It's the first Wednesday of the month,
the day that members of the
Insecure Writer's Support Group
share their writing struggles
and writing successes
and offer their encouragement
and support to fellow writers.
To visit the IWSG website, click here.
To become a member of the IWSG, click here.
Our wonderful co-hosts who are volunteering today,
along with IWSG Founder Alex Cavanaugh are Feather Stone, Beverly Stowe McClure, Mary Aalgaard, Kim Lajevardi, and Chemist Ken.
I hope you have a chance to visit today's hosts and thank them for co-hosting.
I'm sure they would appreciate a visit and an encouraging comment.
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with advice, insight, a personal experience, or a story in their IWSG posts.
Or, the question can inspire members
if they aren't sure what to write about on IWSG Day.
Remember the question is optional.
This month's featured question is:
Do you have any rituals that you use when you need help getting into the ZONE? Care to share?
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Happy May, Everyone!
I hope all is well with you.
I am so excited today,
because yesterday the 2020 IWSG anthology
Voyagers: The Third Ghost was released!
I've stayed up late the last few nights
reading and rereading
all the wonderful short stories in the book.
And I've read mine over and over.
Why? Because every time I read or reread
one of the other nine great stories in the anthology,
I'm hit with a surge of insecurity and think
My story doesn't belong here when compared with this awesome story!
And then I reread mine and think
My story is 💖💖💖good💖💖💖.
I'm proud of it. It belongs here!
I am proud!
And terrified, because now it's out in the real world for everyone to read.
Deep breath ~ It's all good.
That said, did I have any problem writing a brief review
for each of the other nine authors' short stories?
Feel a sense of insecurity stepping out there with those reviews?
Not at all.
I enjoyed each and every story!
I shared those reviews on our IWSG Anthologies blog.
If you can visit our site today, I'd really appreciate it!
Let's support the amazing IWSG members whose stories appear in this anthology.
Leave them a kind and encouraging word.
Even better, support your fellow IWSG authors by purchasing the book
and settle in for a great read. Amazon
Who knows?
Maybe next year your short story will be featured in the 2021 anthology,
and you'll feel like we 2020 authors are feeling right now.
The full details about this year's contest have been released today
on the IWSG website.
Check them out.
Write a story.
You never know ~ Your story just might be selected!
Then you'll feel like me, opening a package from Dancing Lemur Press,
and seeing your story in print for the first time!
Except, hopefully, you won't be cleaning the freezer
when your book package is dropped on your front doorstep.
I Can't Believe It!
Copies of Voyager: The Third Ghost Arrive
Photo by Terry Barbour
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Be safe and healthy!
Happy writing in May!
Till next time ~
Fundy Blue
Author Head Shot
Just to Show I Clean Up Reasonably well!
November 2020
Speaking of supporting fellow IWSG members,
here's a great opportunity to support Diane L. Wolfe,
blogging at Spunk on a Stick,
and learn some excellent publishing information in the process.
Coming on Wednesday, May 19 and 21, 2020 . . .
A great opportunity to learn about publishing!
Diane, the publisher of our IWSG anthologies, will be hosting two webinars:
May 19th: How to Publish Your Book Now Part 1 Cost: $10.00 US dollars
May 21st: How to Publish Your Book Now Part 2 Cost: $10.00 US dollars
Register at
That photo says it all!
ReplyDeleteYour story belonged. Be proud of it.
Thanks, Alex! You have created something amazing for all of us insecure writers! This is definitely a major highlight in my life! Enjoy IWSG Day!
DeleteCongrats on being part of the anthology! Can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Natalie! I'm happy for all the authors in our book. It is an anthology to be proud of! All the best to you!
DeleteYou should be proud! Congrats to you and to all the authors in the anthology! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Madeline! It's an amazing feeling. I've gotten to know all the authors through our communications, and they are an inspiring and talented group! Take care, my friend!
DeleteI'm so thrilled for you!!! I can feel your excitement, Louise. I think no one deserves this more! Enjoy, revel, and keep up the good work. You are so inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joylene! I am definitely excited! Thanks for your kind and supportive words, my friend! All the best to you!
DeleteI'm not sure what happened to my comment on your post. I may have duplicates or nothing. So here's a copy:
DeleteI LOVED this post, Joylene! The pictures are gorgeous, and you were brave to go by yourself. I'm glad that you tackled this trip, because everything is so up in the air right now regarding travel. I'm so sad to think of all the places I am likely to miss now. But I'm focusing on doing other things now and to be grateful for what I can do. Every time my trainer Julie gives me brutal leg exercise sets to do, I tell myself that this is for reclimbing the stairs to the cupola in the Duomo in Florence. Take care, my friend. I can't wait to see more of your travel adventures!
