Welcome
readers, writers, authors, and bloggers!
For the
fifth 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 fabulous views and exciting news that occurs along our fascinating
writing journeys. Pull up a chair and join us!
Our awesome co-hosts for
this month's posting of the IWSG are:
Erika Beebe, PJ Colando, Tonja Drecker, Sadira Stone, and Cathrina Constantine!
I know I say
this every year, but that's because it bears repeating – It's National Get Caught Reading Month! I'm reading my
14th book (so far) this year. What are you reading?
Before long,
I'll get back to writing again. Unlike my previous work, I'm writing as a Planner rather than a Panster. But here's the thing; I wrote
the first seven or eight chapters as a panster. But that was before life (never
to be outdone) lobbed tiny hardballs of hardships and sudden halleluiahs. Oh yes, and COVID. It's relatively easy to
get back to reading after a distraction or two. Distractions while writing had
the effect of letting the air out of my tires.
Now that
kids are, for the most part, back in school, distractions are fewer. Switching
to planning as part of my Plan B was just what I needed to get rolling again
;-) By the way, May is Homeschool
awareness Month, though I'm fairly certain few are unaware.
Have you ever switched
gears?
On this day
in 1816, a poem by an as yet unknown writer was published in a local weekly
paper. The sonnet and those that followed fueled deep admiration for the young
romantic lyric poet whose reputation continued to grow long after his early
demise. His first publication could easily be my favorite:
"To
Solitude" by John Keats
This month's IWSG optional question is:
Has any of
your readers ever responded to your writing in a way that you didn't expect? If
so, did it surprise you?
Since
I write with no expectations, I'm pretty much always surprised ;-)
Happy Mother's Day!
"Usually, the triumph of my day is, you know,
everyone making it to the potty." ~ Julia Roberts
Hi Diedre - love the sentiments expressed here - it's changing up and gears as life changes ... I suspect I'll plod along and I'm just happy to receive comments. Solitude - I think suits me ... but I lose time - but I am so glad I'm not in the middle of a gloomy, grimy city - I feel for those who are. All the best - Hilary
ReplyDeleteHi Hilary!
DeleteI believe Keats was right in thinking that one can thrive in solitude, given pleasant surroundings.
Thanks for coming by, Hilary. I can't wait to read what you write next.
Pretty much always surprised - I like that answer!
ReplyDeleteHi Alex!
DeleteI'm not much for jump-scares, but I do like surprises ;-)
I'm trying to move into being more of a planner too. Hope you continue to have less distractions so you can continue in your writing.
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie!
DeleteWe should compare notes ;-) My only worry is that planning might be an obligatory umbrella when I want to dance in the rain. I guess there will always be puddles...
See you soon!
My advice is, if your umbrella blocks too much of the rain, don't be afraid to turn it upside down every once in a while. ;)
DeleteI'm a pantser who thought I was kind of a planner, but realized all my planning happens in revision.
Planning in revision makes sense - thanks, JEN!
DeletedIEDRE ~
ReplyDelete>>... I'm reading my 14th book (so far) this year. What are you reading?
Although I've been a voracious reader since the Summer between 5th and 6th grade, and an independent thinker since April of 1994, in 2018, I read back-to-back the books 'PROGRAMMED TO KILL' (by David McGowan) and 'THE FRANKLIN SCANDAL' (by Nick Bryant). The disgust I felt about what those two books taught me turned me off from reading ANYTHING... except for 'The Holy Bible'. And except for 'The Holy Bible', I didn't read a single book in 2019 (a first for me since probably 1968) nor in 2020.
I started reading again this year, and so far I've finished three books: 'IT HAPPENED IN NEVADA: Remarkable Events That Shaped History' by Elizabeth Gibson; 'THE 1988 DODGERS: Reliving The Championship Season' by K.P. Wee; and 'DISNEYLAND HOTEL: The Early Years, 1954-1988' by Donald Ballard.
The next book I read will be either 'VAS YOU EVER IN ZINZINNATI?' by Dick Perry; 'SAINT JOSEPH OF WISCONSIN' by M.S. King; or 'MY MEMORIES OF THE COMSTOCK: An Eye-Witness Account Of The Richest Place On Earth' by Harry Gorham.
>>... This month's IWSG optional question is:
Has any of your readers ever responded to your writing in a way that you didn't expect? If so, did it surprise you?
Is that a trick question?
Am I supposed to reply, "No, they hasn't."?
And if my readers responded "in a way that I didn't expect", isn't the "surprise" already implied?
I'm just being snarkastic. I know that these grammatically-challenged questions did NOT originate with you. But... whom did wrote them questions?! ;^D
~ Stephen
D-FensDogG of the
Loyal American Underground
Howdy Stephen T.!
Delete"It Happened in Nevada" sounds like a fantastic read! Thanks for the tip.
Snarkastic? My first experience with that word caused me to completely drop a word from my vocabulary - and I had yet to understand the meaning of snark. True story. But, you're right. I had to override that in my grammar app ;-)
Carson City must be good for you! Take care.
I try to write with no expectations. Results may vary. I learned the hard way that seeking approval tends to lead to bad ends.
ReplyDeleteHi Ornery Owl!
DeleteWe're never going to please everyone. No big deal. May your coat be made of duck feathers that keep sour water from your skin ;-) And don't stop writing. Ever.
As someone who was traditionally homeschooled, I had to tell people that what they thought was homeschool was actually virtual public school. There's a big difference. Glad to hear things are opening up again.
ReplyDeleteWhat am I reading? A political humor book written in the 80s. The jokes are dated.
Hi JEN,
DeleteTrue, there is a big difference. And what passed for virtual "school" seldom had much to do with learning. No wonder the kids feel like they've been slighted. We'll all be grateful for normalcy :-)
Happy reading!
I'm glad planning has helped you to get the ball rolling again.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Chrys!
Delete