Anyone else HOT?!

Well, it's full-on summer, and you know what that means...

Hot fun in the sun! And we get to go back out and enjoy it. At least I hope you can where you are. I'm going to ignore all the nastiness in the world because I don't like to get into that here. This is a place for  encouraging each other, spreading good news, and ranting about writing ONLY. So Happy July IWSG Day!

Summer is my time to WRITE. I don't get to devote much time to writing while I'm teaching, planning, and grading papers during the school year, so I go nuts in the summer. I'm very happy that I got to finish a couple of rounds of edits on CONDUCTION, Pop Travel #4 with a super devious cliff hanger at the end. I've sent it to my go-to CP, but I could use a couple more sets of eyes, so if you're interested in BETA READING it, let me know. So excited! 

I also hope to work on the next BEAST WORLD book 4. To keep it MG, Gabe's little sister is starring in the next three books. What do you think of the title: TWINKLE STINKLE?? hahaha. Plus, I'd like to go back to my Christian YA novel - inspiration comes in spurts for that one and I really have to feel it to get back into it...

What are you working on? 

Are you staying MOTIVATED in this HEAT??

I also get to READ more in the summer -- YAY! Here are two stories I was able to finish and review lickety split when summer hit:

LOVE AND OTHER LIES

by M.J. Fifield

For too long, Lavinia Kelly has been going through the motions. Her family knows why, but it’s nothing she wants to discuss.

Then in strolls Llewellyn Weiss who has a few secrets of his own. Though she can’t deny the attraction, she’s determined to do just that, and it’ll take a lot more than witty banter and a flawless set of abs to change her mind.

But when the secrets are inevitably exposed, Lavinia is forced to deal with the catastrophe that ensues, including her own devastating past. Nothing will ever be the same again...

My Review:

This is not your typical romance novel. It delves deeper into all the complex relationships involved when two people connect--and though things start with hot attraction, there's always history to deal with. It's full of emotion and exciting twists!

LIFT OFF

by Tyrean Martinson

A spaceship in disguise,

an Earth girl searching for a sense of home,

and a Thousand Years’ War between alien races

all collide on a summer afternoon.

My Review: This was a great teenage space adventure with vivid world building and tons of action. Logical Amaya Is thrust into a conflict between antagonistic aliens who have to find a way to work together if they all want to survive. And Amaya is the key to it all.

Lastly, I have some good news to share...

I had the opportunity to offer my take on RESEARCH for Gail Baugniet's blog (Mon 7/5) -- and offered to review POP TRAVEL for me (Wed 7/7). Always great to share advice and get a solid review! Yay!

And another fun project I had time for... To spread the word about DARK MATTER's exciting stories, we put together a book trailer. Check it out!

Personally, I love how each author has such a different take on Dark Matter. And you can see some of their styles shine through in their video/audio contributions.

(WHAT A DEAL: If anyone would like me to crank out a book trailer for you, we might be able to work out a trade!)

DARK MATTER Purchase info:

Amazon, Kobo, and Barnes and Noble

Looking to reboot a regular WRITERS CHAT - Fill out this FORM to let me know if you're interested.

I miss you guys!

AND DON'T FORGET - If you can whip up a fun first romance story for the next IWSG Anthology Contest, you should give it a go!

Stay Cool!

Let's Get Crazy!

School's Out for Summer!

And.... I'm already bored. JK! I've reorganized my office, tackled a mountain of neglected laundry, and gotten a bunch of editing done on my next Pop Travel--CONDUCTION. I'm still woefully several thousand words short of my goal, but it's getting there... It's only been a week!

So it's time for another Insecure Writers Support Group. I almost forgot! I went from Memorial Day weekend where I enjoyed a surprise visit from my Army Son and his sweet new fiancée! To all of a sudden June. How often does Memorial Day fall on May 31? Anyway, here we are.

And my question to you this month - As the world has morphed and we are free to roam about again... 

What has changed for you? 

Back when things were normal, we went out to eat, went to ball games, movies, shopping, traveled -- all of which were severely cut back. In my neck of the world, we gradually started back last summer and praise be, we had in-person school the entire year--the kids were awesome about all the limitations and precautions. Now that we can do more, I feel like a prairie dog poking its head out to see if it's safe. It looks clear to me, and I've been scampering all over, without my mask! I'm superwoman, you know--vaccinated AND had the stupid virus. 

what I think I look like to the public...
(love Avril Lavine!)

