USING YOUR DEVICES

Hey! It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the Insecure Writers Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh.

The first Wednesday of every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

This group is for writers of all genres no matter what part of the writing journey you’re on. It’s a safe place where you can share your insecurities, struggles, your triumphs, or offer a word of encouragement for other writers.  This group is all about connecting with other writers. Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.  Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!   

The awesome co-hosts for the May 3 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Meka James, Diane Burton, Victoria Marie Lees, and M Louise Barbour!

May 3 question - When you are working on a story, what inspires you?

                                            Remember, the question is optional. 

Music!

That's what inspires me.

Music alters my sensibilities...

I start writing early in the day...

Listening to my "writing" playlist on Spotify. 

Later...

Depending on what I'm writing... 

I'll put other genres of music that groove with me.

To me...

Music is one of mankind’s greatest achievements...

"It’s the oil of life" my friend, Dario once said, and I agree. 

Imagine y e a r s  ago...

The dawn of rhythms, harmonies, and melodies...  

Consisted of playing drums, flutes, and harps...

And chanting and mantras. 

But really, did anyone chant or say OM for entertainment?

When songs came along with melody and lyrics... 

People were left to their own devices to be entertained... 

And they had to have a great memory...

If they wanted to whistle, hum, or sing a song... 

They  probably only heard a handful of times. 

Music has taken a long fascinating multi-cultural journey 

throughout history...

And now we can listen to what we like on our technological devices. 

Or, we still can hum, whistle, or sing if we want.

And I love that we can take our music anywhere and anytime. 

So?

What is your inspiration when writing?

And do you listen to music when you write?

And if so, what?

 

Always,

Em-Musing

 

Below is a link to a rendition of the oldest known song in the world circa 1400 years B.C. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8tfBLvlN98

This group is for writers of all genres no matter what part of the writing journey you’re on. It’s a safe place where you can share your insecurities, struggles, your triumphs, or offer a word of encouragement for other writers.  This group is all about connecting with other writers. Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.  Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!   

 

THROW IT BACK

 Hey! It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the Insecure Writers Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh.   More details below.

The awesome co-hosts for the April 5 posting of the IWSG are Jemima Pett, Nancy Gideon, and Natalie Aguirre! 

 

April 5 question: Do you remember writing your first book? What were your thoughts about a career path on writing? Where are you now and how is it working out for you? If you’re at the start of the journey, what are your goals?

Since I was a ten  and on into my teensI wrote poetry.

When I married and became a young mommy 

I put all writing aside—too busy.

Then one day, an idea for a book came to me...

The premise: 

A mommy brings home nursery rhyme books from the library

And she shocked to see some of the rhyming couplets have been changed.

Surely the book publisher had made a mistake

(Oops! Did a proofreader goof?).

So she takes the books and shows them to the librarian.

But the woman didn’t have a clue nor did she care.

So mommy goes snooping... 

And uncovers a political plot 

But who would do this? And why?

That's what she was going to find out.

There was so much more to the story

But I got too busy again being a mommy 

And unfortunately back then

There were no computers and “Save File” options.

All I had was my trusty Royal typewriter.

Ultimately... 

I’ve I lost all typed pages and handwritten notes.

I even forgot the rest of the storyline.

Then in the 80’s...

A TV show called The Scarecrow and Mrs. King aired

With the same premise—a mommy goes undercover, yada, yada, yada,

I knew I had a good idea!

So, to answer today’s question

Did I ever aspire to be published writer?

Maybe for a hot minute. 

But I did become a creative copywriter

And loved writing every word.

Now, at this juncture of my life

I’ve self-published one book

And have finished another manuscript—Women’s Fiction, humorous

(I have 5 more in queue )

And I'm working to get it published traditionally.

And you?

What’s your story?

 

Always,

Em-Musing

 

P.S.

After my mother passed, my sisters and I went through her things and lo and behold there was a box and in it were all my hand-written poems. I couldn’t believe it. Thanks, mom.

