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!
DeleteWow, I just love that! There is nothing like the letter or email saying, "I like this." And you were published along with such greats! Something to be very proud of.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jenni! And thank you for co-hosting today. I hope you are having a fun day visiting around!
DeleteOh man! It sounds like you need a little Florida. I'm excited for your coming story! Wheee!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it crazy how seasons of our lives change so drastically? I can hardly believe where I was at a couple decades ago in comparison.
It is crazy how the seasons of our lives change, Crystal Right now I am in a very contented place, but I'm still filled with plenty of dreams and plans. Fortunately our snow has ended and blue sky is breaking through in places. Florida sounds inviting though. I hope you've been enjoying IWSG Day! Happy creating in May!
DeleteLoved seeing that snow. We needed a lot of that this winter, and got very little. That's bad news for this summer. As to that letter...congratulations on writing that story and getting it published.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lee! Snow is so important to the Colorado River Basin, and I really worry about this summer. Wishing you all the best with your writing in May. You are truly an inspiration, Lee!
DeleteWow, that's huge--getting published in a big literary magazine. My first short-story sale was in an IWSG anthology, and that was a huge boost for me, a validation I really appreciated. (I also appreciate that I got edited for that one--none of the small anthologies and ezines I've sold to since have done any editorial work).
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rebecca! Diane was a great editor when she worked with me on my IWSG anthology story. I really wish we were still doing those! There's nothing like validation! All the best to you!
DeleteHello dear friend Louise, your photos are lovely! And I always love seeing your selfies, you have such a beautiful smile!
ReplyDeleteFor some unknown reason, my Monday post never showed up in Blogger's news reader, but it is up on my blog. I have mentioned these issues on that post to alert people, as well as letting people know when to expect my new blog posts.
I am always happy to see your posts appear in my Blogger news reader, dear friend.
I hope you are having a great week!
You're the best, Linda! I am having a good week, despite our bad weather. It's just so good to be home and enjoying some down time. I'm normally so go, go, go. Blogger can be so frustrating! I look forward to reading your post!
DeleteSnow or not, the mountains are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI love your feedback story. I know I'd treasure something like that too. Congrats, even if it's a bit late. You still deserve it.
Thanks, Anna! Our mountains are always beautiful! I thought I'd spend my adult life by the ocean, and I've spent it by mountains instead. I have no regrets. All the best to you on this IWSG Day!
DeleteThat is validation indeed from the prestigious Antigonish Review! You are justifiably proud of that achievement, Louise! And also of your terrific short story being published in the IWSG Anthology!
ReplyDelete(P.S. Sorry to hear of the snow. I hope it doesn't hang around long.)
Thanks, Debra! It's lovely here now, sunny and warm with no trace of snow left. That's springtime in the Rockies. I hope you are enjoying your week!
DeleteYeah, if it wasnt for that pesky need to survive and live by making money, you could have had tons out by now. Darn 9 to 5, or whatever it is these days lol but now you got a whole bunch more experiences to write about. Like the eating duckling eggs lol boys didn't let that go for a while.
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome you got published there indeed. And well deserved in iwsg too.
Ugg to snow. You can have that white crap. Snowed im Yarmouth few days ago though. Not sure about the cove haha I'm not as up on the happenings there.
Hey, Pat! I'm still making my rounds today. I'm behind as usual. Those duckling eggs weren't that bad, especially if you don't eat their little bones! 😂 I'm behind on the Cove happenings too. Barb, Donnie, and Martin were in the UK and returned recently. then Barb and Pat went to NFLD. The ferry service from Sydney to Port aux Basques has been pretty unreliable. I thought those ferries were designed for North Atlantic bad weather??? Donnie and Martin are currently driving from Calgary to the Cove. They passed the turnoff to Sioux Lookout a couple of days ago. So Bertie and Peter are holding down the fort at the Cove. The good thing about Aurora snow is it's usually gone very quickly. Today you'd never know there was a big storm for the last two days. Happy creating, my friend!
