Tag: insecure writers support group

insecure writers support group, writing

Writing Regrets #IWSG

Jennifer Lane

Would you like to join the Insecure Writers Support Group? All writers are welcome here. We post monthly about our hopes and fears. Thank you to Alex Cavanaugh for bringing together this supportive community.

This month’s co-hosts deserve applause! Shannon Lawrence, Diedre Knight, Liza, and Pat Garcia.

August 5 question – As a writer/author what is something you regret? Or something that you wish you’d done differently in your writing process?

Regrets…I’ve had a few… *croons Frank Sinatra*

One regret? Failing to learn more about the craft of writing before releasing my debut novel. I wrote With Good Behavior in third-person omniscient POV, not as a deliberate choice, but as a default style for the fan fiction that sparked my writing career. This point-of-view has quite a few limitations, especially head-hopping. And my novel hopped like a bunny on crack! (Here’s a post about omniscient POV.)

The small liberal arts school in Ohio I attended for undergrad — Kenyon College — has a strong literary tradition. While I did take a few English courses, I wish I had signed up for more, especially creative writing. I also wish I had gleaned more wisdom from fellow writers (like the wonderful ones in IWSG) earlier in my career. I appreciate fellow author Darcia Helle educating me on POV.

Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

There are probably quite a few other things I could’ve done differently. For the most part, though, I believe I made the best decisions I could with the information I had at the time. That’s the thing about regrets–we view the past through the unfair lens of hindsight bias.

I’m grateful I found a small publisher in 2010 as well as made the leap to self-publishing in 2014. I couldn’t have improved my writing skills without first making mistakes along the way. The small successes I’ve experienced are due to lessons from countless failures. (Speaking of bouncing back from failure, I loved the movie Young Washington.)

insecure writers support group, sale, writing

Book Marketing #IWSG

Jennifer Lane

Time to share our doubts, fears, and triumphs at The Insecure Writers Support Group–author Alex Cavanaugh’s brainchild.

THANK YOU to this month’s co-hosts: Rebecca Douglass, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Cathrina Constantine, and Jacqui Murray!


July 1 question – Is there anything you’d like to see changed, added, and/or rearranged about the book publishing industry?

As a self-published author, I understand that all marketing falls on me (more on this later). But before moving to self-publishing, I signed with a small publisher, where I was still largely responsible for promoting my books. I also hear that authors with the Big Five publishers have to spend a lot of time on marketing. If I could change one thing, it would be more help with promotion so that authors could focus on what they do best: writing.

Speaking of marketing, I had a fun time at Books in Charleston on June 20. I bonded with readers and authors who are also from Ohio (I’m holding Ohio State University’s mascot, Brutus Buckeye, in the photo.)

I experienced a small-world moment upon discovering that the author next to me, Kirsten Pursell, is also a swimmer. Even weirder, we unknowingly raced each other in May! Though I hadn’t competed since 2018, I decided to attend master’s nationals this year at nearby Greensboro, NC. Kirsten bested me in the longer race (200 I.M.) and I prevailed in the shorter one (100 I.M.)

I also scored a Book Bub free deal for Blocked, book one of my sports romance trilogy, in June. There were 7,900 downloads that I hope will translate to reviews and sales for the series.

insecure writers support group, writing

Giving and Receiving Reviews #IWSG

Jennifer Lane

It’s that time of the month…time for support from fellow writers. Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for creating this group–join us for the monthly blog hop here.

We all appreciate this month’s co-hosts: Jenni Enzor, Jemima Pett, Jamie of Uniquely Maladjusted but Fun, and Kim Lajevardi!

Before diving in to the optional question for this month, I want to share my 5-star review of fellow IWSG author’s supernatural young adult romance, Dark Desires, by Ronel Janse van Vuuren.

My Review of Dark Desires by Ronel Janse van Vuuren:

Magic Brownies

This fun short story (#1 in the Dark Court Sisters series) showcases the gumption and integrity of Tasha, a young fae hiding out at a human high school. Though Tasha’s not a fan of the girls’ shallow popularity scuffles and the boys’ cool postering, she is determined to save them from a dark spell cast on the school bake sale brownies. Turns out there’s somethin’ somethin’ special in these brownies! 

I was impressed by the author nailing every painful part of high school (including judgmental cliques, desperate attempts to fit in, and mothers always being right) as seen through fae Tasha’s eyes. And I appreciated the humor, like when Tasha observes everyone chowing down on brownies:

Tasha saw that no one, even those on gluten-free, sugar-free, carb-free, fat-free, fun-free diets could resist the chocolatey goodness.

There’s a bonus sweet romance with a boy who’s also hiding his special powers. Though malevolent supernatural beings threaten Tasha, Daniel, and the humans, Tasha won’t let anyone push her around.

