#IWSG MARCH 4th Book Launches & Big Idea Challenge

 

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can't find you to comment back.

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the March 4 posting of the IWSG are PJ Colando, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, and Natalie Aguirre!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember, the question is optional! 
March 4 question - What elements do you include in your book launch? Or what do you have in mind for your future book launch? Or what advice do you have to offer to others planning to launch a book?

My answer: 
When Launching a Book, I Always Keep These Basics in Mind
When launching a book, I always remind myself that the work doesn’t end when the manuscript is finished. In fact, that's when a new phase begins—one full of excitement and hard work. There are some basic steps to keep in mind that can make the process smoother and more successful. Here’s what I’ve learned about launching your first book.

1. Know Your Audience
Before you even start thinking about a launch date, you need to understand who you're writing for. Who are your readers? Knowing your target audience helps you decide everything from your book cover to your marketing strategy. Whether you're writing for fans of romance, fantasy, or paranormal, identifying your audience early will shape the way you promote your book.

2. Set Your Date & Plan Ahead
Choose a launch date well in advance. I recommend giving yourself 2–3 months of prep time. A well-executed launch takes more than just announcing the release. It requires a lead-up, the right activities on the day, and post-launch follow-ups. The more time you have to prepare, the better!

3. Build Your Author Platform
This is the time to really show up online. Create or update your author website, social media profiles, and email list. I know it’s tempting to focus only on the writing, but your platform is just as important. Engage with potential readers, share updates, and build a community around your work.

4. Don’t Forget Goodreads
If you’re not already on Goodreads, it’s time to get there. Goodreads is a powerful tool for authors. It allows you to connect directly with readers, join relevant groups, and even host giveaways to get early reviews. The site has a built-in audience of book lovers who want to discover new books, so getting your book listed and engaging with readers there is essential.

5. Get Reviews Early
Speaking of reviews, start collecting them as early as possible. Reach out to book bloggers, readers, and influencers within your genre. Advanced reviews can help boost your book’s visibility on platforms like Amazon and Goodreads. The more reviews you have, the more likely it is that new readers will take a chance on your book.

6. Create a Launch Plan
A clear launch plan is crucial. Break down your timeline into pre-launch, launch day, and post-launch phases. Use a mix of social media posts, email newsletters, virtual book tours, giveaways, and even paid ads to spread the word. If you want to use paid ads, they can definitely help you, but you don’t have to go that route. There are other ways to get the word out that might be more affordable, though they may require a bit more work on your part.

7. Celebrate the Launch
Launch day is finally here—don’t forget to celebrate! Host a virtual party, run a special promotion, or do giveaways to keep the momentum going. Show your excitement and thank your readers for their support. They’ll appreciate the personal touch, and it helps to build long-term connections with your audience.
Launching your first book can feel overwhelming, but with these basics in place, you’ll be prepared. Focus on building connections, planning ahead, and using platforms like Goodreads to help get your book in front of the right readers. It’s all part of the journey, and before you know it, your book will be out in the world!

What plans are you making for your book launch?

The Novelty is offering the 
Big Idea Challenge, starting March 2.

During March, writers taking part in the Big Idea Challenge will receive:

• A live writing class with Booker Prize winner Yann Martel (Life of Pi)

• Weekly group study sessions

• Panels with New York Times bestselling authors

• A synopsis workshop with a Penguin Random House editor

• Our online accountability challenge group

When they sign up, they will get our new program, The Big Idea course, which includes 30 plot-building lessons and a one-to-one coaching session with a bestselling novelist. Plus they’ll get access to live classes and workshops for a full year.

Writers can sign up here at The Big Idea. 

Special incentives will be provided for the Insecure Writer's Support Group.

Why Scene Mapping Is Your Secret Weapon

Pixabay.com

 You’ve done it. You’ve typed “The End” on your zero or rough draft. Maybe it’s a messy, chaotic pile of ideas. Maybe it only kind of resembles a novel. Either way, congratulations are in order — because finishing a draft of any kind is a huge milestone.

But now what?

That post-draft moment can be overwhelming. You know the story isn’t done, but diving right into edits without a game plan can feel like trying to rebuild a house while you’re still living in it. This is where scene mapping becomes your best friend — and your secret weapon.

 

What Happens After You Have a Zero or Rough Draft?

A zero draft (sometimes called a discovery draft) is your story in its rawest, most instinctual form. It’s often full of plot holes, dropped threads, inconsistent characters, and tangled pacing — and that’s perfectly okay. Its job was to exist, not to be perfect.

Once that first version is out of your head and onto the page, you’re ready for a different kind of work: structural clarity. Before you can revise well, you need to understand what’s already there. Scene mapping lets you do exactly that.

Author Note: My Scene Mapping Journey

I outlined Ghostwalker: Katje Storm Chronicles, Book 1 (Paranormal Women’s Fiction–Midlife) as a 150-word short form on Medium, which grew into 82 serialized posts. That became my first zero draft.

But the story still wasn’t clear.

So I started over, reshaping those skeletal scenes into something fuller—still under 10,000 words. In truth, I wrote two zero drafts: one long and exploratory, one lean and focused.

Reading it through, I saw logic gaps, underdeveloped scenes, characters that needed to go, and others begging for the spotlight. Worldbuilding emerged naturally as I told the story to myself from start to finish.

To get clarity, I built a story bible. It gave me focus, themes, and even a clearer ending.

Then I broke each scene into cards using Google Docs. It’s my way of crafting a fully fleshed first draft—without shutting down the pantser inside me.

The template below is what I use to track pacing, purpose, and momentum.

