The Insecure Writer’s Support Group ~ No#126
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.
The awesome co-hosts for the September 07th posting of the IWSG are: Kim Lajevardi, Cathrina Constantine, Natalie Aguirre, Olga Godim, Louise – Fundy Blue! and ME!
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!
September 07th Question: What genre would be the worst one for you to tackle and why? I’m not sure… maybe sci-fi or fantasy.
Why? I always admire writers who have that ability to create these intricate worlds. I don’t know if I’m wired in that way. But I do believe that we should stretch our writing muscles by trying out stories in different genres.
The new IWSG Anthology was released yesterday! This is the 7th anthology which has a collection of wonderful stories and such a gorgeous cover!
Here is more info:
First Love: The Art of Making Doughnuts
An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology
The sweetness of first love…
Could a fiercely independent cop’s heart be stolen by the guy who makes her favorite doughnuts? Will a maid who used deceit to snare a mail-order husband get a dose of her own medicine? Can her handsome neighbor rescue a modern-day “princess” from a tenacious ex-boyfriend? Can two strangers in a rideshare be honest enough to fall in love for real? Can you remember your first love? How about your second? Third? Fourth?
Featuring the talents of Linda Budzinski, Melissa Maygrove, Michael Di Gesu, Sylvia Ney, Katie Klein, Kim Elliott, Templeton Moss, S.E. White, Denise Covey, and Sammi Spizziri. Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these ten tales will touch your heart and rekindle lost feelings. Prepare to return to that first love…
Release date: September 6, 2022
Print ISBN – 9781939844880, $14.95
EBook ISBN – 9781939844897, $4.99
Romance – Clean & Wholesome (FIC027270) / Contemporary (FIC027020) / Historical (FIC027050)
186 pages, Freedom Fox Press, an imprint of Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.
Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database; articles; monthly blog posting; Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram groups; #IWSGPit, and a newsletter.
https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/
Links:
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/First-Love-Art-Making-Doughnuts-ebook/dp/B09QH3Z28P/
Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/first-love-insecure-writers-support-group/1140884369?ean=2940165751301
iTunes https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id1605240999
Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/first-love-the-art-of-making-doughnuts
Scribed- https://www.scribd.com/search?query=9781939844897&language=0
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60198262-first-love
“…a refreshing read! This is a gem of a book that I highly recommend.” – Rebecca Boerner M Ed., reviewer
“…this collection nailed the little bites of cute romance… recommend to anyone looking for an uplifting collection of sweet romance to fill an evening.” – Hayley Reese Chow, author
“This was a sweet, warm collection of love stories.” – Angie Titus, author
TOUR DATES:
9/1 – IWSG Anthologies Blog, http://iwsganthologies.blogspot.com/
Book blurbs
9/5 – Kelly F Barr, https://kellyfbarr.com/blog/
Interview
9/6 – Kelly F Barr, https://kellyfbarr.com/blog/
Review
9/7 – Diane Burton, http://dianeburton.blogspot.com
Interview
9/7 – Cathrina Constantine, http://cathrinaconstantine.blogspot.com/
Book feature
9/9 – Sandra Cox, https://sandracox.blogspot.com/2022/09/your-weekend-read-first-love-anthology.html
Book feature
9/12 – Elizabeth s. Craig, https://elizabethspanncraig.com/blog-3/
Article – Working on an Anthology
9/14 – C. Lee McKenzie, https://www.cleemckenziebooks.com/blog/
Interview
9/16 – Louise M. Barbour, https://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com/
Review
9/19 – Susan Gourley, https://susangourley.blogspot.com/2022/09/first-love-art-of-making-doughnuts.html
Interview
I read a beautiful snippet that resonated:
Powerful writing happens when you are not overthinking. The best ideas arise out of an inner wisdom that comes through the space between thoughts.
To find this place, don’t try to write.
Just write.
NEWS
1. I’m busy with a complete revamp of my blog. I’m updating my site to an author website and the blog will be a part of the site. A reminder that your blog or website is the only platform that truly belongs to you. Social media platforms are always changing their T’s&C’s etc. Remember the days of Friend Feed, Google Plus and MySpace? They’ve come and gone. Social media platforms are unreliable.
2. I’ve been offered a spot on a self-publshing course and I’m on week 4 which is the “how to format your document” stage.
