IWSG Dec 2020 Inspiration and Wreckage

 

Welcome readers, writers, authors, and bloggers!

For the last 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:   Pat Garcia, Sylvia Ney, Liesbet @ Roaming About Cathrina Constantine, and Natalie Aguirre! 

 

‘The most beautiful stories always start with wreckage.” ~ Jack London

If the quote above holds true, we writers have our work cut out for us after the year we’ve had. I predict a large number of epic novels will hit the shelves next year. Yet, 2020 is the last thing I want to write about just now. I don’t even want to think about it.  

Truth is my inspiration bucket, for a time, seemed to have sprung a leak.

Detecting my reluctance to embrace any festivities relating to holidays this year, a dear friend of mine reminded me of how pleasing it is to gaze at the lights on the tree. And that’s all it took to get the spirit of Christmas once again glowing in my heart.  Whew! That was close.

Now I can think about dragging out boxes of ornaments and lights, a golden sleigh for elves and gnomes and other Christmas sprites. Summer dust will soon be gone, replaced with cotton ‘snow,’ and every single power strip will be in use, I know. Red vines hang like crimson fronds within a tiny scene where ribbon candy waterfalls spill in taffy ponds; a shadowboxed delight to share the stage beside the tree we’ll gaze upon each night.

With any luck, I’ll find that elusive treetop star I look for every year ;-) If not, I ran across an enchanting treetop gnome with a green scarf that perfectly matches our ceramic Christmas pickle ornament (whosoever finds it first gets a reward!)

Otherwise, in answer to this month’s question:  Are there months or times of the year when you are more productive with your writing?

I tend to write a lot in January, after the holiday rush. It’s a real good running (writing) start for the year. I like writing during and after rainstorms when rainbows bend and stretch. And sunsets that compel description. Sunrises tend to set the pace for the day and have been known to completely derail any previous plans I might have had before the “big idea” and that first cup of coffee. Good times ;-)

Happy writing and Merry Christmas, everyone!

 

“Christmas is the day that holds all time together,” ~ Alexander Smith

You Don't Say

Welcome Readers and fellow Writers, to the January 2019 online meeting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Founded by author Alex Cavanaugh and comprised of writing members just like you (and me), featuring writing tips, resources, articles, contests, and IWSG swag! See what we’re all talking about here and join us as we share our writing journeys.

*We meet on the first Wednesday of every month – join us and enjoy!

Visit our gracious Co-hosts, and let them know you’re here: Patricia Lynne, Lisa Buie-Collard, Kim Lajevardi, and Fundy Blue!

Season’s Greetings, Everyone!

I had quite the ‘other worldly’ Christmas this year. 

This season, we traveled in hopes of a glimpse of “the white stuff” for Christmas. What began as dainty angel socks dropping softly to the ground gradually turned into a scene that this life-long desert dweller could only describe as (insert emoji) WOW! At one point, someone said “Where’s Lucy?” and we all swallowed hard.

Evidently, friends and family really enjoy the use of emoticons as they often share with me their latest reasons to laugh uproariously – or sigh in disgust. This puts a rather exciting new spin on “Show, don’t tell,” don’t you think?  It’s the way everyone communicates these days, and entirely acceptable - unless you want a publisher to take your work seriously. While there are a handful of editors who use them sparingly, most explain the usage as tools to alleviate “the sting” (ouch!). When pestered for an opinion on the subject, one of my editors replied with a question I doubt I’ll soon forget: “Are you a writer or an illustrator?”

But aren’t those expressive little symbols irresistible? The trouble is that it takes me longer to find just the right one than it does to formulate in writing the thoughts or feelings I want to convey. Do you ever feel that way?

How is your writing journey looking for 2019? Will you begin or finish that project that so absorbs your every thought?

Oh, by the way, Lucy’s dilemma was only temporary. All we had to do was rattle a box of Cheez-its 😉

Happy Writing!

Thinking Above Chance

Happy Holidays, Everyone! Tis the perfect season for memories in the making as cherished traditions are observed or newly introduced, savored - and stored for use in future writing projects  - for which we can sharpen our amazing writing skills on with any of the many great resources offered by the Insecure Writers Support Group, founded by Alex Cavanaugh, right here and right now on this first Wednesday of the month, when IWSG members convene through blogging, Facebook, and Twitter to talk about whatever is on our writing minds and agendas. See what we’re all talking about here.

I think about writing all the time, especially when I can’t. Sometimes I think about writing when I shouldn’t; as in, to the point of distracting me from what I should be doing – for instance, working. I didn’t have to look incredibly deep to understand this preoccupation; it’s simply how I’d rather be occupied. It’s on my Bucket list ;-)

But there’s more, and I think you’ll relate, there are things we know and feel non-consciously before or without, consciously realizing it. This was discovered by a panel of psychology, science and computer science experts intent on proving – or dis-proving – the timelessly tantalizing ‘powers’ of the Ouija board game who found that the accuracy of answers rested solely on belief. Because each player believed that something mysterious could happen, each player was then able to channel their non-conscious, inner-self and thereby think above chance to reach the most knowledgeable, or at least plausible, answer.

Of interesting note is that this exercise only worked with two or more participants, perhaps a demonstration of the old ‘Safety in numbers’ adage? If so, we’re in the right place; here at Insecure Writers Support Group! 

As for the optional question of the month,

“As you look back on 2017, with all its successes and failures, if you could backtrack, what would you do differently?”

What a year it’s been! In retrospect, I would believe more and expect less ;-) How about you?

Are you a neighborhood decoration dominator?

Strange and Mysterious History

IWSG Holiday Frenzies!

December arrived with a bone-chilling wind out west this year. I gaze at a dozen summer plumped Dove huddling on a weaving ocotillo branch, and wonder how long before it snaps. Everything has its limits – including me.  And that’s basically what’s on my mind today, this first Wednesday of the month when IWSG members convene through blogging, Facebook and Twitter to talk about whatever is on our writing minds and agendas. See what we’re all talking about here.

By design or curious coincidence, the Question of the Month: “In terms of your writing career, where do you see yourself in 5 years, and how do you plan to get there?” is perfectly timed for the week of ‘National Write a Business Plan Month’! 

Where do I begin when the trouble seems to lie in finishing what I’ve started? 

Five books, five years and who knows what in between. Sounds doable, but something has to give. My day job? Nah, I like the money. Writing? No way! Socializing? But I love it…

Perhaps it’s the holiday frenzies! Right now I delight in the dazzling displays, the renewed sense of hope and plans being made, the promise of bright smiles, big hugs, and good cheer. The roaring blaze can wait, I think, while I enjoy the kindling warmth of the season.

So if I don’t get around as much as I’d like in the next few weeks, know that you’re not far from my thoughts or my insatiable interest and that I wish the happiest of holidays to one and all!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

What was the greatest gift you ever received in a small package?