Tweeting In The New Year With Insecure Writer's Support Group!

New date. New month. New Year. Same great group ready to motivate and inspire. It’s time for the next posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. We encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.

The awesome co-hosts for the January 8 posting of the IWSG are T. Powell Coltrin, Victoria Marie Lees, Stephen Tremp, Renee Scattergood, and J.H. Moncrieff!

January 8 question: What started you on your writing journey? Was it a particular book, movie, story, or series? Was it a teacher/coach/spouse/friend/parent? Did you just "know" suddenly you wanted to write?

The next #IWSGPit is only one week away. We hope you have those pitches polished and ready to go. It is a great chance to get discovered. We have had authors get picked up by publishers from our past pitches. This year it could be you. Don't miss out. Full details can be found here.

2020

Can you believe a new year has begun already? And it is a nice 2020. That has to make one's OCD happy. Just saying. And best of all, everyone has a whole extra day to write. That means another few thousand words, right? Or is it just another day to watch cute cat videos on YouTube?

With each new year comes goals and challenges that we set for ourselves. Is there any you have set for yourself this year? Did you meet the goals you set for yourself last year? Whether you did or not, what did you learn?

And here is a great way to begin 2020.
Cover reveal for the next IWSG Anthology!

Voyagers: The Third Ghost

An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

Journey into the past…

Will the third ghost be found before fires take more lives? Can everyone be warned before Pompeii is buried again? What happens if a blizzard traps a family in East Germany? Will the Firebird help Soviet sisters outwit evil during WWII? And sneaking off to see the first aeroplane – what could go wrong?

Ten authors explore the past, sending their young protagonists on harrowing adventures. Featuring the talents of Yvonne Ventresca, Katharina Gerlach, Roland Clarke, Sherry Ellis, Rebecca M. Douglass, Bish Denham, Charles Kowalski, Louise MacBeath Barbour, Beth Anderson Schuck, and L.T. Ward.

Hand-picked by a panel of agents, authors, and editors, these ten tales will take readers on a voyage of wonder into history. Get ready for an exciting ride!

Available May 5, 2020

$13.95 USA, 6x9 Trade paperback, 168 pages, Freedom Fox Press

Juvenile Fiction: Historical (JUV016000) / Action & Adventure (JUV001000) / Fantasy & Magic (JUV037000)

Print ISBN 9781939844729 eBook ISBN 9781939844736

Order through Ingram, Follett Library Resources, or publisher direct

$4.99 EBook available in all formats

Are you ready for the next #IWSGPit? Have you gotten any interest or feedback during past pitches? Any new goals or challenges that you have set for yourself in 2020? Do you see the extra day as a help? How would you answer today's question? What do you think of the cover for the next IWSG Anthology?

Merry Christmas

Every year, adults try to beat the kid-friendly-free-toy system and send their wish lists to Santa. This year has been no different. These letters were caught in Santa’s spam filter and he forwarded them to me for investigation.

Anyone recognize this group of goons? They call themselves writers. I call them at large.

Sincerely,

Irvin Elf

North Pole Bureau of Investigations

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the IWSG team! 

Be Kind To Yourself

As writers, the work can be mentally and emotionally draining as you grind away on those manuscripts. Creative slumps, dry spells, and writer’s block hit all writers from time to time.

Writers can be very neglectful when it comes to self-care, especially those who work from home and know that there are bills that need to be paid, looming deadlines, household chores and children who need your constant attention.

It can be quite daunting.

Pause.

Take a deep breathe.

A reminder that you need to give yourself permission to sit back and let the well refill.

As you reflect on the year that has been, here are some reminders:
1. Write for 20 minutes, then stretch your arms, back, and shoulders.
2. Take frequent breaks. Go for a walk. You can people watch and observe and listen.
3. Don't check your sales figures every single day.
4. Buy some new accessories (maybe a bullet journal or colorful post-its)
5. Remember that everyone feels like an impostor sometimes.      
6. Have a little bit of writing-related fun where you give your inner writer a little TLC such as, doodling or writing some bad poetry. Alleviate the pressure from yourself by not expecting the writing to become “a thing.”
7. Read for the sake of reading. When was the last time that you picked up a book just to enjoy the experience? Too often writers seem to focus on craft books instead of reading for the sheer love of reading.
8. Accept that you'll always have room to grow so you need to stop beating yourself up for not being 100% productive all the time - remember that perfect is the 'enemy' of good.

Are there any other tips you can add to this list?