IT'S A WONDERFUL WORLD

Hey y’all…it’s the monthly blog hop/therapy session known as the  Insecure Writers Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. If you're a writer, insecure, or just supportive of writers please join us. The first Wednesday of every month, a question is offered on the IWSG blog that members can answer in their blog post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, or a personal experience. Answering the question if optional, but it would be kind of you to visit some 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!  

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The awesome co-hosts for the July 6 posting of the IWSG are  

J Lenni Dorner, Janet Alcorn, PJ Colando, Jenni Enzor, andDiane Burton!

July 6 question - If you could live in any book world, which one would you choose?

 

 

Hmm? 

Interesting question...

Not sure if it’s asking which genre world?

Or a particular book’s world?

If it’s genre...

Then definitely not Horror or Thrillers... 

My adrenals go into overdrive...

Just watching horror or thrillers on TV or the movies...

It'd be exhausting running away from danger all the time. 

Definitely not Historical...

I love modern conveniences...

Like medicine, safe drinking water, flushing toilets, & easy clothing,

Not Science Fiction or Fantasy...

I don’t want to figure out how to live in a new world...

With alien lifeforms or mythical creatures...

But time travel and magical spells would be fun.

So... 

I’d definitely live in a Romantic Comedy world... 

I love romance and I love to laugh...

And there’s always a happy ending...

It’s a win/win/win kinda world.

But... 

If it’s a book’s world... 

Then the book I choose is the Bible...

And the world is Paradise... 

I believe I’m going there anyway...

But couldn’t hurt to be sure I got there, would it?  

And you?

What book’s world do you choose?

 

Always,

Em-Musing

A MILLION DOLLARS FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

  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 June 1 posting of the IWSG are SE White, Cathrina Constantine, Natalie Aguire, Joylene Nowell Butler, and Jacqui Murray!

 

June 1 question - When the going gets tough writing the story, how do you keep yourself writing to the end? If have not started the writing yet, why do you think that is and what do you think could help you find your groove and start?

Ah...beginning a story is always easy for me...

A fresh idea that's bursting to be written...

It's getting to the finish line where I tucker out.

BUT...  

Let me tell ‘ya...

The older I get...

The louder the voice in me keeps poking...

“If not now. . .WHEN?”

Because when time is not relevant anymore to “my time”...

The days of dreaming about my writings getting published... 

Will be over.

And when my family goes through my stuff...

They won’t care about all the writing files on my computer...

All the hours and passion spent creating them...

And my writings will be deleted and gone. 

Or will they?

I’ve read that thoughts are energy...

And science says energy never dies...

So? 

If my thoughts are energy and never die...

Where do they go?

Well, here’s my thought...

They drift up and get layered within the spheres

Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, and beyond

Into what I call...

The Thought-o-sphere

Now, what happens after they get there...

I'm not sure...

Maybe they get recycled...

And drift back down into someone else's consciousness?

Thoughts?

 

Always,

Em-Musing

THE ECSTASY AND THE AGONY

   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 May 4 posting of the IWSG are: 

Kim Elliott, Melissa Maygrove, Chemist Ken, Lee Lowery, and Nancy Gideon!

 May 4 question - It's the best of times; it's the worst of times. What are your writer highs (the good times)? And what are your writer lows (the crappy times)?

Waaaay back…

After completing my first full manuscript…

I sent out queries with much anticipation…

And I scored! 

I got a request for a full!

I couldn’t believe it!

I remember thinking… 

Querying and snagging an agent isn’t so hard. 

What’s all the fuss?

I celebrated with my sister in California via phone

And we drank Kahua and creams...

I was giddy beyond belief. 

**That was the best of times.**

Then…

DUN DUN DUUN 

The agent responded quickly and brusquely…

And rightly so…

“You need to get this edited. 

I don’t have time to do this.

Find an editor and when it’s done, send it again.”

Okay…

Didn’t sound too awful bad….

So, I did...

But when sent it back to the agent…

**POOF** 

She wasn’t in business any longer.

No worries, I told myself…

I’ll just send out more queries…

I did...

Then more queries…

And even more queries…

Until insecurities and disappointment took over...

And I buried that manuscript... 

Deep in the cavernous digital realms ofmy laptop.  

**That was the worst of times.**

A few years back… 

Wiser and obviously older…

A writer friend encouraged me to get it published...

So, I opened that file, blew off the pixel dust...

And worked on it again...

And then two years ago, I self-pub’d.

It was an arduous project... 

But at least it was a book in my hand...

And not just a dream in my head.

Now…

With another manuscript finished...

I know the ropes...

And won’t make the same mistakes again.

I’m now on the path to publication again!

So?

What’re your best and worst of times?

 

Always,  

Em-Musing

 

 

Talk To Me

 

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 April 6 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Jemima Pett, Patricia Josephine, Louise - Fundy Blue, and Kim Lajevardi!

April 6 question - Have any of your books been made into audiobooks? 

If so, what was the main challenge producing it?

No, I haven't had my book made into an audiobook...

But I have written and voiced hundreds of scripts...

For TV, Radio, & other formats...

And being in studios doing voiceovers...     

I know there's a whole lot going on...

That most people have no idea about.

Some friends have told me...

"Em, you should do an audiobook of your novel.

Umm...

No thanks. 

While I love doing voiceovers...

I'm never satisfied... 

And besides...

I love writing more.

And yes...I'm never satisfied with my writing...

But when I make a mistake..

It's cheaper to make a change

Then making changes in a $tudio.

However...

I'd love to hear authors' experiences...

In producing their audiobook.

How long did it take?

How many voice talents were used? 

Were you one of the voices?

And price? 

(if you care to share)

 

Always, 

Em-Musing

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