One book leads to another...

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

IWSG - June 2022 A Place at the Table


Welcome readers, writers, authors, and bloggers!

We’re glad you’re here! 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 author Alex Cavanaugh (Thank you, Captain!) 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. Check out the June newsletter here.  Perusing the many tips and resources offered here is definitely worthwhile and highly rewarding, so pull up a comfy chair, or better yet -  join us!

Our awesome co-hosts for this month's posting of the IWSG are:  SE White, Cathrina Constantine, Natalie Aguire, Joylene Nowell Butler, and Jacqui Murray!

This month’s optional question is:  When the going gets tough writing the story, how do you keep yourself writing to the end? If you have not started the writing yet, why do you think that is and what do you think could help you find your groove and start?

Actually, I think I’ve finished the final chapter of my last WIP. But that’s the problem, I only think so.  I think it’s time for fresh eyes. Do you ever feel that way?

It’s fairly breezy here in the woods as I write. At times it’s as if an onery angel is determined to smother the splendor of spring in celebratory yellowcake dust.  I hope we don’t have another pollen squall while I’m out here. Moreover, I hope I remember to save my post before slamming my laptop closed if we do. But, isn’t technology fantastic? I learned a valuable lesson about the importance of page numbers after once having to chase loose papers, snatched away by a gust of wind and strewn all over the yard. Gone are the days of using writing utensils as flyswatters, in case they land in the dog’s water bowl 😊 My only concern today is having to plug in my laptop before I’m ready to go inside, and what will become of the little black ant that ambled across my keyboard letters A through D before slipping under the F? Might words like fluffy, flaffler, and carfuffle be the death of him?

In an article in last week’s issue of Publishing Trends, I read (among other topics, of course) that women readers and (more to the point) women writers over the age of 45 are being dismissed by the very industry we support and rely on. I’m just going to pretend I didn’t read that and that the unacceptable practice is gone like trash after collection day. Chances are it will be. Especially considering recent campaigns aimed at streamlining the page-to-screen pipeline whereby authors are increasingly the people Hollywood wants to be friends with. Granted, not everyone has jumped on the bandwagon…yet. But it’s nice to imagine a time when authors have a significant place at the (screen) publishing table.

It's Audiobook appreciation Month! Have you created one yet? I’m not yet convinced, but I’m getting there. Do you check out free audio samples before choosing what to read next?

Don’t miss the full Strawberry moon on the 14th

Until again, be happy, and write well!

  

26 comments:

  1. That poor ant...
    It shouldn't matter who writes a book if it's good, right?

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    1. Hi, Alex!

      Haha, right?
      I agree, it shouldn't matter ;-)

      Delete
  2. That's not good to hear--about over 45 women being dismissed. Sigh. It never ends.

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    1. All the more reason to write our hearts out and publish every page!

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  3. Ah, breezy woods. Sounds wonderful. But we have a lot of pollen, as well, and everyone has seasonal allergies.

    As a woman north of 45, I've observed that trend in most industries and professions.

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    1. Hi Lee!
      Despite all the cake dust, allergies weren't an issue this time. But fire restrictions were a drag - and a worry. Still beautiful, though ;-)
      I began to feel the arctic winds of ageism towards the end of 26 years (various jobs) at the same place and knew it was time, my turn, for a change. I've not looked back or slowed down ever since. I guess that's why I'm so blissfully unaware of disregard ;-)

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  4. An entertainment industry ignoring women over 45? Heck, *any* industry ignoring women over 45? Color me surprised. I do appreciate that obnoxious men ignore me now. I haven't been catcalled since I was 40, and it's wonderful. Let's hear it for practical invisibility :-)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Janet!
      I was surprised as well. How ignored could we be if we don't even notice ?
      "Practical invisibility," I like that ;-)

      Delete
  5. Hi diedre, I'm making my way back to the Blogosphere and hope it sticks, this time. ☺

    Typing away in the breezy woods sounds like an ideal setup, minus the pollen and battery issues, of course. Congrats on finishing (or not?) your WIP!

    Ageism is alive and well, pretty much everywhere, although there have been glimmers of change. You see more older actors on screen these days.

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    1. Hi Debbie!
      Welcome back! Long as it is not snowing, I always love the woods. None of us had allergy problems for a change ;-)
      "Women may be the one group that grows more radical with age," according to Gloria Steinem. I'm good with that ;-)
      See you soon!

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  6. I didn't know women writers over 45 were being discounted. That's not good news.

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    1. Hi Natalie!
      I didn't either - ha! I guess Eleanor Roosevelt was onto something when she said "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent,"

      Delete
  7. Over 40? I've been over 40 for decades and I've never heard of such a thing as being discounted. I know if you're not writing what the current theme, you're in for heartache, but being 40. Who cares how old a female writer is? The older, generally the better writer. I would think. Great post, Diedre. You've got me thinking. Which isn't as easy as it used to be. LOL.

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    1. Hi Joylene!
      I hadn't heard of it either. I don't know why age would be an issue anyway, unless in terms of wisdom ;-) But singling out women (if true) is obnoxious. "Individually, we are one drop. Together we are the ocean," right?

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  8. Hi Diedre - life goes on doesn't it - we'll show them ... but I'd love to be outside writing under a tree canopy - poor little ant ... perhaps he just moved on to finer Ps and Qs? Mind you some little spider might sit down beside you, and frighten you away and then where would we be?! Cheers and enjoy the writing - Hilary

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    1. Hi Hilary!