3. My newsletter is in the pipeline! I’m still deciding between Mailerlite and Substack. Not sure yet.
4. I’m also thinking about my author brand as I continue on this journey…
A reminder about the IWSG Book Club selection for September…
Have you self-published a book?
Do you have a newsletter?
Any thoughts on author branding?
I welcome any tips/advice you have to offer.
Thank you in advance.
HAPPY IWSG DAY! I have loads of blogs to visit, so I’m off to do some hosting duties!
← Write…Edit…Publish: Moonlight Sonata – August 2022 #WEPFFWrite…Edit…Publish: Thriller – October 2022 #WEPFF →
Cool you are updating your website. You’re right, it’s the only thing we can control online.
Thanks for co-hosting today!
The website update is a work-in-progress. It has to be done but I’m taking it step-by-step.
I can’t keep up with so many changes on the varying platforms. I try. Congrats to all those who made it into the anthology! Can’t wait to read it!
There’s too much out there and too many options. I suppose one has to just choose wisely.
You’re jumping in with both feet, Michelle – and it’s looking good!! I’ve got some website housekkeeping of my own I’ve been avoiding and my newsletter . . . sigh. Thanks for co-hosting this month!
Yes, I am jumping in with both feet. To a certain degree, it’s a trial-and-error process.
For a long time, I’ve ignored the newsletter. However, all the professionals talk about the importance of a newsletter. Thanks, Nancy!
I have my author website on WP, but I’ve still got my blogger blog. I want to migrate the blog, but I’m nervous about doing it! One day I’ll see what happens.
I do my own website (WP/Siteground hosting/Elementor layout) because I want to have so many pages (1/series, 1/book, hidden pages with bonus content…) and that would cost a fortune!
I’ve been improving my newsletter (I hope!). Tammi Labrque’s Newsletter Ninja books and FB group are fabulous for that!
Exciting times ahead for you!
You’ve been doing well on your author journey, with so many book releases and more on the way (I’m sure). The website upgrade is costing me a small fortune but it needs to be done.
I still need to purchase Tammi Labrque’s Newsletter Ninja books.
Yes, exciting times – but also scary. However, I’m not one to be put off easily.
If I’m stuck I’ll shoot you an email.
Thanks, Jemi!
Yes, I agree with Jemi on the Newsletter Ninja books. They’re very helpful and makes the idea of creating newsletters a lot more enjoyable.
Thank you, Debbie! I’ll put it on my to-buy list…
It’s so true about the only place that is yours is your website. And your newsletter subscribers. 😉 I hope you enjoy your course and formatting. That’s awesome.
I have self-pubbed and my first fiction book is coming out next month. And I have a newsletter, I use and recommend https://www.getrevue.co/.
Love the quote! Agree with your website advice vs social media. Good luck with the branding.
Thank you, Yvonne!
I need to check out Get Revue. I don’t know anything about that platform.
Holly, I enjoy your newsletter! Hopefully, mine will be up and running… soon.
I’ve published over sixty books, most of them not my own. LOL
Diane, you are an expert! Hopefully, you’ll get to publish more of your own stuff!
I did a revamp of my website last year. I’m hosted on Weebly (needed simple) and I had thoughts of having my blog be part of my website but I’d already moved from Blogger to WordPress and didn’t want to make a third change. hahaha
Best of luck with your updates!
At least you made the move! My upgrade is loooong overdue.
Thank you, Meka!
Good luck with revamping your webpage, Michelle. I’ve been trying to revamp mine for awhile. There are several videos on Youtube that help. But I’m still overwhelmed. Congratulations on the Anthology authors. Very exciting. Thanks for co-hosting.
It’s quite overwhelming… for sure. Baby steps. It takes time.
Hi,
Good luck with redesigning your website. All the best with whatever plans you have.
Thank you also for co-hosting.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
There is so much to think about.
Thank you, Pat!
Good post. I like writing different genres. But so far they are all YA. I’m still trying to tackle an author’s brand. That’s difficult for me. I have ventured into self-publishing and I’m enjoying the freedom of handling my own works. Though some books are still with my publisher. I really would like to learn how to format my own works, though!!
Thank you for Co-Hosting!!
I’m enjoying the course information on formatting.
