Crickets

Crickets are what you will hear from my writing progress...

Welcome to the Insecure Writers Support Group - Feb 2021

I sadly don't feel like much of a writer lately. And I'm taking a break from my Newsletter until I have news--seemed like an appropriate thing to do. It's been a big bummer not being able to do any events. The whole world seems to be hibernating, waiting for the never-ending storm to pass. 

And it's not for lack of ideas. I get plenty of nudges from my muse, but my job is so nuts because of all the extra work we have to do for the remote kids I barely get all the necessities done. I'm really looking forward to the days off we have coming up--I just hope I'm in the mood to write! #writerslife

But we carry on. The year is chugging along, and I shan't complain too much -- I found time while I was locked down last summer to crank out a short story and won a spot in the DARK MATTER IWSG anthology - Yippee!

Be sure to check out all the authors at the Anthology Website and look at this awesome cover:

Looking for Reviewers if you want a first look at the awesome sci-fi goodness! Just let me know.

Tell me what you're up to!

What are you reading? What are you watching?

Share your good news!

Harpy New Year and Best Witches!

Welcome 2021!

And thanks for stopping by the Insecure Writers Support Group

I'm usually pretty optimistic as each new year begins... but we all know how last year tore us up, so this year I'm CAUTIOUSLY optimistic. I'm always hopeful things will get better, and I'm up for the challenges. Though I'm not one to cower from change, I don't enjoy it, especially so much at once. In 2020, my writing waned, but I can't complain--I've been doing pretty well dealing with the rest of life.

As we start a fresh new year, I hope you are healthy, happy, and hopeful!

Besides re-publishing most of my books in 2020, I was determined to publish something new... and I did it, barely. (My post title goes with my latest Un-Princess novella.)

Introducing...

GERTRUDE, the nerdy princess

Un-Princess Novella #4

by Tara Tyler

High school can be tough for teenagers, but it’s nothing compared to Princess School. Especially for an awkward, overweight, nerdy princess who likes to read.

Princess Gertrude wants to be a great Queen someday, so she endures the daily torments of the frilly princesses. Until they go too far. With her emotions and clothes in tatters, she runs away into the haunted dark forest—not that she believes in such things. But what she finds there will teach her more about courage and leadership than that ridiculous Princess School ever could.

paperback on Lulu $4.99

Would love to send you a FREE copy for a review

(pdf or signed paper--let me know!)

After discovering some new "improvements" at Amazon, I have to do some fancy dancing to get the e-book done, as if the normal hoops and hurdles of self-publishing weren't exasperating enough. Plus all the joys of adding it to Goodreads--another fun-filled, hair-pulling-out experience. It's a good thing I love to write--I'm used to overcoming obstacles, and I can apply it to my characters!

GOALS

This year, I'm not going to be specific on goals, considering last year's list was a waste of time! I just have a bunch of hopes: 

• I hope to finish CONDUCTION Pop Travel #4. I'm half-way through the first draft and decided one of the events needs a major rewrite--I was taking the easy way, and easy = boring, so...
• I really hope to get out and do some live book events this year
• I hope to find time to read more and write more

The end. Keeping it simple. I'll post updates here, which helps remind me to keep at it!

How did you do for writing in 2020?

Have you made any goals or have hopes for this year?

Getting it done in

December, just in time

We made it to December--hard to believe.

And welcome to the Insecure Writers Support Group - we sure needed each other this year!

Have you accomplished your goals this year despite the pandemic? What changes have you made to your writing process/goals?

I thoroughly enjoyed our short Thanksgiving Break - I got a spurt of energy and time to write a few more chapters in the next Pop Travel novel. And I had fun playing games with my boys. I hope you all had a peaceful, yet exuberant Thanksgiving - if you live in the states =)  Really hoping things will turn more positive after the new year begins. So much loss and depression have been hard for many to overcome. Sending encouraging thoughts and virtual hugs! Hang in there!

I also found some time to enjoy Sherry Ellis's latest MG adventure: 

BUBBA AND SQUIRT'S MAYAN ADVENTURE

Here's a quick review:

Bubba and Squirt are in it again--The portal to another exciting place, that is! This brother-sister team make middle grade adventures fun again. They complement each other's skills and intellects in a good hearted way to solve this new Mayan mystery. The bonus is the hidden cultural facts and excellent recipes to try!

 

In other pleasant tidings... I sent some books to a Youtube Book-Tuber, The Tiny Book Dragon, and she mentioned my books in her Fall Book Haul video.

If you haven't watched a book-tuber, you should. They do a great job of talking about books with honest and enthusiastic reviews.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year!

I'm ready to put this naughty 2020 to bed!