IWSG - April 2024 - Blog Writing

 

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 April newsletter here.

The awesome co-hosts for the January 1 posting of the IWSG are Janet Alcorn, T. Powell Coltrin, Natalie Aguirre, and Pat Garcia!

 Today’s entirely optional question: How long have you been blogging (Or on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter?)? What do you like about it, and how has it changed?

Let's talk about April, a month that holds a special place in my heart as it's National Card and Letter Writing Month. There's something magical about the concept of writing letters, isn't there? The act of putting our thoughts, emotions, and words on paper, crafting sentences as sharp as arrows dipped in indelible ink. It's a joy I can't quite put into words.

But then, you wait forever and a day for a reply. For all you know, the mail carrier moved across the nation with your letter still in his bag. I’ve never been a nail-biter, but if I was, this would be a viable reason to do so.

Instead, I give hydraulic office chairs a daily workout with incessant foot-swinging. If I’m to see over the top of the desk, I’ve got to pump the chair to its highest extent, leaving my dangling feet with nothing better to do than swing around all day until the chair surreptitiously pumps back down to chin-in-pencil-drawer height. I overheard a boss say to a coworker: “If her (meaning me) feet are swinging, words are zinging across her page.”

Blogging effectively preempts the anxiety of waiting. If communication is the goal (and it is for me), blogging is practically instant gratification! I’ve been blogging since 2012 and enjoy the connections I’ve made. I thought Facebook would be much the same, but it isn’t. I honestly don’t know anyone who really has half a million friends and family. Do you?

I haven’t noticed too many changes in blogging. Updates typically enhance the experience.  I tend to rely on my savvy blogger friends for tips on how to stay safe…

Happy writing – in any form!

P.S.

My apologies if you came by earlier while I was nursing a migraine. All is well, but these things happen sometimes. Have a fantastic IWSG Day!

IWSG November 2021 - Anticipation

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 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. One such piece of exciting news is Natalie Aguirre, spot-lighter extraordinaire, being featured on our IWSG Member Spotlight page! Check it out, and you’ll see why she is so very deserving of the honorable mention.  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: 

 Kim Lajevardi, Victoria Marie Lees, Joylene Nowell Butler, Erika Beebe, and Lee Lowery!

This month’s optional question is:

What is harder to do: coming up with your book title or writing the blurb?

I love coming up with book titles! The problem lies on the wordless page when you haven’t the faintest idea of a storyline for said title. Meanwhile, the pen in your hand hovers aimlessly; the curser blinks with the anticipation of a dog’s tail: “C’mon, lady. How about a treat? One sentence. A word, perhaps? Just one. Please?”

Thankfully, that doesn’t happen often.

If you’re writing a blurb, it’s all over but the shouting. The selling that is. And that’s where the fun begins. Think of it as a 200-word (or less) ad campaign, sort of a travel-size synopsis – for the reader, this time. You’ve already convinced the editor, the publisher. With the pressure off, you can think of your work with a satisfied smile, and when you do, you'll write your blurb that way too. Short, and enticing. I like that. One day I’ll be better at it :-)

Until again, be well and write happy.  

  

A Dog And The Rooster's Missing Page

 

Welcome readers, writers, authors, and bloggers!

We’re glad you’re here. For the sixth 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: 

 J Lenni Dorner, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, Lee Lowery, and Rachna Chhabria!

Most adages come from something experienced; “Out of the pan and into the fire”, “Birds of a feather…” For John Steinbeck “The dog ate it” was all too true when his faithful Irish setter became upset at being left alone too long and ate the entire first draft half of “Of Mice and Men” Steinbeck, who reportedly thought his dog may have been “acting critically” then spent the next two months amicably rewriting his work.

Would it matter if any or all of your work was published posthumously? It matters a great deal to some, it seems, when it comes to Steinbeck’s long-buried werewolf novel “Murder at Full Moon” Written under a pseudonym and originally rejected in 1930, the novel was all but forgotten until recently when a couple of literary academics petitioned Steinbeck’s estate for its release and were met with opposition from literary agents close to the family. The, uh, “Jury is still out” on the issue.

I can’t imagine too many scenarios more frustrating than a missing page, can you? Thankfully, my only experience has been realizing the exact page I needed had been torn out of a public phonebook. Just last week I actually groaned with dismay when an old rerun of M.A.S.H. showed the entire unit sharing one copy of an engrossing book called “The Rooster Crowed at Midnight” only to discover the last page, the one where the culprit is finally revealed, is missing! I easily understood the anguished consternation that ensued. One outraged member of the camp was even promised a trip to Fatlip, Arizona. Fatlip, Arizona?  Whoa. No need to get personal.

I mean, I gasped. I sat straighter in my chair. Was there really a town called Fatlip in Arizona? I had to know. That, my friends, is what I did for over an hour instead of working on my manuscript. Shameful, isn’t it? Except, I realized something. In all the time I’ve spent on this manuscript which revolves around activity going on nine miles up a mountain, I’ve never named the town below. Now I wonder if I even need to. Your thoughts?

