The Insecure Writer’s Support Group Turns Fifteen!

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


September 2 question - Do you have a favorite character archetype you tend to gravitate toward in your writing?

Nathan Baugh has an extensive list of character archetypes HERE. Seventy-seven in fact!

I would say a lot of my characters tend to fall between brooding loner and resilient survivor. Most of my In Darkness characters fell in that range as did several of my Circle of Friends characters. I guess as an only child who has been through some stuff, I can relate to those archetypes.

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The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is fifteen years old this month!

To celebrate, Alex has asked that we list our books with links and when visiting other members, purchase some of their books.

I’m just going to link three of my books:
How to Publish and Promote Your Book Now!
In Darkness (paranormal romance)
Overcoming Obstacles with Spunk! The Keys to Leadership & Goal-Setting

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And a charcuterie board from August – lots of fresh fruits and veggies!

What archetype do you tend to use?

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group and Homemade Food

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


August 5 question - As a writer/author what is something you regret? Or something that you wish you'd done differently in your writing process?

I wish I’d honed my craft better before the release of my first series of books. I did great with my two non-fiction but I feel more experience, better editing, and more practice would’ve helped my first fiction titles. My second set of fiction titles are worlds better and I am so proud of them, but that first set will forever taint me and keep readers from finding my paranormal romance series.

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Garden still growing and I am attacking homemade versions of all the highly-processed foods we no longer want to consume. I make my own pancake mix, sun dried tomatoes, salad dressings, tortillas, bagels, croutons, etc. We use Stevia, honey, and maple syrup only. Organic peanut butter. Even homemade crackers. And with the garden exploding, I am drying so many herbs and such now.

I also have my own catnip tree. Yes, that plant to the left is catnip. Over twelve feet tall!

I still enjoy doing charcuterie boards. Here are some from the past couple months: 

 

 

 

 

 

What do you regret? What do you make in your kitchen or from your garden?

The Insecure Writer's Support Group and Book Industry Changes

I have A LOT going on this week, including house guests Thursday and Friday, so I will not be posting here today.

However, I am over at the IWSG site with my answer regarding book industry changes as well as giving you a list of things about publishing that you might want to change. (Or blog about today!)

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, 5K, and Getting Old

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

June 3 question - Do most of your story ideas come from one place (the news, dreams, etc.) or do they hit from all over the place?

99% of my story ideas come from dreams. I will dream a scene, and if it is powerful and emotional enough, I will expand upon it during the day. Once I have a solid idea, I write it down. Some become stories, some are just too convoluted. (It took me several tries to make The Alien make sense, but I did!) But every published fiction books/story from me originated from a dream.

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Life notes...

My father-in-law was in the hospital last month and my husband spent a week in Arkansas with him. It’s just very frustrating. Hospitals and doctors suck. Their view of the elderly is “You are old and going to die soon so we don’t really care.”

On a more positive note, my garden is growing great.

And…I smashed my 5k time! 32:06. When I ran the Senior Game 5k on April 10th, I was at 36:06. Four minutes off in just six weeks! I am now in an elite group for my age. My ultimate goal is to do it in thirty minutes. (And the guys I ran against in the Senior Game 5k – I would’ve smoked them like a Christmas turkey as their time was over 33:00!!)


Where do your story ideas come from?

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group and Chimney Rock & Biltmore

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

May 6 question - What was the most inspiring feedback you received from readers, including agents, editors, and beta readers?

I have one special young woman in mind. She came to an appearance in South Carolina and got Book I of my series. She came back and got Book II. Then, when I was in Ohio for some appearances, she came to get the third book (she lived there) and told me my books had so inspired her she had made some big changes to her life and was happier than she’d ever been.
The real icing on the cake – I posted a picture of her with one of my books on my website, and a man contacted me saying he’d known her in college and could he get in contact with her. She said yes to sharing her email with him. The following year she let me know – they’d rekindled a lost love and were getting married! Such an incredible journey for her and an inspiring story!

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With airline tickets through the roof, we did not make it to The House on the Rock for our anniversary. We did visit Chimney Rock (which suffered severe damage from Hurricane Helene in 2024) and The Biltmore, America's largest private residence at 178,000 square feet. We’d never been to either and knew that area needed our dollars.

The Biltmore and gardens are a bit overrated (especially since I have seen the mind-blowing Windsor Castle in England and Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island) but it was cool to see.

Chimney Rock was excellent and we parked in the lower parking lot and hiked the trail and then stairs-stairs-stairs all the way to the top. Glad I’d trained for that 5k!

Enjoy some photos, including one of the devastation in Chimney Rock – but they are recovering and rebuilding!

The view from our stay – The Lodge on Lake Lure:

Chimney Rock:

Wine tasting at Parker-Bimms Vineyard:

The Biltmore:

What’s the most inspiring feedback you’ve ever received? Ever been to Chimney Rock or The Biltmore?