      I never did see the ant again, but I do hope he made it out safely ;-)
      A spider would definitely startle me, but I only run from bats and scorpions ;-)
      Happy June, my dear.

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  9. I hope that trend you read about gets tossed out, too. The world would be much better off if women over 40 were in charge of everything. Enjoy your woods, and I hope the ant escaped.

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  10. Fresh eyes always help! Sometimes it does me good to put a story away for a few months then return to it.

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  11. Well, as one of the over-forty female writers, it's unsettling to know I'm being discounted. I think we need to form a coalition and take up arms.

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    1. Hi, Lee!
      Haha! I agree. We can weaponize confidence ;-)

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    2. Perfect. I believe in justice, so when a cause appears that needs some, I'm in.

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  12. HiYa, dIEDRE, my friend! ~

    >>... "I learned a valuable lesson about the importance of page numbers after once having to chase loose papers, snatched away by a gust of wind and strewn all over the yard.

    Ha! That made me COL! (Chuckle-Out-Loud!)
    I could imagine myself in that same situation: You mean I have to read MY OWN WRITING in order to put these pages back in order?! Aww, fuhgeddaboudit! I'll just start a new story.

    >>... "My only concern today is having to plug in my laptop before I’m ready to go inside, and what will become of the little black ant that ambled across my keyboard letters A through D before slipping under the F? Might words like fluffy, flaffler, and carfuffle be the death of him?"

    So clever! Only YOU could come up with something like that!

    dIEDRE, in response to a comment above, I read where you replied with this: "A spider would definitely startle me, but I only run from bats and scorpions."

    Until yesterday afternoon, I would have said this about myself: "A snake or scorpion would definitely startle me, but I only run from spiders."

    But at about 2:30 PM yesterday, I was exploring a deep, old miners' cave at the end of a hike in the mountains. Suddenly, I saw this gigantic bat flying around in front of me. And when I say gigantic, I mean it looked like the size of a goose or stork! (I have no idea what he's eating in that cave, but he's definitely eating A LOT of it!)

    When this bat decided to fly directly toward me, I turned to run so fast that I tripped over a rock or a wooden plank on the ground, fell and landed on a pile or rocks which gashed my left hand and wrist open.

    Therefore, here's my updated statement:
    "A snake or scorpion would definitely startle me, but I only run from spiders... and bats."

    ~ D-FensDogG

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    1. Hi there, Stephen T.!

      Gasp! Don’t tell me you’ve seen my handwriting. It really is awful. In my defense (if there is one) I’m a left-handed klutz who’s managed to break both my left wrist and shoulder. Penmanship never had a chance ;-)

      I thought being pounded to death by the letter F key might be a legitimate worry for the little ant.

      Yay you for getting back on the hiking trail! But, gads, what a fright you had. You didn’t damage your writing hand, did you? Are you sure that was a bat? Could it have been an owl? A bat would probably sleep through a daytime visitor but an owl might come charging out – not unlike the ruthless spear-chucker of the bug world; the scorpion that (I swear) stalks around with its weapon always raised. I keep half a can of Raid and a 5 lb. bookend handy; for peace of mind.

      You take your phone on hikes, right? Do you ever come up with new ideas for BOTB while you’re out there?

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    2. Happy Saturday, dIEDRE! ~

      >>... You didn’t damage your writing hand, did you?

      Nope, I didn't hurt my drinking hand; I hurted my left hand [Link> SEE?

      >>... Are you sure that was a bat? Could it have been an owl? A bat would probably sleep through a daytime visitor but an owl might come charging out

      Definitely a bat - a BIG bat! I got a too-up-close and personal look at it.

      I think what happened is that when I removed the wooden planks over the cave opening to enter [Link> HERE, I also let in some light, which aroused the big bat from its slumber. It was apparently sleeping fairly close to the opening. Then, when it woke up, it was very discomBATulated, and started flying around in a frenzy - at one point directly at me. And in my superhuman haste to leave, I fell down, went Boom!, and hurted myself.

      This was, I believe, my fourth (and last) expedition into that cave. It splits into two tunnels and I've explored both tunnels completely to their conclusions, so there's no real need to go in there again. (Not that I'm a-skeered o' bats, ya un'erstan'?!)

      Below are some other photos I've taken in that cave during previous hikes up that mountain:

      [Link> Joe's Cave - 1

      [Link> Joe's Cave - 2

      [Link> Joe's Cave - 3 - Lookin' back.

      [Link> Joe's Cave - 4 - Where it splits apart.

      [Link> Joe's Cave - 5 - Where angels fear too tread, but the foolish go right ahead.

      [Link> Joe's Cave - 6 - Not the biggest rat I've seen in there, but still pert-dern big!

      [Link> Joe's Cave - 7 - Last year's exploration injury.

      [Link> Joe's Cave - 8 - Wild horses (near the cave) couldn't drag me back in.

      >>... Do you ever come up with new ideas for BOTB while you’re out there?

      I can't recall any BOTB ideas I've had while hiking, but I've come up with a few ideas in saloons AFTER hiking.

      ~ D-FensDogG

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    3. Loved the pictures! I've never been inside a such as the one you found. Looks like bonafide hallways missing only strategically placed hurricane lamps ;-) Compared to Colossal and Kartchner caves near me, this one is in a league of its own. I'm going to save the picture of the wild horses - it's awesome!

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Any thoughts? Join the conversation, comments welcome here!