Insecure Writers Support Group

First Wednesday of 2022!

January 5, 2022 By C. Lee McKenzie 55 Comments

I’ve been on a break, and how much I needed that! 2021 was a long and very challenging year for me as it was for so many people. It was good to take time out and focus on my family and friends who aren’t online with me, but who sit across the table and chat over a cup of coffee. Since we have three stair-step boys (5, 4, and 3) in our family who are eager to see what Santa has delivered–not to mention two new Queensland Heeler puppies, there’s a lot of action all through December up to the big day. I wouldn’t say it was a restful month, but it was chock-full of fun and excitement. I look forward to 2022 with hope for good health among all my family and close friends, and some productive writing/reading experiences here with all of you.

Now it’s time–as Alex says–to rock the neurotic writing world!

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!

What’s the one thing about your writing career you regret the most? Were you able to overcome it?

I’m sorry I published early. I thought I was ready to jump into the fray, but looking back, I wish I’d waited and scoped out the business side of writing more carefully. However, when is it a good time to take that leap and send your manuscript out into the world? If I’d waited, I might never have found a publisher who thought well enough about my work to take it on. As it was, I had two books out in two years with a third in the wings. I received good advances and good reviews, so I was launched, and I just had to learn as I went.

While I still have regrets, I think I’ve overcome that choice, and during these years I believe I’ve become a better writer for having made a lot of those new writer mistakes. I’m curious to read what others are writing in response to this month’s question.

Be sure to visit the awesome co-hosts for today’s post!

Erika Beebe,Olga Godim,Sandra Cox,Sarah Foster, and Chemist Ken!

The Seventh Annual IWSG Anthology

Contest Winners!

The genre is sweet romance and the theme is first love.

Thanks to all who entered. We had a record number of entries this year.

Now we present the authors of

First Love: The Art of Making Doughnuts

The Art of Making Doughnuts – Linda Budzinski
Paper Faces – Sylvia Ney
The Real Thing – Sammi Spizziri
My Heart Approves – Melissa Maygrove
Oliver’s Girl – Michael Di Gesu
Clyde and Coalesce – Kim Elliot
My First Love(s) – Templeton Moss
How to Save a Princess – Katie Klein
The Castle of Ohno – SE White
Marmalade Sunset – Denise Covey

A special thanks to our official judges:

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.

Quote of the Week: “There’s nothing I value more than the closeness of friends and family, a smile as I pass someone on the street.” Willie Stargell, baseball Hall of Fame

A First Wednesday Thought: Life Is Sufficiency

December 1, 2021 By C. Lee McKenzie 60 Comments

I visited One Woman’s Quest last month. I’m not sure how I found the site, but since I wrote Shattered, I’m navigating to a lot of different places in this internet sea that I might not have otherwise. I’m so glad I found it because this poem touched me deeply, and I knew I wanted to share it with my readers. V.J. graciously gave me permission to re-post it here. Thank you, V.J. Your thoughts are couched in such beautiful language.

Sufficiency

Disability corners me
twixt two directions –
the hurried rush
of ambition’s call
and the gentle nudge
of wisdom settling

Confined to four rooms
I am distanced from –
invisible to –
the weekend warriors
whose self-satisfied grimaces
race by my window

I remember that push –
not enough hours to the day
not enough money to succeed
never thin enough, fit enough
always grasping for more…

Legless and exhausted,
I am disqualified
from competing,
immersed in retrospection,
luxuriating in perspective –

I’ve always had, indeed,
continue to have
everything I need:
a home I can navigate,
the endless beauty of nature
and the care of loved ones.

Abundance, I’ve discovered, is attitude:
recognition and acceptance
that life is sufficiency

v.j. knutson

“I’ve derived this poem from a post by the same name, dated October 2014.
At the time, I was five months into the losses that were Myalgic Encephalomyelitis…”

And now for our monthly question. Remember, the question is optional!

In your writing, what stresses you the most? What delights you?

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!

Since I’m going through the most stressful part of this writing business right now, this question is easy to answer. Releasing a book into the world shoots my stress level to “explosive”. Picture that emoji of the guy with the top of his head erupting like a volcano, and you get some of how I feel. The publicity deadlines, the obligation to winners of prizes, the delays in getting books for special promotions, the uncertainty of public response. All of these combine to make me vow never to do it again. So far this has been a vow I haven’t kept, and I’ve repeated it 10 times with 10 books. I always think, “This time will be easier because I’ve had practice.” Ha! That is not the case.