I was quite excited to find an audiobook version of this story! South African author Ronel Janse van vuuren is the narrator, and I think there’s an extra bit of love packed in when an author reads her own creation.

Get your magic brownies! Image by MUHAMAD ZUL AZIMI BIN ABDUL RAZAK from Pixabay

Today’s question: What was the most inspiring feedback you received from readers, including agents, editors, and beta readers?

A thoughtful, favorable review is a delight for any author. Author Darcia Helle’s review of Spiked (Blocked #3) made me beam:

“No matter how compelling the content, stories need great characters to keep us hooked. These characters are real people. I swear to you. They stepped off the pages and went on to live their lives. Each has his/her own complex, unique personality. I can tell which is speaking simply by the rhythm of their speech and their word choices. I feel their emotions and care what happens to them. Perhaps most important, I understand their viewpoints, even when I don’t necessarily agree. Being able to truly relate to a person different from ourselves is a gift Jennifer Lane masterfully gives readers.”

Happy May to all writers!

insecure writers support group, writing

Writing Playlists #IWSG

Jennifer Lane

Writers need support, and we are here for it! Join the uplifting Insecure Writers Support Group, a monthly blog hop founded by author Alex Cavanaugh.

THANK YOU to this month’s co-hosts:  Melissa Maygrove, Cathrina Constantine, Kate Larkinsdale, and Rebecca Douglass!

April 1 question – If you have a playlist (or could put one together) that either gets you in the groove to write or fits with one of your books, what is it? What type of music or what songs?

I love this question. To me, music is emotional, and emotions are elemental to writing. Listening to music as I write boosts my focus and rhythm. My one requirement is music without lyrics to distract me. I like a mixture of jazz, classical, and movie soundtracks. Here are a few tracks from my writing playlist:

Music also inspires the stories I write. My recent release, Low Water, features a man devastated by the traumatic death of his sister. Though his life starts to fall apart, he feels determined not to give up. He and his family play this song to honor his fierce sister’s memory:

In one of my novels, Spiked, music takes a more prominent role. The college-aged hero, Mateo, writes and sings his own songs. Here’s one he wrote to his crush:

Hey, chica! Where did you go?

Don’t wanna fly this thing solo

But you’re running away like a track star

The distance between us, it’s too far

Hey, chica! Come conmigo

And baby, why don’t we go

Down under the bridge to the water

With you it can only get hotter

insecure writers support group

Book Launches #IWSG

Jennifer Lane
Join our monthly blog post for the Insecure Writers Support Group, created by Alex Cavanaugh.

Thank you to this month’s co-hosts PJ Colando, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, and Natalie Aguirre!

March 4 question:

What elements do you include in your book launch? Or what do you have in mind for your future book launch? Or what advice do you have to offer to others planning to launch a book?

I’m choosing to focus on the marketing efforts involved in releasing a novel into the world. My book launches have endured many changes over the years. There were many steps to set myself up as a new author before a small publisher released my debut novel, With Good Behavior, in 2010. I started this blog/website and signed up for Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads. Book blogging was much more of a thing then, including virtual book tours and review requests. I was fortunate to garner wonderful support from online readers that led to a Goodreads nomination for best romance.

Later releases involved less fanfare. When I transitioned to self-publishing for my New Adult sports romance Blocked in 2014, book blogs and blog tours began to fade. Though I never developed a “street team” or group of beta readers to help market my novels, I benefited from Facebook launch parties in my page and pub sisters’ fan groups. The flurry of posts felt frenetic as fellow authors and I hosted giveaways and games throughout launch day. In particular, I give a shout out to Nicki Elson, Nancee Cain and IWSG writers who have helped promote my novels!

I have hired blog tour companies to host cover reveal and new release tours. I also paid a reader friend to design ads and publicize my brand as a personal assistant. Other marketing efforts have included Goodreads giveaways, Kindle countdown sales, and Amazon preorders. I have used Amazon KDP for all of my novels except for my 2025 releases: Low Water and Behind the Catcher’s Mask, which I published wide on Draft 2 Digital.

Image by Robert Cubitt from Pixabay

With book launches and marketing in general, I believe it’s important to 1) stay current and 2) be persistent. Unfortunately, I don’t follow either piece of advice! Readers have told me I should market my books on TikTok (especially BookTok), but I have no interest in joining yet another social media platform, especially one with ties to China. I also don’t have the motivation or patience to spend money and time on constant promotion of my writing. Instead, I focus on my fulfilling day job and family and friends.

What has worked for you?

insecure writers support group, writing

Revisiting Old Works #IWSG

Jennifer Lane

Thank you to Alex Cavanaugh for starting the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, where we share and encourage all writer people.

