IWSG June 2024

 

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 members and guests of the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Founded by author Alex Cavanaugh (Thank you, Captain!) and fostered by like-minded associates, IWSG is a comfortable place to share views and literary news as we record our journeys. Check out the June newsletter here.

The awesome co-hosts for this month’s posting of the IWSG are:  Liza at Middle Passages, Shannon Lawrence, Melissa Maygrove, and Olga Godim!

 Today’s entirely optional question: In this constantly evolving industry, what kind of service do you think IWSG should consider offering to members?

Oh, I don’t know. In addition to tons of helpful tricks, tips, and references, and all the support a writer could wish for? Hmm… Snap! Coffee delivery and some dog treats – no treats for me, though. I’m trying to quit.

Chocolate puddles

 I should tell you right now; however, I’ll be a little slower with my responses this month as one of our (aforementioned dogs) girls has surgery tomorrow to remove the small growth that blossomed into the size of a small loaf of bread on her skinny little leg. Right, welcome to our little house of horrors. Kidding aside, she should be fine. Doc says this is normal (de mi.)

But I digress. Getting back to the question of the month, and not that I think our group is lacking in any way – it’s not, and I love this group! But how about a suggestion box? A monthly writing prompt? 

It’s Audiobook Appreciation Month! Who among us has published an audiobook?

Looking forward to reading your posts, fellow writers!

Happy June!

A grownup butt dials his childhood phone number.

Guess who answers?

(screencraft.org)

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 14^th

Until again, be happy, and write well!

  

IWSG April Scouts and Shouts

 

 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 April 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: Joylene Nowell Butler, Jemima Pett, Patricia Josephine, Louise - Fundy Blue, and Kim Lajevardi!

This month’s optional question is:  Have any of your books been made into audiobooks? If so, what is the main challenge in producing an audiobook?

Not yet. But (funny, you should ask) I’ve been looking into the possibility lately. Here’s what I know: It’s much more expensive than I’d imagined. Even if your book is narrator-ready and reads like a finely honed script, a professional narrator can charge anywhere from $28 to $480 per hour. To be fair, these people are impressive! You can listen to samples at Upwork.com or Voices.com. Or, you can ask a friend who sounds the most like Allan Arbus if he’s got any extra time on his hands and upload your completed project to Amazon Audible or Apple. That’s as far as I got on my half-hearted scout for information.  

In honor of National Poetry Month:

"The roofs are shining from the rain,
The sparrows twitter as they fly,
And with a windy April grace
The little clouds go by.
Yet the back yards are bare and brown
With only one unchanging tree--
I could not be so sure of Spring
Save that it sings in me."
-  Sara Teasdale, April

 

And a new release from our fearless leader, Alex Cavanaugh:

Congratulations, Captain!