July IWSG Post...

 Wow, July already? That's just incredible. Time seems to move faster the older you get. It'd be nice if it would slow down just an eensy, teensy little bit. Right?

Oh, well.

Let's get to this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group question!

If you could live in any book world, which one would you choose?

This is a difficult question for me. There are many, many book worlds I would love to live in, but I think I wouldn't survive most of them! 

If I had to choose, it'd be a tough call between the Harry Potter world or Middle Earth.

In Harry's world, I would hopefully have magic, and not be a Muggle. Because, let's face it, that would suck. Living in a magical world and you're still mundane. That would be more like a torture. But, we're assuming that whatever world we choose, we'd get the gifts of the characters. And magic would be so fun! My house would be spotless as I learn from Mrs. Weasley, all the magical ways of cleaning. I'd have a penseive for those most important, special memories. I hope my Patronus would be a wolf, or even a cat. Ooh! A llama!

If I chose Tolkien's world, it would probably be a pretty dangerous place for a while. But I would love to be either an Elf or Hobbit. Hobbits seem to have a pretty quiet life, full of laughter and friendship. The Elves are respected and quite snobbish at times, but they're elegant and graceful. I'd be the only clumsy Elf alive! So, I think I would choose a nice quiet life of a Hobbit.

It would be a very difficult decision. I have so many other book worlds I would love to live in, such as The Little House on the Prairie book world. Or even the world of David Eddings, the Mallorean world. There's also the world of The Dragon Prince, by Melanie Rawn. It's a magical world with dragons and so many places to go.

Okay, final decision, I choose Middle Earth. I need some furry feet.

Thanks for dropping by and reading my post! Don't forget to hop on over to everyone else's post and at least leave a quick comment! Happy Hopping!

Insecure Writers Support Group...

 Holy cow! Can you believe it is the first Wednesday of the month? Not only that, NaNoWriMo has kicked off!

You'll see to the left of this post, I have a counter to show my progress. Here's to hitting 50K words!

But on to IWSG. This month's question is:

What's harder to do, coming up with your book title or writing the blurb?

Man. I am torn on this one. To be honest, I had an easier time naming my children. Sometimes, the book title just presents itself before I even have a story idea. It'll pop into my head and I'll be like, "Okay. Nice, but what is this about?"

Sometimes the title comes to me after I begin writing the story. Sometimes, not at all and then I'm scrambling to ask friends for a book title.

But the BLURB! O..M...G... I absolutely DESPISE having to sum up my story in a few short paragraphs that will make it interesting enough for someone to pick up. Honestly. I'd rather go have my teeth pulled again.

I know people say to pretend you have 30 seconds or less to pitch your book, what would you say? Okay, first of all, I'm becoming more socially awkward in my old age, so I'd be all over the place. I'd be telling them about the book, but then go, "Oh! Wait, I forgot! Before that happens, THIS has to happen! Oh, but so and so does such and such to get there, and then ... wait, no. That came after. Sorry!"

To pare it down, I'd be a hot mess.

A blubbering mass of confusion.

Okay, so the blurb is harder. I had to work through that, I suppose.

All right, enough about me! Go on to read more from other IWSG bloggers! You can find the list here.

Have a great rest of your week!

Insecure Writer's Support Group...

 Wow, guys! It's October already!! Where has the year gone? Well, if you're reading this, today is the first Wednesday of the month and you know what that means!

Insecure Writer's Support Group Blog Hop!

This month's topic:

In your writing, where do you draw the line, with either topics or language?

I tell you what, I'm kind of a no-holds-barred kind of girl. I don't sugarcoat the truth (which doesn't make many friends) and I tell it like it is.

I know there are a lot of taboo topics out there, mainly politics and religion. The two things that should end wars, but actually starts them instead. But I wouldn't touch on topics I know nothing about. I do see people putting a lot of topics into their writing that is more personal opinion, as if trying to change the minds of readers, but I won't do that.

If I don't know everything about a topic, I won't write on it. But if I know quite a bit about it and have the actual references to back up my words, I'll write about it. But if it isn't pertinent to the story, I'll leave it alone. I write about bullies, I write about abused women. Topics I am familiar with. But I also write about how to stand up or get away. To become stronger.

I once had a beta reader for my "Blood of my Sisters" story who had to stop reading because the bully triggered her. She didn't blame me for it, and I didn't feel a need to put a warning in there, but she just couldn't continue. She loved the story, but couldn't get past that character.

Will I stop putting in those scenes? Nope. I'm hoping it will connect with someone and they can see how they can stand up for themselves and not be bullied. Or maybe they're reading it and they are a bully, and can't stand the character. Who knows what I'll trigger or help with.