Maybe I don’t stop because I know I’m always ready to enter the delightful period, and that will diminish the stress, and I’ll be sane again. When I’m at the re-writing stage of a book, I’m in heaven. The characters are there to “play” with, the plot is laid out to twist for more interest or smooth out for more plausibility, the narrative and description are ready for those final touches. Ahh. Now that is heaven.

Shattered’s Blog Tour

Shattered is featured in a few blogs from Nov 29 to Dec 3. If you have a moment, I hope you’ll stop by some of these great sites. I so appreciate bloggers who help get the word out about books, and I like to encourage them for their efforts.

November 29:
1: Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read
2: Write. Read. Live.
3: Mythical Books
4: Gold Dust Editing & Book Reviews
5: Literary Gold
6: The Avid Reader
7: Straight from the Library

November 30:
1: Aubrey Wynne: Timeless Love
2: Long and Short Reviews
3: Readers Roost
4: Splashes of Joy
5: Kit ‘N Kabookle
6: The Pen and Muse Book Reviews
7: Westveil Publishing

December 1:
1:Books in the Hall
2: Fabulous and Brunette
3: https://andisyoungadult.blogspot.com
4: Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin’
5: Sapphyria’s Books
6: Triquetra Reviews
7: Author C.A.Milson

December 2:
1: Eye-Rolling Demigod’s Book Blog
2: Welcome to My World of Dreams
3: The Faerie Review
4: Don’t Judge, Read
5: Coffee and Wander Book Reviews
6: Jazzy Book Reviews
7: Let me tell you a story

December 3:
1: Locks, Hooks and Books
2: Novels Alive
3: Hope. Dreams. Life… Love
4: Sandra’s Book Club
5: Girl with Pen
6: It’s Raining Books

Quote of the Week: “Sometimes your destiny is wrapped up in a veil of fear to check if you really have the courage to face it.” Marcus Hades, Poet

It’s That Wednesday Again!

November 2, 2021 By C. Lee McKenzie 89 Comments

Are you ready?
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

This month’s optional question:
What’s harder to do, coming up with your book title or writing the blurb?

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!

The blurb by far. It has to be short and yet capture the crux of your story in an interesting or exciting way. That’s just not easy. I spend a lot of hours re-writing the blurb.

Titles can be tricky, but there’s usually one that comes pretty early in the writing, and I’ve only had to change my first choice once. Well, I didn’t change it; my publisher did.

CALL FOR A NEW ADMIN. If you’re an Instagram expert, IWSG could use your help. You can contact us via the IWSG email, or reach out to our Ninja Captain Alex. You can also leave me a comment and I’ll deliver your information.

My own news of the week is that my story’s now a book. If you’d like to read and perhaps review it, it’s up on

NET GALLEY.

and there’s still time to enter the Give Away. That’s at the end of this post.

When I set to write this latest story, I didn’t realize I’d be writing about an under-represented group in the world of books. When the truth finally hit me, I searched Goodreads and found only 519 books with handicapped heroes. Yet, one in four adults in the U.S. is identified as disabled. That’s 26% of the population. Since Shattered is a story about paraplegia, I wanted to know how many people had mobility disabilities in the U.S. I found that 13.7% do. On Goodreads, there are 84 books that tackle that topic. I’m not great at math, but “under-represented” seems to be the correct description here.

For years, we’ve heard the call for more diversity in books, and that is slowly happening. According to the Lee and Low Diversity Baseline Survey, books for young readers with characters of different ethnic and racial groups jumped by 31% from 1994 to 2018. In 2017 the Newbery Award went to Erin Entrada Kelly for her book, Hello Universe. It’s books like these that open up another’s world of experiences, give readers a chance to be a part of that world–one they’ve not experienced. It raises awareness and cultivates compassion and understanding. At the same time, it affirms the value of each of our community members and provides everyone an opportunity to find what is common to us all–our humanity.

Paraplegia cuts across all socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic lines. Anyone’s life can be suddenly altered like this by an accident, illness, a mistake in choices, or a congenital condition. And the theme of adapting to a different way of doing things can apply to all of us. This major change might not be as dramatic and sudden as the one I’ve depicted in Shattered, but we all experience the effects of aging, of illness, of economic or personal setbacks. Adapt or give up is often an option we are given, and in Shattered, that’s the option my main character is given.

