Category: Insecure Writer’s Support Group

#IWSG June

The next IWSG Day will be June 5th 
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OPTIONAL IWSG Day Question: Of all the genres you read and write, which is your favorite to write in and why?

It is the first Wednesday of the month and time for the IWSG. My favorite genre to write in is magical realism.

On Wikipedia it is defined as: Magical realism, magic realism, or marvelous realism is a style of fiction that paints a realistic view of the modern world while also adding magical elements. It is sometimes called fabulism, in reference to the conventions of fables, myths, and allegory. “Magical realism”, perhaps the most common term, often refers to fiction and literature in particular,[1]:1–5 with magic or the supernatural presented in an otherwise real-world or mundane setting.

I believe I like this type of fiction because many of my stories begin with a kernel of truth and then the details are exaggerated. I enjoy stories with magical elements and have always been attracted to stories with such components. When a story takes a turn into the unbelievable it is exciting to me.

Magical realism is the type of fiction I enjoy reading and writing. I am always looking for authors who do this type of writing well!

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by Categories: Insecure Writer's Support Group, IWSG, Writing Exercise, Writing Group, WritingLifeTags: 4 Comments

#IWSG – 1st May Wednesday!

This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our encouragement or insecurities on the first Wednesday of the month, to join the group or find out more click here. Welcome to May 2019!

Today is an exciting day for writing! Storyaday May begins today and I am ready to write 31 stories for the month with writing friends.

May 1 question – What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?

Words have had power ever since I can remember.

I remember the letter people in kindergarten and the power of owning books. I ordered from the Scholastic book club and it was a joy I still get when I buy a book. This title was The Night Before Christmas with a record. That feeling never gets old.

I knew I felt better and could think clearer when I wrote as a young girl too. There is one story that is metaphor with trees and a forest I wish I could find!

Happy Wednesday Writing! Happy short story month!

by Categories: Insecure Writer's Support Group, IWSG, Mywriting, WritingLifeTags: 8 Comments

#IWSG – It’s Wednesday!

This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our encouragement or insecurities on the first Wednesday of the month, to join the group or find out more click here. Welcome to April 2019!

April 3 question: If you could use a wish to help you write just ONE scene/chapter of your book, which one would it be? (examples: fight scene / first kiss scene / death scene / chase scene / first chapter / middle chapter / end chapter, etc.)

My wish today would be to help me write a scene with my character Brooklyn in a fantasy/sci fi story titled Dreams and Hourglasses. I need to have readers connect more emotionally to her in the beginning. I am trying to build the story and not overexplain right away but I am leaving my readers wanting.

I asked my writing group for recs for stories that have strong emotional reactions and was reminded of All Summer in A Day by Bradbury. I will study it again later today. I will also break out the Emotional Craft of Fiction and do some work from that text.

Happy Wednesday Writing!

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#IWSG March

This post is for Alex Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writers Support Group (click the link for details on what that means and how to join. You will also find a list of bloggers signed up to the challenge that are worth checking out. The first Wednesday of every month, we all post our thoughts, fears or words of encouragement for fellow writers.

Today’s question is my own – What point of view do you prefer to write in?

In most of my writing I prefer to write in first person. I think this is partially because the reading I am drawn to is the first person format. I love to get inside a character’s head and know what they are thinking and why they are making the moves they make.

My novel, however, is written in third person because I include several different character perspectives. It is still in revision so that may change!

On another note, yesterday I picked up Bradbury’s 100 story collection from the library. It is a doorstop of a book and I am looking forward to diving into it at lunch time today! I use his writing as a mentor text and am excited to read and ponder!

Image result for bradbury's 100

by Categories: bookrecs, Insecure Writer's Support Group, IWSG, Writing Challenge, Writing GroupTags: 6 Comments

February Reflection

It is the last day of February which means it is time to reflect. Last year it was FIB – uary so luckily that was not the case in 2019.

In February, I participated in INCOWRIMO which is a letter writing challenge. The challenge is set up to send a letter every day but I didn’t. I wrote several and received responses back. It was nice to get real mail again. I missed my stationary collection I used to have but used my fountain pens a lot.

In February, I reconnected with my old home. It was great to drive around Kokomo and think about the great memories I experienced there. If you would like to read that post you can here.

In February, I connected with a writing/teaching friend from Twitter in real life. We met at a local Panera and talked writing and poetry and teaching. We are planning a writing meeting soon.

In February, I connected with more readers on the blog! I am now at over 1000 followers and am super excited. I also posted a survey to better serve my readers. I commented on posts that spoke to me and had some lovely conversation in comments and on Twitter.

In February, I connected with other writing communities through #write28days and IWSG. I was active with my Storyaday Superstars group every day. I did not attend my in real life writing group.

At the beginning of February, I attended a coaching training and enjoyed talking with other coaches and educators from the region. I was able to hand out my business cards for the first time which was exciting.

In February, I emailed several authors I admire. I also didn’t hesitate to send messages to people who wrote pieces I enjoyed.