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group and More Charcuterie

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

April 1 question - If you have a playlist (or could put one together) that either gets you in the groove to write or fits with one of your books, what is it? What type of music or what songs?

I had a large playlist for my series The Circle of Friends consisting of a lot of love songs (since there is a lot of romance in the stories) and most of them from the 80’s and 90’s. I never did make a playlist for my In Darkness series though.

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Cathrina Constantine has joined the IWSG admins and we welcome her to the team.

Her positive attitude and joyful spirit will be a blessing to all.

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A recent Charcuterie board for a meal – lots of sandwich fixings!

What’s on your playlist?

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group and 5K at Sixty

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

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?

Research, research, research! (Exactly what I say in How to Publish and Promote Your Book Now.) Every genre is different and the landscape continues to change. Ultimately, you must reach your target readers. How do you do this? Through Facebook? TikTok? In person? It used to be so much easier but now an author has to work ten times as hard to reach his or her audience.

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I turned sixty last month! Unbelievable. This year was low-key compared to last (lunch with almost 30 friends) - some cool gifts, went out of town, and dinner with friends. (As always, some cool stuff for the garden and kitchen but this year’s theme was noodle cat!)

And…I signed up for my first ever 5K run! I pulled a glute four weeks ago, which set me back a bit. (I had just dropped under 38 minutes for a 5K, too.) But I am determined to build up my strength and endurance and be primed for April and this run. Wish me luck!


What would you suggest for a book launch? Have you ever run a 5k?

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, Snowmageddon, Charcuterie, and Turning 60

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

February 4 question - Many writers have written about the experience of rereading their work years later. Have you reread any of your early works? What was that experience like for you?

I have re-read my first series, The Circle of Friends. While I would like to do major rewrites and editing, I will admit, the stories still move me. Especially Sarah, Book II. I sent it in to a Writer’s Digest contest and it received high marks for character development.

Getting a chance to re-read and edit the stories for my In Darkness series before its release was priceless. Love it!

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Snowmageddon, Charcuterie, and Turning 60

Yes, it was a pretty snowy morning on Sunday. We got over 10 inches. However, note the bottom left photo. That pile in the snow is my gazebo which had bamboo lattice on three sides with three vines and multiple plants inside. Flattened. We managed to get it up, saved the plants inside, and tied it off. (Other bottom photo.) New metal arches arriving this week to help prop it up. Then we start removing all the shattered metal pieces from the top and bamboo pieces from the back.

The final charcuterie boards for a while as one of our game night friends is having knee surgery this week and we won’t meet again until March.





And, I turn 60 on the 16th. For my 50th, we went to Universal Studios. Would love to go back since they have a new Minion ride, however – the $4,000-5,000 price tag really put me off.

So, instead, we are getting a walk-in shower next month and later on, I get a trip back to The House on the Rock!!!! If you have never been (or ever heard of the place) it is amazing beyond words. Saw it in 1989 and was simply enthralled. Housing the world’s largest carousel (underground!), an infinity room, an organ room, a room with 250+ dollhouses, etc., it is just incredible. Visit the site for more info. For some really great images though, Google what visitors have posted online as the site itself shares few photos.

What is your experience reading over earlier work? Experienced some serious snow this season or ever visited The House on the Rock?

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group and Lantern Festival Pictures

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


January 7 question - Is there anything in your writing plans for 2026 that you are going to do that you couldn't get done in 2025?

I’m still considering a charcuterie board cookbook, although there are a lot out there. I’m also thinking about some writing for fun. Something that doesn’t need to be published. I certainly have enough short stories written plus tons of ideas for more.

December was way busier than I wanted. Physical therapy every week, Christmas and New Year’s, my husband’s 60th birthday, TSO concert, Lantern Festival, Christmas parties, appointments…you get the idea! So, more than anything, I want more space and time this year. I like to run (my 5k time is under 39 minutes now) but I don’t like THAT kind of running around.

I’ll leave you with the Christmas meal (sandwiches & stuff) Charcuterie board and some pictures from the Chinese Lantern Festival. It was rather amazing!

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group

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


December 3 question - As a writer, what was one of the coolest/best gifts you ever received?

Many years ago, I received the Dragon Naturally Speaking voice to text program. It worked really well for non-fiction. (Fiction required a lot of extra commands, which has probably since changed.)

I also received Rocketbook Wave, which is a reusable notebook. After you write a page, you can store it in the app on your phone and when you fill it up, just nuke it in the microwave and it clears the pages! (Comes with special pen.)


Now most of my gifts tend to be kitchen or garden related!

December is a busy, busy month (and on top of it, I'm doing physical therapy, trying to get my hand to properly work and fingers to bend again after my carpal tunnel surgery) so I shall wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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: