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
along with IWSG Founder Alex J. Cavanaugh are
Stop by their posts and thank them for hosting.
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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.
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 optional question is:
What was the most inspiring feedback you received from readers, including agents, editors, and beta readers?
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Happy May, Everyone!
I hope that you have had a happy, healthy, and fulfilling April!
I'm sitting here on a raw May day anticipating the biggest snowstorm of the season.
The snow is expected to start falling in a few hours. Burrrr!
This is not unusual in Colorado. We can get snow in any month.
I don't consider us "safe" from snow until after Father's Day in June.
I hope you are warm and comfortable wherever you are!
Late May Snowstorm
Aurora, Colorado, USA
May 21, 2022
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
This month's question asks what is the most inspiriting feedback I ever received
from readers, including agents, editors, and beta readers?
Easy peasy!
It was a letter from George Sanderson, the editor of The Antigonish Review,
informing me that my short story "Ugly Little Bastards"
would be published in their Winter 1982 issue.
The letter opened with "We like your story."
I will never forget the thrill of opening that letter, my soul literally soaring.
A Special Letter
Aurora, Colorado, USA
May 5, 2026
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
The Antigonish Review is one of the oldest continuing literary magazines in Canada
and the third longest in the Maritimes.
I was published in the same issue as Annie Dillard.
I wonder if she read my story. 😂
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
Every time I think of that letter, I still feel that soul-soaring lift.
My writing dreams didn't progress the way I imagined,
because the need to support myself and two demanding careers changed them.
But just the fact that I was published in a literary magazine that has featured many famous
Canadian writers like Marshall McLuhan, Margaret Atwood, Alistair MacLeod,
Irving Layton, and Carol Shields has given me a sense of validation as a writer.
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
Since I retired, my life has been filled with all kinds of writing,
and included another soul-soaring experience when I held copies of
the IWSG anthology
Voyagers The Third Ghost containing my short story "Dare, Double Dare."
There's nothing like hearing from an editor and a writer that you're going to be published!
(Thanks Diane and Alex!)
I am filled with writing plans!
Stay tuned!
Woo Hoo!
Aurora, Colorado, USA
April 24, 2020
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
If you are also a member of our Facebook Group,
I invite you to visit and to provide a link to your IWSG post.
Facebook members are invited to answer our May question too.
Oh boy, here comes the snow: big, fat, wet flakes!
Oh well, the Colorado River Basin desperately needs the precipitation.
Here It Comes!!!
Aurora, Colorado, USA
May 5, 2026
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
Take care!
Till next time ~
Fundy Blue
Standing Into Danger https://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com
Copyright ©2026 – All rights reserved.
My next post will be Friday, May 15th. 🤞
Just so you know, I monitor my comments before publishing them. This means your comment won't appear immediately. I will not publish mean spirited or commercial comments.
Such a great letter! It's so cold today; I can feel winter is really here.
ReplyDeleteRonel visiting for IWSG day Time for a Pivot
It's May! And we're still feeling winter cold, Ronel! I just looked outside and spotted a deer sheltered under a spruce across the street. And there are more under the trees lining the golf course on the opposite side of our home. Under the trees are tiny patches of grass they can munch on. I'm glad I'm not a deer. 😂. Stay warm and enjoy IWSG Day!
DeleteI love seeing that handwritten note of acceptance. What fun! Hope your snow has come and gone!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anonymous! The snow is still coming down. So far, according to Aurora weather, 5-6 inches. It's great to be hunkered down inside. Have a great day!
DeleteYour story for the anthology was great!
ReplyDeleteThe snow looks so cool...
Thanks, Alex! I was proud of it! All the best to you today!
DeleteYes, you should feel super proud of being published in such a prestigious literary magazine. I hope you don't get too much snow. We're beyond that in Michigan, but it's still chilly for May.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Natalie! 5-6 inches so far. It's still coming down. The snow is so pretty, but so cold! Stay warm in chilly Michigan, and happy IWSG Day!
DeleteOh, I liked Dare, Double Dare! And how wonderful to be in such a prestigious anthology. I wish we still did IWSG anthologies, but I realise how much work they take, having wrangled just 12 willing authors into a couple I edited in my time.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos - I sit in southern England sheltered from the sun by my lovely awning as we speak....
Oh lucky you, Jemima, sheltered from the sun, but still enjoying it. I'm thrilled to hear that you liked "Dare, Double Dare!" I wish we still did IWSG Anthologies too, but I think it was a huge amount of work, especially for Diane. Have an enjoyable IWSG Day!
DeleteLook where that early comment led you!
ReplyDeleteI know, Diane! I hope that you are having a great day!
Delete