Tag: writing

insecure writers support group, writing

Driven to Distraction: Insecure Writers Support Group

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Have you heard of the Insecure Writers Support Group? Started by author Alex Cavanaugh, it’s a monthly blog post to vent our fears and share our dreams! Join us here, where you can also find great content to help your writing.

Today’s co-hosts: Victoria Marie Lees, Kim Lajevardi, Nancy Gideon, and Cathrina Constantine! Thank you–you’re awesome!

May 1 question – How do you deal with distractions when you are writing? Do they derail you?

This question reminds me of strategies I review with athletes and other performers to help them focus. The first step to overcome distractions is to identify the ones that plague us most–external and internal.

External distractions may include cell phones, social media, noise, people, and obligations. My biggest external distractions? Busy day job that drains me, four email accounts, Facebook, American Idol and other TV shows, audiobooks, construction noise outside my new-build home, decorating said home, helping my 87-year-old dad adjust to a new state, and cleaning up cat barf.

Internal distractions typically include thoughts and emotions like frustration, anxiety, and INSECURITY (*points to the name of our group*). I imagine that physical and mental health issues could also distract us. Of all my internal distractions, I think that perfectionism slows my writing and derails me most.

Image by Richard Duijnstee from Pixabay

How do I deal with distractions? Not well. I’ve written about one paragraph a month this year! But when the writing flows better, I take long walks to the beat of music instead of audiobooks, which frees my mind to plot novels. I keep in touch with my critique partner and schedule writing sprints with friends. And I carve out time for writing, mostly on weekend mornings.

insecure writers support group, writing

JenniferLaneBooks Blog History #IWSG

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Feeling insecure? Join us to bolster your confidence! Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh, our captain.

Some of my favorite group members are today’s co-hosts–I appreciate you!  Janet Alcorn, T. Powell Coltrin, Natalie Aguirre, and Pat Garcia!

April 3 question – How long have you been blogging? (Or on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram?) What do you like about it and how has it changed?

What a great question to prompt reflection. My fledgling blog (and social media) started in 2010, right before the publication of my first novel, With Good Behavior. Book bloggers were a fierce force in the publishing industry then, and I participated in blog hops and book tours galore.

Almost 15 years later, blogging in general has seemed to become less influential and mainstream. I’ve seen author blogs like mine shift away from a sole focus on book promotion. I moved from Blogger to WordPress in 2020, and I still haven’t gotten to the housekeeping I want to do on here. But one constant has been meeting wonderful writers and readers like YOU! Book nerds like us are special people.

As my writing has slowed, so has my blogging. I’m quite grateful to the insecure writer’s support group for nudging me to blog at least monthly, which has kept me in touch with writing. Hey, Alex Cavanaugh, when did IWSG start? I’m proud to have been part of this gregarious group from just about the beginning.

Image by Roberta Radini from Pixabay

Here’s to 15 more years(?) of blogging!

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Ups and Downs #IWSG

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Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for starting this group. Join us!

Many thanks to March’s wonderful co-hosts: Kristina Kelly, Miffie Seideman, Jean Davis, and Liza @ Middle Passages!

I’ll be brief this month as I’m rather tired in the midst of some family stuff. Life sure presents ups and downs.

The positive aspects of my life include longer daylight starting this weekend in America (can we PLEASE keep Daylight Savings Time?!?), writing a little bit, and my 87-year-old dad moving from Ohio to South Carolina (where I live, along with one of my sisters).

A sad reason for my dad’s move is the death of my 87-year-old mom in February. We are fortunate that Mom lived so long, and it was scary and surreal to witness her health decline the past four months to the point where her body was done with this world.

Mom endured a rough upbringing, and my childhood attempts to soothe her anxiety were likely the foundation for my career choice of psychologist. She was a teacher who loved crafting, swearing, laughing, and Jumbles puzzles. I hope she has found some peace.

