Tag: IWSG

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#IWSG Favorite Genres

Jennifer Lane

Happy June to all writers! Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for starting this support group.


Ack, I’m a little late getting my post up. My work has slowed down for the summer, and apparently my memory has slowed as well.


IWSG Day Question: Of all the genres you read and write, which is your favorite to write in and why?

I write sports romance and romantic suspense–the same genres I tend to read. A newer genre to me is psychological thrillers. For book club this month, I chose The Silent Patient, a 5-star read for me that featured some great insight into therapy. 

A friend loaned me The Breakdown, another psychological thriller I enjoyed (here’s my review.) I rarely figure out mysteries when I read. Do you?

I wanted to read that same author’s debut, Behind Closed Doors, so I was lucky to find an e-audiobook at the library right away. I had so much fun listening to the audiobook that I promptly downloaded a romantic suspense favorite by Pamela Clare, Breaking Point. It’s 12 hours long and about 2 of those hours seem to be sex scenes–too much for me. But I love the plot and characterization.

After an 18-month hiatus, I finally started writing my next novel, a sport romance. I’m going to take it slowly and only write when I feel like it. 

Hope your writing is going well!

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#IWSG The Power of Language and New Anthology

Jennifer Lane
Ho hey, it’s MAY! My favorite season of summer is upon us, and I can’t wait to swim in the sunshine and absorb vitamin D.

Just yesterday, Dancing Lemur Press released the latest IWSG anthology, Masquerade: Oddly Suited. I’m delighted to join nine authors penning short stories. Check out all of the blogs to read blurbs and learn more about these diverse, engaging characters!

Myles Christensen www.myleschristensen.com

Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for starting this awesome support group. Sign up HERE.

IWSG Day Question:
What was an early experience where you learned that language had power? 


Wow, this question provokes thought. One time that stands out for me is when I learned to be a therapist in grad school. I remember my supervisors teaching me the importance of language for accurate listening and building rapport with my clients. I learned to use the same words as my clients–if they say, “That pissed me off!” then I reply, “You were pissed off.” But I also developed the skill of listening to the unsaid words, empathizing with something like, “Underneath your anger is a deep sense of hurt.”

Thank you to the awesome co-hosts for the May 1 posting of the IWSG:

Lee Lowery, Juneta Key, Yvonne Ventresca, and T. Powell Coltrin 


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#IWSG Release Date Nears #MasqueradeOddlySuited #shortstory #anthology

Jennifer Lane




Welcome to our writerly support group. We share hopes and fears the first Wednesday of every month. Bunny hop over to Alex Cavanaugh’s blog to sign up.

Thanks to our co-hosts for April:


As one of ten authors with short stories in the Masquerade: Oddly Suited IWSG anthology, I’m psyched about the release date in less than one month. April 30, baby!

Add the anthology to your Goodreads shelf. And you can pre-order on Amazon and other sites.

Author Elizabeth Mueller has created gorgeous masked and unmasked images of our characters that we will reveal as the release date approaches.

We also wrote 600-word teasers with our short-story characters. My baseball catcher, Colt, picks up softball pitcher, Andie, for a high-school party in my teaser, Get Your Own Girlfriend. Carrie-Anne Brownian’s blog will feature my masked image and teaser on 4.25.19.

Happy writing!

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#IWSG Hero or Villain: Who Narrates the Story?

Jennifer Lane

Join us for the Insecure Writers Support Group at Alex Cavanaugh’s blog.

How’s writing going for you? I’ve limited my writing to psychotherapy case notes lately, though I have joined an inspiring group of authors gearing up for the next IWSG anthology’s release on April 30.

Check out the IWSG Anthologies website to learn more about the first three short stories in Masquerade: Oddly Suited, including excerpts. My baseball catcher and softball pitcher get to know each other in the second post, featuring my story, Behind the Catcher’s Mask.

IWSG Day Question: Whose perspective do you like to write from best, the hero (protagonist) or the villain (antagonist)? And why?


