Are you cold? Wow! Frigid temps all over the US this winter. But being inside is conducive to writing, right?Welcome to the 1st Insecure Writers Support Group of 2018!
I've been writing in spurts and my newest work is coming along nicely. But I have two insecurities this month. First, I'm stepping away from my two series and writing a new story. That is scary! I don't know if my publisher will want it. I'm going to try to get an agent for it, but we all know how that goes... So this is fun and exciting, but also nerve-wracking...
So those are my insecurities this month. Thanks for listening and commenting - you guys are so supportive!
And now onto the biggest news I've been dying to share!
Several months ago, I started a new job, but I really wanted to enter the IWSG anthology contest. I barely finished my entry, appropriately about TIME, and it was chosen! It was such a whirlwind of writing, I almost forgot what my story was about. Then I couldn't find it! Because I wrote it on Google Docs to be able to work on it anywhere. Now, I'm ready to edit. I can't thank Diane and the folks at Dancing Lemur Press enough for publishing it. Looking forward to working with them!
Lastly, The Really Real Housewives of America is back up and running. Being practical and always looking for the easiest way to do things, Elizabeth and I have cut back to posting once a week. Less is more in so many ways! And we are always looking for guests to share their stories, tips, or easy, tasty recipes - just stop by or give one of us a shout.
Hope your January is running smoothly and you are staying well!
36 comments:
Congratulations, Tara on your story for the anthology!!! Its a great way to start the New Year!!! Happy New Year!
Like the sound of your new novel.
Bet you're damned glad you sent in that story!
Congrats on getting into the IWSG anthology! And write whatever story you want to. Give yourself permission to stretch outside your comfort zone.
Congratulations on the anthology, Tara! Now that's a great way to start the year. :)
Good luck with all of your writing projects!
Congrats on the anthology! All the best for the New Year :-)
It's FREEZING here. I just want it to get out of the single digits. That's all I ask for!
Congratulations on making it into the anthology! YAY!
IWSG post: Taking Chances
Congratulations on placing in the IWSG Anthology. Such an awesome way to start the New Year!
I like your new story idea. Stretching is always a good thing.
We moved to South Carolina and the cold and snow followed us. They say we'll get 1 to 3 inches of snow. AMAZING! I can't wait to photograph it! :)
Happy 2018!
Glad to hear the new work is coming along nicely.
As for the Unprincess novella, have you considered looking for a sensitivity reader for when it's done?
And congrats on the anthology!
Yay on the story!!
Trying out new things is always fun - I bet your new idea will be exactly what you need :)
Congratulations on the win - I can't wait to read more!
Congratulations on your win!
Congrats on the anthology.
Write that story about the little girl with the dragon. It doesn't matter if someone says it's not your story to tell because it is. No one else could write it the way you will. They are your characters. Chances are the people who get mad about it wanted a reason to get pissed off about something to begin with. My only recommendation is to make sure you research the character to make her realistic enough (I always find that funny when it's for stories that have unrealistic creatures in them.)
I really liked your story.
The girl and the dragon sounds like a really solid story that could resonate with a lot of girls. Write it.
Congrats on be included in the anthology!
Keep writing! Worry about the other stuff later.
:)
Best wishes in all things,
Heather
I believe writers have the right to write whatever story they want. It IS your story, because you conceived it. Write it. When you're done, you could get a couple of sensitivity beta readers to check it out.
Congratulations on winning the contest!
Congratulations!!!
I am looking forward to reading your new writing, all of it. I understand your insecurity. My MC in The Greenling Chronicles is a Maori-Scottish-American boy with superpowers. I have a bit of Scottish in me, but ... otherwise, I'm writing in new territory and I don't want to offend anyone who is Maori, male, or super-powered (although I think I'm safe on this last one).
Happy writing in 2018!!!!
Congrats on being selected for the anthology. As to your fears about your story, I'd say tell the best tale you can and do whatever it takes to make your story as real as possible. Talk to people, study them, and if you feel you can tell this story and be true to your character, follow your heart.
Great news about the anthology! And don't let anyone dissuade you from writing about whatever you want!
Woo hoo on placing in the IWSG Anthology! What a great way to start the New Year! As for stretching yourself with your novella - that's what writers do. In this day and age, I would be surprised if someone didn't find a way to take offense. Those types of complaints are an insidious passive/aggressive method of censorship. Just write from your heart.
Congratulations Tara. Even in Florida, we are shivering. Wishing you a joyful and successful 2018.
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
Hi Tara - so pleased your entry is in the anthology ... and it was worth pulling out those extra stops to get it finished and submitted. Congratulations on that new job too = that will make a big difference ...
So pleased the Really Real Housewives of America is back ... there are some good articles, ideas and recipes in there ... good for you and all the best for 2018 - Hilary
Congrats on getting picked for the anthology! That's so exciting!
Congratulations on your success with the anthology contest, Tara! I look forward to reading your story!
Congratulations, Tara. That is so great.
"I certainly don't want to offend anyone, and I worry that others will say I don't have a right to tell this story.."
You are not a 10 year old orc boy either, but that did not stop you from developing the characters, the world, the issues that plague the citizens. Imagination knows no color, race, religion, species, world. . . . Write a good book - your successes show you obviously know what your target audiences want to read.
Congrats on getting into the IWSG anthology. That's quite an accomplishment.
Congratulations on finding your misplaced story!
;-)
Congrats! Stories need to be told. I ditto and love dolorah's comment.
Congrats on the anthology story, and best of luck with the new book. I, too, have worried over writing characters of color, and questions of whether I'm qualified. I had a good talk with a publisher once about that, and she pointed out that if I research historical settings, whatever, I can research if I've done the characters 'right.' I worry anyway, and have mostly been too chicken to do it--I leave most of my characters vague, but I'm working on it. It's weird--I have no issues writing male characters (but I wonder...it's different going that direction, isn't it?).
Room here for a whole long discussion! I hope your publisher is helpful in making it happen, and happen well.
Congrats on winning the anthology. And good luck with your new story where you may try to find an agent. Hope you have a fantastic year!
Your new book sounds like a great story. I wouldn't worry about the haters, they are always out there. Congrats on the new job and the anthology entry win.
Congrats on the story- so glad you were able to find it!
Your new projects sound interesting. If you are writing out of your comfort zone it will probably be important to have people read it who can tell you if you have written the character and her life realistically. Bravo for breaking into new areas. :)
~Jess
Congratulations on your story acceptance into the IWSG anthology! Thank goodness you found it "in the nick of time"...
Such a wonderful way to start the new year!
Happy Writing, Tara!
I'm trying to write diverse characters into my projects as well. I hope it works out for you, Tara.
Congratulations on winning a spot in the anthology! I can't wait to read your story!
Congratulations! The anthology is going to be a good one. Good luck with the new stories. I worry when I write diverse characters too, but so far, no one has said a peep about the ones I've written.
Best of luck with all your writing! If you're passionate about that new UnPrincess novella, I feel you should continue working on it. I would recommend finding some sensitivity readers, though, since they'd be able to point out anything that might come across as offensive. (Twitter is a great place to find some!)
And wow, that's such awesome news about the anthology. Many congrats!
I had read the news about your acceptance in the anthology! That is awesome! Congratulations! You've been so busy writing. I guess all that practice has paid off! Good luck with all your projects.
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