This group is for writers of all genres no matter what part of the writing journey you’re on. It’s a safe place where you can share your insecurities, struggles, your triumphs, or offer a word of encouragement for other writers.  This group is all about connecting with other writers. Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.  Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!   

The first Wednesday of every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. Remember, the question is optional!!!

 

UNDER-WRITERS

 

Hey! It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the Insecure Writers Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh.

This group is for writers of all genres no matter what part of the writing journey you’re on. It’s a safe place where you can share your insecurities, struggles, your triumphs, or offer a word of encouragement for other writers.  Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.  Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. Remember, this question is optional!

The awesome co-hosts for the March 1 posting of the IWSG are Diedre Knight, Tonya Drecker, Bish Denham, Olga Godim, and JQ Rose!


March 1 question - Have you ever read a line in novel or a clever plot twist that caused you to have author envy?

Many lines in many books have hooked my attention

But none linger like Dickens:  

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times  (etc.)

Now... regarding Author Envy 

I have a thing for Nora Ephron

She was a story-telling genius!

I absolutely love her humor and writing style

And that got me thinking 

Writing styles are like underwear

For instance:

 

BRIEFS WRITER  a.k.a. tighty whities

Their writing is tight 

Cutting out all those unnecessary words

And long expositions

WHITE COTTON PANTY WRITER

Their stories are so squeaky clean 

They appeal to the Amish and sweet romance fans

 

THONG  WRITER 

Their stories don’t have much substance 

But they definitely hold your interest.

 

BOXER UNDERWEAR WRITER

They use too many adjectives, adverbs 

And other junky writing that no reader needs to see. 

 

HOLEY UNDERWEAR WRITER

Their stories are so full of holes 

They don’t make sense.  

 

LACE PANTY WRITER

Their stories are so steamy 

you need a shower afterward. 

NO PANTIES WRITER

Porn. Too dirty to talk about. 

 

So?

Are you an “underwear” writer?

And can you think of another “underwear” writer genre. 

Do tell.

 

Always,

Em-Musing                           

 

 

 

NEVER JUDGE AN AUTHOR BY THEIR BOOK COVER

 Hey! It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the Insecure Writers Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. 

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

The awesome co-hosts for the February 1 posting of the IWSG are Jacqui Murray, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Pat Garcia, and Gwen Gardner!

February 1 question - If you are an Indie author, do you make your own covers or purchase them? If you publish trad, how much input do you have about what goes on your cover?

If it’s one thing I’ve learned in my life...

It’s that while I’m good at some things...

There are some things I’m just not good at...

Like designing book covers. 

To me it’s like when people say, 

“Oh, writing a book seems easy.”

They don’t have a clue, do they? 

So when I think I can design a book cover...

I know I don’t have a clue...

And that’s not to say some writers can’t design a book cover

I’ve seen many.

But for me...

I know there are more qualified artists and designers out there .

For my book, AZAEL’S LOT

I hired a designer from Germany on Fiverr

The process was easy and the price right.

And truthfully...

I’m insecure enough about me being a writer...

I didn’t want to add another layer of insecurity...

Wondering if my book cover was good or not.

So?

What book cover choices did you make?

And for those who traditionally pub’d... 

Did you have any say-so?

How much?

And... were you happy with the results?

 

Always, 

Em-Musing

Here’s a link to the newest trends in book covers for 2023

 

SAY THE WORD - BE THE WORD

 Hey! It’s the monthly blog hop for the Insecure Writers Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. It happens the first Wednesday of every month where a question is offered that you can answer on your blog. The question is optional, but you’re invited to visit other’s blogs and leave a comment. 

The awesome co-hosts for the January 4 posting of the IWSG are Jemima Pett, Debs Carey, Kim Lajevardi, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, and T. Powell Coltrin!

January 4 question - Do you have a word of the year? Is there one word that sums up what you need to work on or change in the coming year? 

                                        ~~~

I like this question...

But I had to think for a moment before I got my answer...

Because I’ve never had just one word... 

That sums up what I need to work on or change... 

Rather I had sentences:

Get off your lazy butt. Write!

