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#IWSG: How to get past writer’s block?
The purpose of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is to share with and encourage other writers. This month I chose a topic with which I’m currently struggling. I’ve been working on a cozy mystery for a long time and I can’t seem to get past a certain point. I did a rough outline when I first began and am past the introduction and progression of the main plot. I’d say I was in the middle third of what I hope is a novel-length manuscript. I know how I want the book to end but it’s the middle that I want to make sure is engaging and keeps the reader interested.…
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#IWSG: What’s the one thing about your writing career you regret the most?
This month’s question for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group makes me a little sad but it also addresses a topic that I’ve been thinking a lot about. I just turned 59 (isn’t that the new 39?) I regret not having a cozy mystery published by this time in my life. I’ve written articles for trade magazines. I’ve written non-fiction articles for my current position for a nonprofit and there are several for which I am proud. I also regret not carving out more dedicated writing time daily and have thought about it every day for the last 20 years. If I actually spent the time writing, instead of flogging myself…
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#IWSG: Oct. 6 entry
Monthly question: Where do you draw the line in your writing? Answer: I’m answering this question in a bit of a different vein than most. These days, I’m having trouble “drawing the line” at what is interesting enough to read? What can I post that will resonate with more people versus just my own thoughts? As I get older, this question seems to get harder. Often, something will strike me as funny and I want to write about the experience. But, I’m unsure as to whether others will feel the same way that I do. Is it worthy to publish for anyone else? When writing about real-world experiences, and many…
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Favorite writing resources
What is my favorite writing craft book? This is the question for this month’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group blog. I actually have a few. I have several tried-and-true inspiration resources and then a few new ones that I’m checking out. First, the ones that I rely on: Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg, Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, Stephen King On Writing and The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. There are some just for specific genres like writing a mystery novel (which I am attempting to do): Writing and Selling your Mystery Novel: How to Knock ’em Dead with Style, by Hallie Ephron and Writing Mysteries edited by…
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IWSG: What would make you stop writing?
The purpose of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is to share and encourage other writers. Content is posted the first Wednesday of every month. Answer to July question/writing prompt: In February, I had a detached retina and emergency eye surgery to repair it. They put a buckle around my eye and filled it with gas so it was like looking through a snow globe with my right eye. For almost three months I couldn’t see well (unless I closed one eye). Believe me, I now understand why God gave us two eyes – it’s very hard to see, or keep your balance when walking, or drive with one eye. I…
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At this time …
IWSG and Blogging from A to Z: At this time, how are things in your world? Three weeks ago, I wouldn’t have imagined working from home, from my kitchen table, enjoying the view from my kitchen window (see photo above). I am a marketing director for a nonprofit who is struggling to survive (both physically and from a business standpoint). Writing for the A to Z Challenge and the Insecure Writer’s Support Group takes on a whole new feel. My professional writing usually consists of advertising and promotional copy, blog posts and lots of editing AP-style. Recently, my writing/editing has included Covid-19 updates. Quite the change. My personal creative writing…
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IWSG: Being a reader is key to writing
Question for October IWSG: It’s been said that the benefits of becoming a writer who does not read is that all your ideas are new and original. Everything you do is an extension of yourself, instead of a mixture of you and another author. On the other hand, how can you expect other people to want your writing, if you don’t enjoy reading? What are your thoughts? Above is a sculpture I liked during my recent travels to Phoenix/Mesa, Arizona. Old Scottsdale had a lot of beautiful images forged from steel and imagination. These images are just as encouraging as the reading of other people’s fiction, to an aspiring writer.…
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IWSG: First Wednesday – 9/4/19
Wanted: secluded mountain cabin for aspiring writer
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IWSG: Writing goals and 9 prompt resources
One of my new goals for generating more curiosity in my life (to defeat cynicism) is to make a point of writing more often. Even if no one else reads it or I only harvest a few kernels of good writing among whole corn cobs of yuck, I want to write more often! I have made a commitment to myself to write at least three times per week, beginning in June (okay, so I’m procrastinating just a tad). Not everything will be publishable, but I want to write for at least 30 minutes per session. Less than 30 minutes and my deeper creative juices don’t get tapped. If I can…
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Favorite genre?
Reading my favorite genre and writing my favorite pieces these days are not in alignment.