My hope for this book is that following Libby Brown’s struggle to come to terms with losing her mobility and grappling with that option will inspire others–paraplegic or not.

Nineteen-year-old Libby Brown is on her way to the winter Olympics for her shot at the Gold. But on a last practice run, an out-of-bounds snowboarder collides with her, and she wakes up in a hospital unable to move her legs. Terrible accident they say, but was it? Or did someone want her off the U.S. slalom team? Libby must find the truth or remain shattered forever.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

WE’RE HALFWAY THROUGH!

June 2, 2021 By C. Lee McKenzie 94 Comments

I just flipped my paper calendar from May to June. It seems more important when I change the months on my colorful kitchen calendar than when I click on my digital Google one. So month six has arrived–June from the Roman goddess Juno, patroness of marriage and the well-being of women. I’m expecting a lot of good this month, but when I add up the + and -, it’s a wash.

In California, we get to unmask as the 15th! *Score one on the bright side.
Our vaccination percentages are still on the rise–over 55% *Score two.
We’re facing a major drought and already the farmers’ water allotment has been dramatically cut. Watch those food prices go up even higher. *Oops. Subtract one bright side for June.
We’ve been in the fire season since May, very early. *Alas, subtract another.

My personal half-year recap:

I’ve just signed a contract to publish a new book, so to celebrate that I’ll be doing a special GIVEAWAY. To win a signed copy of this book, you can follow my Weekly Wednesday posts here and on Facebook starting this month about the characters you’ll meet in the story. I’ll give a book to anyone who comments (50 book limit) and answers a simple question that will be at the end of each post. Hope you’ll join in and play the game. I’ll try to make it fun.

And now for the rest…

After I finished my round-trip from San Francisco to L.A. (mileage count, not a real trip) I kind of flaked for a few weeks, then started walking again. I’m not as rigid in my 4 miles/day anymore, but sometimes I walk longer. My longest day walk so far is 10 miles.
I’ve received a lot of feedback on one of my WIPs, and I’m going through the comments before I tackle my next edit on that manuscript.
I finally chose to get vaccinated. There are a lot of things I want to do, starting this month, and to do them, it’s easier with proof of vaccination.
Maybe the big news is my cherry pie success. The cherries are here after a long winter wait. My mouth watered for a fresh-baked pie, so I made one. Here are my Before and After shots. I intend to eat it all.

Now for the First Wednesday of the Month News!

Submissions are open for the Seventh Annual IWSG Anthology Contest.
SWEET ROMANCE

For submission guidelines, list of judges and their bios, click HERE.

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

Remember, the question is optional!

June 2 question – For how long do you shelve your first draft, before reading it and re-drafting? Is this dependent on your writing experience and the number of stories/books under your belt?

The awesome co-hosts for the June 2 posting of the IWSG are J Lenni Dorner,Sarah Foster,Natalie Aguirre,Lee Lowery, and Rachna Chhabria!

I’m afraid I don’t have a great answer to this month’s question simply because I don’t know the answer. Some first drafts sit on my C Drive for years, others a few weeks. My writing experience doesn’t seem to help me out in deciding when to re-write. Wish it did.

Thanks to Chrys Fey and her mom Elaine Kaye, my adventurous boys are going to the MOON!

Another special thanks to Susan Kaye Quinn for her exciting and unique idea that has engaged so many authors and will send their books on a fabulous journey.

Quote of the Month: “How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before its afternoon. December is here before its June. My goodness, how the time has flown. How did it get so late so soon?” – Dr. Suess

April’s 1st Wednesday. No Time for Burnout, But…

April 7, 2021 By C. Lee McKenzie 82 Comments

that’s exactly what happened. Actually, burnout started last December, but it managed to stick around right up to spring. So while the daffodils tried to spread their sunny delight, I was working on not muttering “Bah. Humbug.”

A lot had to do with what everyone was going through–isolation from friends and family, disruption of those pleasant routines, like lunch in a restaurant, or a good gym workout, or seeing people’s smiles.

At first, I wrote myself through this, then in desperation, I turned to editing. Walking my 4 miles a day helped, and Zoom gave me my People Fix, not as satisfying as chatting in person, but something. I read everything I had on hand, from books and magazines to humorous cocktail napkins and wine labels.