Happy Writing!

IWSG May - Switching Gears for Flat Tires

 

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 14^th 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

 

Common Places - Z

 

Communal Places for Literary Enthusiasts

Z   In the late 80s, two brothers decided to create a store they’d want to shop in. The two purchased a turn-of-the-century building in downtown Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and spent a year renovating what would become the first home of Zandbroz Variety.  It opened as a bookstore featuring a coffee bar, a soda fountain, and a delightful assortment of all things writerly and creative. The Sioux Falls store was so well received, a second Zandbroz location opened in Fargo, North Dakota just a couple of years later. In addition to new, used, and classic books, both locations offer homemade caramel, stationery, pens, reading glasses, cookbooks, coloring books, candles, cards, jewelry, Story Hours for children, and author book-signings. *The Sioux Falls location offers amazing window displays. Both stores offer a wide variety of highly unique gifts, antiques, and collectibles.

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Fargo, North Dakota

 

“We read to know we are not alone.” ~ C.S. Lewis

 

Common Places - Y

 

Communal Places for Literary Enthusiasts

Y   The architecture alone is enough to invoke a gasp of awe. Perched on four corner piers, the six-story windowless building appears to hover just above ground level. Walls of translucent marble provide subdued yet sufficient light for viewing while assuring the preservation of the precious documents contained within. And that’s only the beginning.

As the second-largest academic library in North America, Yale University’s Beinecke Rare Books and Manuscripts Library goes to unimaginable lengths to protect its treasured books. It is not only under constant video surveillance; in the case of a fire, you have 30 seconds to evacuate before a lethal fire-suppressing gas floods the area. Any other threat to the priceless collection will cause the glass and metal cube structure they are encased in to drop into an underground vault which sucks all the oxygen from the air as it descends.  I’m not sure I could bring myself to touch anything, but what a magical place!

 

   “Walking the stacks in a library, running your fingers across the spines, it’s hard not to feel the presence of sleeping spirits.” ~ Robin Sloan                       

Common Places - X

 

Communal Places for Literary Enthusiasts

X   Xenia Carnegie Library, Ohio  - Attended by everyone who was anyone, the public opening in 1906 was a grand affair brought about by a small group of literary enthusiasts who asked for and obtained a grant from the Andrew Carnegie Library program. As electricity was not yet widely available, construction of the Xenia library included usage of cut-glass material for the second floor so that light from the roof dome would illuminate both floors.  By 1920, additional library branches were added across the county, and a bookmobile was purchased to transport books between them.  A tornado in 1974 caused significant damage to the original building and destroyed thousands of books. Repairs were made on the roof and stained glass dome, but in 1978 the (original) Xenia Carnegie Library was deemed “too small for the growing community” and shuttered as a new and more modern library building was completed downtown. With the honorable persistence of volunteers from the Carnegie Historic district, the original building was entered into the National Registry of Historic Places in 2015.

“A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.” ~ Andrew Carnegie

 

Common Places - W

 

Communal Places for Literary Enthusiasts

W  The oldest library (1885) in Indiana is still quenching literary thirsts in Evansville while attracting the attention of paranormal enthusiasts nationwide. In fact, ghost cams are set up throughout the Victorian Gothic-style building so that at-home ghost hunters might catch a glimpse of what goes on inside the historic Willard Library.   Considered to be one of the most haunted libraries in the United States, it was “The Grey Lady” who made the Willard library famous. Believed to be the daughter of the library founder, the Grey Lady seems reluctant to leave the building, though it wasn’t left to her in her father’s will. After being featured on “Ghost Hunters,” the library began offering annual tours around Halloween (of course!). On Halloween night of 1999 so many people tried to access the library ghost cams that all internet service to and from Evansville crashed.

“Believe nothing you hear, and only one half that you see,” ~ Edgar Allen Poe

Common Places - U

 

Communal Places for Literary Enthusiasts

U  Highly acclaimed and declared the oldest independent bookstore in Dublin, Books Upstairs (I couldn’t resist!) is just as described; upstairs, in a vintage Georgian building that “feels like a house” as you wander the well-stocked rooms. With an emphasis on humanities, especially Irish literature, poetry, culture, and history, Books Upstairs proudly offers the best in Irish and international literature. There are bargains to be found in the basement. Friendly, dedicated staff members are eager to assist in any way  - even if it’s only to steer you to the narrow staircase that leads to a lovely literary café that serves banana bread and so much more in an authentic tea-time atmosphere. Be advised there is no Wi-Fi or phones allowed because they encourage engaging conversation or tranquil reading.  However, (groan) do check ahead for current hours of operation as they’ve been under strict pandemic restrictions.

“Books are not made for furniture, but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house” ~ Henry Ward Beecher

Common Places - T

 

Communal Places for Literary Enthusiasts

T   Title Wave Books in Anchorage, Alaska, is the largest bookstore in Alaska and one of the biggest used bookstores in the country! Inventory changes daily as they buy, sell and trade gently-used books, movies, vinyl LPs, audiobooks, and music CDs. Free events include weekly Writer’s Critique Club meetings, Go Club meetings, Chess and Scrabble game nights, and bi-weekly Children’s Storytime. * Event schedules may vary during the pandemic.

