One book leads to another...

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

IWSG June Secrets and Cover-ups

Hello there!

Whether you’re just passing through, or looking for a comfortable online group in which to share your writing journey, you’ve come to the right place! The Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers resources, tips, timely news, how-to’s, and don’t do’s – all the support we writers can use to make the most of our craft.

We meet on the 1st Wednesday of every month. Feel free to browse around and mingle. As in the words of IWSG founder and “Cassa Series,” author Alex Cavanaugh, “Your words may be the encouragement someone else needs” Join us!

This month’s gracious co-hosts are:   Pat Garcia, J.Q. Rose, and Natalie Aguirre!

This month’s Optional Question is:  Writers have secrets! What are one or two of yours, something readers would never know from your work?

bookriot.com

How’s everyone doing out there in Quarantine Land? I’ve begun to talk to hummingbirds, and occasionally, the refrigerator when it spits out ice cubes for no apparent reason. The wearing of masks by pretty much everybody everywhere these days presents a conundrum for me. Who are these people? I met a new Ortho surgeon last month, and all I can tell you is he seems nice and has blue eyes. A young friend of mine suggested we might be better able to identify the looters if they didn’t have to wear a mask (!) I got the strangest look when I explained that people like that always wear masks – because they’re not exactly proud of what they do.

And that thought lead to another:

I could give you a handful of examples of a writer’s dauntless ambition. They ‘re stacked neatly on a corner of my desk, full-length manuscripts in various stages of completion - awaiting final approval. So why haven’t I dressed them in their Sunday best and sent them out into the world? Oh, I’ve more excuses than manuscripts to submit. Up until, and even including this year, I’ve promised (myself) that this is The Year I will accomplish these goals. Then, with sudden shortness of breath, I drop another file on top of the stack, so I can’t see the manuscripts anymore. Way to go, right?

But then, a funny thing happened on my way to abject depression. I called my own bluff! Had I that little faith in myself to spend (or waste?) all those hours, years weaving thousands of words only to leave them listless in the shadowy realm of dust bunnies? Of course not.  My summer mantra is now officially “Publish or Perish” whatever it takes. But first, I’ll need a mask (grin).


Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen,” Brene’ Brown says in her book Daring Greatly. She has a lot more than that to say, and I recommend the book. Here’s a site that seems to agree: fourminutebooks.com

 

Spring being a tough act to follow, God created June” ~ Al Bernstein

 


17 comments:

  1. I like your motto. I decided to take advantage of the pandemic and update the agent spotlights on my blog that haven't been updated in 8 to 10 years. It's been a great project and will soon be done. Then I'm going to put that energy into my writing. Hope you have a productive month!

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    1. Hi Natalie!

      Gosh, your blog always looks so organized I wouldn't think a single tweak was necessary ;-) I can't wait to check it out!
      Wishing you all the inspiration you could ever have for writing.

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  2. Hi, diedre!

    I'm late this morning because I had a doctor appointment first thing. I am happy to see you, dear friend!

    Today was actually the first time I have been out in public in nearly three months and my first time wearing a mask. It is indeed a strange new world. The doctor's waiting room was filled with masked strangers and the medical staff wore them as well.

    I'm happy to learn that you are overcoming complacency and determined to get some of your work to market this summer. It's a worthy goal and I wish you massive success. I appreciate the quote by Dr. Brené Brown. Life is a game to be played. You need to put yourself into it and roll the dice.

    Please stay well. dear friend diedre. I wish you all the best in June and throughout the coming summer season!

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    1. Hi Shady!

      Good to see you too! It does seem like a mighty long time.
      I hope your visit to the doc was routine in nature, though I know normalcy is still a long way off. I happened to be fishing my keys out of my purse when one of a trio of masked faces said "I can help you here," all I could say was "Who said that?"
      Thanks for the vote of confidence. I plan to reach a few goals this summer and enjoy myself in the process ;-)
      See you at your Place!

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  3. Go get 'em and make it happen this year!

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  4. I do hope you achieve your publishing goal. We all needs some goals achieved this year to make up for all the crap 2020 has dished out so far.

    The "Read" mask is great. I've been just reusing my paper mask for the past few months, but I don't really use it all that much. However if I could find a good message mask that I might be more excited about wearing a mask when I go out. But what I really want is no requirements to wear a mask. There is so much that is illogical about the mandatory mask wearing.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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    1. Hi Lee!

      I'm giving it my best shot ;-)

      I thought the mask was pretty cool, though it's not something I want to get used to. Amazon offers a variety but with any luck the need for masks will pass before the package arrives ;-)

      I look forward to your blog, and how you decide to spend your summer!

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  5. It's really hard to share your work, especially at first. But hey, just grab your favorite, polish it up, share with betas or get a critique, and you'll be on your way. The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step! (Confucius, I think. LOL).

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    1. Hi Gwen!

      That's for sure. My first one garnered fairly good reviews from all ten betas. It is currently being dusted off and polished ;-)

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  6. I've heard that releasing more than one book over an extended period especially a series is the way to go. Set your dates and get those books out there! A chance to win a free book blog tour is available on my blog defending the pen. Why not?

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    1. Hi Yolanda!

      I'm considering at least two in the near future, then spacing the others.
      Thanks for the tip!

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  7. And here I thought I was the only one who talked to my refrigerator. Your disclosure made my day. As to publish or perish...please choose the former and send out those stories for us to read.

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    1. And now you've made my day as well, Lee. Thanks!

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  8. dIEDRE ~

    I'm only 5 days late.
    Have I *ever* commented on one of your blog bits *this* early? Me doubts it!

    I'm gonna keep this short (and sweet, too)...

    The people who know me best know that I am a man who says what he means, and means what he says.

    (Honestly, that expression has always bugged me a bit: doesn't everyone who says what they mean, AUTOMATICALLY mean what they say?! I mean, is it even *possible* to "say what you mean" but NOT "mean what you say"? ...Am I onto some undiscovered truth here, or have I simply had one too many Smoked Porters? ...I hope it's the former and NOT the latter, because, so far, I am still drinking just my FIRST Smoked Porter! ...If I'm drunk already, I will lose my Man Card permanently... and justifiably.)

    What I'm about to write, I have probably told you before so... consider this a crucial "Second Witness":

    Ever since 2004 - when I first began reading the writings of people online - I've been saying that the vast majority of self-described "writers" are merely "typing" and have no discernible writing talent at all.

    YOU, my friend, are quite the opposite. Although I have never read any of the books you have published - but only your blog bits - it is easy to see that YOU are truly a God-gifted writer.

    I won't mention her name, but of ALL the Blog Buddies I have known, there is only ONE other person (aside from you) whom I would classify as a truly God-gifted "writer". And keep in mind that I have encountered *HUNDREDS* of bloggers since 2008, when I first began my first blog.

    dIEDRE, whether "this world" ever recognizes it or not, you are truly a person gifted by God with a capacity to write... meaningfully.

    ~ D-FensDogG
    STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS

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    1. ADDENDUM:

      Uhp! I'm an idiot!!

      As I was getting ready to hit the sack last night, suddenly another blogging friend of mine, who is most definitely a very, very talented writer, popped into my mind.

      So, make that three o' youse, instead of just two (whom I'm aware of). Nevertheless, it's still an ultra-small club of which you are a member!

      ~ D-FensDogG
      'STEPHEN T. McCARTHY REVIEWS...'

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    2. Aw, you do say the sweetest things, Stephen T!
      And thanks for the "September" link. It was definitely the mindset of one fateful summer and several seasons that followed ;-)
      Cheers to National Iced Tea Day!

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