June #IWSG: THE GAME IS AFOOT!

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: Of all the genres you read and write, which is your favorite to write in and why?

The awesome co-hosts for the June 5 posting of the IWSG areDiane Burton, Kim Lajevardi,Sylvia Ney, Sarah Foster,Jennifer Hawes, and Madeline Mora-Summonte!

Co-Hosts:

I'm excited to be co-hosting today! Of all the genres in the whole writing realm, mysteries are my absolute favorite. I know I sound like a broken record. The thrill of the chase, the clues, the secrets, the riddles, the red herrings, and the ability to solve the crime before the detective does are just a few of the reasons why I LOVE mysteries. Adult, YA, MG. 

I love the overall vibe and atmosphere presented with each new mystery! 

Yes, our town is partially underwater. But thankfully our flood gates and levees are holding back the Mississippi River from the downtown area!! They even added a five foot extension on all the gates. Here is a pic of Tom Sawyer, literally, fishing in the Big River.

Now, get back to writing. THE GAME IS AFOOT! 

This is located about a mile from downtown where the highway is under water. 

Lover's Leap- Eerily quiet on the river with the no boats or barges restriction!

May #IWSG: The End (of the school year) 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: 

What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?

Co-Hosts:

The awesome co-hosts for the May 1 posting of the IWSG are Lee Lowery, Juneta Key, Yvonne Ventresca, and T. Powell Coltrin! 

The first time I realized that language had power was after reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe in the fifth grade. I never knew I could get lost in a book. Before this, I read well and often for school but not for pleasure. It changed me. Then I discovered mysteries.The rest of my life has become an unending quest to read and write my favorite genre. 

My family and I just returned from a three-day trip to Chicago, enjoying all the sights and sounds of the windy city. And, yes, it was seriously windy!! Navy Pier, the Bean (aka Cloud Gate), Giordanno's were some of the highlights. We moved away from my favorite city about ten years ago. Venturing out into this urban setting made me want to dive back into writing! Ideas are swirling around my head. Just a few more weeks until SUMMER. The end of the school year is near!

I enjoyed taking a few candid shots of my oldest son photographing the city. He has an excellent artistic eye. Not to mention my kid is an amazing techie nerd, majoring in computer science. 

Anyone else looking forward to more writing time? Ready for summer? Taking any trips? Anyone else enjoy the Windy City? I'll make my way around the blogs and answer comments after school.

April #IWSG: As You Wish...

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: If you could use a wish to help you write just one scene/chapter of your book, which one would it be? Co-Hosts:  J.H. Moncrieff, Natalie Aguirre, Patsy Collins, and Chemist Ken! I'm loving where my current MG mystery is headed. However, my full-time school librarian job takes up a lot of time. Yes, I get to read all the books. But right now I'd wish for more writing time. I guess summer's coming, and I'll get my wish! One of my favorite movies growing up was The Princess Bride. I loved the plot twist of Westley becoming the dread Pirate Roberts, his identity a secret until Princess Buttercup figures it out. As an adult, I enjoy watching Cary Elwes (Westley/Dread Pirate Roberts) as the infamous Pierre Despereaux in the Psych series. You never quite know if he's the good guy or the bad guy. And Shawn worships him to no end. I adore a villain who is more than just an evil overlord. I love the complexity of Despereax;s character especially in Season 8 when he transforms from "world's greatest art thief" to the head of MI6. Yes, it's one of my all-time favorite Psych episodes. For my current WIP, I wish to create an antagonist that leaves you guessing if he's the good guy in disguise or if he's been the villain the entire time. Wish me luck!  How about you? What would you wish for? Are you ready for summer? What are your plans? Are you getting in writing time? Who is your favorite villain?

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! 

February #IWSG: ANOTHER SNOW DAY? KEEP 'EM COMING!

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: Besides writing, what other creative outlets do you have?

Co-Hosts:  Raimey Gallant, Natalie Aguirre, CV Grehan, and Michelle Wallace!

My latest hobby is collecting snow days or ice days, like today. The Midwest, home to blizzards, ten-foot snow drifts, and ice, makes me happy. Don't get me wrong. I HATE winter. But I love SNOW DAYS (when they call and cancel school) !! During the sleet falling last night, we experienced thunder and lightning. What is happening?? Snow days make for a great time to edit and write! 

Okay, I'll get serious. One of my favorite creative outlets other than writing is reading. My kids in the library asked me this week how many books I was currently reading. I admitted that I, the librarian, have a problem. I can't stop. I just finished a Scottish murder mystery/thriller and the second book in the Truly, Devious murder mystery series, which I almost threw across the room when I read the last page. Seriously??? That's how you end?? I was left on a cliffhanger the size of Alaska. I can't deal.  

Reading books in many different genres helps me think creatively to plot and to plan multiple murders--mysteries, people!! I know it sounds morbid, but my younger self always wanted to be a detective. 

Also hiking. Hiking makes me happy. I love exploring the great outdoors!

In other news, I just recorded my first radio interview that went out on Monday on VoiceAmerica radio station!  My publisher wanted to interview an award-winning author. That's me! 

I can't wait to read what everyone else does for fun and inspiration! Now, please, excuse me while I enjoy another snow, er, ice day! 

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!! 

December #IWSG: WHAT'S IN YOUR WRITING SPACE?

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 five objects we'd find in your writing space? 

The awesome co-hosts today are December 5 posting of the IWSG are J.H. Moncrieff, Tonja Drecker, Patsy Collins, and Chrys Fey!


The five essentials you'd find in my writing space besides a laptop, of course, are the following: 

1. Punching bag (when I was querying) Rejection isn't easy. 

2. My favorite middle-grade murder mystery books for inspiring...well-formed plots, of course, silly.

3. A fort made out of my TBR list. Makes a good hiding place when you're trying to write and the kids keep asking about dinner. Sheesh.  

4. Cat one trying to type. 

5. Cat two trying to snuggle.The distractions are real, folks. 

Bonus item: My contract with my agent to remind me that I met my NUMBER ONE GOAL this year!! WOOHOO!!! 

Okay, so I don't really have a punching bag or plans for murder (or do I?) lying around my work space. And my virtual TBR list (I mostly order e-books) dwindles everyday. I just finished James Ponti's excellent MG mystery series, FRAMED!, VANISHED!, TRAPPED! I'm also finishing Sheila Turnage's MG mystery series, Three Times Lucky, Ghosts of Tupelo Landing, and I'm half way through The Odds of Getting Even. Boy, can Turnage write suspense and humor! My hero.  

People in the hallway outside my library door at school must think I'm crazy or plotting murder mysteries. Actually, I'm reading and giggling. Boy, do I read fast! I've tackled countless books since August. I've also written fifty plus pages of my WIP for the month of November. Not as much as I hoped. But I'm planning to write more this month. 

If you witness murder plots, criminal profiling books, and plans for the perfect crime, you've entered my work space. 

Hope you are enjoying this crazy busy month. Happy writing and Merry Christmas!