I do draw the line at sex scenes, rape scenes and things of that nature. If it is a sex scene, you'll get the idea well enough without me going into graphic detail. I'm not a prude, but I just feel that isn't appropriate in stories in order to tell the story. (Yeah, I'm going to get hate mail from romance authors.)

As far as language goes? I'm pretty flexible with it. Profanity, no matter who you are, will come out in certain situations. That's life. I know a lot of people who don't like to swear or read books with any curse words in there. But, if my characters are going to be true to life, I throw it in. However, I go along the same guideline of sex scenes, it isn't always appropriate in the story to tell the story. So I do limit it, even though in real life I could make a trucker blush.

All right, now it's your turn! Let's hop on to the next blog and see what that author thinks! Have a good rest of your week!

IWSG...

I'm back to the IWSG post! Woohoo! If you want to know more about this or want to find the list of other participants, please visit Alex J. Cavanaugh's blog here.

This month, the optional question is:

How has your creativity in life evolved since you began writing?

I am choosing to do my own insecure thing this month.

Over the last few years, I have quietly been working with Midian Entertainment on a massive project. It hasn't been until recently that we've been allowed to share, do book cover reveals, etc.

My role in all of this is basically a writer, an editor, a publisher, and an adviser. I'm also currently acting as a marketing manager, trying to build a following on Twitter without really having given the public much to look at and go all on faith.

I wear a lot of hats. My writing has sort of come to a standstill due to multiple reasons. I'm not complaining, I'm just wanting to get back to it.

My constant fear is, will everything I've done be good enough? Will this just bomb entirely and if it does, how will it affect me? I'm pretty sure I know how it will affect me...  and it won't be good.

I have grown as a writer over the last several years. I've worked to hone my craft. I just haven't been able to put anything out into the world until now to prove that. So will I still be viewed as a hack fantasy writer who couldn't cut it so she self published? I still don't have the third book finished! Which... is in the works.

See? Lots of insecurities as I step into these new roles in my writing career.

How about you? Comment down below. And don't forget to visit the other participants!

Have a great day!

Insecure Writer's Support Group...

Wow. Time just. Flies. It is the first Wednesday of the month, and if you don't know it's significance, by all means, meet the mastermind behind this awesome bloghop, Alex J. Cavanaugh.

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is where we all share our insecurities or support those with them. Some days you're the supporter, others, the supportee.

I am, thankfully, lacking in insecurities this time around.

I know, right? I know you're all thankful for that! Ha!

Words of wisdom are escaping me. But I know I have some. Where are you, you little buggers? ::Stuffs a hand into her wisdom bag and shuffles things around:: Nope. Nope, not that either. Hmm...

Well, for whatever reason you chose to become a writer, I hope that it mostly is due to the fact that you have a story to tell, and no one else but you can tell it properly.

Lots of people have stated that they write the kinds of stories they would like to read. I can say the same, for sure. I actually like what I write, and can only hope others enjoy it as well. If not, well, it's more their loss than mine.

If you ever feel like your story isn't good enough, or there is some certain element missing that you just can't place your finger on, that just might be self doubt speaking into the dark recesses of your mind. So don't listen. Instead, send off your writing to someone who will give you honest feedback. There's got to be at least one person you know you can send your work to, right? Even if it is just someone who's blog you follow. Don't be shy! Send a message, ask if they'll look it over. People tend to be busy, but you know, sometimes, they just might have a moment to look your work over.

Not everyone, but some. And if they take the time to read your work, and give you feedback, thank them. (If I've never thanked you, THANK YOU!) Seriously. Sometimes you just have to have a little faith in yourself, and trust that you have written a good story, something others will enjoy and want to read. But do try to choose a topic/genre that isn't too overly saturated. Finding your needle in that haystack might make you feel dubious about putting out another book. Might make you feel insecure. There are people looking for stories out there that aren't following the trends. So go with that!

And because tomorrow is the 4th of July, let me take this moment to tell you all to have a happy and SAFE weekend! Please, be careful. I'll see you all on Friday for the Faves and Funnies, if you're here.

Insecure Writer's Support Group...

It's the first Wednesday of the month! You know what that means, don't you? That's right. Insecure Writer's Support Group brought to you by our very own Ninja Captain himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh. That is the link you click if you want to be a part of this wonderful, helpful blog hop.

On to the insecurities! And I have a plethora of them.

Mainly, these days, I'm worried about my book. I have to use this time to vent a little bit, guys. I can't help it. But that's what this blog hop is about, right?