My first-person stories have been exclusively from the heroes’ perspectives, probably because I am an upbeat person who roots for the good guy. However, I have delved into the villain’s point of view in my third-person stories. One of my favorite parts of writing is exploring character motivation, and what’s more interesting than getting inside the head of a villain? The trick is not to make them over-the-top evil. We all have reasons for what we do, and the villain’s motivations are as good as any.
Thank you to today’s Co-Hosts: 

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#IWSG Masquerade: Oddly Suited Anthology #YA #romance

Jennifer Lane

How’s your February going, writers? Join us for the monthly support group at Alex Cavanaugh’s blog.


One of the best aspects of the IWSG is meeting diverse and talented writers across the blogoverse. The opportunity to be part of our next anthology has highlighted this benefit for me.

Check out this shining group of authors contributing stories to Masquerade: Oddly Suited!


Fellow author Anstice Brown created this fun cover reveal video:



If you want to support the anthology, please like our Facebook page.

And you can sign up for the blog tour HERE.

Happy Singles Awareness Day on February 14th!

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#IWSG Young Adult Romance Anthology MASQUERADE: ODDLY SUITED

Jennifer Lane

Happy New Year to all writers!


I’m vacationing in Florida this week so I’ve abdicated all responsibility, including a timely post. Today we went to Universal and I walked 23,000 steps!

But I’m especially excited to share that my short story was selected for the next IWSG anthology, Masquerade: Oddly Suited. 

When I first learned of the anthology’s young adult romance / masquerade theme, a vision of smoldering blue eyes behind a catcher’s mask came to me. I built on that image to write a YA sports romance involving a baseball catcher and a softball pitcher.

Congratulations to all authors who submitted. Here’s the list of titles for the anthology:  

Oddly Suited by LG Keltner
Sea of Sorrows by AV Brown
Behind the Catcher’s Mask by Jennifer Lane
A Diver’s Ball by Angela Brown
Fearless Heart by Deborah Solice
The Dark Charade by CD Gallant-King
The Cog Prince by Elizabeth Mueller
Flower of Ronda by Myles Christensen
Remedy by Chelsea Ballard
Charleston Masquerade by Carrie-Anne Brownian 


The top story has the honors of being included in the title. LG Keltner’s story came out on top! Way to go, LG.

A huge thank you goes out to the IWSG administrators and judges. I really appreciate your time.

Kelly Van Sant, agent at Red Sofa Literary Agency 
DL Hammons, Write Club founder
Gwen Gardner, author and previous IWSG anthology winner

Look for Masquerade: Oddly Suited late spring.


And thank you to our co-hosts this month:

Patricia Lynne, Lisa Buie-Collard, Kim Lajevardi, and Fundy Blue!

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#IWSG Bodies in the Boatyard by @Ellen__Jacobson 5 Star Review #cozymystery

Jennifer Lane

Happy Holidays, writers! Time for the Insecure Writers Support Group, hosted by Alex Cavanaugh.


Thank you to this month’s co-hosts:

 J.H. Moncrieff, Tonja Drecker , Patsy Collins, and Chrys Fey

Fall is my busiest time at work so I’ve focused more on my day job than on writing lately. But, I did submit a short story for consideration in an anthology, and I applied for a writing festival.


I’d like to share my review for fellow IWSG author’s latest release, Bodies in the Boatyard. Congratulations to Ellen Jacobson for her engaging cozy mystery series!



Bodies in the Boatyard (A Mollie McGhie Cozy Sailing Mystery #2)Bodies in the Boatyard by Ellen Jacobson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Panda Bear on the Case

I continue to enjoy the integration of murder mystery, sailing science, chocolate cravings, and frisky felines in the Mollie McGhie series, which takes place in a small Florida boating community.

In book two, Mollie’s husband, Scooter, has moved on from calling her Sweet Potato to Panda Bear, and Mollie appreciates not being referred to as a root vegetable anymore. Their dilapidated boat has sprung a leak, so she gets hauled to the boatyard for repairs.

