TO WRITE OR NOT TO WRITE AUTHENTIC

 

Hey! It’s the monthly blog hop/ known as the Insecure Writers Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. You’re invited to join if you're a writer, insecure, or just supportive of writers. It happens the first Wednesday of each month, and it would be sweet of you to visit at least a dozen or so new blogs and leave a comment. Your words are appreciated. Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.   Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!  

 

The awesome co-hosts for the March 2 posting of the IWSG are Janet Alcorn, Pat Garcia, Natalie Aguirre, and Shannon Lawrence!

 

 March 2 question - Have you ever been conflicted about writing a story or adding a scene to a story? How did you decide to write it or not?

 

Once upon many years ago...

I wrote a manuscript...

Many of the characters were witches... 

I wanted readers to be disgusted with these witches...

Because they were not the cozy, sweet kind...

Cooking up potpourri and candles.

These evil beings performed grisly rituals... 

And conjured up demons. 

Some of the scenes were disturbingly graphic...

And afraid they might be too offensive ...

I edited out some details.

When I was done writing the manuscript... 

I sent it off to an editor I found in Writer's Digest...

But like a rookie wannabe author... 

I was so anxious to get feedback...

I waited until after I sent the manuscript...

Before I did a Google search of the editor...

Only to find out that she had been an editor...

At a Christian publishing house.

LORD!

Afraid the details in my manuscript might singe her eyes...

(sorry)

I expected her to write back saying...

That she torched the manuscript...

Then got on her hands and knees praying for my salvation. 

When the manuscript finally came back with her notes...

I was shocked...

She liked the story...

But, she said...

“If you’re going to write in this genre I want to feel the spattered blood on my face, taste it in my mouth. Be true to the characters, warts and all.”

Okey dokey then...

I took her advice...

And fleshed out some character and scenes.

So...

That’s the story about my story.

What about your story?

What conflicts did you encounter?  

 And what did you do?

Always,

 Em-Musing

                                             

DO TRUE LOVE STORIES EVER DIE?

 

Hey! It’s the monthly blog hop/ known as the Insecure Writers Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. You’re invited to join if you're a writer, insecure, or just supportive of writers. It happens the first Wednesday of each month, and it would be sweet of you to visit at least a dozen or so new blogs and leave a comment. Your words are appreciated. Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.   Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!  

 The awesome co-hosts for the February 2 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Jacqui Murray, Sandra Cox, and Lee Lowery!

 

February 2 question - Is there someone who supported or influenced you that perhaps isn't around anymore? Anyone you miss?

 I hate to be that person...

Who always says, “Poor me”

But to answer this month’s question I’ll say it...

Poor me...

Because I don’t really have anyone encouraging me...

Or who influences me.

It seems like I’m the invisible writer...

With an invisible published book.

Yeah, there were a few of my family and friends who read it...

But there were more who didn’t.

I’m working on a Humorous Women's fiction manuscript now... 

That I started ten years ago...

But put away before finishing it.

It's based on a true story and…

WAIT A MINUTE!

There WAS someone who influenced and encouraged me! 

It was my fiancé at the time...

Who has since passed.

The manuscript is a love story - with some humor...

Because falling in love with someone 24 years younger...

Ya just know there are amusing elements. 

Every morning, he’d come into my office and ask...

“How’s your writing going?”

I'd read to him a few pages and he'd smile...

And that was enough encouragement for me.

I’ve moved on in my life...

But this love story still lives... 

And will be published in the not-too-distant future. 

So?

How about you?

Who influenced or encouraged you?

And hopefully you don’t have a “Poor me” story.

 

Always,

Em-Musing

 

 

 Hey! It’s the monthly blog hop/ known as the Insecure Writers Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. You’re invited to join if you're a writer, insecure, or just supportive of writers. It happens the first Wednesday of each month, and it would be sweet of you to visit at least a dozen or so new blogs and leave a comment. Your words are appreciated. Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.   Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!  

 

The awesome co-hosts for the January 5 posting of the IWSG are Erika Beebe, Olga Godim, Sandra Cox, Sarah Foster, and Chemist Ken!

 

January 5 question - What's the one thing about your writing career you regret the most? Were you able to overcome it?

First: HAPPY NEW YEAR

Second: I'm traveling back home today so this post is going to be

short 

Third: Today’s question: What’s the one thing about my writing career I regret the most?

Time!

It’s three quarter past my life

And I'm wishing I realized I should have done more sooner

But the only thing I can do about it now

Is go to the quantum level 

Where time can be manipulated

But I'm not sure what part of my life I'd go back to

So?

What about you?

If you could go back in time for your career

How far back would you go?

Always,

Em-Musing

      HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL   and  TO ALL A HEALTHY NEW YEAR! 

Hey! It’s the monthly blog hop/ known as the Insecure Writers Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. You’re invited to join if you're a writer, insecure, or just supportive of writers. It happens the first Wednesday of each month, and it would be sweet of you to visit at least a dozen or so new blogs and leave a comment. Your words are appreciated. Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.   Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!  

 The awesome co-hosts for the December 1 posting of the IWSG are PJ Colando, Diane Burton, Louise – Fundy Blue, Natalie Aguirre, and Jacqui Murray!

This month's optional question:
 In your writing, what stresses you the most? What delights you?

What stresses me? 

My Inner Critic who won't shut up:

You haven't written enough this week!

Your writing sucks!

The story is boring!

And...eeuw! 

Time to pluck those whiskers, girlfriend. 

