IWSG October 2025 Favorites

 

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 our monthly newsletter here.

The awesome co-hosts for this month’s posting of the IWSG are: Beth Camp, Crystal Collier, and Cathrina Constantine!

 Today’s entirely optional question: What is the most favorite thing you have written, published or not? And why?      

Great question! And an easy one as well, since one book in particular has been on my mind like a jumping bean; “Me! Pick me!” and in my heart with love everlasting for the little guy for and about whom it was written. The little guy is eighteen now, and while he’s still as curious as he was at two, his Nana doesn’t share every new discovery ;-)

I love everything I’ve written. Not for the purpose of selling them, though some actually have. Sold, that is. I’ve given away more poems than I can count. I dearly love the act of writing. From start to eventual finish, it’s being on my own adventure where all my favorite characters are invited to accompany me. Writing Beanie’s Backyard was my way of chronologically savoring adventures that I was fortunate to accompany him on ;-)

I’m looking forward to your thoughts on favorites.

Happy Writing!

 

IWSG February 5th 2025

 

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 December newsletter here.

The awesome co-hosts for this month’s posting of the IWSG are:   Joylene Nowell Butler, Louise Barbour, and Tyrean Martinson!

 Today’s entirely optional question: Is there a story or a book you’ve written that you wish you could go back and change?

Hmm…I wish I had more illustrations of all the adventures Beanie had in his Backyard. However, as the inspiration for Beanie turns 18 years old today, I have to say I wouldn’t – couldn’t change a thing ;-)

 I didn’t meet my favorite illustrator until I wrote about a well-meaning kleptomaniac canine named Wilson, who charms an Ostrich in a hardware store parking lot into joining him as he playfully terrorizes the entire small town of Sawdust.

Of course, by the time I finished describing how easily love blossomed between a couple of teenage kids as they tried to keep the discovery of an old wooden chest full of American coins and keys unearthed by the tides on a beach in Mexico a secret, I knew I had the most outstanding title ever! Maybe even a choice between TWO of the most outstanding titles ever! And I didn’t use either one. Yeah, I’m kind of kicking the dirt over it – but the story is still fantastic (naturally, I think so, right?), and I’d wanted the title to be as well.

I anticipate at least a few changes as I fine-tooth several short stories I’d like to use in an upcoming collection of Stories for Children. I think I’ll let someone else choose a title ;-)

Must get back to planning the event of the year (?) I’m not so sure I didn’t skip my 18^th birthday.

Have a wonderful February, everyone!

Happy Writing!

 

 

Moon Shadowed

Welcome Readers and fellow Writers, to the April 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:  J.H. Moncrieff, Natalie Aguirre, Patsy Collins, and Chemist Ken!

April is National Poetry Month! 

Did you know the oldest American picture book is still in print? That’s right, and it’s all about cats!  While there are probably millions of newer books in circulation, the point is that good old fashioned print books still beat out E-books every time at story time. As I recall, the turning of a page was as exciting as what might be on the next – before the age of Kindle; which, by the way, is also a term for a group of kittens by the same cat mom ;-)

The optional IWSG question of the month is: “If you could use a wish to help you write one scene/chapter of your book, which one would it be?”  My wish would be to interview a hypnotist, and I think that’s just what I’ll do – thanks for asking!

Best wishes to all who’ve signed up for the 10^th annual April A to Z Challenge! Having participated in a few, I can honestly say it is one of the most exhilarating (as well as rewarding), and all around fun writing exercises, I’ve ever experienced. In fact, I’d planned to sign-up for this year’s challenge, even bragged about it months in advance, before an old antagonist appeared with other plans.

 

See, for over half my life I’ve been followed by a Moonshadow (my way of making light of an often dark situation). In reality, it’s called Epilepsy, which is normally kept in check with medication. If you’ve ever tried to run under water you can understand why (for this challenge, anyway) my participation will consist of reading as many posts as time allows between clarity, work, and pharmaceutically induced inertia ;-) There are still 3 more days to sign up! 

Just so ya know, my theme for this year’s challenge would have been Unique Destinations such as:

C is for…Conshelf and Coober Pedy

Happy Writing, Everyone!

Do you have a favorite poem? Have you written a poem you’d like to share? What is the most unique destination you’ve ever had?

2018 A - Z Challenge - V

V    Things We Appreciate

The Velvet Hook

After an enjoyable walk in the woods with his dog, George de Mestral, a Swiss engineer, found dozens of cockleburs firmly attached to his pants and in the fur of his dog. Curiosity led the engineer to his microscope where an idea began to form. Fourteen years of trial and error later, Mestral had perfected a way to replicate the sticky power of burrs and patented it (1956) under the name of Velcro, a combination of two French words: Velour (velvet) and Crochet (hook) nylon sewn under infrared light– Who knew?  

A Vignette:

It was right after Violet watched Gregory Peck ride off with Audrey Hepburn at the helm of a zippy little scooter through the cobblestone streets of Rome, that she, Violet, decided to dust off that Vintage Vespa she had in the garage and go somewhere. Anywhere would do, Anywhere besides her own Veranda with a View she’d somehow lost interest in.

She’d read in the Sunday paper of a singing Vaquero who entertained patrons at the Farmer’s Market. It seemed as good a destination as any. With a burst of renewed Vitality, Violet donned her finest Victorian blouse, swallowed a shot of Vermouth and sped down the hill toward the market.

Approaching a large display of Vegetables at a Velocity that sent patrons scrambling for safety, Violet recalled something of Vital importance: her brakes hadn’t worked in years. 

 

Happy V Day!

Any thoughts? Can you add to the list of things we appreciate that begin with the letter V?