DeleteWhat a powerful, full-circle moment from that first acceptance by The Antigonish Review to sharing pages with Annie Dillard, it’s clear that recognition has stayed with you and continues to fuel your writing journey.
ReplyDeleteYou're so kind, Roentare! When are you going to do something with all your wonderful poetry, prose, and photos? You are really talented, my friend!
DeleteSnow in May? Argh!
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing so uplifting than seeing your story published. An accomplishment of the best kind.
Argh, indeed, Olga! But it's all gone now. 😂. You know that published feeling Olga! I hope you enjoyed IWSG Day!
DeleteSeriously, for a writer there is no better feeling than to have a byline. I can actually answer this question this week. I was the first contributor of Lapidary Journal (for beading) to have the cover page and my article in color and slick. It was their 50th anniversary edition. Before that the beading part of the magazine was black and white on mat paper. I was so thrilled. So, I know how you felt/feel about that letter and the publication. As far as the snow. yuck.... Have a great day today.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful, Nicole! You absolutely deserve color! It's hard to think of you in tones of black and white. I hope you've had a great day, my friend!
Delete...I publish my blog for my own enjoyment, but many also enjoy it and leave wonderful comments. That's neat!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog, Tom! I've been enjoying it for years, and I appreciate the wide variety of topics you share as well as your wonderful photos. You light up my life! ❤️
DeleteCan imagine the happiness when you first read that letter! It must feel amazing every time you look at it!
ReplyDeleteI've never actually seen snow it my life:) Looks beautiful like it always do to me in all pictures.
Happy May to you!!
Hi, Rida! Some of my earliest memories are about snow falling from the sky. I thought it was magical and some days I still do. Meanwhile I'm very glad to be retired and not have to drive in it! 😂 Love and hugs to you!
DeleteI know you need water out there, so I guess the snow is a good thing, even though it gets very tiresome after awhile. I love that about your writing! Hooray, Three Cheers and Congratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jeanie! We desperately need water. The Colorado River Basin supplies water for at least 40 million people. Today, temporarily, everything is greening up. I hope you are having a great week!
DeleteOh my gosh, snow, Louise?? So my adult twins and I went to Montana at the end of June last year, and Glacier National Park had to close the only road through the park because of a blizzard the covered the road at Logan Pass. Luckily, the road opened up by the end of the week. Feet and feet and feet of snow pushed to the side at Logan Pass.
ReplyDeleteSo exciting to have your short story published in a literary magazine. Bravo, Louise! Stay strong, dear friend.
Wow, the Antigonish Review! It's really famous! It must have felt amazing to have a story published there, with such illustrious company.
ReplyDeleteI hear you about demanding careers getting in the way of writing. That's what's happening to me now, and it's so frustrating. 3 1/2 more years till I can start my phased retirement...
When I lived in Cedar City, UT, I remember my son's baseball game being cancelled for snow in the middle of June! BTW, how did Annie Dillard get published in a journal for the Canadian Maritimes? She's from Pittsburgh!
ReplyDeleteit is neat you were able to be in the same issue as Annie Dillard, a favorite writer of mine. The snow is refreshing. It once snowed in Cedar City well into June, cancelling my son't baseball game.
ReplyDeleteDear Louise ,I can only imagine how wonderful and exciting it must have been for you to hear such an uplifting news from the magazine where most of the established writers were published 🥹
ReplyDeleteI believe that you relive that moment whenever you look at this letter 🥰
You deserve immense admiration and appreciation for work you have done so far!
I feel the same way that life’s struggles and circumstances can slow one’s progress of a writer or artist of any kind but I believe that your gifted talent is seeded in the deepest corner of your soul never goes away and whenever life gives you time and space it flows through you naturally 🥹
So stay blessed and stay positive dear friend as miracle is always around when you have faith in yourself 🙏🥹♥️🫂