I appreciate this month’s wonderful co-hosts: J Lenni Dorner, Victoria Marie Lees, and Sandra Cox!

February 4 question – Many writers have written about the experience of rereading their work years later. Have you reread any of your early works? What was that experience like for you?

Every time I would re-read my debut novel, With Good Behavior, I felt a cringe vibe.

So I convinced my publisher to revise and re-release the novel seven years after its debut!

But I have a different reaction to my later novels. Revisiting my characters is like hanging with old friends. Sometimes their flaws are apparent, but I often remember what they mean to me. I feel proud of their accomplishments. And I squish them.

insecure writers support group, writing

Alternates to Writing Plans #IWSG

Jennifer Lane
Writers, join our monthly blog hop, started by author Alex Cavanaugh.

Thank you to this month’s gracious cohosts: Shannon Lawrence, Olga Godim, Jean Davis, and Jacqui Murray!

January 7 question – Is there anything in your writing plans for 2026 that you are going to do that you couldn’t get done in 2025?

At the moment, I’m feeling rather discouraged about writing due to anemic reader response to my latest novel. Sales have been pathetic despite the wonderful support of this group. I wish reader response didn’t affect my motivation as much as it does, but that’s my reality.

I am enjoying a break from writing including the freedom to travel, entertain, and catch up on streaming TV over the weekends.

First was a drive to Orlando to meet my friends’ poodle Franklin, then to Key Largo to join my bestie on her college swim team’s training trip, where we swam with manatees.

Then my sister, niece, and I traveled to nearby Charleston, SC to visit the aquarium.

Back home, I always have fun assembling breakfast for my niece!

Finally, I’ll host book club to discuss Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Atmosphere, a story about female astronauts, and I found this hilarious Space Cats wine from a book club guide:

Here’s to a great 2026, writers!

insecure writers support group, writing

Gifts for Writers #IWSG

Jennifer Lane

Happy December, writers! Join our monthly Insecure Writers Support Group blog hop, where we vent and lift up. It’s a wonderful community started by author Alex Cavanaugh.

(this is a blog post, not a newsletter, but that reindeer is so dang cute that I had to feature her)

Today’s co-hosts are some of my favorites: Tara Tyler, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Pat Garcia, Liza, and Natalie Aguirre!

December 3 question – As a writer, what was one of the coolest/best gifts you ever received?

Gifts of support have made the greatest impact on me:

🎄The Insecure Writers Support Group! IWSG is a big factor in keeping me in the writing game, and it’s been a blessing getting to know cool writers like you. A special shout out to Ronel Janse van Vuuren (today’s co-host who invited me to discuss domestic violence on her blog), Natalie Aguirre (also a co-host today, thanks, Natalie!) Louise Barbour (wonderful post), and Alex Cavanaugh for spreading the word about my new release.

🎄My self-publishing team. I’m grateful for pub sisters like Nicki Elson (Bev), my critique partner extraordinaire. I also met editor Jessica Royer Ocken and book designer Coreen Montagna through the small publisher who released my first four novels. Working with a professional editor has definitely sharpened my writing skills.

🎄The gift of readers. That old adage, “You don’t know what you got till it’s gone”? Sadly, I’m living it! Sales for my new release, Low Water, have been deplorable. I’ve heard book sales are down for many authors, but JEEZ. I guess it doesn’t help that it’s been four years since I last published. Or maybe a book about recovering from trauma isn’t commercially appealing. But I have felt fortunate whenever readers have devoted their precious time to try one of my novels through the years.

What are the coolest gifts you’ve received?

cover reveal, insecure writers support group, new release, writing

Low Water Pre-Order #IWSG

Jennifer Lane

Happy November, writers! Join us for the Insecure Writers Support Group, a monthly blog hop that’s the brainchild of Alex Cavanaugh.

I’m thrilled to co-host today along with my teammates Jenni Enzor, Renee Scattergood, Rebecca Douglass, Lynn Bradshaw, and Melissa Maygrove!

Today’s question: When you began writing, what did you imagine your life as a writer would be like? Were you right, or has this experience presented you with some surprises along the way?

I started on a lark with zero expectations about life as a “writer“. The word felt pretentious and unfamiliar to me. It was simply a delight to create fictional worlds shaped by my characters’ whims. The words poured out of me without much knowledge of structure or point-of-view.

Three years later, in 2010, when a small publisher took a chance on my debut novel, I experienced a mix of imposter syndrome along with incredible support from online friends, authors, and readers. I bounced from envisioning “best-seller” status to feeling like the heel of the shoe worn by those best-selling authors.