Why Scene Mapping Works

Think of scene mapping as laying all the puzzle pieces of your draft out on the table so you can see what’s missing, duplicated, or doesn’t quite fit. It’s not about line edits or prose yet — it’s about understanding the architecture of your story.

Mapping your scenes helps you:

• Visualize the flow of the narrative
  
  

• Track your protagonist’s emotional or character arc
  
  

• Identify scenes that serve no clear purpose (or serve the same purpose as five others)
  
  

• Spot missing beats in pacing, cause and effect, or rising tension
  
  

In other words, it turns the chaos into something you can work with.

How to Map Your Scenes Step by Step

There’s no one right way to do this. The best method is the one you’ll actually use. Here are three approaches that work well for different types of writers and thinkers:

Spreadsheet Method

Great for analytical minds who like structured overviews. Create a spreadsheet with columns such as:

• Scene Number
  
  

• POV (if multiple characters)
  
  

• Location
  
  

• Word Count
  
  

• One-sentence Summary
  
  

• Purpose (plot, character, theme, etc.)
  
  

• Conflict or Tension
  
  

• Outcome or Decision
  
  

This method is especially helpful if you're tracking arcs, timelines, or chapter balance across multiple drafts.

Index Card / Sticky Note Method

Perfect for visual and tactile learners. Write each scene on a separate card or sticky note. Lay them out on a table, wall, or corkboard.

• Move scenes around to experiment with flow
  
  

• Identify where tension rises or falls
  
  

• Visually cluster related scenes (e.g., by subplot, POV, or theme)
  
  

• Remove or combine redundant beats
  
  

It’s flexible, intuitive, and great for spotting patterns and gaps.

Kanban Board Method

Ideal for writers who like visual project management tools (like Trello or physical whiteboards). This method lets you track the status of each scene as you revise.

Set up columns such as:

• To Review
  
  

• Needs Rewrite
  
  

• Needs Expansion
  
  

• Cut / Combine
  
  

• Good as Is
  
  

Then write each scene on a digital card (in tools like Trello, Notion, or Scrivener’s corkboard view) or a sticky note and move it across the board as you work. You can color-code scenes by POV, plotline, or emotional arc for extra clarity.

This approach turns your messy draft into a living revision workflow. Plus, it feels incredibly satisfying to drag a scene into “Good as Is.”

What to Look for Once You’ve Mapped It

Now that you’ve got a bird’s-eye view, here’s what to check:

• Scene Purpose: Does each scene advance the plot, deepen a character, or raise the stakes?
  
  

• Flow and Momentum: Does each scene build on the last? Or does the story stall?
  
  

• Character Arcs: Can you see change happening? Do key turning points show up?
  
  

• Redundancy: Are you repeating emotional beats or exposition?
  
  

• Missing Scenes: Are there gaps in logic, setup, or payoff?
  
  

Scene mapping helps you diagnose before you rewrite. It's a story triage.

From Mapping to Meaningful Rewrite

Mapping doesn’t mean you have to scrap your draft. In fact, it often shows you that less needs to change than you feared — just more strategically. You’ll rewrite with intention, not overwhelm.

It also makes external feedback easier to use. Instead of vague critiques like “The middle is slow,” you’ll know which specific scenes are dragging — and exactly how they fit in the bigger picture.

In Closing...

Scene mapping isn’t just a tool — it’s a lens. It helps you see the story you’ve already told, and gives you the confidence to shape it into the one you meant to tell.

You already did the brave thing by writing the draft. Now let this be the strategic thing that turns it into something powerful.

---

P.S. I’ve created a free Scene Mapping Template you can use to jump-start this process. Download it [here].

Your Turn: Do you map your scenes? What’s your favorite method — spreadsheets, sticky notes, something else? I’d love to hear your approach in the comments!

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ABOUT

Juneta WRITES SPECULATIVE FICTION that is Evocative, Mythic, a little Magical, Adventurous, and somewhat Humorous! Come Explore Her Worlds.

She loves writing about Grumpy Old Gods, Space Opera, Paranormal Women’s Fiction & Sci-Fi Fantasy adventure, mysteries, and romance with all the complexity of human nature mixed in, whether human or non-human, mage, mystic or pilot. Stories that involve the mythology born of living and the shadows that make us all heroes, anti-heroes, villains, and poets. Learn More.

Its #IWSG Day, December 7th

 

#IWSG Insecure Writer’s Support Group
December 7th

Sign Up And Become a Member
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

The next IWSG Twitter Pitch
will be January 25, 2023!
Check out details on our #IWSGPit page.
There have been so many success stories over the years –
your manuscript might be next. Start polishing those stories and pitches now.

The awesome co-hosts for the December 7 posting of the IWSG are 
Joylene Nowell Butler, Chemist Ken, Natalie Aguirre, Nancy Gideon, and Cathrina Constantine!

OPTIONAL IWSG QUESTION

December 7 question - It's holiday time! Are the holidays a time to catch up or fall behind on writer goals?

For me, it depends on the year.  This year is a matter of keeping up. I am neither ahead or behind. The goal is to stay on target with 2023 goals and plans.. I finished a rough draft during NaNoWriMo, which I won 52K. I have a discovery draft of my first novel, one of six planned in my Midlife Ghostwalker series. 

In December I am  doing edits and writing a short story for my newsletter optin related to the series.  I hope to publish the first three in series along with short by July-Aug 2023.  The challenge is to do enough to stay on target.  

This month spotlights are:

IWSG Member Book: Little Ragdoll: A Bildungsroman- 
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41556326-little-ragdoll
Craft Book: Self-Editing for Fiction Writers- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/180467.Self_Editing_for_Fiction_Writers