Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the it-l10n-ithemes-security-pro domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/writerintrans/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114 The Insecure Writer’s Support Group ~ No#118 – Writer In Transit
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time.
Don’t forget to visit them and thank them for co-hosting!
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, the question is optional!
January 05th Question: What’s the one thing about your writing career you regret the most? Firstly, a Happy New Year to all! I hope that this year will be a healthy and prosperous one for everybody!
The word regret is not the word I’d use when referring to my journey because each writer’s journey is highly personalized and really unique. Remember we are not supposed to compare our journey to the next person’s journey. All I can say is – I wish I could write as fast as I read.
Author Nancy Gideon Nancy Gideon is the award-winning bestseller of over 70 romances ranging from historical, Regency, and series contemporary suspense to dark paranormal and horror, with a couple of produced screenplays and non-fiction writing books tossed into the mix. She’s also written under the pseudonyms Dana Ransom, Rosalyn West, and Lauren Giddings.
Agent Caitlin Blasdell, Liza Dawson Associates Caitlin Blasdell has been a literary agent with Liza Dawson Associates since 2002 with a focus on commercial fiction. Before becoming an agent, she was a senior editor at HarperCollins Publishers.
Author Susan Gourley Susan Gourley is traditionally published in fantasy and science fiction romance using the name Susan Kelley. She is currently serving as the President of the Pennwriters writing group renowned for the annual conference.
Author Jennifer Lane Jennifer Lane writes sports romance and romantic suspense with a psychological twist. She has published nine novels and two short stories, including Behind the Catcher’s Mask as part of the IWSG Masquerade Anthology.
Author Meka James Meka James is a writer of adult contemporary and erotic romance. A born and raised Georgia Peach, she still resides in the southern state with her hubby of 16 years and counting. Mom to four kids of the two legged variety, she also has four fur-babies of the canine variety. When not writing or reading, Meka can be found playing The Sims 3, sometimes Sims 4, and making up fun stories to go with the pixelated people whose world she controls.
Author Loni Townsend By day, she writes code. By predawn darkness, she writes fantasies. All other times, she writes in her head. People call her peculiar with a twisted sense of fashion, but don’t let those understatements fool you. Her behavior is perfectly normal for a squirrel disguised as a human.
First Love: The Art of Making Doughnuts will be published by Dancing Lemur Press’ imprint, Freedom Fox Press, later this year.
This is our seventh anthology! Previous titles include Dark Matter: Artificial, Voyagers: The Third Ghost, Masquerade: Oddly Suited, Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime, Hero Lost, The Mysteries of Death and Life, and Parallels: Felix Was Here.
* * * * * * * The IWSG Twitter Pitch is around the corner!
The next #IWSGPit will be on January 26, 2022, 8:00 am – 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time
Create a Twitter-length pitch for your completed and polished manuscript and leave room for genre, age, and the hashtag. On January 26, 2022, Tweet your pitch. If your pitch receives a favorite/heart from a publisher/agent check their submission guidelines and send your requested query.
Many writers have seen their books published from a Twitter pitch – it’s a quick and easy way to put your manuscript in front of publishers and agents. See the site HERE for more details.
* * * * * * *
I just got home this morning from my holiday break. I had such an awesome holiday in Cape Town over the New Year. As you can see, the weather was perfect! Here is a pic of the V&A Waterfront with the famous Table Mountain in the background. The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is South Africa’s most-visited destination. The V&A Waterfront is an iconic mixed-use destination located in the oldest working harbour in the Southern Hemisphere. With Table Mountain as its backdrop, the 123-hectare neighbour-hood sits within the beautiful city of Cape Town, welcoming millions of people from all over the continent and the rest of the world. The Waterfront was named after the Alfred Basin and the Victoria Basin. The first basin was named after Prince Alfred, and the second after his mother. The V&A Waterfront is part of the renowned Cape Town Big 6.
Maybe I’ll post more pics next month.
I’ll be popping around to visit blogs over the next few days. Please check your spam folders because I noticed that some of the comments that I posted didn’t show up on some blogs.
I’d love to visit your area of the world one day!
I totally agree with you – our journeys are unique and we are where we are because of all the steps we take – even the ones that take us sideways 🙂
Your vacation looks so lovely! Thanks for posting a picture and a few words. I love to travel and plan to do more of it in 2022, weather, health and pandemic permitting!!!
Congrats to all who got selected for the next anthology!
Happy New Year, Michelle! Yes, post more photos of your New Year’s holiday at Cape Town. It is beautiful. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to visit the harbor?
Gosh! I only wish I was ready to pitch my college memoir. Here’s hoping maybe the next twitter pitch. All best to you in 2022!
