Tag: IWSG

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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.

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#IWSG July #GOALS

Jennifer Lane

Whoops I hope I’m not too late (only one day?) to post for the Insecure Writers Support Group, July version. Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for starting the group–join us here!


I’m in Hilton Head with my seven-month old niece, whose cuteness supersedes any blog schedule in my mind.


Hop on over to this month’s awesome co-hosts!

Co-Hosts
Nicki Elson


Now onto this month’s question:


What are your ultimate writing goals, and how have they changed over time?

Writing started as a need to express myself, and I got lost in the characters and stories I created. Over time, more goals emerged, including the desire to inspire hope for healing and demystifying psychotherapy as one path for that healing. Another big goal has been connecting with authors and readers.

As a psychologist, I often encourage clients to focus on the process instead of the outcome. But since I’m a competitive person, I get drawn into outcome goals: sales and reviews. I wish I didn’t care as much about those, because outcome goals sometimes interfere with my enjoyment of the process. (Though a great review can sure inspire the process!)

I’m still on a writing hiatus so for now my goal is to enjoy friends and family on the weekends.

What are your #goals?
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#IWSG Writing Funk and Title Trouble

Jennifer Lane

I love summer! I was so absorbed in summer goodness that I forgot to post for June’s Insecure Writers Support Group yesterday, whoops.


Thank you to Alex Cavanaugh for his clever creation. Join us here.

I haven’t written for six months and I’m wondering if my writing mojo will return. But I do still enjoy supporting fellow authors like Ellen Jacobson from The Cynical Sailor! Her cozy mystery, Murder at the Marina, is a cute hoot, and I’ll post my review on 6/22/18.

IWSG June Question: What’s harder for you to come up with, book titles or character names?


I gotta go with titles. I agonized over the title of my last novel though in the end it probably didn’t matter much. For the most part I have a blast drumming up character names. I don’t have children so the characters are my babies I get to name and hold and pet.

Make sure to visit these stellar co-hosts!

Beverly Stowe McClure, Tyrean Martinson, and Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor!

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#IWSG Inspringration

Jennifer Lane

Welcome to May’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group hosted by Alex Cavanaugh. It’s a great place to vent fears and encourage each other.


Make sure to visit May’s Co-Hosts:

May’s Question: It’s spring! Does this season inspire you to write more than others, or not?

Thank goodness spring has sprung. These cold, cloudy days have been major downers. The longer daylight in spring often motivates many aspects of my life, including writing. 

I’m also inspired by different types of artists. Is anyone watching American Idol? I’m amazed by how much I enjoy the new season. Besides writing, creative pursuits like singing, cooking (in Chopped), and fashion design (in Project Runway) enthrall me.

Here’s a post that might interest you: Seven Ways to Build Your Writing Confidence.

Happy writing!