The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, Writing, and Cons

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

Today’s question - When you set out to write a story, do you try to be more original or do you try to give readers what they want?

I’m going to opt out of the question and just make some announcements.

First, I now have three stories written for my “In Darkness” novelette series.
The Vampire has been through our editor and is polished and ready for review copies.
The Werewolf goes to the editor in a few weeks.
The Shark is edited and with a critique partner.
And I am working on The Alien.
There is a possibility of The Ghost, but I have a great beginning, a great ending, and not much of a middle, so we’ll see.

In other news – Dancing Lemur Press has two cons coming up!

The first is August 13 – Greenville Comic Con in Greenville, NC.

The second is August 20 – Wake Forest Comic Con in Wake Forest, NC.

If you are anywhere in the area, please stop by our booth! We have all the books, original art prints, anime and Baby Yoda stickers, and Baby Yoda figurines. (And those go fast!)


Are you more original or give readers what they want when writing?

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, Minions, and Writing Again

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

Today’s question -
If you could live in any book world, which one would you choose?

I would LOVE to live in Narnia. (I’m sure that’s a popular answer among Christians.) Surrounded by talking animals & magical creatures and in the loving presence of Aslan, God himself. That would be Heaven indeed.

Here are the IWSG Goodreads Book Club books for July:

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The first story in my In Darkness series is with DLP’s editor. The second one is polished and waiting its turn. The third is on it’s first edit and the fourth is ¼ way done. I’m excited as this is the first time I’ve worked on my own stuff for more than one hour a month in YEARS.

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And yes, I was at the very first showing of Minions: The Rise of Gru last Friday. Delayed two years, I was so excited to finally see it. And it blew Lightyear out of the water at the box office – $108 million in 3 days while Lightyear still hasn’t made that much in over 3 weeks. (That’s right Disney – keep denying the real reasons your film tanked, but it certainly had nothing to do with families not taking kids to the theater post-pandemic.)

And in case you didn’t know, I’m a bit of a Minions fan:

What book world would you live in?
Are you a Minions fan?

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, Giveaway, Tours, And Turpentine Creek Animal Rescue

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

Today’s question -
When the going gets tough writing the story, how do you keep yourself writing to the end? If have not started the writing yet, why do you think that is and what do you think could help you find your groove and start?

I’ve never had a problem working on more than one project at a time. Right now, I have four novelette length stories in various stages of writing/editing. So, I usually jump to something else that excites me more and when I return to the piece where I was stuck, I usually have a better plan. Or, I just skip ahead in the story and write the next scene that is working.

I’ve never been so stuck I couldn’t write anything.

However, I have been so strapped for time that I couldn’t write anything!

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GIVEAWAY

Win a free print copy of paranormal romance/fairy tale retelling Druid’s Moon by Deniz Bevan. Just leave a comment.

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Tour Stops Needed

Dancing Lemur Press has two books coming out in September and we are looking for two stops for both:

First Love: The Art of Making Doughnuts
An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

The sweetness of first love…

Release date: September 6, 2022

Dates already set – Sept. 5 & 12

Druid’s Moon
By Deniz Bevan

Beauty to his Beast…

Release date: September 20, 2022

Dates already set – Sept. 1, 7, 13, 14, 16, 19, 20 & 21

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On a personal note…

Today is one year since we lost my mother-in-law. Hard to believe it’s been that long. I still really miss her.

Fortunately, we got to spend some time with my husband’s father last month. He’d been wanting to take us to the Turpentine Creek Animal Refuge for two years. (A trip that got scrapped when Covid hit.) But we finally got to go! And such an amazing place – they have rescued so many big cats (and some small ones). We learned about each animal on display (maybe 25% of the total population there?) and all I can say now is never, ever support a place with white tigers (the inbreeding means they are all cross-eyed) or tigons/ligors (cross breeding lions and tigers means the cubs have really big bodies but their organs aren’t big enough to handle the size and they end up with all sorts of issues.)

How do you keep writing? Can you help with either tour? Do you want to win a free copy of Druid’s Moon (plus swag)?

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, Goal-Setting Webinar, and Meeting Visions of Atlantis

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

Today’s question - It's the best of times; it's the worst of times. What are your writer highs (the good times)? And what are your writer lows (the crappy times)?

Connecting with readers is always a high. When a reader gets it, falls in love with the story, or what you wrote helps them, it’s a wonderful feeling.

It’s low when a book just doesn’t find its readers, when marketing your brains out doesn’t seem to help.

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We have a new admin joining the IWSG - Sandra Cox.

Sandra is a very welcome member of the team.

Stop by and say hi to Sandra.

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Webinar rescheduled!

This is one of my first and funnest seminars - and it’s online. If you need a little boost with goal-setting, this one’s for you.

Achieving Personal and Business Goals Webinar
May 12, 6:30-8:30 pm
Free for anyone – register HERE
Is your life or business stagnating? Do you need motivation? A new level of success can be achieved by adjusting your mindset! L. Diane Wolfe delivers focused training on the five keys to success - a positive attitude, people skills, self-esteem, overcoming fears, and setting smart goals. Individuals and business owners looking to energize their productivity are encouraged to attend this spirited seminar!

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And on a personal note, I got to meet one of my favorite bands, Visions of Atlantis!

I never thought I’d see them in concert since they are from Austria. But they toured the States and at the beginning of April, we drove to Greensboro to see them. AND – my husband gave me an early anniversary present. He got us the “Meet & Greet” package, so we got pictures with the band, they autographed posters for us, and then they sang four songs acoustic. There were only ten people meeting the band, so it was small and intimate. What a treat!

What are your writer lows and highs? Need some help achieving your goals? Have you ever met a favorite band?