Congratulations on the anthology release. I enjoyed reading your story :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rachna! It's still hard to believe that people are reading my story! Take care!
DeleteThank you for mentioning my webinar.
ReplyDeleteI loved your story. Be proud!
Thanks, Diane! I was pleased to mention your webinar. I believe that it's important to support the work of fellow members. You have done so much for the IWSG! So surely you deserve support and encouragement too! Take care!
DeleteYou look SO happy and thrilled in that photo, Louise! Congrats on the Anthology's publication. I'll be ordering my Kindle edition today so I can read your story too -- looking forward to it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debra, for your kind words and for ordering a kindle copy! You're the best ~ Hugs to you, my friend!
DeleteLouise, I just finished reading "Dare, Double Dare" and LOVED it! Its Nova Scotia setting, time travel plot and Canadian history angle are all CATNIP to me! Very well-written, clear and flowing prose, with delightful kid characters. Are you thinking of writing more of their adventures -- perhaps turning this into a YA novel? I'd read it!
DeleteI really love the photo where your copies are arriving. It makes me want to jump up and down and shout for joy with you. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen! It was a spectacular moment in my life! Happy IWSG Day!
DeleteYou deserve to be in it indeed. Sure a happy camper in the photo, cleaning the freezer or not haha
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pat! Yes, I'm a happy camper indeed! Tell me, my prolific friend, does it ever get old? Take care!
DeleteCongratulations! What a thrill to hold the book in your hands! Your photo is priceless - one of those "a picture is worth a thousand words."
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lee! It was such a thrill! All the best to you!
DeleteCongrats. Be proud you earn it. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Thanks, Anna! What a fun journey it has been! All the best to you!
DeleteGreat post Fundy Blue, The Third Ghost appears to be a winner.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Thanks, Yvonne! I think each author has reason to be proud. Happy IWSG Day to you!
DeleteI finally have my copies of "our" book and I'm excited to finally be able to get to read all our stories. Thanks so much for all your good work asking us questions, herding us together, and posting for us on the anthology site.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bish! And just for the record, you, Bish, have never been difficult to "herd." I appreciate that so much! Happy reading!
DeleteStay safe and healthy.
ReplyDeleteI hope you, Daisy, and your family do so as well, Adam!
DeleteLove the photo of you with the new books! I am just like that every time mine come :) And a secret: I, too, look and wonder if my story belongs with all those other fantastic stories.
ReplyDeleteYour story DOES belong there, Rebecca! I love this feeling of holding books with my story in them. Perhaps that love will keep me going!!!
DeleteCongrats on the publication! You look so happy in the photo - and it is so well-deserved.
ReplyDeleteAnne from annehiga.com
Thanks, Anne! I was happy ~ It's the best thrill I've had in a long time. Take care! Thanks for visiting!
DeleteI love your happy expression in the photo! Happy Book Birthday. A day to celebrate!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Yvonne! I love that: "Happy Book Birthday!" It's quite a feeling!
DeleteThat's so exciting!! You should be proud of it. Congratulations!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lynda! I am proud. It's just awesome to be include in the anthology. It's still a little hard to believe.
DeleteLove the pic of you with the books! Congratulations. You have a lot to be proud of. I checked out your anthology page. Great idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diane! And thanks for visiting our anthology blog. It's been work, but I've enjoyed it. All the best to you!
DeleteYou are adorable! I am so proud of you!!! Congrats everyone! Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteBig hugs back at you, Stacy! This has been a fun ride. I hope all is well with you!
Deleteheartfelt congrats for publishing this story of your's dear Louise
ReplyDeletei can see the bursting joy in your angle like beautiful smile in image :)))
i am proud of you and i am sure that your story not just belong here but it will hold even higher ground than this
more success and happiness !
Hi, Dear Baili! It's awesome to see you! Thanks for your kind words! Having my short story published in a book is a dream come true for me. I've been struggling to get around to everyone, and I feel badly when I fall behind. I thought I would accomplish more during this lockdown, but it takes me longer to do most things. I think of you and your family often. I worry about all of you, and I hope that you oldest son is doing well in Germany. Hopefully, during the lockdown, he's had lots of time to work on his Master's thesis. Hugs to you, my friend!
Delete