The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, Charcuterie, and Hand Issues

It’s time for another edition of The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, founded by Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh.

The question for today: When you began writing, what did you imagine your life as a writer would be like? Were you right, or has this experience presented you with some surprises along the way?

I began writing when I was 13, so I had no idea what my life would be like as a writer other than doing what I enjoyed. And selling a ton of books, too!

While some books sold good, some did not. (Which is sad, as In Darkness is the best thing I’ve ever written.) But the surprise was starting a publishing company (Dancing Lemur Press, LLC) after trying to publish on my own all wrong. Even bigger surprise was becoming a professional speaker and a member of the National Speakers Association.

Go back and tell the very shy and insecure 13-year-old who began writing she’d start a business and be a professional speaker and I KNOW she’d never believe you!

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Charcuterie Time!

We don’t do anything for Halloween. (Okay, we put an inflatable vampire Minion on the porch.) But for our last October game night I wanted to do something cool for the guys. It just might be my best board yet.

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Today I am also beginning physical therapy. I had a second carpal tunnel surgery on my left hand and while it seemed to be healing faster than the right one did, I experienced a major setback. The last joints in my fingers won't bend all the way. As you can see from the example, I can't make a proper fist. I also have trouble typing, picking up things, holding on to things. So, hopefully the therapy and the "nerve cocktail" of a prescription drug and four vitamins makes a difference. Because otherwise, this is really, really debilitating.


What surprises have you faced? Do you do charcuterie boards? Have you gone through carpal tunnel surgery?

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group and Latest Food Boards

It’s time for another edition of The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, founded by Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh.

The question for today: What is the most favorite thing you have written, published or not? And why?

Many years ago, I had this dream of an amazing place filled with books, magic, and treasures. As I do with most cool dream elements, I jotted it down.

A few years later, I began to craft a story about it, placing a group of vampires on a quest to find it. 2015 I finished and polished it – and then it just sat there as I worked hard with my Dancing Lemur Press authors.

Finally, I sent it to our editor and it was published as a novella in 2023. (And later as one of four stories in my In Darkness book.)

That story was The Vampire. It’s paranormal romance, but of the four stories, it contains probably the least amount of romance, focusing on the adventure. I am so, so proud of that one! It took forever to come to pass but I’m glad it finally did!

Do have a favorite story you’ve written?

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Charcuterie Time!

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And finally, second carpal tunnel surgery done and I will soon have two working hands again.

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, AI, Comic Con, and Latest Food Board

It’s time for another edition of The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, founded by Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh.

This month marks the thirteenth anniversary of the IWSG website and fourteenth anniversary of the beginning of the IWSG with the monthly blog posting. Be sure to visit the IWSG for a list of what we’ve accomplished and built over the years.

The question for today: What are your thoughts on using AI, such as GPChat, Raptor, and others with your writing? Would you use it for research, storybible, or creating outlines\beats?

I’ve never used any of them and at this point, I doubt I ever will except maybe for research. Anything to make that easier!

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We did a con last month. There are so few near us and most that are within driving distance (without an overnight stay) are too expensive. Fortunately, the Greenville Comic Con is close and reasonable!

And of course, one of my latest food boards:

Would you use AI for writing? Do you get out to many events?

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group and Unethical Publishing Practices

It’s time for another edition of The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, founded by Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh.


The question for today: What is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?

There are a lot of things to choose from! Plagiarism, vanity publishers, using AI to write the whole book, etc.

I decided to go with one that many people may not be aware of – book returns.

Bookstores and the wholesalers & distributors who deal with them are the only ones who return books. (They have a three month minimum window to do this.) They will order ten books, sell five, and when it gets close to 90 days, they return them – only to turn around and order another 5-10 books because now they don’t have any! Meanwhile, the publisher gets dinged for those returned book, sometimes just for printing cost and profit made, sometimes also for the shipping. This practice started during the Great Depression when stores were afraid to order any books lest they get stuck with them – and unfortunately, it was never reversed. (So, when my authors see a negative balance, that’s why – we get dinged and so do they.)

I’d also like to add that Amazon’s practice of allowing returns of eBook up to 7 days later is also unethical. People can download a book, read it, and then return it. No other seller or distributor allows eBook returns!

Have you experienced book returns? What do you consider an unethical publishing practice?

And some recent charcuterie boards: