The Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) is the brilliant idea of Alex J. Cavanaugh. The purpose of the group is to share doubts and insecurities and to encourage one another. Please visit the other participants and share your support. A kind word goes a long way.
This month's awesome co-hosts are: Tyrean Martinson, Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor, Megan Morgan, Jennifer Lane, and Rachna Chhabria!
We're starting off the year with great news. The IWSG short story contest last year had many amazing entries, and bravo to everyone who submitted a story. But the judges could only choose ten. Congratulations to the winners!
"Reset" by Tara Tyler
"Until Release" by Jemi Fraiser
"Until Release" by Jemi Fraiser
"Center Lane" by Christine Clemetson
"One More Minute" by Mary Aalgaard
"The Tide Waits" by Rebecca M. Douglas
"Three O'Clock Execution" by S.R. Betler
"Cypress, Like The Tree" by Yolanda Renee
"Cypress, Like The Tree" by Yolanda Renee
"The Little Girl in the Bayou" by J.R. Ferguson
"Gussy Saint and the Case of the Missing Coed" by C.D. Gallant-King
Special mention - "Heartless" by C. Lee McKenzie
And the grand prize winner - "A Stitch in Crime" by Gwen Gardner
Look for the anthology, Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime late this spring!
January optional IWSG question: What steps have you taken or plan to take to put a schedule in place for your writing and publishing?
It depends on how you define schedule. I have a loose schedule for what I want to do this year. I don't want to put any more stress on myself than I already do, so I haven't set deadlines for the two novels I want to release in 2018. I will make them the best darn novels they can be, and if that happens later rather than sooner, so be it. I'm trying to be okay with that.
* * * * *
Congratulations to the awesome Chrys Fey on the release of her newest book, Flaming Crimes. In celebration of her release, she's having a fun blogfest which requires participants to answer one question.
What is something ridiculous you would save if there was a fire? (This is after you've saved your family, pets, and other important items.)
I'm including books as important items. It's not ridiculous to save them! As for the silly item, it would be my dice. Yes, I'm such a geek. But there are so many dice that have memories attached to them. And they roll well! It's not easy to find a set of dice that roll well for you.
Click on the badge above to find a list of the other participants and see what things they would save.
Series: Disaster Crimes #4
Page
Count:
304
Digital Price: $4.99
Print Price: $16.99
Rating: Spicy (PG13)
BUY LINKS:
Digital Price: $4.99
Print Price: $16.99
Rating: Spicy (PG13)
BUY LINKS:
BLURB: Beth
and Donovan are now happily married, and what Beth wants more than
anything is a baby. Her dream of starting a family is put on hold as
fires burn dangerously close and Donovan becomes a victim of
sabotage.
Donovan
escapes what could've been a deadly wreck. Their past enemies have
been eliminated, so who is cutting brake lines and leaving bloody
messages? He vows to find out, for the sake of the woman he loves and
the life they're trying to build.
Amidst
a criminal mind game, a fire ignites next to their home. They battle
the flames and fight to keep their house safe from the blaze pressing
in on all sides, but neither of them expects to confront a psychotic
adversary in the middle of the inferno.
Their
lives may just go up in flames…
About
the Author: Chrys
Fey is the author of the Disaster
Crimes Series, a
unique concept blending romance, crimes, and disasters. She’s
partnered with the Insecure Writer’s Support Group and runs their
Goodreads book club. She’s also an editor for Dancing Lemur Press.
Author
Links:
I have a hard time sticking to a schedule or deadlines. But getting my book done sooner rather than later would be great, too!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to all the anthology winners!
I think sooner rather than later would be good too. :)
DeleteI don't have strict deadlines either. If you can get two books published this year, that would be awesome. But I like your attitude of not being stressed if it doesn't work out.
ReplyDeleteLast year I had a lot of stress, so I'm trying to ease off on myself and be kinder. We'll see if I can be my own nice boss!
DeleteI don't think it's too geeky to save the dice!
ReplyDeleteThey're all on one set of shelves in bags. They'd be easy to grab! :)
DeleteTwo novels this year sounds exciting! You got this.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to Chrys on her new release, and way to go, anthology submitters and winners.
Thank you for the encouragement. :)
DeleteI have a couple of big goals, one with a definite deadline and the other with a looser one because some of it is out of my control.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful 2018, Christine!
You sound like me. I make plans, but I don't make them TOO tight, or I'll just stress myself out. Best of luck to you!
ReplyDeleteIWSG post: Taking Chances
I want to change my attitude this year more than my schedule. Writing can't always be fun, but I wan't to worry about the story, not where it might end up being published or if it might be published. I want to write something amazing, even if it's just for me.
ReplyDeleteI schedule yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily goals, but everything's always subject to the unexpected or unplanned. But at least I think I'm in control, right?
