insecure writers support group, writing

IWSG Who Do You Write For?

Insecure Writers Support Group started by Alex Cavanaugh, please join us here.

Many thanks to this month’s hosts: Tara Tyler, Lisa Buie Collard, Loni Townsend, and Lee Lowery.

How’s it going, insecure writers? My writing life is meh as I’m more focused on my day job these days, but I do feel inspired by those of you bravely writing all the words.

The stellar performance of USA at Track and Field World Championships also stimulated me (when my cat, Tuxedo, allowed me to watch the events!)

August 3 question – When you set out to write a story, do you try to be more original or do you try to give readers what they want?

I don’t have a clue for how to write a story that readers want. All I know is how to write words that reflect my passions and interests. Only when an idea sparks my curiosity, a “What if…?” question, do I dive in to a novel. I need to write what excites me. If I worry about trends or try to mind-read what others might want, I’ll never start the damn thing.

Though I’ve taken a writing hiatus, an idea for my next novel has percolated for months. You probably haven’t heard of cognitive processing therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder, but it is the BOM-DIGGITY of psychological treatments. I’ve been so impressed by CPT’s effectiveness that I can’t wait to bring the protocol to life in a fictional story. Do readers want to read about a character’s therapy journey in healing from a tragedy? Hell, no! But I’m stoked to write it.

Who do you write for?

insecure writers support group, writing

#IWSG Just Keep Swimming

Join us here! Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for leading us.

Many thanks to the co-hosts for the July 6 posting of the IWSG: J Lenni Dorner, Janet Alcorn, PJ Colando, Jenni Enzor, and Diane Burton!

Whoops, I almost forgot about IWSG again! Too many summer days at the swimming pool. Ahhhhh.

Instead of answering this month’s question, I have a question for you. Have you ever asked for your rights back from your publisher in order to self-publish past novels? I’m considering doing so (now that the contracts have elapsed), taking time to update, and I’m looking for tips and pros/cons.

Imge by jacqueline macou from Pixabay

See you at the pool!

insecure writers support group, writing

IWSG Perseverance

Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for creating this awesome group. Join us here!

I appreciate this month’s co-hosts: SE White, Cathrina Constantine, Natalie Aguire, Joylene Nowell Butler, and Jacqui Murray.

June 1 question – When the going gets tough writing the story, how do you keep yourself writing to the end? If have not started the writing yet, why do you think that is and what do you think could help you find your groove and start?

Have you ever taken a strengths assessment? A free one I like is the VIA Survey of Signature Strengths at http://authentichappiness.org

I mention this because one of my top character strengths on the survey, perseverance, relates to my answer. I may not be the fastest or most focused writer, but I will definitely finish what I start! I have a dysfunctional need for achievement that keeps me going, I guess. 😉

Yet, I haven’t started writing a new novel in two years. My hiatus stems from both disappointing sales and high demand in my day job as a psychologist (the pandemic has bludgeoned mental health, especially among young people.) I do want to return, and I’m hoping the addition of a colleague in September will lighten the load and inspire me to get back to writing novels.

What keeps YOU going?

Streaming recommendation: An inspiring story of perseverance is Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty on HBO. I’m not a big NBA fan, but I loved this insider view of the 1979-80 season, as well as the Netflix documentary about The Chicago Bulls (The Last Dance).

new release

New Release: Revenge of the Space-Surfing Butt Monkeys

Congratulations to C.D. Gallant-King on his latest release! Quite the memorable title. 😉

Title of Publication: Revenge of the Space-Surfing Butt Monkeys (Gale Harbour Book 2)

Date of Publication: May 3, 2022
Available: Kindle, Paperback
No. of Pages: 321
Novel Summary/Blurb:

Newfoundland, Canada, 1993.

It’s been a year since a handful of kids defeated the Psycho Hose Beast in the sleepy town of Gale Harbour, Newfoundland. Our heroes have entered into the era of rollerblades, Super Nintendo and oversized plaid shirts… unless you’re a goth, then it’s the era of Maybelline eyeliner, boots with too many buckles, and infected safety-pin piercings.

Thirteen-year-old Niall O’Neil is navigating a blossoming relationship with his crush, Harper Jeddore. Unfortunately, the power that allowed them to defeat the monster from the deep is still within them, and they are no closer to understanding or controlling it. When just touching your girlfriend can kill innocent bystanders, it complicates the already precarious practice of teenage dating.

But lurking in the backdrop of teenage romance, a sinister power is growing in Gale Harbour, and dangerous people are turning up in the small town with possibly deadly intentions.

Will the kids defeat this new threat? What did the US Air Force leave in the abandoned Hansen Air Force base? What is a space-surfing butt monkey? And most importantly—will anyone get to touch a boob?

BUY NOW!

AMAZON.COM | AMAZON.CA | AMAZON.CO.UK

“…an entertaining story peppered with dashes of nineties nostalgia, snappy one liners and perfectly captured teenage angst…”

-Damien Larkin, author of “Big Red”

“Gallant-King does a good job capturing the voices of the teens as they deal with the usual pressures of growing up, as well as the supernatural threats. […] The kids dialogue is authentic, the side characters are great.”

– Patrick LeClerc, author of “Out of Nowhere”

“…this hilarious tale of adventure, horror, aliens, and friendship was a delight from start to finish. Gallant-King handles the teen protagonists with such insight and tenderness.”

– Sadira Stone, author of “Through the Red Door”

“The thing that stood out for me in this book and the previous one, is that even though it is very fantasy and very sci-if, it still feels very real and conceivable.”

