Recharged!

Welcome to another edition of the IWSG - where fellow writers share their hopes and woes and highs and lows. I want to thank everyone who stopped by last month when I was a co-host. It was great to visit around and receive feedback!

So, how has your writing been lately? If you are on a roll, BRAVO! But if you've lost your motivation lately, I feel you. 2020 was like a mini-Armageddon! Everyone felt ramifications from the loss and loneliness. Some are still recovering. It took me two years to find inspiration to write again. I thought I was done. I tried a couple of events, but had no luck selling. I was really low and didn't think there was a point. 

But the writing bug was still in my system. So I went back to the beginning. I started with some poetry then dusted off some short stories. I decided I would write for myself and self-publish or query if it felt right. I ended up finishing my Pop Travel Christmas mystery starring Geri and...

I have exciting news! My story was accepted into an anthology!

I've always wanted to do a Christmas anthology. And I have to thank The Warrior Muse, Shannon Lawrence for pointing out this opportunity. Shannon lists loads of sites looking for submissions. I definitely recommend subscribing to her!

The name of the anthology is MAGICK AND MISTLETOE, the publisher, Dragon Soul Press.

Everything fell together with this one. While I was finishing the story, I started my search for submissions, but didn't have high hopes since it was already 12000 words. But then I found MAGICK AND MISTLETOE ready to accept any genre up to 15000 words! Yay! I submitted a week before the deadline, and only a few days after they started reading submissions, I got an offer. Double Yay! I'm so excited!

Here's my mock up cover to go with the blurb:

A COLD CASE FOR CHRISTMAS

While trying to make a good first impression on Cooper's parents over Christmas, Geri discovers a mystery to solve, keeping her sane while she's under all that pressure--especially from the cat! 

So the moral of the IWSG story this month is: Don't Give Up!

Life will throw tons of obstacles at us, emotionally and physically. It's okay to take a break from writing to deal with whatever pops up or whatever self-doubt lingers. But things tend to turn around and lead you to what you need and what will make you happy. Don't give up!

I am not a Mind Reader

Successful writers have an uncanny knack for publishing what readers want at just the right time. They set the trends that other writers try to catch a wave on.

And that's the topic for this month's Insecure Writers Support Group - where writers share, encourage, and discover! 

August 3rd IWSG Question:

When you set out to write a story, do you try to be more original 

or do you try to give readers what they want?

My Answer:

First of all, I have no idea what readers want... Readers are fickle. Trends come and go--and quickly! I write what I know and whatever inspires me at the time. I try to be original in my chosen genres. And I enjoy trying new things--like mashups!-- regardless if they're popular or not. I highly recommend you do the same.

Because secondly, Readers like good writing, plain and simple. I believe that Trends are formed from good, juicy stories. And when we read something we like, we look for more - similar topics, but more importantly, we want more from that writer.

If you write what you love, you'll write your heart into it--and that's what makes good writing!

Try to stop by some other blogs and read about what writer friends - new and old - are up to. Here's the IWSG list. And here are the moderators this month:

Lisa Buie Collard -- Loni Townsend -- Lee Lowery -- and me!

I'll be visiting around as many blogs as I can, because school is right around the corner, and after that, I don't get out much!

Hope your writing is flourishing

and your last month of summer is full of fun and sun!

via GIPHY

Make Sparkles!

Have you found a way to spark your writing? It's a Holiday IWSG Post!

Happy 4th of July, America!

What a perfect time to write a Christmas story! From night time sparklers to sparkly twinkle lights... Sure, why not? Christmas in July is a big saying, right? And I've always thought, if I start now, I should be able to publish my Christmas story in time for the holidays.

As I started my summer, I vowed not to work on school things until after my teacher conference at the end of the month. And I focused my energy on things I've been wanting to get done... including start writing again. I started slow, with some poetry. And that got my creative juices flowing again. But I wasn't ready to work on my on-hold novels yet. I decided to try a short story. It was fun to reminisce through my short story ideas and notes. So many stories waiting to be told! I bet you have similar files--I recommend perusing them even if just for a good laugh =D

I chose to tackle Cooper & Geri's First Christmas (title pending) - 

While trying to make a good first impression on Cooper's parents over Christmas, Geri discovers a mystery to solve, keeping her sane while she's under all that pressure--especially from the cat! 

I only had a few pages complete, and I'm not a great mystery writer, so this was just the exercise I needed to get back into the groove. I'm excited to say the draft is done and the editing has begun. I just might be able to publish in time for Christmas.

It's about time I did some writing. It feels good to get back into it.

I hope you are sparking up a storm this summer.

Thanks for stopping by -- Keep writing!

PS - We've also started our Writers' Chat back up for the summer. Drop your email in the comments if you'd like a reminder and link to join us -- Tuesdays, 7:30 pm (EST) on Discord