Let's get real - Why Do Writers Write?

Why do we write?
Really.

How many of your friends read? Most of mine, I'd say 75%, don't read novels. Most don't have time, but many just choose to do other things with their time. I have to carve out time to read, myself. Life is just too crazy and busy!

I really wish more people would slow down, put down their phones/devices, and read. The world would be a much better place if people tapped into their own imaginations, picturing the stories, feeling emotions, and even finding some inspiration to better themselves... I wish book clubs were more popular!

I guess that's my Insecure Writers Support Group concern this month. What is this world coming to with so many non-readers?

At least writers and storytellers are still needed for all the shows that are being created. Do you watch Netflix? Amazon Prime? or What? I love seeing so much creativity and innovative ideas outside the box!

What keeps you writing?


And now for some responses!
Here are the results of the latest #WritersLife Survey 14 - Writer Faux Pas:

Which of these writing pitfalls have you stumbled into?

What is a word you usually misspell? Or pair of words you commonly confuse?

ecstatic

their           they're         there

exaggerate

effect                              affect

not                now

brassiere

dragged                     drug

Which of these words do you overuse?

How's your punctuation?

Have you ever broken writing rules on purpose?

Have you ever edited professionally?

What's the biggest writing pet peeve you find when reading?

• too much description
• Cardboard characters
• Comma splice
• present tense
• Misspellings, typos, and confused words ("waive" used when "wave" was meant, etc.) especially in self-published works.
• Bad formatting in ebooks and no table of contents
• repetitive words and phrases
• Poor editing
• you're - your
• I hate it when it's too easy to guess who done it!
• I have many (because I edit, too), but poor punctuation and grammar bug me the most, because the problem is pervasive. It affects the whole story. It's not just a temporary slow part I can skim.
• poor proofreading

So we should watch what we write - and get a good editor!
Also, watch for the next #WritersLife Survey - Spring Cleaning - a hodge podge of random questions! Don't miss it!



By the way, if you'd like to read and review the IWSG Anthology - Tick Tock A Stitch in Crime - give me a shout. I'd love to send you an ARC copy.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy March!

We don't need no stinkin Rules!

I feel like I just posted the last set of results - must be because February is such a short month.

Anyhoo, here's the latest Writer's Life Survey #15 - Writer Faux Pas
I know I only covered a few, so let me know in the comments if you'd like to tell me more...


This was a fun one - brings back memories of when I started out as a silly little writer - but then again, I'm still a silly little writer!

Happy Black History & Heart Month to all!

Survey Results to be posted March 7.

Hold on! This just in... I got an award!!
A huge THANK YOU! to Writers After Dark
for the Chapter of Excellence Platinum Award
honoring POP TRAVEL!

What time is it?

No, not adventure time.
No, not time to get a watch.

It's time for the monthly meeting of the Insecure Writers Support Group!

This month, I'm talking about OPPORTUNITIES.
Some people wait for opportunity to knock. Some give up after missing out on one opportunity. But I recommend reaching out and grabbing every opportunity you can handle!

Sometimes I get really down about not being able to write as much as I need to, or not being able to visit other bloggers as much as I'd like to. I worry and fret and hope I reach my goals, and hope my friends are still there when I finally find time to reconnect.

I should know by now that things usually work out. Though not always as expected, if we keep working and taking chances, new opportunities will arise!

Don't give up. Keep at it. We're all pretty much headed in the same direction, just at different paces and stops along the way.


It's also time to post results from last month's Writer's Life Survey #14 - Music that Moves You!

What song could accompany one of your books/stories?

• Bring Me to Life by Evanescence - Book II...Sarah
• Dragon on the Sea - Book: Dragon of the Stars
• Two characters with full background for a Star Wars RPG inspired by the song "Your Winter" by Sister Hazel.
• When You Say You Love Me by Josh Groban - Book: Murder, Madness & Love
• Demons by Imagine Dragons - Book: Hoosier Dad
• Johnny's Cash's cover of Hurt - Book: Leaves of Fall
• Too many to list - I imagine a soundtrack LP for all my stories!
• Hold Me Now by Red - Book: Rising series
• The Four Seasons' "Rag Doll" - Book: Little Ragdoll

What would be your theme song? Or one of your favorite inspirational songs?

Last Chance by Shooting Star

YYZ by Rush

Rise Up by Andra Day

Amazing Grace

If I Only Had a Brain from the Wizard of Oz

Basketcase by Green Day

Behind Blue Eyes by The Who

Dare You to Move by Switchfoot

Eye of the Tiger by Survivor

My Way by Frank Sinatra (2 chose this!)

And last, but not least...
It's time to give another shout out about the upcoming IWSG Anthology - Tick Tock Mysteries! And share some new links...

BLOG! Tick Tock Mysteries - Each of the authors will offer a post per month, with more closer to release time (May 1) If you have any questions about the anthology or the stories, I'd be happy to use them or pass them along!

PRE-ORDERS!

Amazon ~~~ B&N

Put on your To Read List:

Goodreads

Got any surprise opportunity stories? Don't miss my next #WritersLife Survey Feb 16 - Writing Faux Pas. And look for more sneak peeks about Tick Tock coming soon!

Thanks for stopping by. Have a LOVELY FEBRUARY!