Here are my parents in their 40s:

I hope you stay strong as you navigate life’s highs and lows!

insecure writers support group, writing

Visiting Writer Blogs #IWSG

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Join us for monthly blog posts at The Insecure Writers Support Group, created by Ninja Captain Alex.

Thank you to this month’s co-hosts! Janet Alcorn, SE White, Victoria Marie Lees, and Cathrina Constantine.

February 7 question: What turns you off when visiting an author’s website/blog? Lack of information? A drone of negativity? Little mention of author’s books? Constant mention of books?

One aspect I enjoy most about IWSG is the opportunity to check out different writer blogs. It’s fun seeing how creative minds design their blog or answer the question of the month so uniquely. I like to see published authors’ book covers, and attempts at humor endear me to the writer.

I do find it frustrating when I have trouble locating the blog URL or IWSG post for that month. I’m even more frustrated when Blogger won’t let me comment from my MacBook. I also prefer to avoid reading political commentary, which seems to polarize and infect almost every aspect of life.

How is your writing coming along?

Image by Markus Winkler from Pixabay

I haven’t made much progress on my new novel, but a recent swim vacation to Belize inspired my thinking about plot and characters. This school of blue tang mesmerized me.

insecure writers support group, writing

Insecure Writers Support Group: Who Do You Review For?

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Thank you to Alex Cavanaugh for creating this awesome group. Join us here. It’s great to cohost today along with are C. Lee McKenzie, JQ Rose, and Jacqui Murray!

I’m excited that I started writing my next novel! It’s a sport psychology story with a tentative title of Low Water. My progress is slow, partly because I’ve been traveling to Ohio to help my aging parents, but it feels good to write again.

December 6 question: Book reviews are for the readers. When you leave a book reviews do you review for the Reader or the Author? Is it about what you liked and enjoyed about your reading experience, or do you critique the author?

It depends. If I’m reading a book that is published by a Big Five publisher, I tend to review more for the reader. If the book is published by an indie author (who I may know), I tend to leave a review more for the author. I like to function at Goodreads in both capacities (as reader and author).

Happy writing to all!

insecure writers support group, writing

#IWSG No NaNo

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Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for starting this awesome Insecure Writer’s Support Group!

I appreciate the efforts of Alex and this month’s cohosts: PJ Colando, Jean Davis, Lisa Buie Collard, and Diedre Knight!

November 1 question: November is National Novel Writing Month. Have you ever participated? If not, why not?

I have never participated, though the idea of writing 50,000 words in one month intrigues me. I find that working a full-time job and carving out some time to exercise every day leaves little free time to write during the week, so I don’t think I could win NaNo as long as I keep my job. (And I don’t even have a spouse and kids to care for!)

Lately, I’ve also been consumed by moving, unpacking, assembling furniture, re-assembling furniture after I screw up, and spending time with my sister and her family in my new home in South Carolina. It was a treasure to trick-or-treat with my 5-year-old niece, who dressed as Barbie (of course). She had fun at a Halloween dance competition but couldn’t compete with a manic T-Rex:

Happy Halloween, happy writing, and good luck on NaNoWriMo for those who accept the challenge!
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Movin’ on Down #IWSG

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Join the Insecure Writers Support Group, started by Alex Cavanaugh

Mochas gracias to the co-hosts for the October 4 posting of the IWSG are Natalie Aguirre, Kim Lajevardi, Debs Carey, Gwen Gardner, Patricia Josephine, and Rebecca Douglass!

Hey, writers! I didn’t want to miss this month’s post, but I’ll be brief, because I’m moving to South Carolina in 5 days *EEP*

I’ve lived in Columbus, Ohio for 24 years–that’s a whole lotta STUFF that I’ve accumulated. And my stuff had babies when I wasn’t looking. But soon I’ll be in the sunny south, yahoo!

Hope you have a great October.

insecure writers support group, writing

Happy 12th Birthday #IWSG

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Join us for the Insecure Writers Support Group, started by Alex Cavanaugh.