-Books By Your Bedside Reviews

“This book was a blast and a worthy sequel to Psycho Hose Beast. Another chance for CDGK to show off his ability to get inside the heads and hearts of proper weirdos and create some massively entertaining and unique POVs. The story was page-turning fun as usual.”

-Samuel Gately, author of “The Fire Eye Refugee”

giveaway

Life’s a Beach Giveaway Hop

Thanks to The Mommy Island and The Kids Did It for hosting!

So pumped that summer is around the corner here in Ohio! We may not have great beaches, but I’m giddy about my outdoor pool opening soon. Lap swimming is *so* much better in the sunshine.

I’m giving away three prizes: a $10 gift card, an audiobook of my sports romance Rivals to a US or UK winner, and a Jennifer Lane ebook of your choice.

As a psychologist and author (psycho author), I write sports romance and romantic suspense with a psychological twist.

Enter on the Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Splash on over to these fun participating blogs:

insecure writers support group, writing

#IWSG Audiobooks!

Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for starting this group! Check out his new release, CassaDark.

Thank you to our wonderful co-hosts this month: Joylene Nowell Butler, Jemima Pett, Patricia Josephine, Louise – Fundy Blue, and Kim Lajevardi!

April 6 question – Have any of your books been made into audio books? If so, what is the main challenge in producing an audiobook?

I wrote an earlier IWSG post on this very topic: Ten Steps to Create an Audiobook.

I LOVE audiobooks! It’s the only way I read these days. I just finished reviewing the audiobook for Alice Feeney’s Rock, Paper, Scissors.

The biggest challenge in creating my own audiobook for my 2021 release, sports romance Rivals, was the expense. I paid two narrators and an editor to pull both parts together. But the fun experience made it all worth it.

If I write another novel one day, I hope to create an audiobook version.

new release

New Release: CassaDark by Alex Cavanaugh

Congratulations to Alex J. Cavanaugh!

CassaDark

By Alex J. Cavanaugh

“Cavanaugh returns to the world of his Cassa Series…for a fourth inventive space opera.” – Publisher’s Weekly

His world is unraveling…

Bassan’s father is stepping down from command. His best friend almost dies when Bassan freezes. Now, he’s being sent across the galaxy to speak at an important conference. Despite saving the eleven races years ago, he’s paralyzed by doubt. Could things get any worse?

Once there, new acquaintance Zendar convinces Bassan to visit his planet for a humanitarian mission. Bassan’s special connection to ancient technology is the key to saving Zendar’s people. One problem though—it’s a prisoner planet.

On Ugar, he discovers things aren’t so straightforward. As each truth reveals itself, the situation grows more desperate. If he can’t find the right answers, he might die along with Zendar’s people. Can Bassan summon the courage to be a hero again?

Print – 9781939844842
EBook – 9781939844859
Science Fiction – Adventure/Space Opera/Space Exploration

Links:
iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id1574189874
Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0982FL3SH
Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940164947033
Kobo – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/cassadark
Scribed – https://www.scribd.com/search?query=9781939844859&language=0
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58461762-cassadark

insecure writers support group, writing

Insecure Writers Support Group: Battling Fatigue

Created by Alex Cavanaugh, join us here.

Thanks to this month’s co-hosts Janet Alcorn, Pat Garcia, Natalie Aguirre, and Shannon Lawrence!

Is the COVID-19 crisis over yet? I’m feeling drained from pandemic fatigue and long work hours. I haven’t written in some time, but I still plan on resuming when the mood strikes.

I hope your writing mojo and energy levels are feeling strong these days!

If not, how do you energize when you’re feeling low?

insecure writers support group, writing

#IWSG Thanks to My Aunt

Happy February, writers! Join us for the Insecure Writers Support Group, founded by science fiction author Alex Cavanaugh.

Thank you to the wonderful co-hosts Joylene Nowell Butler, Jacqui Murray, Sandra Cox, and Lee Lowery!

February’s Question: Is there someone who supported or influenced you that perhaps isn’t around anymore? Anyone you miss?

I’m fortunate my 88-year-old aunt Nancy is still very much part of my family. I do miss her, though, because she lives in Los Angeles, and it’s been too long since I flew out from Ohio to visit her. (Too many states between us.)

Image from Pixabay

Nancy is a a trendsetter and her own woman, wearing birkenstocks long before they were en vogue! She’s also a big reader, and she gave me some helpful feedback about my writing before the publication of my first novel, including:

  • Improve the realism of characterization. My first draft gushed about the beauty of my two romantic leads, and with Nancy’s help, I made them more lifelike by giving my hero a crooked nose and my heroine a flat chest. They still thought each other was hot. 😉
  • Cut out the cliches. As a newbie writer, I didn’t realize how cringe-worthy it was to write phrases like, “She shot out of there like a bat out of hell” or “Better safe than sorry”. Now I try to use metaphors that relate to the content of my story. In Rivals, a sports romance between coaches from rival universities, the Michigan coach thinks, “While the wolverine’s away, the rabbits will play,” and “She probably thinks I’m angry at her for spilling the Buckeye beans.”

The happy ending to my story is that my sister and I plan to visit Nancy soon!

writing

Author Interview with RelationshipsAreComplicated.com

I love to write complicated relationships, and the lovely folks at Relationships Are Complicated interviewed me about my characters’ bonds HERE. I mention my sports romance and romantic suspense novels, as well as some past dating complications. 😀

Image by Juan Fernando Yeckle from Pixabay

Do you have relationship questions? Check out https://www.relationshipsarecomplicated.com !