And I can't stop smiling at all the wonderful strangers who probably think I'm CRAZY. More like everyone has been Stir-Crazy and ready to get out of the house. I just want to hug Everyone!

It's recovery time. We need to let the crazy loose and get it out of our system, then we can return to a semblance of normal. It's a period of catharsis. And I can't wait to get out there and see and do more. Especially my in-person event this month!

What will you be doing this summer? 

What have you been doing in your down time?

Any benefits or reflections from the past year?

Happy Writing!

Afraid to Say Anything?

Welcome to Insecure Writers Support Group Day. I hope you are having a great Cinco de Mayo and will enjoy Mother's Day on Sunday. Baseball is in full swing here and that's a great thing!

Now, I'll get right to my topic for this month... These days, we live in a hyper-sensitive world. I'm afraid there might be things in my books that could be taken the wrong way or offend people--even though it's all made up fiction based on flawed characters... I never used to worry about it until recently. Does anyone else feel this way?

I know we can't please everyone. But lately there's an increasing number of people who seem to be looking for things to complain about or nit pick... 

Though I have to say, this problem is not unfamiliar to me as I've been offending people my whole life. I have a sarcastic sense of humor and tend to say things I think are harmless, usually joking, but others might get their feelings hurt. A couple of times, I've just been minding my own business and someone said I was a snob or worse. I never mean to offend people, but I find out later that my words or actions came across the opposite of what I intended.

STORY TIME:

When I was an innocent, nerdy high schooler, I met a cute guy at a football game. We talked, and I liked him, and he seemed to like me. But he didn't go to our school. He mentioned where he lived and I found his address in the phone book, so I wrote him a letter (YES, I'M THAT OLD!) I meant everything to be funny and cute and cool in a teasing way, trying to sound casual, and I had no idea if he'd even get it.

Well, a few days later, a girl in my class confirmed he got the letter, but he was totally ticked over what I said: something about him being a dropout--which he said he was--and another about being a beach bum--which he also said he was, as we lived in Florida. I thought I was making light of what he'd told me and admired him for the way he was living, but he must've had some insecurities about it that I never dreamed of--he was a cute "bad boy" to me. But this girl berated me for my letter, really let me have it. Maybe she was jealous. I never liked her anyway... Needless to say, nothing more came of it.

When these things have happened over the years, I'm reminded to try to be more aware of others' feelings. Then again, I say: You can't please everyone. Some people just won't like you no matter how nice you try to be. And I believe the majority of people get the jokes and are fine.

Either way, if you ever notice me say something stupid or offensive -- please tell me! And I'm curious if you've ever had a similar experience.

NOW FOR THE AWESOME NEW STUFF!

DARK MATTER is NOW AVAILABLE!

Dark Matter: Artificial

An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

 

Discover dark matter’s secrets…

From an AI’s true role to bumbling siblings lost in deep space. 

Or dark matter could be sentient, judging if we're worthy of existence. 

Or even transport you to another reality!

Join ten fabulous authors as they explore dark matter: 

Artificial - Stephanie Espinoza Villamor 

Space Folds and Broomsticks - C.D. Gallant-King

Rift – Kim Mannix          The Utten Mission – Steph Wolmarans

Sentient – Tara Tyler         One to Another – Deniz Bevan

Resident Alien - Charles Kowalski          Nano Pursuit – Olga Godim

Resurgence – Elizabeth Mueller          Vera’s Last Voyage – Mark Alpert

 

LINKS:

Amazon     iTunes      Kobo      Barnes & Noble      Goodreads

Published by Dancing Lemur Press

And we're having a PARTY of BLOG VISITS to celebrate!

May 4 – Laura Billings

https://bookishequestrian.wixsite.com/mysite

Interview question

 

May 4 - Jemi Fraser

https://jemifraser.blogspot.com/

Interview question

 

May 5 - Ellen Jacobson

https://ellenjacobsonauthor.com/

Interview with Stephanie

 

May 6 – Mason Canyon

https://masoncanyon.blogspot.com/

Short guest posts from Charles, CD, and Tara

 

May 7? - Louise Barbour

https://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com/

Interviews

 

May 10 - Nick Wilford

http://www.nickwilford.com/

Guest post from CD

 

May 12 - Cathrina Constantine

http://cathrinaconstantine.blogspot.com/

Short pitch from all authors

Stop by and let us know what you think.

Have a great MAY!