How old will you be before you finish writing this book? Write!

Stop excessive cleaning!  Write!

You’ve watched enough Netflix. Write!

Get off social media. Write!

But if I had to pick just one word for this year...

It’d be "determined".

Yup…determined.
I’m determined to get this W.I.P. manuscript to an editor!

I’m determined to research agents—and send queries!

I’m determined to update this blog!

I’m determined to get published!

And most of all...

I’m determined to be determined!!

And you?

What’s your word? 

Oh, and... 

Always,

Em, Musing

 

P.S.  Sorry I missed December’s blog post. I cannot lie...I had so much going on that I plum forgot.

       

Also, when thinking about the "word" 

       Three songs came to mind:

       Grease is the Word - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gqiyqu1GVE

       Bird is the Word - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doopjZnA4MU

       The Word  -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfBEqiEhCgM

     

NOVEMBER TIDINGS

Hey! It’s the monthly blog hop for the Insecure Writers Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. It happens the first Wednesday of every month where a question is offered that you can answer on your blog. The question is optional, but you’re invited to visit other’s blogs and leave a comment. 

Purpose: The Insecure Writer Support Group is for writers of all genres no matter what part of the writing journey you’re on. It’s a safe place where you can share your insecurities, struggles, your triumphs, or offer a word of encouragement for other writers.  This group is all about connecting with other writers. Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.  Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!   

The awesome co-hosts for the November 2 posting of the IWSG are Diedre Knight, Douglas Thomas Greening, Nick Wilford, and Diane Burton!

November 2's optional question- November is National Novel Writing Month. Have you ever participated? If not, why not?

Several years ago, I participated in NaNoWriMo...

And wrote 30,000 words... 

And for the record...

I’m a pantser, meaning I let my creativity flow on the go...

So, NaNo shouldn’t have been so daunting...

But the pressure each day to perform... 

Felt as uncomfortable as not wearing any pants at all. 

So no, no NaNo for me this year.

Next up— Día de Los Muertos... 

(Not the same as Halloween)

Day of the Dead is  traditionally celebrated...

November 1st and 2nd...

But the fiestas can start a day before... 

And often they’re in the streets with parades.

When I first moved to Mexico I was told the tradition...

Of Día de Los Muertos was families sitting in a cemetery... 

With food, drinks, & gifts for a loved loved one if they were to show up. 

It seemed creepy... 

But only because I've had several supernatural occurrences...

And I will never tempt any more “visitations.”

(I do believe in ghosts, I do, I do, I do)

I’ve since learned that not all Mexicans... 

Celebrate by sitting in cemeteries...

Rather, they'll make a small altar in their home...

              

Honoring the deceased with photos,candles, 

marigolds, food & drink...

And sometimes Sugar Skulls..

Large ones are for decoration...

And the smaller candy ones are to be eaten.

And of course Pan de Muertos is found everywhere.

And if you can’t tell, the top is the image of a spider.  

 And take a look around...there are Catrinas everywhere.

The first ever Catrina made her appearance as a newspaper illustration in 1913 by Mexican artist Jose Guadalupe Posada. It was a critique of Mexican women back then who used make-up and fashion to assimilate to European standards of beauty.

But dressing in costume like a Catrina is a recent occurrence, say in the last twelve or so years..

When COCO—the musical film about Dia de Los Muertos—came out...

I loved it, and it gave me a better understanding... 

Of Mexico's Dia de Los Muertos...

And I’m more respectful of this tradition now.

But getting back to Catrinas...

Kelly Bandalos, a great artist friend of mine from L.I , NY has collection of pastel Catrinas...plus a whole lot more.

Do check her out at:  https://www.kellybandalos.com

And offering even more Skull Artistry is Michell Kott,  my creative cousin from Philly whose media is photography

    

And here's her website: https://www.michellekott.net  Check it out for all her fabulous photos.

So? 

Doing NaNoWriMo?

Or ever been to a Dia de Los Muertos fiesta?

Or seen a ghost? 

Always,

Em-Musing