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

GOOD, GOOD VIBRATIONS

                                                                            

Hey! It’s the monthly blog hop/ 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 where a question is offered on the IWSG blog that members answer in their blog post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, or a personal experience. Answering the question is optional, but why not  visit some blogs and leave a comment. Your words are appreciated. Let’s rock the neurotic writing world! 

The awesome co-hosts for the October 5 posting of the IWSG are Tonja Drecker, Victoria Marie Lees, Mary Aalgaard, and Sandra Cox!

This month's question: What do you consider the best characteristics of your favorite genre? Remember, the question is optional!

The best characteristic of my favorite genre?

Laughter!

After all I'm writing Humorous Women's Fiction...

So, I better make some readers smile.

Back in  ‘66...

When Flower Power and hippies came onto the scene...

The Beach Boys put out the single “Good Vibrations”

Though not my favorite band or song...

(I preferred the Beatles and Bob Dylan) 

The concept of Good Vibrations stuck with me.

Fast forward to about ten years ago

When I became fascinated with the healing power of vibrations. 

According to Albert Einstein– “Everything in Life is Vibration.” 

  

And laughter is one of the highest vibrations

I’ve learned there are many levels of vibrations...

And all affect our body and mind. 

According to several scientific studies —Laughter produces a series of electrical impulses that eliminate negative energy from our brain. 

Call me kookie...

I make a concerted effort to laugh every day. 

 

And why not?

Besides laughter being healing... 

It feels good...

There are no bad side effects... 

Unless you laugh so hard you get stitches...

And it’s free!

Therefore...

I conclude Humorous Women’s Fiction is a healthy genre.

So?

Do you love to laugh?

What makes you laugh the most?

And what’s your favorite genre’s best characteristic?

 

Always,

Em-Musing