“You’re never alone when you’re reading a book.” Susan Wiggs

Common Places - S

 

Communal Places for Literary Enthusiasts

S   Modestly self-proclaimed as a “general bookstore,” Skylight Books in the historic Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles is all that and so much more.  Curated literary selections range from fiction and children’s books to California history, social science, art, music, and movies. Their events program is nationally recognized and features prominent touring authors and local favorites and debuts. You can also become a Friend with Benefits member or join the Signed First Edition Club. But, wait! There’s more. They even offer book bouquets for children’s birthdays and a bouquet of poetry books for Poetry Month.

 

“Some books leave us free and some books make us free.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Common Places - R

 

Communal Places for Literary Enthusiasts

R    RiverRun Books has a website for ordering books and gift cards, but they’d much rather you come on in and “browse and buy” hand-picked new and used books at their store located at 32 Daniel Street in Portsmouth, NH. They are open full-time again and are ready to recommend your next favorite book. They even have their own publishing project called Piscataqua Press – in case you’ve written someone else’s next favorite book ;-) Oh! If by chance you’ve worn out your old typewriter, they’ll sell you a new one or repair the old one.

 

“You never have to change anything you got up in the middle of the night to write” ~ Saul Bellow

Common Places - Q

 

Communal Places for Literary Enthusiasts

Q   Self-described as a Giftery, Bookery, and a Chocolaterie, The Queen Bee Bookstore in the tight-knit community of Ogden, Utah supports its local schools and the Treehouse Children’s Museum. In addition to selling consigned wares by local artists and artisans, and hosting author events and chocolate tastings. Yes, you read that right, chocolate tastings!

 

Thought to be the oldest library in the world, al Qarawiyyin Library in Fez, Morroco first opened in 859 CE as part of a complex comprised of a library, a university, and a Mosque.  Much later, the library was closed for several decades to all but a few scholars and students of the adjacent Qarawiyyin University due to extensive water damage by rain run-off from the roof of the next-door Mosque (also named Qarawiyyin). When renovations began in 2012, an underground canal was built below the floors to assuage the water problem. A new Lab was added to assist in the refurbishment; treat, preserve and digitize a few of the oldest texts - some written on camel skin! Much to the surprise and delight of scholars and workers alike, secret rooms and ancient artifacts were discovered during the lengthy renovation. While restoration efforts continue, one entire wing opened to the public in 2017, featuring an exhibition room and a café.

 

“In a good bookroom you feel in some mysterious way that you are absorbing the wisdom contained in all the books through your skin without even opening them” ~ Mark Twain

Common Places - O

 

Communal Places for Literary Enthusiasts

O   Voted the best Locally Owned (Independent) Bookstore in uptown New Orleans in 2020, Octavia Books remains open (with restrictions) and ready to entertain with numerous events, and inspire with endless choices for every passionate reader. Quiet areas are provided to enhance the experience of serendipitous pleasures found in the company of books. Extensive browsing is encouraged!

“Bookstores, like libraries, are the physical manifestation of the wide world’s longest, most thrilling conversation” ~ Richard Russo

Common Places - N

 

Communal Places for Literary Enthusiasts

N  The largest and oldest of five libraries in the Bahamas, Nassau Public Library and Museum once housed the city’s entire criminal population when the octagonal building served as a prison. The passing of the Nassau Public Library act in 1847 saw the atmospheric transformation of a rowdy reformatory into a remarkable repository of historic maps, documents, artifacts, as well as newer books of higher education. Refreshing breezes waft through ground floor windows near quiet reading areas. The second and third floors offer spectacular ocean views above tall palms - however, word on the winds is that while the doors may have closed for the last time in 2018, everything inside was left as it was - just in case.

 

 

   Northwind Book & Fiber is a combination independent bookstore and fine yarn shop in Spooner, Wisconsin. Other features include a consignment gallery of local art and jewelry, in addition to toys, games, and puzzles.

 

More than a store, it’s an experience!

“I love walking into a bookstore. It’s like all my friends are sitting on shelves, waving their pages at me” ~ Tahereh Mafi

Common Places - L

 

Communal Places for Literary Enthusiasts

L  When Antonio La Cava, a retired school teacher in Basilcata, Italy, realized a need for children to access books, he transformed his three-wheeler into what he calls the Bibliomotocarro (possibly Italy’s smallest library) to deliver books to children in remote communities.

“Without a book, so often a child is alone” ~ Antonio La Cava

  Fun Fact: Benjamin Franklin started his own Lending Library in 1731 (Philadelphia) called the Library Company (he served as a librarian), but it required a subscription fee of 40 shillings. Later, in 1790, one of the oldest libraries in the country opened in Franklin, Massachusetts where residents could borrow books donated by – you guessed it - Benjamin Franklin.