Yesterday I met some of my husband’s family which was lovely. I was able to go to a cute coffee shop which was a bonus.

In February, I became a part of Emily P Freeman’s Book Launch Team. The book is released on April 2! I just received the full book yesterday and cannot wait to dig in.

In February, what happened? One thing is I feel more connected to people. I facilitated a Workshop Wednesday this month which was fantastic. There was lots of sharing and great discussion about checks for understanding BUT the next day was difficult because I was tired and felt depleted. I have to figure out some strategies to have that not occur.

Moving forward I have new exciting changes that are coming. I am participating in the Two Writing Teachers March Blog Challenge. I will continue to write daily and to submit short stories.

Writing Prompt: How would you finish the sentence starter: In February…

by Categories: Coaching, Emily P Freeman, Family Life, Five Minute Friday, FMF, Insecure Writer's Support Group, IWSG, MYNEXTRIGHTTHING, Mywriting, storyaday, WorkshopWednesday, Write28days, Writing Challenge 3 Comments

IWSG – It’s Wednesday!

This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our encouragement or insecurities on the first Wednesday of the month, to join the group or find out more click here. Welcome to 2019!

Quote that has resonated with me lately:

Ray Bradbury’s words have been popping up over the last year. This is the quote lately that has stuck with me. I enjoy the reality I live in most of the time. I have crafted my life differently over the past year to made that so.

I like the idea of being drunk on words in this context. It gives a different perspective on “writing drunk”.

I love the worlds I write and create in! It is only one advantage of being a writer!

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#IWSG It’s Wednesday!

This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our encouragement or insecurities on the first Wednesday of the month, to join the group or find out more click here.

OPTIONAL #IWSG DAY QUESTION:

What are five objects we’d find in your writing space?

1.Coffee or Diet Coke depending on the time of day.

2. My fountain pen and whatever other pen strikes my fancy – there is always a pile

3. Stack of books

4. Composition notebook and computer – I actually have been gravitating toward the Chromebook. It is nice for drafting and a nice size for my little baby hands! It also fits nicely in my purse.

5. Phone – easy for timers and research. I do not always like to click back and forth from webpages to my WIP

What is in your writing space? Are there special things you like to have around you when you write?

December Writing Goals


For December I will continue to write everyday.

I will submit at least 2 stories.

I will blog and lightly participate in BLOGMAS.

I am creating a writing challenge for myself and others who want to join in on my blog.

I am signed up for an editing class at the end of the month and will fully participate in that class!

by Categories: Insecure Writer's Support Group, Mywriting, WritingLifeTags: 12 Comments

My Evolution of Creativity

 

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! We post the first Wednesday of every month. Our purpose is to share and encourage. I hope my post does just that.

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions often offer advice or insight through personal experience. This month the question is:

November 7 question – How has your creativity in life evolved since you began writing?

 

I have always been a writer and interested in creativity. I think that I had a narrow definition of what creative meant even after all the creativity books I have read over my lifetime.

As I have lived I have opened up my perspective of what creative is and what it looks like. It doesn’t have to be a free spirit artist person – but it can be.

My evolution has expanded my thinking to knowing creativity is everywhere.

  • It is in the lines that come to my head for writing that I now write down.
  • It is the doodle I draw in my bullet journal.
  • It is the new recipe I try for dinner.
  • It is in the new thinking pattern I have from reading other blogs and other writers that fuel my own ideas.
  • It is the walk I take among the trees and the whispers I hear from them to fill my heart.
  • It is the way I look at paintings and short stories and novels and appreciate them and then how to unpack the elements to get inside the artist’s mind to learn something for myself.

Creativity is a beautiful lens to look through every day!

 

 

 

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Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Welcome to the first Wednesday of the month! Today is Insecure Writer’s Support Group day! The question posed for today is:

October 3 question – How do major life events affect your writing? Has writing ever helped you through something?

Writing has always been a part of my life. When I have taken the time to look back through my journals, morning pages or other writings, the bulk of words get on the page when my days are dark.

Writing helps me cope. It is my escape. This last 3 months I have moved 3 times among other personal ups and downs. I wrote every day. I gave myself the challenge to write a short story every day in September and accomplished more than 30. The challenge gave me a focus every day.

I have the advantage of technology now and the ability to dictate into my phone. I have always carried a notebook with me but am diligent about writing in it now. One of my favorite activities is to write down conversations that I overhear.  A major change when I started working at my current job was a 2 hour total commute in the car. It is almost impossible to write in a notebook while driving but dictating and listening to writing podcasts help reframe that time into something productive.

I know what I think by writing it out. It helps me work out what is happening in my head and helps me to not overthink. My brain function and my thinking are fast-paced and writing helps me slow down, especially when I write longhand. I like to play with different style pens and notebooks. As a type of therapy, I play with various outcomes and actions to different circumstances.

Writing is my lifeline and I am grateful for it!

by Categories: Insecure Writer's Support Group, Mywriting, Questions, Slice of Life, Writing Challenge, Writing Group, WritingLifeTags: , , 8 Comments