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!

#writerslife #survey - Do you have the music in you?

Time for another survey to start off the year!

But first, I have a special TIMELY Cover Reveal...

So super excited to be a part of this anthology. And I can tell this cover depicts our lead author, Gwen Gardner's specialty - Ghosts!

TICK TOCK: A STITCH IN CRIME
IWSG Anthology #3
Release Date: May 1, 2018

The clock is ticking...

Can a dead child’s cross-stitch pendant find a missing nun? Is revenge possible in just 48 minutes? Can a killer be stopped before the rescuers are engulfed by a city ablaze? Who killed what the tide brought in? Can a soliloquizing gumshoe stay out of jail?

Exploring the facets of time, eleven authors delve into mysteries and crimes that linger in both dark corners and plain sight. Featuring the talents of Gwen Gardner, Rebecca M. Douglass, Tara Tyler, S. R. Betler, C.D. Gallant-King, Jemi Fraser, J. R. Ferguson, Yolanda Renée, C. Lee McKenzie, Christine Clemetson, and Mary Aalgaard.

Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these eleven tales will take you on a thrilling ride into jeopardy and secrecy. Trail along, find the clues, and stay out of danger. Can't wait! Anticipation is a killer! (See bottom of post for my story's graphic)


And now, for my first Writer's Life Survey of 2018... Music that Moves You




Lastly, as promised, here's a teaser about my story in the IWSG Anthology...

RESET by Tara Tyler

Twelve-year-old Casey has no time for her quirky family. Mr. Zander has been searching for the perfect specimen to save his. When Casey walks into Mr. Zander's clock repair shop, he sees her as a prime contender and coerces her to help him. Hopefully, the machine will work this time.

So excited!


And thanks for playing.
Results will be posted Feb 7.

In the Nick of Time!

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...

Second, I have been venturing into touchy subjects. The new novel I'm writing is a YA Christian Urban Fantasy? And my latest UnPrincess Novella is about a little black girl from an inner city who finds a dragon protector that gives her confidence to defend herself against real life monsters. 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... I'd love to hear your thoughts about this!

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!