Welcome readers, writers, authors, and bloggers!
It’s
Recovering Coffee (caffeine) Addict Month. Good luck, everybody. I refuse to
recover ;-) In fact, in honor of National Coffee with a Cop Day, I may just
haunt a couple of coffee shops later on. And here’s a new one (on me, anyway):
today is the 11th annual National You Matter to Me Day…because everyone matters to someone. I feel like I need to make a few phone calls
today ;-)
For the
tenth time this year it’s the First Wednesday of the month when we celebrate IWSG Day, in the form of a blog hop featuring
all of the members of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. Founded by Alex Cavanaugh and fostered by like-minded associates, IWSG is a place to
share the awesome views and exciting news that occurs along our fascinating
writing journeys. Pull up a chair and join us!
Our awesome co-hosts for the
October 7 posting of the IWSG are Jemima Pett, Beth Camp, Beverly Stowe McClure, and Gwen Gardner!
Optional 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?
“Working Writer”
implies the writer is employed, and therefore getting paid for his/her
creativity. I can’t think of a better job than that, and it’s a safe bet it’s the
crux of every writer’s aspirations. To call writing a hobby is, frankly,
insulting. And, while not every writer
needs to be paid in order to eat, every writer does write in order to breathe.
It’s natural. If you’re nodding as you read this, you know it’s true ; - )
This was a
good question, though I’ve never met a writer who hasn’t already answered it.
If only to themselves. At that point, you might also be asking yourself WHY you
write. The following is an excerpt from an essay that won first place:
“On the message side of a postcard from Paradise, my missive could
not be simply “Wish you were here”, for my propensity for description too often
exceeds the boundaries of confined space.
I find that
writing facilitates definition, and provides an unobstructed avenue for communicating
thoughts, sharing dreams, and imparting knowledge. To describe the cacophony of
tangible senses after a southwest summer rain to the extent that the reader can
almost feel the electric humid air, smell the musky scent of creosote or hear
residual raindrops plopping on wet earth is to capture the reader’s complete
attention - and a compelling reason to write.””
I almost
didn’t submit that essay; insecurities and all. But honestly, what scares me
more than writing is the thought of not writing. How about you?
If all goes
well, the remainder of this year will be challenging, as well as incredibly productive,
since I’ve agreed to write 46 short stories by Christmas. What are your plans
for the rest of this year?
In the
meantime, have you been binging on scary movies? Which one scares you the most?
Wishing
everyone a safe and Happy Halloween!
