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 J. Cavanaugh are J. Lenni Dorner, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, Lee Lowery, and Rachna Chhabria.
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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Every month the IWSG announces a question that members can answer
with advice, insight, a personal experience, or a story in their IWSG posts.
if they aren't sure what to write about on IWSG Day.
Remember the question is optional.
This month's featured question is:
This month's featured question is:
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?
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Till next time ~
Fundy Blue
Happy June, Everyone!
I'm so happy that it is June 2021 and not June 2020!
We're much closer to the world returning to normal.
My fervent hope is that everyone around the world
will be inoculated against Covid as soon as possible.
I must apologize for not making the rounds as much as I wanted on May's IWSG Day.
Furthermore, I must apologize because I didn't reply
to all the kind people who commented on my post.
May was a lost month for blogging and writing for me,
and I'm afraid to tempt fate by saying June looks promising for those activities.
Nothing bad has happened,
and Terry continues to recover from his heart attack.
I've just been repeatedly pulled away from personal activities I long to return to.
Sam ~ A Very Sweet Distraction
He and His "Pack" Visited Us Unexpectedly in May
May 27, 2021 Aurora, Colorado, USA
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue All Rights Reserved
Finch Wars ~ An Ongoing Fight to Outwit These Determined Little Birds
Not even rocks, a large vitamin bottle, and a scrub brush
will deter the finches from trying to build a nest on top of our outdoor speakers!
They sit in the cottonwood next door and wait for their chance.
May 26, 2021 Aurora, Colorado, USA
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue All Rights Reserved
With regard to this month's question,
I usually don't shelve a first draft before rereading and redrafting it.
I typically reread what I wrote the previous day before I start writing the following day.
Often, before I end a writing session,
I'll make notes about what to do next when I return to the draft.
Since I'm always trying to beat a deadline,
rereading and redrafting usually follow the first draft immediately.
I wish that weren't the case, but that's been my pattern since I was a child.
Are you considering entering this year's IWSG Anthology Contest?
Sweet Romance? First love? Groan.
This genre intimidates me more than any other!
I have an idea though! We shall see!
I appreciate you all so much, and I will get back on track.
Happy writing in June!
Till next time ~
Fundy Blue
If you haven't read this year's IWSG anthology Dark Matter: Artificial
I encourage you to do so. It is excellent! I enjoyed every story.
Dark Matter: Artificial
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 Godim, 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. https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/
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)
LINKS:
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08S7LP369
Barnes & Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-matter-insecure-writers-support-group/1138581452?ean=2940164777661
Hey, I didn't pick the genre!
ReplyDeleteI don't take a break in between drafts either, so don't feel bad.
And I'm also really busy with just life right now.
LOL, Alex! I was so mad at myself for letting last year's contest slip away for me that I am determined to write a story even if it's love and romance. Here's hoping life eases for you. Happy IWSG Day!
DeleteI totally revise as I go too, but I still need to do a more major revision. Glad to hear that Terry is continuing to recover.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Natalie! Have lots of fun visiting around today!
DeleteOutsmarted by finches, eh? Hahahahahaha! The new Anthology theme sounds like a lot of fun . . . ?
ReplyDeleteI literally battled them for weeks, Debra! I lost track of the number of nests Terry took down ~ thankfully no eggs. If there had been eggs we would have left them. They can nest anywhere, but not on the deck, please. Too much bird drama over the years has worn me down. LOL Have a great day!
DeleteSorry if this is a double comment. Of course today of all days I'm having internet issues. Gads! Just wanted to say I'm happy to hear Terry is doing better. I'm glad you're okay too. Thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Joylene! We're getting there, one day at a time.
DeleteWhen your husband's ill, you have to give time to him. I'm glad to hear he'd doing much better.
ReplyDeleteHope you will enter the anthology contest.
Thanks, Lee! And yes, my husband gets whatever time he needs from me, because he means everything to me. I came so close to losing him out of nowhere. Have a fun IWSG Day!
DeleteSorry May was so yucky. I know what you mean, though. Sometimes, we win. Sometimes, Time does.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the understanding, Jacqui! Here's to summer, Covid receding, and the gift of more days. I hope you're having fun visiting around today.
DeleteEach day is a milestone, you are coping so well to even get a blog post done. Terry, guess breakfast is a pill regime, I have huge trouble swallowing tablets, a hereditary problem, so yoghurt really helps. Gentle walking , and rest when you need to, hope the writing can go ahead , and if Romance is the subject I know you will rise to any subject topic!!! even with any hesitation. XXXX
ReplyDeleteOh, Jean! You always lift my spirits. I never thought of yogurt ~ what a great suggestion. Sending you and Hugh big hugs and love!
DeleteI like to reread what I wrote the day before as well. It helps to get back into the story.
ReplyDeleteHi, Sarah! I hope you are having a fun IWSG Day.
DeleteI started out doing that (drafting then reading before starting the next day). My coach made me stop doing it because I was getting obsessive about edits and revisions on scenes before knowing if they would be kept or not. It was a really hard habit to break, and I'm not entirely sure I will avoid it forever.
ReplyDeleteI hear you, Steph! Sometimes I can get a little obsessive about rereading and editing what I did the day before. But much of the writing throughout my life has been shorter pieces. And for 25 years I drilled it into second and third graders to start writing by rereading and quick editing before adding on. I may never break the habit ~ LOL! Take care!
DeleteShame shame. No replies or visits. Geez. Hmmm I just described myself. Whoops. May was sure a time consuming month at my sea too. Can only do what you can do. Especially with doggie visitors. Need to make sure they don't pee on the floor at your shore haha Romance isn't so intimidating. Go for it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your understanding, Pat! Little Sam was darling, even if it only took him a few minutes to discover he could jump on my white couch and I didn't come undone. Everyone seems to have had a busy May. Oh, I'm going for it. I shall channel your fearlessness when tackling any subject! Have a good one!
DeleteJune 2021 is definitely much better than the year before. I’m fully vaccinated and no longer wearing a mask. Life is returning to normal. And thank goodness we have a president who isn’t a complete fucking idiot like president Russian Cheeto we had before
ReplyDeleteYou just keep taking care of you and Terry! Sam is so cute! Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteHi Louise sorry I'm late been off line due to nothing to write about plus have a few probs with laptop. to do with Microsoft.
ReplyDeleteHad my second shot yesterday (Friday 4th)
Hope you and hubby are keeping well.
Yvonne.
Ain't deadlines a pain :). I am so glad things are getting back to normal and I hope that is true in your house, too, as Terry recovers from his heart attack.
ReplyDeleteHi Louise :) I'm so glad that Terry is doing better each day, what a scary time for you both. Oh the romance genre (puke puke lol)...I'm very romantic in real life, but can't stand those romantic girlie dramas, either written or on film! Sam is a cutie!!! :)
ReplyDeletei am grateful for Terry is on his way to recovery dear Louie !
ReplyDeleteoh i LOVED these delightful images ,sam is breathtakingly CUTE :)
you captured the finches so beautifully !
sparrow is most fav of me .
i kind of already knew your answer as you are truly passionate about your writing which is great inspiration indeed!
stay safe ,healthy and happy always my talented friend!