IWSG 12th Anniversary

In case you haven't heard, the IWSG is short for the Insecure Writers' Support Group. It was established on the blogsphere twelve years ago by our Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh. It's free to join and has kept me blogging for way longer than I had realised. Where did that time go? 

Each month we come together to post about our great writerly news, our writing insecurities, to encourage and support each other, or to simply connect with like-minded people. Each month we have an option question to answer too. The question this month asks, When did you discover the IWSG, how do you connect, and how has it helped you?

I was there at the beginning when the group first formed. For a while I was even one of the administrators, helping to set up the IWSG website, building and maintaining the About Us page and the Publishers, Agents, Queries resource page. I even helped out in the Facebook group and the behind the scenes work on some of the early books produced by the group, and a bunch of other stuff. 

Over the years, I've met so many wonderful writers from all over the world. The support from this community has been unparalleled. When I published my six books, I don't think I would've found the same success without the help I received from the friends I formed -- the critique partnerships, the encouragement, the glowing reviews, the help spreading word. 

I'm still writing because of you guys, so thank you. 

If you haven't read any of my books yet, and love Fantasy Adventure, then check out my Wielder's Storm Trilogy Box Set, or the individual books: Wielder's Prize, Wielder's Curse, Wielder's Fire. I also have a fantasy novella available, Well of Ash. 

And for something different, I have Cling to God: A 365-Day Devotional. If you're looking for inspirational Christian thoughts for each day of the year, then please consider this book.

More novels will be coming next year. It takes longer to write multiple books at the same time. Who knew? I had hoped to publish again this year, but there's been a lot of disruptions to life in general. Despite that, my plan is to add science fiction to my collection as well as fantasy. More on that later.

So, how about you? How has the IWSG helped you?

Note: This post is prescheduled. Yep, I'm away again (an example of one of those necessary disruptions). When I get back, I'll do the rounds to say hi.

This post was written for the IWSG. Every first Wednesday of the month, members post on their blogs about their writing insecurities or offer some encouragement to others. If you are new to the IWSG or want to learn more, then please go HERE.

Writing Regrets #IWSG

Have you ever written something that afterwards you felt conflicted about? If so, did you let it stay how it was, take it out, or rewrite it?

This is the IWSG question of the month.  

My debut novel was Wielder's Prize, a YA Fantasy Adventure. I'd done my research, read heaps of fantasy novels, heaps of young adult novels, heaps of young adult fantasy novels. I was pretty sure I knew the market. It was a story I was super proud of and happy to share with the world. What I hadn't expected was that for some people, the portrayal of physical abuse is a trigger--a bigger one than I had anticipated. And I portray it early in the story. I feared it had an impact on sales, because those people were loudly vocal about their feelings in their reviews. While the majority of my reviews were four stars or higher, I never wanted people to feel uncomfortable, and while we can't please everyone, I wanted to do something about it. 

The situation my main character grew up in was integral to the story, so it wasn't just a matter of taking that portion out entirely. The whole point of the overarching story across the three books was the importance of forgiveness. So, I came to a compromise and revisited the beginning of the story so that the abuse is softened greatly. It will still be a trigger for some. That I can't change. But I hope that I've made it less uncomfortable when there are already enough things in this world that are grim.

Having learnt that lesson, I now steer clear of anything that's remotely controversial. I applaud writers who can tackle those difficult subjects, but for myself, I just want to offer exciting, escapist reads.

How about you? Ever feel conflicted about something you wrote?

This post was written for the IWSG. Every first Wednesday of the month, members post on their blogs about their writing insecurities or offer some encouragement to others. If you are new to the IWSG or want to learn more, then please go HERE.
 

Where Ideas Come From #IWSG

The July IWSG question of the month: Where do you get your ideas?

While this is the most common question posed to writers, it's also the most difficult to nail down. I don't think my ideas come from one place. They blossom from anywhere and everywhere. An idea can germinate from anything I see, hear, smell, feel. It's probably why, during the pandemic, I had so few ideas to play with, because I was holed up with little-to-no creative input. 