The Great Burnout Wall appeared out of nowhere, and I hit it full on. The stories stopped. My editor’s pen ran dry. I wore out my second pair of walking shoes. There didn’t seem to be anything worth reading. Now what?

I met Contractor Ted. Yes. He put me back on track. For years, I’ve put off tearing off an old deck because I dreaded dealing with plans, and permits, and contractors. Ted changed all of that. Cheerful. Competent. Organized. Honest. Wow! He was a perfect burnout antidote.

I’m back to writing. The editing’s going well, Okay. It’s kind of meh, but at least it’s progressing. I bought new walking shoes and have been doing hitting the trails again, and I’ve even added my gym workout via Zoom. I’m back to enjoying reading, and as a bonus, the old deck’s history, and I’m loving the new one.

Old Deck View PB — Almost before. I should have taken a picture prior to tear out.

Interestingly enough, in the IWSG Newsletter this month, there’s a great article about overcoming burnout by Mary Kole. Be sure to check it out. It’s perfect with advice about enjoying the journey and taking your eyes off the destination.

And now that I’ve regaled you with my tale of burnout misery and recovery, let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

The awesome co-hosts for the April 7 posting of the IWSG are

PK Hrezo,Pat Garcia,SE White,Lisa Buie Collard,and Diane Burton!

The #IWSG question for the month is…

Are you a risk-taker when writing? Do you try something radically different in style/POV/etc. or add controversial topics to your work?

I’m not sure I’d say I’m a risk-taker, but I like to “play” with different ways of telling a story. I like to use different points of view, even experimenting with using first and third in a single book–that experiment worked. A publisher paid me and published the book that was finally titled Sliding on the Edge.

Since some of what I write is contemporary/realistic Young Adult, my topics are about what teens experience. I’ve covered cutting, suicide, injustice, illiteracy, and prejudice in the novels I’ve written. I’m not sure these constitute controversial topics because authors write about them all the time, but they are hot issues in today’s world.

Sliding on the Edge by C. Lee McKenzie — She’s a frightened child behind all that bad ass attitude.

The Princess of Las Pulgas by C. Lee McKenzie — She’s a frightened child behind all that bad ass attitude.

I have a new book almost ready to go out that deals with mass shootings. I started this several years ago, and since my first draft we’ve had three mass shootings in the U.S. Every time that kind of news flashes around the world, I wonder if I should sub this book, or just hold on to it. I’m not chasing after the news. The news seems to be chasing after my story.

When I write Middle Grade, I leave all the heavy topics behind and have fun. Writing for the eight to twelve age group is an escape for me, and I want it to be the same for the young reader. The biggest risk I took with these books is having talking alligators who were the sages in the story as well as witch familiars. As I typed this sentence, I thought, “This sounds so wierd.” And I guess it is, but the Adventures of Pete and Weasel are out there, and so far nobody’s come to collect me for a mental examination.

This week one of the early successes in children’s literature died at the age of 104. I’m so glad I got to meet and talk to Beverly Cleary a couple of years ago. After that meeting, I wrote a short article about that day and I published it on LinkedIn. If you want to read about a real national treasure who at the age of 102 still had her sense of humor and a very keen mind, here’s that ARTICLE.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” Helen Keller

March Madness Wednesday

March 3, 2021 By C. Lee McKenzie 92 Comments

You might think that after being in the writing game for this long, I wouldn’t make any mistakes. Well, that isn’t the case. January and February are proof. But I do have excuses, I just won’t bore you with the long story. There was a computer, a building project, two faucet leaks, and a giraffe involved. I’ll say no more.

I will say that I should have been telling earthlings about Pete and Weasel’s trip to the moon as stowaways on a rocket under the command of Captain Chrys Fey. Yes, the two boys are taking Some Very Messy Medieval Magic to our nearest satellite, and they plan to stay forever.

Some Very Messy Medieval Magic by C. Lee McKenzie — AMAZON . BARNES & NOBLE . KOBO . SMASHWORDS . YABC

The reason the boys have to stow away and can’t be legitimate paying passengers is because their author (me) was dealing with things (see above) and missed the deadline to up for the Moon Trip.

