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.