In theory, it seems okay. The application will be the “real” test!
The freedom of handling my work also appeals to me and I’ve read that traditionally published authors have to do a lot of their own marketing, anyway.
Google Plus. Where creatives lost a thousand connections when the ship went down. You have a lot of moving pieces in the works. Congrats on your newsletter, and thank you for co-hosting!
There are a lot of moving pieces in the works.
It’s a case of throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks!
Thank you, Adrienne.
Revamping your website is a huge job. I wish you luck with it. I need to update mine too, but I’m procrastinating. Too chicken-hearted to start, I suppose.
Olga, it’s a scary process but thank goodness I have my trusted IT guy who is doing all the technical stuff for me.
When I first started writing many many years ago my first love was science fiction. This was mostly what I liked to read as a boy and teenager and often my go to genre for movies. Now that I’m older I don’t care for sci fi as much. However if it is about time travel then count me in. Love time travel stories!
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Hi Arlee!
I suppose our tastes change over time. For example, as a reader, I’ve always loved the suspense/thriller genre and imagined that that would be the go-to writing genre. However, over time I’ve been writing loads of non-fiction too.
Great information, especially the reminder that our blog is our own and SM really isn’t. I’ve been around long enough to see FB make huge changes to their platform, some I didn’t necessarily like. WP does that, too, but never to the extent that it affects how I market my books. So glad you made that point.
I think we need to drive readers to our blogs/websites which is a difficult thing to do, considering that everybody is hooked on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
Thanks, Jacqui!
I don’t think I could ever write sci-fi. Just not anywhere near the familiarity with the genre to be able to do it any justice whatsoever.
I’ve never given my author brand any thought…and I’m sure that shows. 🙂
Best of luck with your newsletter and website revamp!!
With regards to author branding, I’m thinking long term. The idea is still simmering…
I use Mailerlite for a newsletter, Michelle. I love your blog. All the luck with launching your new website. I recently did this too. Lots and lots of work.
I don’t think I could create a world for sci-fi or fantasy either. Bravo to all the authors of First Love. What a beautiful cover! All the luck with this new release.
Thanks for cohosting IWSG’s question for this month. All best to you!
I’m considering Mailerlite or Substack – but I also had a look at Revue which also offers a newsletter service. Choices. Choices. Choices.
Thank you, Victoria!
Thank you for co-hosting. I hope you enjoy those many blogs you’re about to visit! And thank you for working away on understanding those technological changes that affect us all AND for sharing what you learn. I’m now a follower! I’m still on blogger and haven’t made the jump to my ‘own’ site, so your experiences will be helpful.
Thank you, Beth!
As I go along, I’ll share all the lessons I learn.
I think it’s huge undertaking called “world-building” that scares me off sci-fi. Either that or the lack of an Asimov scientific knowledge base. Either way, I don’t think this is what I’m destined to write.
Me too. I’m just not wired in that way. I prefer my fiction grounded in ‘reality’…
Sounds like you are busy and a lot of things are happening for you! Congrats to the anthology authors, and thank you for hosting IWSG this month.
I have a lot on my plate! But I’ll take it step by step.
Thank you, Liza!
Updating your site can be a tumultuous time, I went through that earlier this year. Gained a few more wrinkles in the process, but so worth it. Hang in there!
It’s quite stressful. Bring on a few more wrinkles! Haha! As you mentioned, it will be worth it.
I love the quote you highlighted. On the monthly question, I would have a difficult time writing science fiction or horror.
Yes, different strokes for different folks!
Good for you and best wishes on your author website. I’ve had one for years and am still learning how and what to do with it 😉 Especially since I recently changed website hosts. Funny how the least expensive sites are easier to navigate…
Thanks for co-hosting!
I think website development is an ongoing process. We learn and we grow.
Thanks Diedre!
Thanks for co-hosting today, Michelle. I loved that quote. I often figure out what I’m trying to write just by writing. The process clarifies my thinking. Good luck with your website revamp. For now I’m sticking with Blogger. The thought of doing otherwise is too overwhelming. I am printing off hardcopies of all my posts. Romance is the genre that is hard for me!
You are wise to print hardcopies of all your posts.
I used to do that with my stories but haven’t done so in a while. Maybe I need to get back to it.
