HEAD RUSH

This post is part of the monthly blog hop/therapy session known as the Insecure Writers Support Group, founded by the one and only, Alex J. Cavanaugh. It happens the first Wednesday of each month. If you're a writer, insecure, or just supportive of writers—insecure or not—please join us. If you visit anyone’s blog and leave a comment it will be appreciated.

November 6 optional question: What's the strangest       thing you've ever Googled in researching your a story?

And as a writer, I can attest that yes…

I've Googled some strange stuff... 

And also some awful and sad stuff.

Like one time …

I was researching human trafficking of teens…

For a screenplay I was working on when…

WHOOP!

A porn site popped up! 

And a horrible one at that!

Then more and more and more!

So I shut my computer down…

And prayed it wasn't a virus...

I guess because I’ve seen too many movies and TV shows… 

And because I'm a writer...

This scenario popped up in my head:

A swat team breaks down my door and rushes in...

Then they drag me away…

All the while yelling at me I’m the lowest crud on earth.

And not too long ago…

I was doing research for one of my W.I.P's…

To see if the setting I was using…

Was the target of recent terrorist activity.

And then another scenario pops up in my head: 

Some kind of special ops squad…

Rushes in my house, blindfolds me and drags me away.

Next, I’m in some kind of room…

You know the kind…

Bare concrete walls and a metal table with two chairs…

I’m sitting in one chair…

My interrogator is in the other…

While other special government guys watch…

From behind a mirror that’s really a window.

“So,” the interrogator says…

"We’ve been watching you…

And your history of Google searches is disturbing.”

“But, but—I’m a writer…

All I was doing is research. That’s all! I swear!!”

“Yeah, yeah, that’s what they all say. Not buying it.”

“Do I at least get to make a phone call?” I whimper like a wussy baby.

“Not in this scenario. Take her away!”

So?

What the strangest thing you've ever researched? 

Ever wonder if someone’s monitoring your computer? 

Always,

Em-Musing

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STIMULATERS

This post is part of the monthly blog hop/therapy session known as the

 Insecure Writers Support Group, founded by the one and only, Alex J. Cavanaugh. 

October 2 optional question:

 It's been said that the benefits of becoming a writer who does not read is that all your ideas are new and original. Everything you do is an extension of yourself, instead of a mixture of you and another author. On the other hand, how can you expect other people to want your writing, if you don't enjoy reading? What are your thoughts?

Hmm?
A thoughtful question indeed. 
I'm thinking that one would have to live in a bubble, on an isolated island, be in a coma, or deep space... 
To not be influenced some way or somehow by: 
TV, radio, Internet, social media, books, and other printed stuff. 
While you don't need to read a book to come up with ideas...
Reading books can hone style, technique, pacing, voice, etc. 
I think Stephen Kings says it best: 
"If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There's no way around these two things that I'm aware of, no shortcut." 
And really?
Why would anyone, let alone a writer...
Deny themselves the pleasure of reading?
Again, Stephen King says it best:
"Books are a uniquely portable magic."
Here's my latest portable magic.

So?
What magic are you reading now?

Always,
Em-Musing

ARTIC BLAST

This post is part of the monthly blog hop/therapy session known as the Insecure Writers Support Group, founded by the one and only, Alex J. Cavanaugh. 

September 4^th question:  If you could pick one place in the  world to sit and writer your next story, where would it be and why?

Me?

Kiruna, Lapland Sweden...

90 miles north of the Arctic Circle.

Yup!

Me who loves & lives in the tropics of Mexico...

Me who craves the  sun year round... 
Me who thrives in the heat and the humidity...

Yes, me would love to go there...

Where the herring swim and the reindeer  roam ...

But not because I’m mostly Swedish...

And not for the amazing Aurora Borealis...

But because of the Polar Nights...

Those three months of 24/7 total darkness.

Ya see, I write my best in darkness...

So I would definitely welcome...

All-dayer & all-nighter writing days.

I'd have maid service and fresh sheets daily...

Room service for anything, and of course coffee...

Factoid: Sweden is in the top 3 of the world's coffee consumers 

There'd be no distractions to want to go outside...
Because it’d be frickin’ freezing!

But if I did...

I could go cross-country skiing...

And reindeer or dog-sledding...

And of course see the awesome Aurora Borealis. 

And you?

Where’s your perfect writing spot?

Always,

Em-Musing

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MY LIVING NIGHTMARE

Daughters:     Mom?

Nurse:            She’s been like this for a while.

Daughters:     What’s wrong with her?

Nurse:            When she was brought in, she kept 

                       mumbling

                      “Gotta keep editing. 

                       Gotta keep editing.”

Daughters:     What do you mean? Edit what?

Nurse:            What we got out of her was that she’s written a book and wants to get an agent.

Daughters:     So what’s holding her back?

Nurse:            It’s a condition some authors are afflicted with, especially new and unpublished authors.

Daughters:     What’s this condition called?

Nurse:            Writerphobia.

Daughters:     Writerphobia?

Nurse:            In layman’s terms—fear of rejection and ridicule.

Daughters:     Rejection and ridicule from who?

Nurse:            Every agent in the world.

Daughters:     Is there a cure?

Nurse:            Not that we know of, but every now and then when we turn on the TV it calms her but only for an hour or two.

Daughters:     Have you tried the Hallmark Channel?

                      Their stories are sweet and soothing. If she binge watches them maybe it’ll distract her enough and we can convince her to get the hell out of here.

Nurse:            It’s worth a shot.

Daughters:     Is there hope?

Nurse:            Don’t know. She’s got the worst case we’ve ever seen.

Daughters:     Does she need anything from us?

Nurse:            Hugs, kisses, coffee, and sometimes a shot of tequila.

Daughters:     Poor mom. **sighs**

So?

Do you suffer from Writerphobia?

Always,

Em-Musing

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AND THE WINNER IS. . .ME!

This post is part of the monthly blog hop/therapy session known as the Insecure Writers Support Group, 

August 7 question:  Has your writing ever taken you by surprise? For example, a positive and belated response to a submission you'd forgotten about or an ending you never saw coming?

Actually, yes!

I had been working on a short film...

It was my first time writing a screenplay...

The project took more than a year...

Getting stalled in funding.

One day I saw a competition in Writer’s Digest...

And I thought, hmmm? Why not give it a shot?

After getting the “OK” from the producer...

I entered the screenplay in the “script" category.

Weeks went by...
Months went by...

Nothing...

I figured, oh well, it was my first screenplay...

What were the odds?

But then...

I got the notice...

While I didn’t win any of the “places” first, second or third...

I did get an honorable mention...

My name was listed in Writer’s Digest...

And I got a 20% discount on the magazine for one year.

Not bad for my first go-round.

And you? 
Ever write a screenplay? Or wanted to?

Always,

Em-Musing