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:
Ronel Janse van Vurren, Mary Aalgaard, Madeline Mora-Summonte, and Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor.
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:
If It's been said that the benefits of becoming a writer who does not read is that all your ideas are new and original. Everything you do is an extension of yourself, instead of a mixture of you and another author. On the other hand, how can you expect other people to want your writing, if you don't enjoy reading? What are your thoughts?
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Hi, Everyone!
I hope that you will have a fun IWSG Day!
I'll be flying back to Colorado tomorrow (IWSG Day),
but I'll get to as many of you as I can tomorrow and more on Thursday.
Landing at Denver International Airport
Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
August 8, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
What an interesting question this month!
I absolutely believe that to be a good writer, you must read!
Reading is what develops your knowledge of language:
The more you read, the richer your reservoir of knowledge.
Forget worrying about your writing being a mixture of yourself and another author.
If you write, write, write and listen to your heart
(or mind if you're less feeling oriented than I)
as you write, your unique voice will emerge.
You are unique, and you have to trust and believe that your voice will emerge.
Also, forget worrying about creating an original story.
It is also said that there are only seven basic story plots.
They have already been told countless times and from long ago until now.
You can only write your original twist on a old story.
Focus on writing what speaks to you and compels you.
Write, write, write, and an authentic, fresh you will emerge as an author.
I read every single day, I listen to my heart as I write,
and I trust that I am becoming the unique author I aspire to be.
Reading and Writing
French or German; Frieze ornament; Metalwork-Gilt Bronze
Before 1783
This is the perfect post to catch you up
on some of the IWSG authors I've been reading lately.
Let's see if you can guess who these three IWSG authors are
based on their books which I am sharing!
You get three clues.
IWSG Author #1:
1. Unbounded imagination ~ The reader is guaranteed to have a wild, wild ride!
2. The author tends to write in an Everyman, Everysetting style.
The setting could be anywhere with anyone, except for a few developed main characters. How about an FBI agent with claustrophobia as a main character?
3. Only this author could come up with a time machine shaped like a giant cat!!!!! So much fun!!!!!
IWSG Author #2:
1. Currently this author greatest passion is to write for young readers.
2. This writer weaves fantasy with history in a way that appeals to middle school kiddos.
3. An alligator as a wizard's familiar? No black cat here! Again, such a fun writer!!!!!
IWSG Author #3:
1. This author has been invaluable in promoting other IWSG authors.
2. This author writes with a positive, inspiring voice.
3. This author has SPUNK!!!!!
If you can't guess the identity of these IWSG authors,
here's a little mix and match to help.
Three IWSG Authors
Golden Gate, Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.
October 1, 2019
(Sorry about my toes ~ I'm writing this very much on the fly in my hotel room,
worrying about if the internet or my computer will crash before I'm finished)
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
#1: The funny, unique, prolific, and wildly imaginative Pat Hatt
I've just finished reading his A Not So New World.
Yes, I know that Pat has just published book nine in this series,
and this is book one; but I just learned of the series,
and I want to read it from the beginning.
I think it will be great fun to follow Pat's development of the series
and his development as a writer. Blame it on the teacher in me ~ LOL!
Jack, the protagonist, wants to leave his mark on the world.
He's not doing too well in life thanks to his nemesis Professor Jones.
Professor Jones and his nasty cohorts have hatched a despicable plan
to rid the world of Jack and steal his invention
that would ensure his standing among the scientific giants of all time.
But Jack outwits them initially and escapes somewhere in time,
along with FBI agent Emily Milano who has Jack in her custody.
But where and when?
And more importantly,
can Jack and Emily find their way back to their time?
Are Professor Jones and his nasty cohorts following Jack and Emily in time?
You'll have to read the book to find out!
Here's a link to Pat's blog Pat Hatt Time.
And a link to his books on Amazon.
And my question as I read more of the series:
Will Jack and Emily fall in love.
I give it a 99.999% probability of happening.
For a breathtaking, action-packed adventure,
I definitely recommend Pat's book!
#2: A second imaginative and fun author who gets kids: C. Lee McKenzie!
I recently finished reading her Some Very Messy Medieval Magic.
This is the first book by Lee that I have read,
and it was great fun.
I taught young readers for twenty-five years,
and I would read this aloud to my students in a heartbeat
were I still teaching. They would love it!
Pete and his friend Weasel have seriously threatened the stream of time
by failing to close the Time Lock which protects history.
If they cannot find Peter of Bramwell, who has gone missing in 1173 England,
before he must be present during a critical event,
time and history will be forever altered.
If they do not find Peter of Bramwell in time, Pete and Weasel may cease to exist!
And how on Earth does Pete handle his familiar, alligator Fanon,
in medieval England?
Not to mention a curious girl, a talking horse, Druids, and a Circle of Stones.
You are never too old to read a great middle school book,
especially if you have a good imagination, a sense of fun,
and enjoy adventures. By all means read Lee's book!
Here's a link to Lee's blog C. Lee McKenzie.
And a link to her books on Dancing Lemur Press.
(Scroll down, her book is Item 7 in the DLP list.)
#3: The wise and inspiring L. Diane Wolfe!
I recently finished reading her Overcoming obstacles with SPUNK:
The Keys to Leadership & Goal-Setting!
Ostensibly this is a book about overcoming barriers to reach your goals
and to become a successful leader.
It is exactly that; but I think it is, more importantly, a book
about developing critical life skills that can help you at any stage in your life.
Diane identifies five keys to helping you succeed:
1. Develop a Positive Attitude
2. People Skills
3. Raising Self-Esteem
4. Overcoming Fears
5. Setting Goals
Her writing is clear, cogent, and easy to read,
and her book is full of practical information thoroughly grounded
in the real world.
Diane's book is full of how to develop important skills
that are necessary in the business and personal world.
I struggle with shyness, and just yesterday I drew on Diane's advice
to help me in a situation where my shyness almost had me fleeing the scene.
Instead of hiding I had a great time.
What I like best about Diane's book,
aside from the great information,
is how positive Diane's writing is.
She speaks with authority, but also with honesty and integrity
in an inspiring way.
I highly recommend reading Diane's inspiring book.
Guaranteed you will find something helpful for you!
Here's a link to Diane's blog SPUNK on a Stick.
And a link to her books on Dancing Lemur Press.
Actually not only is Diane a writer, she is the owner of Dancing Lemur Press and a senior editor. She is a speaker and conducts seminars on book publishing, promoting, leadership, and goal-setting, and she offers book formatting and author consultation.
I'm not linking you to her book, but rather to her publishing house,
so you can explore her inspiring site!
I have no time to go back and proofread this post.
If I don't go now, I won't have my room serviced,
and I so hate wet, used towels.
Asking for your forgiveness of errors in advance.
Happy writing in October!