draft breathe and then dive into editing, oh, say for the next six months or so. When do I think my story is ready? I'm glad you asked. When I type THE END and start talking to myself with phrases like the following: this is it, I can relax now, time for a break, then I'm certain it's not ready. Pull back. Retreat! Get those editing goggles back on. Grab those CPs and beta readers for another walk through.

Whenever you are positive your story is ready, trust me, it's not. Those tiny plot holes will haunt you in your sleep, keeping you awake until you fix them. Just like with construction projects, always add another month or two or three before declaring your story complete. Then you might be ready. Unfortunately, I've learned this the hard way.

To the editing cave! But remember to fill this cup first.

P.S. Feeling pretty good this month after my ghostly middle-grade mystery placed third in the AUTHORS.me diversity writing contest. My MC is a boy in a back brace, but I can't tell you how he got that way or what happens because it's an integral part of the story. Cue the happy dance!

Do you disappear into a hideout, aka the Batcave, when writing? Any good news this past month? Working on a new story? Gearing up for NaNo?

Twain on Main Festival

The "Twain on Main" festival is one of the highlights each spring in downtown Hannibal, Missouri, Mark Twain's boyhood hometown. The newest addition on Main Street (just before the lighthouse and the Tom & Huck statue) is the John Michael Originals furniture gallery. I absolutely adore his style. Sadly, the shop was closed yesterday.

The recently renovated building called the "Moses Bates Public House" was named after the founding father of Hannibal. It also has a new restaurant in back with seating available on top. The exposed brick and pipe works in the restaurant showcase the original structure of the building, which started out manufacturing and installing truck beds for Model T Ford delivery trucks. The most recent business was Murphy's Motors, a Dodge dealership. Now the furniture store and unbeatable smoked bbq eatery will keep this place in business for a long time.

Did I mention the red doors, corrugated metal and chalk board walls inside the bathroom? Did I mention I had the privilege of eating there over the weekend with my hubby for our anniversary? Our anniversary is actually today. Maybe I can convince him to go again. Next time, I will be dining in the outdoor area above so I can take pics of the Mississippi River only a few feet away.

During the festival, there were plenty of other food options on the street. I have no clue what a "roller dawg" is, so if you know, please tell me!

What festival wouldn't be complete without a petting zoo and pony rides? My five-year-old experienced her first pony ride. Afterwards, she said, "I'd like to do that again." Oh dear. Is this the start of a little girl's obsession with horses?!

Games with Tom and Becky in Twain's sideyard was a big hit.

Art vendors, the main attraction, lined the streets with everything from homemade soap and linens to clay pottery people, metal works, leather crafts, and jewelry. I discovered a Mark Twain leather bound notebook, my favorite find of the day.

Main Street was divided into thirds: Roughin' It, The Prince and the Pauper, and Tom Sawyer, all areas designed after three of Twain's novels. Although, the only one that was super obvious was the Roughin' It section. The others tended to blend with the mob on Main Street.

Over four blocks of wall to wall people for this year's Twain on Main festival. Until the next festival...or next post...Thanks for stopping by!

AtoZ Challenge: W - #WCW - Becky Thatcher

Greetings from Hannibal, MO, Mark Twain's boyhood hometown, my theme for this year's AtoZ Challenge.

#WCW or Woman Crush Wednesday is a popular hashtag on Instagram. #MCM stands for Man Crush Monday. Pretend today is Wednesday. I wanted to feature Becky Thatcher, Tom Sawyer's crush in Twain's book The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Mark Twain's sweetheart lived across the street from him and became the inspiration  for his classic novel. As a young boy, Twain walked Laura Hawkins to school, gave her sweets, and showed off, performing death-defying stunts and somersaults. (Maybe he knew parkour?) Twain always adored Laura. Even at the age of eighteen, he was still crazy in love with his "Becky Thatcher."