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Sometimes you just can't rush things. And at other times, I need a kick in the writing pants:) Good luck with your new books this year.
ReplyDeleteDice - what a fun thing to rescue :-)
ReplyDeleteI think you're wise to make your books the best they can be without worrying about a firm release date. All the best for the New Year!
I like your attitude, Christine. Sometimes we set out of our reach goals that only seem to irritate us. Wishing you success in 2018. Happy New Year!!!
ReplyDeleteA Stitch in Crime is a great title!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to all the winners!!!!
I love that you'd save your dice. It makes sense given your series. I have one of your swag dice on my bookcase. It's so cute. :)
I've set my writing goals. Now for the plan.
ReplyDeleteI would save my Minion collection.
I agree about the stress. I keep it to a minimum too. Life and writing are enough to push me forward. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
I'm not a schedule person at all! I have general goals in mind, but don't recall ever having hammered out a specific schedule and forced myself to adhere to it.
ReplyDeleteYes, I like your style. Release the books when they're done. The schedule be damned!
ReplyDeleteLoving your attitude! Making your two novels the best they can be before putting them on the market.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a successful 2018.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
Hubby would agree with you about the dice.
ReplyDeleteYES! I'm all for less stress. I have a deadline for the first novel I want to publish this year because it's almost done - just proofing and formatting left, but I don't have a deadline for the next one. I set some loose goals so I don't slack off too much, but I'm not pressuring myself. Here's to less stress and pressure in 2018! ^_^
ReplyDeleteMay 2018 bring you clarity and peace, and lots of writing time.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to all the winners!
ReplyDeleteThat's funny about the dice. You probably have a lot of memories rolled up in them!
Good approach to deadlines and making your novels the best darn novels they can be. Best of luck with the new year, and grats to the winners!
ReplyDeleteMay all your goals come true. Wishing you a joyful and successful 2018. Geat post.
ReplyDeleteJuneta @ Writer's Gambit
You're right. Setting up a tight schedule only makes me nervous. I have enough to be nervous about as it is. Great post, Christine. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteOh, of course, your dice is a perfect choice! Makes me think of your stories. :D
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Chrys and to the anthology winners! Lots of great stories to read.
Congrats to the anthology winners! It's good to have a loose schedule. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Christine - congratulations to all the anthology winners - and good luck to you for the year ahead ... now you'll have a little more time - all the best for 2018 = cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteTwo books is a good amount--last year you were a writing demon. It's good to balance it out a little with some breathing room.
ReplyDeletecongrats to all the winners. I hope you meet your publishing goal.
ReplyDeleteHi Christine, though I have set a few goals for 2018, I've also made them realistic and achievable. Good luck with your 2018 goals. Congratulations to all the winners.
ReplyDeleteRachna Chhabria
Co-host IWSG
Rachna's Scriptorium
Dice are definitely an original item! LOL I used to have thousands of them, because I used them in math instruction in third grade. I can't imagine what silly thing I'd grab. I'd succumb to smoke and flames before I got through all the important things! Wishing you all the best with your writing in 2018!
ReplyDelete(So weird. My reply button isn't working!)
ReplyDeleteMadeline, good luck with your goals!
Best of luck to you too, Megan!
Tamara, that's an amazing resolution. I need to shrug off my stress and find that too.
M.J., you're totally in control. Just not of the lizard in your mailbox.
Jennifer, totally! Good luck to you too.
TCS, thank you!
Happy new year to you too, Cathrina!
Chrys, thank you. :)
Diane, yay for minions! My son was into collecting them, but he's moved on to Hatchimals.
ReplyDeleteAnna, good luck!
Carrie-Anne, I often think things would be easier if I stuck to a strict schedule, but I need the wiggle room. :)
Ken, here, here! :)
Pat, thank you! You too.
Patricia, they are essential life items. Heh.
Krystal, I'll drink to that. Cheers!
Rhonda, and you as well. :)
Sherry, ooh, that's a joke my son will be proud of you for! *LOL*
ReplyDeleteLoni and Juneta, thanks and happy new year to you too!
Lee, I need that breathing room in the schedule.
Julie, it's a geek necessity! ;)
Cherie, easier on my CPs and editor too. ;)
Hilary, thank you and cheers!
Holly, I totally agree! :)
Dolorah and Rachna, thank you!
FB, my son would love it if his teacher next year in the third grade used dice a lot. :)
My publishing schedule is pretty loose this year as well. I've decided to be nicer to myself. LOL.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Christine!
Love your attitude! Don't add to the stress! Gonna take your advice! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Christine!
Congratulations to Chrys, she's a miracle worker!
Gwen, good for you! Plus you're starting off the year on good footing. :)
ReplyDeleteYolanda, happy new year to you too!
Congrats to Chrys and Gwen! And I hope 2018 results in some amazing books!!
ReplyDelete