The idea is brilliant and due, in a large part, to Susan Kaye Quinn: Writers On The Moon is a lunar time capsule project. “We’ll send a rag-tag fleet of stories to the moon aboard a digital data card. We hope this snapshot of indie fiction from around the world in 2021 will reveal the humanity of today to the readers of tomorrow. Astrobotic and DHL have partnered to deliver “MoonBoxes” aboard Astrobotic’s lunar landers. Our payload will ride on the first Astrobotic lander to reach the moon, the Peregrine Lander. It will remain there permanently, a time capsule for the future.”

Blast-Off!

I’m not finished with trying to mend my January/Februrary Screw Ups. So stick around. I’d looked forward to showing off Donna Galanti’s newest book and telling about her Giveaway, but I lost her post. (Item #1 Computer, See Above), then almost forgot the date to post (#2 building project), cobbled together something at the last minute (#3 two faucet leaks), and forgot the Giveaway (#4 the giraffe, but it was imaginary). Do you see a pattern developing? Anyway, to atone for the mess, I’d like to tout Donna’s book again today.

Unicorn Island by Donna Galanti — Simon and Schuster . Amazon

“An accessible and fast-paced magical adventure.” – Kirkus Reviews

“An all-too-human, enchanting middle grade fantasy novel.” – Forward Reviews

“What begins as realistic fiction turns to a fantastical tale of magical rescue. Fans of unicorns and magic in the real world will enjoy this adventure.” – School Library Journal

Add Donna’s book to your TBR List on Goodreads, and please visit Donna at her beautiful Website.

Now it’s time to rock the neurotic writing world, and rocking this neurotic writer would also help.

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

Remember, the question is optional!

March 3 question – Everyone has a favorite genre or genres to write. But what about your reading preferences? Do you read widely or only within the genre(s) you create stories for? What motivates your reading choice?

The awesome co-hosts for the March 3 posting of the IWSG are Sarah – The Faux Fountain PenJacqui Murray,Chemist Ken,Victoria Marie Lees,Natalie Aguirre, and JQ Rose!

If there are pages between covers with a title on the front and you call it a book, I’m very likely to read it. A great cover makes me pick up a novel, an intriguing topic makes me pick up a non-fiction book.

Like so many fiction readers, I like to be drawn in right away; however, I’m likely to give a story with a slow start a little time if the writing is strong and I sense a trustworthy voice. With non-fiction, I really appreciate a sense of humor or well-crafted prose as well as clarity.

As a writer, I love to write, so with the exception of Romance and Erotica, I give everything a shot. I have a lot of failures to show for it, but in each failure, I’ve learned something.

Quote of the Month: With freedom, books, flowers, and the Moon, who could not be happy?
Oscar Wilde

Rainy Day Wednesday

February 3, 2021 By C. Lee McKenzie 82 Comments

It was a rainy, shut-in kind of day–the third in a row. Ordinarily, I don’t mind these days when I can cozy up by the fire, but after being a semi-recluse during the Covid year, I really felt caged in. I did a lot of pacing, eyed the wine rack (it was only ten in the morning), and considered tossing caution and heading out into the storm for a hike. But the wind was fierce and the trees were doing some very bendy tangos. I’d rather not have one of them crash on my head.

“Well, you could plant yourself in front of the computer and write something, you know.” The voice of the muse.

That was an option, but I was out of inspiration. That’s happened a lot this past year (see above re: semi-recluse and Covid) Then I received an image, and after a few wistful moments, taking in this picture, I followed my muse’s advice. I thought I’d share my writing prompt today in case anyone out there was in need of some cheerful nostalgia.

**One of my boys off to see the world with his dog!**

But now it’s time to rock the neurotic writing world! So shall we?

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

February 3 question – Blogging is often more than just sharing stories. It’s often the start of special friendships and relationships. Have you made any friends through the blogosphere?

The awesome co-hosts for the February 3 posting of the IWSG are Louise – Fundy Blue , Jennifer Lane, Mary Aalgaard, Patsy Collins at Womagwriter, and Nancy Gideon!

When I first started blogging I knew no one. I didn’t expect anyone to visit my site, and–surprise–nobody did, not at first anyway. But I plodded along, writing short, but daily posts and my publisher kept nudging me with hints about how important networking would be for me if I continued to write for publication. She sent me links to some “movers and shakers” in the community, so I visited them, and every once in a while someone would stumble on my posts and leave a comment.

I can’t remember when I could claim to have a network, but it was probably my second year and after my second book came out. By that time I’d had a few trials by fire, met writers with similar experiences, and learned how to write a decent post. What I find interesting is that some of my earliest connections are still with me and I can definitely call them friends.