Ideas need seeds from which to grow. The seeds are our life experiences. 

The snippet of a half-heard conversation. A stranger's unusual gait. The way the city smells after rain. A dream. A movie. A book. A single sentence spoken in whispers. A new technology.

Nothing is safe from a writer.

So, if you're struggling to come up with new ideas, stop stressing and start living. Take the time to pay attention to this wonderful world around us. Read more. Take in a slow breath, and start wondering what if...

Where do you get your ideas?

This post was written for the IWSG. Every first Wednesday of the month, members post on their blogs about their writing insecurities or offer some encouragement to others. If you are new to the IWSG or want to learn more, then please go HERE.
 

 

The Pull of Creativity #IWSG

The IWSG question of the month: If you ever stopped writing, what would you replace it with? 

Many writers say they write because they must. There’s something deep down inside that drives them to string words into stories. I too have a similar drive, but it’s less specific. For me, it doesn’t have to be words. It’s anything creative. If it includes storytelling in some form, then that's even better.

Consequently, I tend to oscillate between art, writing and music. I’ve pursued animation, game design, graphic design, photography, music composition, piano, ai art, card making, sculpture, even cooking can be creative in a way. They all bring a quality of peace that eases the need to express myself.

As long as I’m doing something creative, I’m happy. 

How about you? If you couldn’t write, what would you do instead? 

This post was written for the IWSG. Every first Wednesday of the month, members post on their blogs about their writing insecurities or offer some encouragement to others. If you are new to the IWSG or want to learn more, then please go HERE.
 

Aussie Phrases and A New Release #IWSG

The first Wednesday of the month is IWSG Day. This group is all about support, so today, I'm hosting hosting L. Diane Wolfe to support her new release. Take it away, Diane. 

Hello to Lynda’s friends and fans!

She asked me about Aussie words and paranormal romance. So, my answer here will be two-fold.

When I was crafting The Shark, I asked Lynda about phrases that were popular in Australia in the early 90’s when the story is set. While I didn’t use all of them, I used a few, and some really amused me.

Chucking the wobbly – getting angry and showing it

Arvo – the afternoon (much shorter which is nice)

I’m a happy little vegemite – do a search for the commercial, it’s so funny

I feel daggy – comfortable but unfashionable (my daily attire apparently)

To chuck a sickie – take a sick day off (maybe because you are chucking)

And from Lynda’s comments, apparently they say dunno a lot, too!

As for paranormal romance…

I’ve always been a bit of a romantic. I don’t read romances but I like that element in the genres I do read.

Paranormal encompasses a wide variety of fantasy/horror/speculative elements and creatures. As thus, my series contains an assortment of paranormal critters. The first in the In Darkness series was The Vampire, set in a medieval type of fantasy world. This next release, The Shark, is more contemporary and set in 1990’s Australia. The third, The Werewolf, is set in mid-80’s England. The Alien, set in the far future, is a stretch for paranormal but I do have plans!

The Shark is paranormal because…well...Clarence is a talking shark. Is he a shifter? An anomaly? What is the story behind this great white shark who can speak?

I also have a huge fascination with great white sharks, but that’s for another post!

Thank you, Lynda.
 

In Darkness: The Shark
By L. Diane Wolfe

Souls shrouded in darkness…

Focused on her studies and duties at the aquarium, Jewels prefers her solitary life. Burned many times and short on trust, she has more in common with her aquatic friends than the people around her. But she never imagined coming face to face with a shark named Clarence…a shark who talks!

As their friendship grows, Jewels must overcome her deep set mistrust. There are dangers, both in the Australian ocean and on dry land. Can Jewels depend on the great white or will his animal nature betray her?

Release date - May 9, 2023
Romance/Paranormal - Fantasy/Paranormal - Fantasy/Romance
eBook ISBN 9781939844910 $3.99

A professional speaker and author, L. Diane Wolfe conducts seminars, offers book formatting, and author consultation. She’s the senior editor at Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C. and contributes to the Insecure Writer’s Support Group.
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