Becky Thatcher house

Do you remember your first crush? Grade school, middle school, high school? In the eighth grade, I had a friend. We shared a love of baseball and sat next to each other in class. I don't think you ever forget your first crush. I was a scrawny runt, an eighth grader who looked more like an eight year old, well, maybe more like a ten year old. Anyway, his older sister and my older sister were bff's, so we were really good friends.

I shouldn't have been surprised one day when he turned around in his desk, forgot what he was going to say, regained his composure and asked me to his football banquet. My insides were giggling with excitement. Of course, I said yes! At that moment, I think I was more nervous than he was. The boy who asked me to my first formal event and bought me a wrist corsage will forever be my first real crush. No, I didn't marry him, but I did marry my college sweetheart.

Do you remember your first crush? Do you ever write personal experiences and feelings in to your novels like Twain did?

AtoZ Challenge: U - Update on Weekend with Mylo

Greetings from Hannibal, MO, Mark Twain's boyhood hometown, my theme for this year's AtoZ Challenge.

Last weekend we dogsat Mylo. We hovered around the puppy with stupid grins on our faces, like a bunch of first time parents. Mylo was so stinking cute. Cuteness overload. We played with him all day long and watched him eat and sleep and eat. He tackled our toes and pounced on shoes, shoelaces, Frisbees, grass, flowers, dirt. I felt like I had toddlers all over again. It's a good thing my son is dating the owner of this puppy. I couldn't think of anything else for the letter "U." Mylo lives in Hannibal, so there's that. Happy Friday, folks! Only a few more letters to go.

My son sent me this message the other day.

My son sends me random photos.

AtoZ Challenge: T-Trains

The Midwest is a hub for trains. We all just love getting stopped by one. My boys used to think every train was Thomas. Both Hannibal and St. Louis are big train towns. During my explorations of downtown St. Louis last month, I came across some abandoned rail yards. The trains were clearly not in use, so my boys climbed all over them. It's all fun and games until one of your kids zip ties the other one's hands behind his back. And, of course, it happened to be an industrial-strength zip tie he found lying around and, of course, no one had a pocket knife. He enjoyed making a scene, pretending he was being kidnapped. Now, you feel my pain as I try to raise two teenage boys.

Abandoned trains at Union Station

Two separate sets of train tracks run in
Hannibal near the Big River

More abandoned trains in St. Louis

What are your hobbies besides writing? Whether it's a small town or the big city, I love urban exploring. Do your children ever drive you crazy? Do they ever do crazy things?

AtoZ Challenge: Q - Quiet, Please

Newest addition to Hannibal-photography studio on Broadway Str.

Greetings from Hannibal, MO, Mark Twain's boyhood hometown, my theme for this year's AtoZ Challenge.

Quiet, please, artists at work. (I seriously had trouble thinking of a "Q" post!) Hannibal's artistic side includes more than just a famous author. This Artistic town is full of individual artists in every area: textiles, furniture, painting, photography, pottery.

Ayers pottery

Steve Ayers, the master potter, has been making his creations for over twenty years. Come visit Ayers Pottery or visit Java Jive, which sells his coveted pottery.

Our many art galleries feature local artists. The Hannibal Arts Council highlights local high school students on occasion. My oldest son won a photography contest a few years ago and had his pointillism drawing chosen for display.

I love this "smiley" mug.

Join us every second Saturday for "Art Walk" all year long in Hannibal. In March we host "50 Miles of Art" along scenic highway 79. May 23-24 will be the "Twain on Main Festival." Lots of crafts, art, and food at this event. And be on the lookout for Twain walking the streets and greeting visitors. Last year was our first ever "Steampunk Festival" celebrating Hannibal's Gilded age. Come join us on September 5-7. My personal favorite is the "Autumn Folklife Festival." Join us on October 17-19 for a blast into Hannibal's past. Hannibal has enough festivals to keep you hopping throughout the year!

They really like to paint the whole town here.

Are you artistic? Love to paint, draw, take photos?