What delights me? 

When  my muse shows up  

You're a good writer

You're creative

Trust in yourself 

I have some ideas we'll work on

Burn some incense, play some music

Grab a cup of coffee 

Let's have some fun 

And don't fret. . .

You only have two whiskers

So?

What about you? 

What stresses or delights you with your writing?

Always, 

Em-Musing

  

 

WRITING WITH FINGERS CROSSED

 

Hey! It’s the monthly blog hop/ known as the Insecure Writers Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. You’re invited to join if you're a writer, insecure, or just supportive of writers. It happens the first Wednesday of each month, and it would be sweet of you to visit at least a dozen or so new blogs and leave a comment. Your words are appreciated. Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.   Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!  

 

The awesome co-hosts for the November 3 posting of the IWSG are Kim Lajevardi, Victoria Marie Lees, Joylene Nowell Butler, Erika Beebe, and Lee Lowery!

This month's optional question: What's harder to do - coming up with your book title? Or writing the blurb?

Hoo boy!

That’s a toughie...

But for me it’s the blurb... 

Even if you have a killer book title...

An agent or publisher might change it...

Unless that is...

You self-pub then — hoo boy—good luck!

While a book cover’s design and its title...

May catch a reader’s eye...

A great blurb...

If it’s done right...

Can catch a sale.

The blurb is actually a great marketing tool.

Besides using it on the inside jacket cover or back cover...

It can be used in query letters... 

Social media to promote your book...

On your website...

And as enticements to reviewers, 

Ahh...

But how do you write the blurb intriguing enough?

First it should be no more than 250 words... 

And here’s a formula: 

* Who is the main character, and what is going on in his/her life when the    

   story starts?
* What is the Big Problem?
* What are the biggest obstacles the main character has to face?
* What is at stake?

(source: https://jwmanus.wordpress.com/2011/04/21/the-formula-for-a-novel-blurb/)

 

 So. there you have it...

Simple, no? 

No!

At least not for me!

It takes me at least a hundred times...

Before I’m happy with it...

And actually...

I’m never happy with it...

Because I just can’t shut the internal editor off.

And if writing the blurb isn’t daunting enough...

Ever do a face-to-face pitch with an agent?

Trust me...

It’s sweaty palms & pits -I need a drink - daunting! 

Because there's no delete button...

And no rewrites...

You either land on your feet...

And hope you landed that agent...

Or land on your ass...

Then go have a drink, and make it a double. 

And what about you?

Which is harder?

Title or Blurb?

Always, 

Em-Musing

TO TOE OR NOT TO TOE THE LINE

Hey! It’s the monthly blog hop/ known as the Insecure Writers Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. You’re invited to join if you're a writer, insecure, or just supportive of writers. It happens the first Wednesday of each month, and it would be sweet of you to visit at least a dozen or so new blogs and leave a comment. Your words are appreciated. Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.   Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!  

 

The awesome co-hosts for the October 6 posting of the IWSG are Jemima Pitt, J Lenni Dorner, Cathrina Constantine, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, and Mary Aalgaard!

Years ago...

When I finished my first manuscript I was ecstatic..

I had NYTimes best selling author stars in my eyes...

And I sent it off to an editor feeling positive. 

But when the edited manuscript came back...

The stars turned to tears...

My manuscript had been edited to shreds...

Besides numerous typical first-time writer errors...

She said: 

“Your religious and political views don’t belong in a story.”

I wasn’t even aware I had done that, how'd they sneak in?

But guess what? I learned.

Now, if I put in opinions, they’re my character’s opinions, not mine...

And I’m judicious...

Asking myself if a character’s opinion is crucial for the plot?

But other than that..

I have a liberal criterion...

About language, scenes, or controversial characters.

If they are needed for the story they stay... 

If not >>delete, delete, delete<<

Now mind you...

I’ve written some “eh hem” scenes that were necessary... 

But after I wrote them...

I felt like I needed a shower... 

Or prayers... 

Or...

A moment alone.

But isn’t that what’s delicious about writing?

We can cross controversial lines—within reason, of course...

Without getting shamed, ostracized, or arrested. 

It’s why I have two pseudonyms. **wink**

Well, I got to thinking about authors whose books... 

For several reasons have been banned. 

So, I Googled...

And up popped Henry Miller’s Tropic of Cancer.

Immediately, I got a flashback...

Of me as a kid living on Long Island... 

During the summers...

When my mom would go Wednesdays to her coffee klatch... 

And knowing she’d be gone for two hours...

I’d sneak into my parent’s bedroom...

Go straight to my mom's top dresser drawer...

And find hidden under her undies... 

The book she’d currently be reading...

And because I knew those books were forbidden for me to read...

They seemed all the more tantalizing. 

BesidesTropic of Cancer, I found Lolita, one by James Baldwin, and a few others that are hazy in my memories. 

Hmm?

Thinking back

I can say my mom had a very multi-personality library. 

On the bookshelves in the living room were the classics: Chaucer, Dickens, Homer, Poe, Dante, Shakespeare, Tolstoy and more.

On the coffee table were the bestsellers of the time: Earl Stanley Gardner, Leon Uris, Hemmingway, James Mitchener, and other bestsellers.

But in the bedroom...

Was her Ooh, la, la stash. Oh, yah, yah!

So?

Where do you draw the line in your writing?

Ever cross it?

Ever read a banned book? 

Do tell.

 

Always,

Em-Musing