#IWSG for July 2018

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: Nicki Elson, Juneta Key, Tamara Narayan, and Patricia Lynne!

This month's optional question: What are your ultimate writing goals, and how have they changed over time (if at all)?

A long time ago, I wanted to be the next Stephen King. I wanted to be picked up by a big publisher and an agent, be an international best seller, make millions, and have movies made from my books. If that still happened, I'd be ecstatic, but I'm much more realistic now.

I no longer feel the desire for an agent, and I don't query publishers. I'm in control of my own destiny. Being an indie author wasn't an option when I was young, but these days, it is a wonderful choice. I'd love to be able to make enough money to equal my husband's salary which would make me a mid-lister. In our publishing world, that would be a marvelous achievement. And instead of movies, I would love an HBO show or series on a cable channel that follows my books as well as Game of Thrones followed Martin's.

I have no doubt my ultimate goals will change again in ten or twenty years. The industry might be a whole different beast then.

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We're only sixteen days away from this month's IWSGPit! Click on the image for all the details. It's a fantastic opportunity for writers.

8:00 am - 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time

P.S. I'm lounging by the lake and reading this week. I'll get around to everyone's blogs later this month. Have a great week!

#IWSG for October 2017 - Show Us Your Writer Insecurity!

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: Olga Godim, Chemist Ken, Jennifer Hawes, and Tamara Narayan!

Show us your writer insecurity!

 Are you proud to be an insecure writer?

Then show us!

Post a photo of yourself (or your alter ego) with any of the IWSG swag or with the IWSG logo. Then leave a comment that day at either the IWSG website’s post or the IWSG Facebook post directing us to your photo. (All blog, Facebook, Goodreads, and newsletter members welcome, but photo must be posted on a blog or Facebook to qualify.) There are awesome prizes involved! Check out the IWSG site for a complete list.

Here's this insecure writer!

Like any good insecure writer, I'm trying to hide behind my cat. Just a few seconds before the picture was taken, he was playing happily with the IWSG keychain. There he just looks annoyed.

This month's optional question: Have you ever slipped any of your personal information into your characters, either by accident or on purpose?

Yes, especially into my geeky characters. I take bits from my past and slip them in now and again too. It does help to write what you know, after all. Adding in the real bits with the stuff we make up creates better characters.


We're also celebrating the release of the newest IWSG free anthology: Writing For Profit!

From writing to publishing to marketing, the Insecure Writer's Support Group members provide tips on making money as a writer. This guide represents the spirit of the IWSG - to encourage and support writers everywhere! It is our hope that this book will benefit you as a writer, no matter where you are in the journey.

Get your free copy here: Amazon * B&N * Kobo * Smashwords




Don’t forget the deadline for the annual IWSG Anthology Contest is November 1st. This year's genre is mystery with the theme of "Tick Tock."

We're always excited to celebrate good news with our IWSG members. Email me at christinerains [dot] writer @ gmail [dot] com with your news, and I'll include in the next newsletter.

#IWSG for September 2017

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, Tara Tyler, Raimey Gallant, and Beverly Stowe McClure!

Today I'm so excited to share the theme of this year's IWSG anthology. It's an incredible opportunity for writers.

The Annual IWSG Anthology Contest

Word count: 3500-6000

Genre: Mystery/Crime/Thriller

Theme: Tick Tock. The story revolves around a clock, is time sensitive, or has something about a specific time. This theme has plenty of scope and we’re open to pretty much anything along these lines. No erotica, R-rated language, or graphic violence.

Story deadline: November 1st, 2017.

How to enter: Send your polished, formatted, previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging or Facebook IWSG group.

Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges.This year, we are honored to have seven incredible judges: Elizabeth S. Craig, Anne Hawkins, Candace Havens, Lynn Tincher, Ion Newcombe, Patricia (Pat) Stoltey, and Mason Canyon.

Prizes: The winning stories will be edited and published by Freedom Fox Press next year in the IWSG anthology. Authors will receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will have the honor of giving the anthology its title.

We’re excited to see the creativity and enthusiasm that’s such a part of this group put into action. So don your creative caps and start writing. And spread the word!

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This month's IWSG question: Have you ever surprised yourself with your writing? For example, by trying a new genre you didn't think you'd be comfortable in?

I surprise myself all the time! It's one of the things I love about being a writer. First off, I'm a pantser. I let my stories flow organically, and it amazes what tales I weave. I just mentioned in a recent post that I didn't know how my Totem series was going to end, but when I got there and it happened, I was astounded. It was my best ending ever.

I also write short stories and flash fiction. This gives me a chance to try different styles and genres. I surprised myself once writing a western story, and it got picked up by a publisher. I'm uncomfortable writing non-fiction articles, but I stretch out and dare myself to share what I've learned. A few times, I read it later on and went: "This is good. I wrote that?!"

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Don't forget, next month is...

Show Us Your Writer Insecurity!

On Wednesday, October 4 (IWSG Day), post a photo of yourself (or your alter ego) with any of the IWSG swag or with the IWSG logo. Then leave a comment that day at either the IWSG website’s post or the IWSG Facebook post directing us to your photo. (All blog, Facebook, Goodreads, and newsletter members welcome, but photo must be posted on a blog or Facebook to qualify.) There are prizes!

IWSG Newsletter reminder: Please send me your news. We want to help shout-out and celebrate with you. Email me ( christinerains [dot] writer @ gmail [dot] com ) with a line or two and a link. Make sure to put "IWSG newsletter news" in the subject header so it doesn't get lost on me.