Thank you to the kind co-hosts this month: Sonia Dogra, J Lenni Dorner, Pat Garcia, Sarah – The Faux Fountain Pen, and Meka James!

HAPPY TWELFTH BIRTHDAY, INSECURE WRITER’S SUPPORT GROUP!!! 
🎈✨🎉🎊🎁🎂🍰

September 6 question: The IWSG celebrates 12 years today! When did you discover the IWSG, how do you connect, and how has it helped you?

Wow, 12 years! I’ve been part of this amazing support group for about 10. I believe a fellow author with my publisher, Nicki Elson, turned me on to the group. Nicki became my critique partner, and the IWSG became an inspiring source of support!

While the self-depracating group name drew me in, the welcoming writers led me to return month after month. I so appreciate author Alex Cavanaugh’s investment in creating and maintaining this group. I’m also grateful to writers who often stop by to comment and encourage, including Natalie Aguirre, Pat Garcia, emaginette, Janet Alcorn, Diane Burton, Joylene Butler, Cherie Colyer, Nick Wilford, Olga Godim, Louise Fundy Blue, Esther O’Neill, and so many more.

Image by gerald at Pixabay

As a therapist, I have facilitated support groups, but it’s even more fun to vent my angst as a member of this writing support group. The IWSG gave me the courage and skills to start self-publishing in 2014, and I’m so glad I made the leap. This group has also inspired imagination, helping me to consider new ideas and opportunities from book covers to genres to editing.

So thank you, Alex, and all you impressive and interesting writers. Your support and collegiality mean a lot to me!

Image by Artsybee from Pixabay
insecure writers support group, writing

The Call of Water and Family #IWSG

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I appreciate this month’s amazing co-hosts: Kate Larkinsdale, Diane Burton,Janet Alcorn, and Shannon Lawrence!

Water is special to me. As a competitive swimmer, I’ve spent countless hours submerged in clean chlorine. My favorite vacations include lounging on the beach, absorbing the warmth of the sun while the rumbling rush of waves lulls me to contemplation.

Ohio has been my home for over 40 years, but the water and my family lure me closer. I’m moving to South Carolina!

Not only will I live 30 minutes from the shore, but I will revel in quality time with my sister and her family. I’ve missed many moments of my three nephews growing up in Chicago, and I want to witness my niece develop into the vibrant person she’s becoming.

And I’ll take my nephew doggie, Auggie, on meandering walks.

Though I’ll start a psychology private practice eventually, I’m thrilled my employer offered a full-time position working remotely (video visits).

Saying goodbye to friends is tough, and I’m crossing my fingers that my feline companions, Tess and Tux, don’t meow for the entire 11-hour drive. But I’m up for a new adventure! The setting for my next novel will definitely be the South Carolina Lowcountry.

If you’ve moved across states, any words of wisdom?

insecure writers support group, writing

Story Ideas #IWSG

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Writers, we all know insecurity and self-doubt. If you’d like to join our supportive community to feel less alone on this writing journey, check out the Insecure Writers Support Group, hosted by Alex Cavanaugh.

Many thanks to the collegial co-hosts this month: PJ Colando, Kim Lajevardi, Gwen Gardner, Pat Garcia, and Natalie Aguirre!

July 5 question – 99% of my story ideas come from dreams. Where do yours predominantly come from?

One of my novels (psychological thriller Twin Sacrifice) came from a dream, but I’m more likely to be inspired by various media sources (TV, movies, books, music) and my psychologist career. I enjoy throwing my characters into therapy, the poor things.

The spark of inspiration for the next novel I’ve outlined is a bucket-list swim vacation I took to Baja, Mexico last year, as well as a wildly effective trauma treatment I’m using called cognitive processing therapy.

I hope all Americans had a great July 4th celebrating our escape from tyrannical Brits hehe. I made this Patriotic Fruit Pizza for a friend’s cookout.