(sigh) I need to revamp my website as well. Finding the energy for that is a challenge though. @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act
I know what you mean. After a full day at work, my energy is non-existent. I’m just squeezing website revamp into my already hectic schedule. However, I do have my IT guy who is responsible for all the technical stuff. So that helps.
Hey Michelle. We’re never still, are we? I’d love a complete revamp of my website/blog, but don’t have the time atm. Seems like you’re finding the self-pub course useful!
The story you wrote for Moonlight Sonata was great and deserved a winning spot, but the quality is so high now it’s impossible to choose all the great ones! Thank you for putting so much into it. We all loved it! I’m sure I learned how to write through WEP and it’s great to see authors growing in talent.
Thanks for shouting out the anthology! Has been a long 6 months doing stuff to prepare. Writing the story was the easy part!
Denise, I’m enjoying the self-pub course! Who would have thought?
Thank you for your wonderful words about Moonlight Sonata. I understand that there are loads of amazing entries and such a high standard that it’s really difficult to choose. No worries.
Now to work on my next WEP story…
I don’t think I could do fantasy either because they’re so long and epic and no way could I remember all the details. LOL.
I love my website, but I just wish I knew how to use it! Good luck with yours 🙂
I’m just not wired for fantasy or sci-fi.
If I don’t revamp my website now, then I never will. LOL
Looks like you’re taking some great steps forward for your writing career.
And I totally agree it’s good to stretch that writing muscle by trying different genres.
Lynda, I’m trying to move forward with my writing career. I have to forge ahead. It’s really difficult when the day job is so demanding. I’ll just have to hang in there.
Very true that the only online media we can be sure we’re in charge of is our websites. Good luck to you with the re-design! And thanks for co-hosting this month.
Our websites are the only platforms that really belong to us.
Thank you, S.E.
The genre I’d least like to try is romance. I actually love writing fantasy, and I just wrote my first sci-fi short.
Trying out a new genre will expand the creative mind and stretch those creative muscles. Good for you, Kim!
Hi Michelle. A website, blog and newsletter are the things that you own and can control. Yes, social media platforms are unreliable, can change the rules at any time, and even delete your account for no reason (I’ve heard that happened to someone recently on Instagram). One thing I love about a having a blog and newsletter is that you can put whatever content you want on it, so I guess having the control. Same with self-publishing. As for author branding, I think it’s one of those things that keeps evolving. The important thing is to just be you.
Working on a website and setting up a newsletter is a lot of work, but once it’s done that’s it. You can always make alterations whenever it suits you. I’m happy to help if ever you need it. Best of luck with it! Thanks for co-hosting this month.
I agree that author branding is an ongoing process.
Thank you for the generous offer to help. I will keep that in mind.
Thank you, Debbie!
I read your post and comments with great interest. I recently completed building my Website pixel by pixel. What an incredible challenge. My goal is three independent blog pages.
Two blog pages are completed. Today, I’m in the process of building the third blog page.
I’m seeking layout tech support and welcome any recommendations. (WP/Siteground hosting/Elementor layout).
Thank you for co-hosting IWSG this month.
Lynn La Vita @ http://la-vita.us/
Wow, Lynn! You built your website pixel by pixel? That’s amazing. Sounds like you have great technical knowledge/skills.
I have a tech guy who does all my intricate technical stuff. I’m not very clued up when it comes to the nitty gritty of web building.
I was naive and after I realized how difficult it was, I couldn’t stop! Would it be possible to contact your tech guy for some advice? Here’s my email address: lynn@la-vita.us
Thanks for co-hosting this month. Wishing you all the best with the revamp. I agree, your blog and or website is your most valuable realestate on the web.
I have a newsletter but it’s not very good.
Author branding can be tricky but it can also be fun. For me, a lot of it comes down to associations- what do people think of when they think of me? Or which groups of people are my tribe.
Yes, the fun factor is important.
Even when I’m writing, it must contain an element of fun.
I believe all stories use world-building skills. Some settings are more contemporary than others. 😉
See you next month.
Anna from elements of emaginette
That’s true, Anna. But with fantasy and sci-fi, the author builds these highly-functioning worlds from scratch, complete with its own society/rules/regulations/language/values etc.
I’m always amazed.
See you next month, Anna!