We’ve exchanged manuscripts, comforting shoulders (virtually, of course), book successes, and setbacks. We’ve exchanged hints and featured each other on our blogs during book launches. Some have called to talk when they knew I was going through a rough patch. Others send me cards with good wishes on holidays. One sent me congratulations and a bouquet of flowers when I did a presentation at a major conference. I remember how special that made me feel.

I’ve said this many times, but this seems a good time to repeat it. I wouldn’t still be doing this if it weren’t for the friends I’ve made here in the blogosphere, and I value each of them for their talent, perseverance, and kindness.

Quote of the Month: “And she loved a little boy very, very much. Even more than she loved herself.” -Shel Silverstein

The Great Conjunction

January 6, 2021 By C. Lee McKenzie 65 Comments

There wasn’t a lot to be excited about in 2020, so to make up for Covid arriving at our doorsteps, the skies treated us to a once in a lifetime spectacle. Yep. Unless you were here 400 years ago, you never saw Saturn and Jupiter so close together (a 10th of a degree apart) in their orbits around the Sun. They seem to catch up to each other about every 20 years, but they’re not this close and the event often happens during daylight.

Because I couldn’t miss something this fantastic, I sat outside, huddled against the December chill, and gawked as Jupiter steadily gained on Saturn, finally passing it. How close they seemed, and yet they remained hundreds of millions of miles apart in space. Watching the night sky, knowing I’d never see this again, trying to grasp the concept of just how immense our universe is was a humbling, but inspiring experience. Some things were as they should be, and that was surprisingly comforting as I got ready to say goodbye to a year in which nothing seemed to be as it should be.

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

Remember, the question is optional!

Being a writer, when you’re reading someone else’s work, what stops you from finishing a book/throws you out of the story/frustrates you the most about other people’s books?

The awesome co-hosts for the January 6 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse van Vuuren , J Lenni Dorner, Gwen Gardner Sandra Cox, and Louise – Fundy Blue!

Of all people, I should be the last to point out “flaws” in other people’s writing. If I look at some of my work, I’ll find every one of these frustrating, book-closing examples. But here goes!

The first thing that stops me cold is a book that tries too hard. When I break this blanket statement down into descriptors the first on my list is the “unique phrase” strategy. I know every writer strives for a voice that’s his or hers, but it’s difficult for me to read on when instead of just telling the story, they reach for clever ways to do it.

The second descriptor is the “gore for effect.” I can read well-written horror, but like comedy, horror requires a lot of skill to pull it off. Give me a good stabbing or ghostly stalking figure, but give it to me with some nuance and some excellent prose.

“Clever attribution” might not make me stop reading, but it does annoy me. I guess I’m old-fashioned and I either like “he said” or some kind of action to make it clear who’s speaking. When people blurt, snort, guffaw, chortle, or howl I’m likely to start skimming.

“Repetition. Repetition. Repetition.” I have to admit that I read one book to the end so that I could complete my count of the word ceaseless. The writer fell in love with that word in the first chapter, and clung to it from then on. There was ceaseless love, ceaseless worry, ceaseless seas, ceaseless…well, you’ve probably already stopped reading.

Now, I’m off to edit some of my books and make sure I didn’t commit any of these irritations.

And here’s what we’ve been waiting for…the next IWSG Anthology!

An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

Discover dark matter’s secrets…
What is an AI’s true role? Will bumbling siblings find their way home from deep space? Dark matter is judging us—are we worthy of existence? Would you step through a portal into another reality? Can the discoverer of dark matter uncover its secrets?

Ten authors explore dark matter, unraveling its secrets and revealing its mysterious nature. Featuring the talents of Stephanie Espinoza Villamor, C.D. Gallant-King, Tara Tyler, Mark Alpert, Olga Livshin, Steph Wolmarans, Charles Kowalski, Kim Mannix, Elizabeth Mueller, and Deniz Bevan.

Hand-picked by a panel of agents, authors, and editors, these ten tales will take readers on a journey across time and space. Prepare for ignition!

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.