Surprises have ambushed me from quite a few corners, like:

  • Finding my own voice. I used to compare myself unfavorably to other authors, and sometimes I still do. But I heard somewhere that NOBODY writes like you do, and that sentiment has stuck with me. There aren’t many psychologists/ authors (psycho authors) out there, and probably none who share my obsession with swimming, volleyball, Pinterest food creations, and curse words!
  • I will survive if readers don’t like my books. Reading preferences are so subjective. I’ve found that writing is just like school, work, sports, and relationships in that I perform better by focusing on the process (writing what I want to write, learning the craft) instead of the outcome (reviews and sales).
  • I always knew I could persevere. Swimming thousands (millions?) of laps while staring at a black line on the pool bottom, as well as my neurotic need for achievement, strengthened my sense of grit. But I never predicted that I would publish ten novels!

Which brings me to my NEW RELEASE on 11/14/25: Low Water!

Cover by Coreen Montagna

Haunted by the past. Healing in the present. Hoping for a better future. And telling cringey dad jokes along the way.

I shared my blurb last month, and it’s available on Amazon as a pre-order. Have you ever felt hopeless about healing after tragic events? I used to. But then I learned a powerful treatment called cognitive processing therapy, and I want everyone with PTSD (real or fictional) to start the therapy, stat. CPT inspired me to return to writing after a three-year hiatus.

Two questions for you, writers:

  1. Would you be willing to publicize Low Water around the time of release day (Friday 11/14/25) on your blog or social media?
    • If you’d like a special blog post about trauma (sudden death, domestic violence, etc.), cognitive processing therapy for PTSD, writing about sports, or a topic of your choice, please leave your email address in a comment or email me at jenniferlanebooks at gmail.
    • If you want to share a social media post, here are options:
    • Two lives marked by trauma. One chance to rediscover hope. New Release LOW WATER. Psychological suspense. https://www.amazon.com/Low-Water-Jennifer-Lane-ebook/dp/B0FYV32BV4
    • Trauma survivors, there’s hope! Combine the thrill of competitive swimming with the power of cognitive processing therapy to heal PTSD. Pre-order “Low Water” by Jennifer Lane now and rediscover strength. https://www.amazon.com/Low-Water-Jennifer-Lane-ebook/dp/B0FYV32BV4
    • Trauma survivors, listen up! I’m Jennifer Lane, psychologist & author. My new ebook LOW WATER reveals how cognitive processing therapy can heal PTSD. Pre-order now and rediscover hope. https://tinyurl.com/2vbzx668
  2. What are the pros/cons of publishing the ebook on KDP Select vs. wide? Ronel Janse van Vuuren helped me try to figure out Draft 2 Digital to publish wide my novella earlier this year, but I’m still unfamiliar with the site compared to Amazon. (I’m trying to publish the paperback on D2D and don’t know how to set the margins to 8.5 x 5.5 while using my own interior pdf, for example.) I’ve had all my books in KDP Select for years, which might make more sense for romance novels, but my new release has only a side element of romance.

This insecure writer thanks you for stopping by!

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Feels Great to Finish! #IWSG

Jennifer Lane
Ninja Captain Alex Cavanaugh started The Insecure Writers Support Group. Join us!

THANK YOU to the co-hosts for the October 1 posting of the IWSG: Beth Camp, Crystal Collier, and Cathrina Constantine!

I appreciate your encouragement last month, fellow writers! I was able to finish my 10th novel, Low Water, in the nick of time (I hope) to have print copies published before a book event on November 1. My critique partner, Nicki Elson, has provided wonderful support, as always. I sent the manuscript to my editor today, and my book designer is working on cover designs.

Research for the climactic action scene took me to Harbour Town on Hilton Head Island, where I snapped this photo (which might become part of the cover?)

Blurbs are always a challenge, ugh. Nicki helped me craft this one:

Two lives marked by trauma. One chance to rediscover hope.

In the sun-drenched Lowcountry of South Carolina, a swim coach haunted by tragedy and a psychologist devoted to healing cross paths just as their lives unravel.

He once believed Olympic-sized dreams and terrible dad jokes could get him through anything, but waves of grief threaten to pull him under. She has built a career navigating others through pain, yet she struggles to confront her own.

When their worlds collide, Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD forces the question: is it possible to dive into the past without drowning? Neither expects the other to become a lifeline. But with connection and courage, they search for a way forward—one stroke at a time.

Striving, tender, and surprisingly funny, this is a story about resilience and learning that the best way out of the deep end is together.

I’m hoping for a November release date.

What’s your favorite dad joke? Here’s one from my swim coach character, Jordan:

What does the buffalo tell his son in the morning?

Bye, son!

I look forward to reading about the favorite thing you’ve written.

Last Update for my Novel in Progress: Low Water 88,500 / ~87,000 words