Michelle
I love how you address regret and our own unique writerly journeys. It’s true! I’m glad you had a wonderful vacation. Sometimes that’s enough to get our fires burning again 🙂
No regrets! And I know you’ll keep it that way in the new year ahead. I think your picture at the waterfront says it all–lots of hope and looking to a bright future.
Hi Michelle – love the waterfront … it wasn’t developed too much when I was there – but I love the iconic scene of Cape Town and its mountain. Beautiful picture – love it! Have a very successful year – work wise and writing wise … Happy New Year and all the best – Hilary
How lovely! Such a wonderful pic and you look so peaceful! Cape Town looks so amazing. I hope to visit there at some point. I haven’t traveled out of the US for years, and I long to travel again. Sadly, now is not the time…
I’m THRILLED to be in this year’s Anthology, and I can’t wait to read the other stories! Congrats to the other authors; it is a privilege to share this Anthology with them.
Michael, you will love Cape Town!
It boasts loads of arts and culture, not to mention the amazing landscape!
Congrats on your story acceptance into the IWSG Anthology!
You made me laugh. “… I wish I could write as fast as I read.” Well, I read a novel in two or three days. I don’t think anyone could write that fast. But I understand the sentiment. I’m also a slow writer and I wish I could write faster. Or more. Or better. But what is the point of such toothless wishes. We are who we are and we do things in our own ways.
Great photo, Michelle. Sunny and summery. From my snowy Vancouver, your photo looks like a warm paradise.
I haven’t so much wished I could write as fast as I read, as wished some of my favorite authors could! Now I’m wondering how many different authors it takes to keep me happy in a year…
Someday maybe I’ll visit your country. We had tentative plans, but everything has changed and I’m not sure I’ll ever go now.
If you ever have the opportunity, then you must make a trip this side of the globe.
But with the ongoing pandemic, we never know what’s next, do we?
Thank you for visiting, Rebecca.
Ah, we all need a holiday, and the waterfront is my chosen destination too. My regret for you, MIchelle, is that you haven’t published yet, yet you’re a great writer.
Good point. No two writing careers are the same, and there are more available paths to “success” than ever before thanks to self-publishing and so on. I wish my writing speed was faster too. Hope 2022 is a good year for you.
Kudos on the new anthology. I love making donuts (haven’t in a while) so I bet the book will be great. I’m with you on the ‘no regrets’. What could be better than living in a fantasy world these days?
Gorgeous waterfront! Great sentiment on regrets–and I’m totally with you. I feel the same way.
The Waterfront is amazing! Thanks, Holly!
I’d love to visit your area of the world one day!
I totally agree with you – our journeys are unique and we are where we are because of all the steps we take – even the ones that take us sideways 🙂
…and there are loads of sideways steps… but they form an integral part of this unique journey.
Your vacation looks so lovely! Thanks for posting a picture and a few words. I love to travel and plan to do more of it in 2022, weather, health and pandemic permitting!!!
Congrats to all who got selected for the next anthology!
It was a lovely getaway!
The pandemic is affecting the tourism industry and obstructing travel. Let’s hope things get better soon.
I love that you won’t use the word regret! Thank you.
Great picture!
Thank you, Tyrean! I hope that things are good with you and your family.
Happy New Year, Michelle! Yes, post more photos of your New Year’s holiday at Cape Town. It is beautiful. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to visit the harbor?
Gosh! I only wish I was ready to pitch my college memoir. Here’s hoping maybe the next twitter pitch. All best to you in 2022!
Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
I’ll post more pics next month.
All the best to you too, Victoria!
You said it best – we each have our own journey.
Congratulations to the anthology winners.
And glad you got out and enjoyed!
It was a much-needed holiday. Now it’s back to the daily grind.
Thank you, Alex.
Nice looking picture there! The weather looks fabulous!
And I, too, wish I could write as fast as I read. I’d have so many books done by now…
At this time of the year, the Cape weather is perfect.
All in good time, Loni. I suppose we can’t rush these things…
What a great pic! Blue skies, blue water, mountains. What a peaceful view!
I agree, comparing oneself and journey to others is a total waste of time and energy. Best to enjoy the journey I am on, and let others do the same.
That view is incomparable.
Yes, embrace your own unique journey. There’s no one-size-fits-all.
Thank you, Lee!
Michelle
I love how you address regret and our own unique writerly journeys. It’s true! I’m glad you had a wonderful vacation. Sometimes that’s enough to get our fires burning again 🙂
The vacation definitely stirred the creative juices.
No regrets! And I know you’ll keep it that way in the new year ahead. I think your picture at the waterfront says it all–lots of hope and looking to a bright future.
I love your analysis of the picture, Lee.
A new year – looking forward with a fresh perspective!
I’m glad you got out of dodge and enjoyed Cape Town.
Thanks, Diane!
I agree! It’s a journey that we need to travel. Bumps and all. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
Got to take the writerly package which includes ups and downs!