I submitted last year. On my birthday to be exact and was accepted right away. Best birthday present ever! I was cautious about things when they mentioned a May release, but I was hopeful. However, it didn't happen and that was cool with me. I know how things can get screwed up.

My release date has been pushed back a few times, through no fault of mine or my publisher. Things happen. Accidents, sickness and deaths in the family all overshadowed book releases. Completely understandable and don't get me wrong, I am NOT complaining about my publisher.

So what is my insecurity? My own personal jumping-the-gun, impatience and oh-my-god-people-must-think-I'm-insane-ness. Meaning, I wanted to be as organized as possible for when my book did release. I wanted to have a schedule for everyone involved in the blog tour/book launch. Then, to my dismay, I had to inform those people that the book just wasn't going to be ready. Not once, but twice.

*sigh*

So my apologies to all of those involved. I've been silent the past few weeks simply because I don't want to say, "Hey the book should be out on such and such date!" and then have it not happen. And in all of this, I don't want it to reflect poorly on me for wanting to be prepared. I'm not THAT much of a flake, I don't think. I'm just overly excited and anxious to have my book available to the world.

So that's my insecurity for the month. How do you handle it when you have to push back a release date? Does it hurt your reputation as a writer or do people just not focus on it like I do? Thoughts and encouragement is always welcome! Have a great day and I'll be hopping around to read your posts.

Insecure Writers Support Group...

It's the first Wednesday of the month and that means it is time for IWSG! Insecure Writers Support Group.

Who isn't insecure about their writing?

Having a support group like this is really, really helpful. It saves my sanity, more often than not, just knowing I can vent to other writers once a month. People who know what I am going through when I feel insecure or hit a snag or get irritated with some lousy idiot who doesn't....

Ahem.

You get the idea.

It's also nice to be able to offer up support and advice for those who might need it. There are soooo many of us involved in this, I don't get to everyone. I think the Ninja Captain himself is the only one who does... So if I don't make it by, I'm sorry. I will try to get to you next time around.

Which leads me to my insecurity of sorts. Commenting. I love reading everyone's posts and I do drop by, trust me. Time is limited as you are well aware. But sometimes, I don't leave a comment to let you know I was there because I just don't know what to say.

Things like, "Great post!" is good, but I fear may come across as, "Oh. Hey. Just skimmed. Good job. Keep it up. See ya."

You know?

Meh.

I do make an effort to get involved in discussions. But I'm also having issues with Blogger these days with people not able to leave a comment. (Some anyway, working on it.) And I've reached my limit on how many people I can follow. So I don't see all the posts in the feed. I have tried deleting some blogs that are inactive and have been for over a year or something silly I don't want to follow anymore and I can't get them to load so I can remove them. Very frustrating!

And I refuse to upgrade Blogger. That's like saying, "Hey, don't worry about your buggy issues, let me just throw some money at you to make it all go away..."

Not.

I'll try to be better. Maybe when I comment, I'll say, "I was here!!!" if I can't think of anything else to say. That way you know I stopped by and showed you some bloggy love. <3 br="br">

Insecure Writer's Support Group...

Is it that time again, already? Really?? Wow. August, huh?


Well, time flies no matter if you are having fun or bored out of your mind.

Here we go then!

It is the first Wednesday of the month and it is that time! Yes, you know it, Alex J. Cavanaugh's IWSG or Insecure Writer's Support Group.

My how this group has grown. Lots of insecure writers out there, I suppose.

I don't know if I will be helpful or whiny this time around. But I am going to discuss my new found love of Outlining.

Yes, this once upon a time Pantser has dipped her toe into the pools of the Outlining world. And it wasn't half bad.

Revisions on my second book are moving along quite nicely. But I found I have soooo much information to keep track of that I was getting confused near the beginning of the book.

Things like: 'Did I already mention this?' to 'Ohfortheloveofallthatisholy I can't believe I FORGOT to put that in!!!!'

Yeah. You get the idea. Absolutely. I'd be driving along on my paper route and either inspiration would hit or I'd be driving past a customer's house because I was thinking about if I mentioned certain key elements or not. That made the route last longer, having to turn around and all that.

Sheesh.

So I did a quick outline and have all sorts of things scribbled over it as far as notes go. What I want to see in each chapter. Well, that didn't get put in the right chapter, we'll move it here... Things like that.

I can't believe how much easier it is to write from this! I mean, until I got sick last week, I was chuggin' right along. I'm a third of the way through the revisions. You can keep an eye on them with my little word count gadget up there for 'Veritas'.

So which do you prefer? Pantsing or Outlining? Have you ever tried either one if you are dedicated to the other? Share your experiences! Have a great rest of the week, my support buddies!