Release date: May 4, 2021
Print ISBN 9781939844828 $14.95
EBook ISBN 9781939844835 $4.99

Science Fiction: Collections & Anthologies (FIC028040) / Space Exploration (FIC028130) / Genetic Engineering (FIC028110)

MEET THE WRITERS

Artificial – Stephanie Espinoza Villamor
Space Folds and Broomsticks – C.D. Gallant-King
Rift – Kim Mannix
The Utten Mission – Steph Wolmarans
Sentient – Tara Tyler
One to Another – Deniz Bevan
Resident Alien – Charles Kowalski
Nano Pursuit – Olga Godim
Resurgence – Elizabeth Mueller
Vera’s Last Voyage – Mark Alpert

What’s Next?

Quote of the Month:

“Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious.” | Stephen Hawking

November’s #IWSG 1st Wednesday

November 4, 2020 By C. Lee McKenzie 60 Comments

Did you know this?

Ray Bradbury was thirty when he started a story called The Fireman. It was 1945 just after the end of WWII. The setting in the story was an anti-book culture in which books were banned, and whenever someone discovered any, firemen were dispatched to destroy them.

Bradbury set this story aside for a few years, but when Senator Joseph McCarthy launched his anti-communist campaign, accusing almost everyone and their pet spaniel of disloyalty to the U.S., Bradbury pulled his old manuscript out and finished it. He felt the McCarthy era could very well usher in a society much like the book-banning one in The Fireman.

Once he was done, Bradbury wasn’t satisfied with the title, and on a whim, called the chief of the LA fire department to ask at what temperature paper burned, and guess what? Yep. Fahrenheit 451 was the new title.

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Remember, the question is optional!

November 4 question – Albert Camus once said, “The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself.” Flannery O’Conner said, “I write to discover what I know.” Authors across time and distance have had many reasons to write. Why do you write what you write?

The awesome co-hosts for the November 4 posting of the IWSG are

Jemi Fraser, Kim Lajevardi, L.G Keltner, Tyrean Martinson, and Rachna Chhabria!

I wish I had something noble to write as my answer to this question, something that at least came knee high to the likes of Camus and other greats, but my answer’s pretty simple. I write because I enjoy the process.

Each time I imagine a story, then populate it with characters, put it into a time, and envision a place, I think, “How in the hell am I going to do this so it’s readable?” Along the way, I frequently know I have a dud on my hands or I am a dud when it comes to writing more than my name. Then I type–one day after another–on that rollercoaster of “Yay, this is great!” “Yikes, it’s rotten!” until I look up and there I am at The End.

It’s easier to tell you reason I don’t write. Money (no surprise there), fame (another non-shocker), save the world (I’ll let Camus do that), change the world (too big a job), inspire greatness in others (I’m struggling to be a tad above average), discover who I am (I already know that).

It will be interesting to see how others take on this question because it’s a perfect one for people who write.

Something interesting happened last month. I received an invitation from an Irish Writers Group to create a video and read from one of my books. This is the result. There are so many Irish writers on this site, and some I’ve had the good fortune to meet in my hometown during Irish Writers Week! Small world indeed.

Dancing Lemur Press has a holiday special going. Take advantage of their sale and scoop up some gifts at bargain prices. Some Very Messy Medieval Magic is in this mix of great reads.

Dancing Lemur Press

There are some great books out or about to launch BTW. Have you seen these?

One undercover FBI agent protecting a boy.
One Lodge owner protecting his town.
One undeniable connection.

Amazon (US) Amazon (CA) Apple B&N Kobo Google Play BookBub Goodreads Website

Well of Ash by Elle Cardy

No one knows who built the Great Wells across the world or why. To linger near makes the skin crawl and the mind drift in nightmares. Yet this one calls to Ash in whispers that pull her closer. Soon she’s caught in a mystery that can kill. She must find the answers before she loses her sanity and her life.If you like dragons, magic, and a fierce heroine with a wounded heart, then you’ll love Well of Ash, a YA Fantasy novella by Elle Cardy. Available now as an ebook and paperback on Amazon. OR, for a limited time, pick up a free copy when you join Elle’s VIP newsletter club.

Well of Ash is now available via Goodreads, Bookbub and Amazon.

The official release date is TODAY!

Order your copy now and put it your TBR list.

Amazon Goodreads Bookbub

Red Dove, Listen to the Wind

Sonia Antaki

Abandoned by her white father, thirteen-year-old Red Dove faces another lean winter with her Lakota family on the Great Plains. Spirited and proud, she is presented with a stark choice: leave her people to live in a white world, or stay and watch them starve. Red Dove begins a journey to find her place and discovers that her greatest power comes from within herself.