I love how you mentioned to not compare ourselves to others.
Congrats to the IWSG Anthology Contest authors! How exciting!
♥.•*¨Elizabeth Mueller¨*•.♥
I’ve learned long ago, not to compare your journey to the next writer. I think that’s the best thing you can do for yourself.
Love your view on regrets! Also, gorgeous photo. I haven’t seen many photos of Cape Town, but it looks like a neat place to visit.
The Warrior Muse
Cape Town is a beautiful city with many tourist attractions. I’ll post more pics next month.
I love the idea of not feeling regret and not comparing your own journey to anyone else’s. Happy 2022!
Thank you, Miffie!
Hi Michelle – love the waterfront … it wasn’t developed too much when I was there – but I love the iconic scene of Cape Town and its mountain. Beautiful picture – love it! Have a very successful year – work wise and writing wise … Happy New Year and all the best – Hilary
Thank you, Hilary.
When last were you in Cape Town? It must have been a while ago?
Hi Michelle!
How lovely! Such a wonderful pic and you look so peaceful! Cape Town looks so amazing. I hope to visit there at some point. I haven’t traveled out of the US for years, and I long to travel again. Sadly, now is not the time…
I’m THRILLED to be in this year’s Anthology, and I can’t wait to read the other stories! Congrats to the other authors; it is a privilege to share this Anthology with them.
ALL the best for 2022!!!!!
Michael, you will love Cape Town!
It boasts loads of arts and culture, not to mention the amazing landscape!
Congrats on your story acceptance into the IWSG Anthology!
I wish I could write as fast as I read too. Looks like you had a great vacation. Happy New Year! I’m hoping you have a wonderful year.
It was a great vacation. Thank you, Natalie.
I hope you have a wonderful year too!
You made me laugh. “… I wish I could write as fast as I read.” Well, I read a novel in two or three days. I don’t think anyone could write that fast. But I understand the sentiment. I’m also a slow writer and I wish I could write faster. Or more. Or better. But what is the point of such toothless wishes. We are who we are and we do things in our own ways.
Great photo, Michelle. Sunny and summery. From my snowy Vancouver, your photo looks like a warm paradise.
Yes, we are who we are.
I’m back home and sweltering in this humid, subtropical east coast climate.
Enjoy the cold weather.
You make a great point about not comparing our journeys to the journeys of others. We’re all doing the best we can!
Great post!
Thank you for visiting, Lori!
I haven’t so much wished I could write as fast as I read, as wished some of my favorite authors could! Now I’m wondering how many different authors it takes to keep me happy in a year…
Someday maybe I’ll visit your country. We had tentative plans, but everything has changed and I’m not sure I’ll ever go now.
If you ever have the opportunity, then you must make a trip this side of the globe.
But with the ongoing pandemic, we never know what’s next, do we?
Thank you for visiting, Rebecca.
Your vacation sounds wondrous and what a beautiful spot.
Love your attitude about regrets or lack thereof.
Happy New Year.
Thank you, Sandra.
Yes, it’s a beautiful spot.
Ah, we all need a holiday, and the waterfront is my chosen destination too. My regret for you, MIchelle, is that you haven’t published yet, yet you’re a great writer.
Thank you, Denise!
Publishing? It will happen one day… as long as it’s sooner rather than later, hey?
I love that. I too wish I could write as fast as I read.
Thank you, Juneta!
Good point. No two writing careers are the same, and there are more available paths to “success” than ever before thanks to self-publishing and so on. I wish my writing speed was faster too. Hope 2022 is a good year for you.
Yes, there are many different paths to publishing success.
Happy 2022 to you, Anstice!
Happy New Year and thanks for stopping by my blog. Lovely picture. Sounds like a nice holiday.
Happy 2022 to you too, Toi!
It was a wonderful holiday, thank you.
I wish I could write as fast as I read too! Ah well, we get there in the end.
Congrats to all the anthology winners! Can’t wait to read it 🙂
Patience and perseverance. We’ll get there in good time.
Thank you, Gwen. 😃
Kudos on the new anthology. I love making donuts (haven’t in a while) so I bet the book will be great. I’m with you on the ‘no regrets’. What could be better than living in a fantasy world these days?
Thanks, Jacqui!
I also wish that I could write as fast as I read sometimes. Love the positive take on the question. Hope you have a safe and healthy new year!
A Happy and Healthy New Year to you too, Anne!
That’s an amazing picture Michelle. And a lot of work at IWSG. I so agree with you. Even I wouldn’t call it regret .
Thank you, Sonia!
Great reminder about how we shouldn’t compare our writing journeys. We’re all on our own paths. 🙂
Exactly. We go at our own individual paces. Some of us are turtles – and that’s okay.🐢
Hmm, yeah, writing as fast as I read would be nice.
That would solve half of my problems. 😀