Can’t wait to see the new website! And good luck with the course. It sounds like you’re very busy planning, reworking, and constructing.
I’m trying to make some calculated decisions… and then throw some spaghetti against the wall and see what sticks! Thanks, Tonja!
Wow, that’s so cool, that you are about to revamp your whole website. This is huge! I don’t think I’d have the guts to start all over again >_<
It’s now… or never. I have to seize the moment.
I swear, I thought I left a comment and somehow it’s not here now :O Anyway, It’s super cool that you are working on your website revamp! Bold move! 😀
I don’t know why your comment went to the spam folder?
As I mentioned, I have to act now… move forward on this journey…
I’m just squeezing website revamp into my already hectic schedule. However, I do have my IT guy who is responsible for all the technical stuff. So that helps.
I absolutely agree with you about social media. It changes too much, especially their tools where there positioned, and even who sees it when. And so you can’t rely on it anymore. And you’ve made a great decision to start a newsletter because in addition to blogs they say a newsletter is one of the best and most efficient ways to promote your work. Like with blogs, only you’ control it. Speaking of which, its really neat that you’re upgrading your blog to an author one. Congrats!
Hi Steven!
Thank you for popping in.
After an assessment of my blog, I’m in the process of trying to steer this writerly journey in a viable direction, firstly, by upgrading my site and secondly, starting the newsletter. The offer to sign up for the self-publishing course just fell in at the right moment! Serendipity?
It’s a work-in-progress…
I’ve built a career in being internet savvy and now working on developing my writer persona or brand. Even still, the shift in the technology for doing blogs or any websites these days, for that matter, is dramatically different than when Blogger and related options rolled out. I’ve opted to host my own platform using WordPress as it gives me the greatest ability to manage content, formatting, and everything else. If I don’t like the design, I can flip it around to another and not lose the content.
Sincerely wish you success in that effort.
Oh, I’m not about to write any sci-fi or fantasy soon either.
Hi Douglas!
You are so fortunate to belong to the group of internet-savvy people which means half your battle is won. I have an IT guy who does all the technical stuff. So that helps.
Thank you for visiting.
Thanks for co-hosting with me. That’s great that you’re tackling revamping your website and blog and going to do a newsletter. That’s a lot to tackle, but I’m sure you’ll be glad you did.
It is a lot but I have to do it now. You know what they say: strike while the iron is hot!
As it is, I’ve left it long enough.
I agree that trying new genres is good for a writer, even if they realize in the end it isn’t for them. That’s one of the reasons I like to write short stories. The only thing I realize I can’t write is poetry. Good luck with your site and branding. It can be tough finding out what defines you as a writer and how to market it. I don’t think I’ve gotten it right for me yet, because I’ve written in many genres. I’m hard to define! But I have a pen name that does only fantasy romance, and I found her much easier to brand and market.
Yes, you’re so right. When it comes to branding, I’m still trying to discover what defines me and what my niche is. I suppose it takes time.
What I do know is this: I love fiction AND non-fiction.
However, it seems like commercial/genre fiction is easier to brand and market.
Sounds like you’ve got a lot of things in the works with updating your website and taking courses. I hope it all goes smoothly for you! Thanks for co-hosting!
There’s a lot going on at the moment. I’ll just take it one step at a time. No rush, no stress.
Hi Michelle – well done on keeping up to date with things, and being prescient with the needs for the future of your site … I think I got fed up with all the changes needed and so was happy just to keep blogging away … good luck with all the things on your plate – cheers Hilary
Thanks for visiting, Hilary!
With regards to my site upgrade – it’s now or never! I have to tackle the website and put all the other things in place. It’s quite a process. But I’ll take it step-by-step, and eventually I’ll get it done.
Are you my twin? 🙂 I posted something similar about struggling to write sci-fi and fantasy, and I’m also trying to revamp my blog into a proper author website. I say, “trying,” but, “struggling” would be more accurate. I just can’t get the design to look right (probably because I have zero design skills). I’m also getting ready to launch a newsletter – I went with MailerLite, which was really easy to set up.
Good luck with your site and your newsletter!
Hi Janet!
Seems like we’re currently on the same wavelength.
Fortunately I have a tech guy who does all the intricate stuff because I also have zero design knowledge/skills.
Good luck with your site and newsletter too!