Bookshop . Amazon . Target

What will it take to survive a battle between alien races involved in an ancient war?

Liftoff is a fast-paced read for fans of Code 8, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Cobra Kai.

Releases November 10

Quote of the Month: “You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.” Ray Bradbury

October IWSG

October 7, 2020 By C. Lee McKenzie 65 Comments

Did you know this?

New York City Library January of this year was the New York Public Library’s 125th year anniversary. Part of their celebration included a list of their most checked out books over the span of all those years. In the adult category they listed 1984, Fahrenheit 451, and How to Win Friends and Influence People. In the children’s category they listed thousands more. Only three in the adult and thousands in the children’s? That’s interesting, isn’t it? Also of interest is the fact that the most popular children’s book ever was not included on that list. Good Night Moon. And that was because it wasn’t acquired by the library until 1972, twenty-five years after it was published.

But why wasn’t it included in their collection? The reason was one woman, Ann Carol Moore. She didn’t like the book and gave it her infamous “Not Approved By Expert” stamp–the kiss of death, according to early children book writers. She nixed a lot of children’s books this way because if the New York Library didn’t acquire them, others didn’t either. ACM was a lover of fantasy and believed children, especially those inner city kids without a lot of resources in the home, needed escape, not reality. For years, she dominated the library’s book acquisitions, so books about garbage trucks or things kids saw everyday didn’t reach the shelves.

Now you might label her as a mean-spirited, cranky old librarian, yet ACM is credited with not only getting children into the library (they weren’t allowed until very late 1890s), but creating a special space for them. When they checked out a book, they had to sign a paper, saying they’d take good care of it and return it on time–a first lesson in citizenship. So while we can criticize her for her book bias, we have to acknowledge her contribution to early literacy.

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Well, it’s another first Wednesday and another chance to consider a writing-related question.
Remember, the question is optional!
When you think of the term working writer, what does that look like to you? What do you think it is supposed to look like? Do you see yourself as a working writer or aspiring or hobbyist, and if latter two, what does that look like?

The awesome co-hosts for the October 7 posting of the IWSG are

Jemima Pett, Beth Camp, Beverly Stowe McClure, and Gwen Gardner!

This is a complicated question, and by that I mean I’m not sure of the answer. I’m not a hobbyist, so rule that out. I’m still aspiring because I want to be better at my craft. If describing myself as a working writer means making money is my primary goal, then I’ll have to rule that out. It’s always nice when the royalties drop into my account, but I didn’t set out to make money. I set out to write the best book I could. In fact, each time I start a new project, that’s always my goal. I’ve never thought, “This one has to be a money maker.” I’ve always thought I hope it’s a story that people will enjoy or a least read and react to.

I’m curious about how others will answer this question, which BTW, is darned thought-provoking.

October #WEP It’s time for another #WEP. This one should be a fascinating contest. Just look at the theme.

If you want to join in this month’s contest, check out the How To Join Page.

Available on Amazon

And because it’s my favorite month which has my favorite holiday, I’m going to run a giveaway for my Adventures of Pete and Weasel Series. If you’d like signed copies of these three books (all quite HALLOWEEN and KID (8-12 years) appropriate enter my Rafflecopter Giveaway. Sorry, but I’m going to have to keep this limited to the U.S. only.

Blurb: Pete’s always in trouble, and his bookish friend, Weasel, is always pulled into whatever mess Pete manages to stir up. Follow their adventures that start with Alligators Overhead and an alligator war in the Ornofree Swamp, then journey back to jolly old England when Queen Victoria is only 16 in The Great Time Lock Disaster. In Some Very Messy Medieval Magic, they’ll take you to the year 1173 to find a missing Time Traveler and save the world.

Now it’s time–as Alex says–to rock the neurotic writing world!

The Seventh Annual IWSG Anthology

Contest Winners!

First Love: The Art of Making Doughnuts

Sufficiency

Shattered’s Blog Tour

My own news of the week is that my story’s now a book. If you’d like to read and perhaps review it, it’s up on

and there’s still time to enter the Give Away. That’s at the end of this post.

My personal half-year recap:

Now for the First Wednesday of the Month News!

And here’s what we’ve been waiting for…the next IWSG Anthology!

What’s Next?

Quote of the Month:

Did you know this?

Did you know this?

Quote of the Month: The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library. —Albert Einstein