Conflict among Mollie’s Coconut Cove neighbors, along with an illegal poaching ring, lead to dead bodies piling up. Who finds these bodies? Mollie, of course–much to the consternation of the police chief. If Mollie weren’t so cute and good-hearted, she might get in trouble for her meddling! She is also lucky to have a feline mini-sleuth at her side, the adorable Mrs. Moto, to help her solve crimes.

I like clever boat names like The Codfather, and Mollie’s incessant sweet tooth that never stops scheming for sugar. There are also some fun jabs at extreme environmentalists who seem to value the environment more than human life.

I look forward to book three in the series!

View all my reviews
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#IWSG Creative Pursuits Beyond Writing

Jennifer Lane

Happy November, writers! Join our support group to encourage fellow writers and vent about the writing process at Alex Cavanaugh’s blog.

Thank you to this month’s awesome co-hosts. Congratulations in particular to Ellen Jacobson for her upcoming release, Bodies in the Boatyard. Anytime I start laughing simply from reading the dedication (“For cats everywhere who hate collars”), I know I’m in for an enjoyable read. I loved book one in the series: Murder at the Marina.


Co-Hosts: Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor, Ann V. Friend, JQ Rose, and Elizabeth Seckman

IWSG Day Question: How has your creativity in life evolved since you began writing?


Starting this writing adventure has helped me realize how important creativity is in my life. Aquarians born between January 20 and February 18, like me, are known to be creative. However, I never embraced my creative side until I started writing novels.

In addition to writing, I enjoy creative pursuits like Paint Nite and Pinterest recipes. Here are a few of my favorite creations:

Thanksgiving Cheese Tray
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#IWSG The Healing Power of Writing

Jennifer Lane
Happy October, writers! Time to support each other on this writing journey…join us here.

Thank you to this month’s co-hosts:


IWSG Day Question: How do major life events affect your writing? Has writing ever helped you through something?

This is a timely question for me as I’ve been pondering why I haven’t felt as motivated to write lately. (Though I do plan to finish a short story soon.)

I’ve realized that I don’t feel the burning need to write right now because things in my career are pretty good. I went through some difficult times at work in 2007, and I unknowingly turned to writing to cope with feelings of insecurity and betrayal. The words poured out of me then. I made my ex-boss the villain of my first book, a murder mystery. (He he.)

Thank you, writing! You have helped me heal. I also feel grateful for second chances. After a six-year hiatus working elsewhere, I returned to my same position, and version 2.0 is much better. I’m less naive and more confident, and my career as a psychologist feels like a true calling.

Maybe I’ll immerse myself in a sea of words again, but for now I’m happy to bask in the sunshine onshore, knowing writing is always there to dive into when I need it.


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#IWSG Publishing Paths #writer #support #group

Jennifer Lane
Happy September, writers! Join our support group to vent and celebrate this wild writing journey at our founder’s blog, Alex Cavanaugh. 

Thank you to this month’s courageous co-hosts: Toi Thomas, T. Powell Coltrin, M.J. Fifield, and Tara Tyler!

IWSG Day Question: What publishing path are you considering/did you take, and why?


I never anticipated becoming a writer, much less an author, but now eight published novels sit on my shelf.

After writing a few stories, I wanted to publish my debut novel, With Good Behavior, in 2009. I bought a print book about publishing (remember print books?) and took a stab at writing synopses and queries for agents and publishers.

Rejections rolled in–disappointing then but not surprising now after I have learned more about the finicky publishing business. 

Luckily, I discovered a new small publisher that specialized in romance novels like mine, and I was THRILLED when they accepted my novel!

Omnific Publishing taught me so much about editing and marketing, and we published four novels together.

In 2014, I sought more creative control for my New Adult romance trilogy, so I ventured into self-publishing. But the awesome author friends (including critique partner Nicki Elson), editor, and book designer I’ve met through my publisher have been instrumental in creating four novels.


I love self-publishing! Though it’s a challenge to spread the word about my books, I enjoy the speed and entrepreneurial spirit. And there are so many cool writers and readers like YOU I’ve met along the way.