It’s time for another edition of The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, founded by Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh.
Today’s optional question:
Being a writer, when you're reading someone else's work, what stops you from finishing a book/throws you out of the story/frustrates you the most about other people's books?
Speaking from a publisher’s standpoint since I read so many submissions, I will say passive voice. A lot of telling rather than showing and excessive use of was, were, had, have, to be, etc. just kicks me out of the story. And I get that’s a struggle for many, as it used to be one for me, but it’s lazy writing.
The Insecure Writer’s Support Group anthology contest winners and upcoming book from Dancing Lemur Press LLC imprint, Freedom Fox Press:
Dark Matter: Artificial
An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology
Discover dark matter’s secrets…
What is an AI’s true role? Will bumbling siblings find their way home from deep space? Dark matter is judging us—are we worthy of existence? Would you step through a portal into another reality? Can the discoverer of dark matter uncover its secrets?
Ten authors explore dark matter, unraveling its secrets and revealing its mysterious nature. Featuring the talents of Stephanie Espinoza Villamor, C.D. Gallant-King, Tara Tyler, Mark Alpert, Olga Godim, Steph Wolmarans, Charles Kowalski, Kim Mannix, Elizabeth Mueller, and Deniz Bevan.
Hand-picked by a panel of agents, authors, and editors, these ten tales will take readers on a journey across time and space. Prepare for ignition!
An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology
Discover dark matter’s secrets…
What is an AI’s true role? Will bumbling siblings find their way home from deep space? Dark matter is judging us—are we worthy of existence? Would you step through a portal into another reality? Can the discoverer of dark matter uncover its secrets?
Ten authors explore dark matter, unraveling its secrets and revealing its mysterious nature. Featuring the talents of Stephanie Espinoza Villamor, C.D. Gallant-King, Tara Tyler, Mark Alpert, Olga Godim, Steph Wolmarans, Charles Kowalski, Kim Mannix, Elizabeth Mueller, and Deniz Bevan.
Hand-picked by a panel of agents, authors, and editors, these ten tales will take readers on a journey across time and space. Prepare for ignition!
Release date: May 4, 2021
Print ISBN 9781939844828 $14.95
EBook ISBN 9781939844835 $4.99
Science Fiction: Collections & Anthologies (FIC028040) / Space Exploration (FIC028130) / Genetic Engineering (FIC028110)
186 pages
Featuring:
Artificial by Stephanie Espinoza Villamor
Space Folds and Broomsticks by CD Gallant-King
Rift by Kim Mannix
The Utten Mission by Steph Wolmarans
Sentient by Tara Tyler
One to Another by Deniz Bevan
Resident Alien by Charles Kowalski
Nano Pursuit by Olga Godim
Resurgence by Elizabeth Mueller
Vera’s Last Voyage by Mark Alpert
What throws you out of a story?
I like your answer to this month's question. Was, that and were, they get me too. Congrats to all the winners in the anthology. Happy New Year :)
ReplyDeleteIn high school, my late husband had an AP English teacher who made them write a 500 word essay every week without ever using the verb to be. I keep that exercise in mind all the time.
ReplyDeleteThat was a wise teacher.
DeleteI've made my students do that, too. :)
DeleteFantastic cover for the anthology! Congratulations to all the winners.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the winners! I spy several friends and terrific writers!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the passive writing - makes it difficult to get into the story
Congratulations to all the winners. I too hate the passive voice and telling instead of showing.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the anthology winners!
ReplyDeleteI'll be sure to avoid passive in my next submission.
The anthology looks excellent. Congrats to all.
ReplyDeleteI try to steer away from passive as much as possible.
Congrats to all of the winners!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I struggle with that, but also don't like reading it. :)
Passive voice is really hard to avoid but avoiding it is part of a good writer's craft.
ReplyDeleteI bet you've become very efficient at recognizing lazy writing after reading all those submissions.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the Dark Matter authors!!
Oh, I have!
DeleteCongrats to all. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Passive is a tough one. We really have to train ourselves to see it as writers -- as readers it's so easy to pick out. LOL
ReplyDeleteCongrats to winners!
The anthology has some excellent stories. A great way to kick off 2021!
ReplyDeleteI really struggle with show don't tell, but I'm getting much better. Congrats to all the anthology winners! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI don't like telling either, but I seen many established authors do it all the time. Congrats to all the anthology winners!
ReplyDeleteLoving the cover of the anthology, and congratulations to all the winners! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the ANTHOLOGY and to those writers selected....ALL the best!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you L. Diane, I get bored with passive voice and "was/were" all over the place. We have an incredible language with so many choices in verbs!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Passive voice doesn't read well for me as a reader, but it's not easy to get rid of it completely in my own writing. I strive though...
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to catch a lot of those words while editing my work, but I'd love to be able to train myself to never write them in the first place!
ReplyDeleteI so agree, Diane! There are tools to help us check for those passive words and replace. The first draft, when the writing is fast and furious, it is understandable but important to try to replace during the editing stage as much as possible.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the anthology winners! As to putting books down, I use not to do that so easily, but as my volume has shot up, my patience has dropped. There are several things which kill tales for me. If I don't like them by the end of the 3rd chapter, I don't continue anymore.
ReplyDeleteYou hit the nail on the head. Show don't tell. It's age old advice, but I see so much of it!
ReplyDeleteI now know a lot more about avoiding those excessive words! This group truly supports insecure writers!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to all the authors appearing in the anthology. I'll put it on my shopping list.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the winners for the anthology. I loved the stories.
ReplyDeleteIt's so exciting to hear about the new anthology and its featured authors, Diane! With your guidance and editing, I know another great volume will result. All the best to you, my friend!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to those in the anthology. Passive voice is an issue. It bothers me, too.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to those who made the anthology cut. Yes, I talked about passive voice in my judgy original post. It's hard to learn for some.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to all the winners and how exciting that the release is coming out in May. Love how you say it like it is - a passive voice is lazy writing. And love the trailer!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the winners of the Anthology!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Hi Diane - wonderful the Anthology book is out - congratulations to all the entries and winners. I agree with all the ideas about being put off a book - while I hate enjoying a book, and then having that weak ending ... where the book fizzles out - so disappointing, and really puts me off the author.
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you and for more publications in 2021 - Hilary
*raises hand* I'm guilty of passive voice. I try not to use a passive voice, and yet, it still happens. Have a Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteWarmly,
Elsie
Great writing advice about the passive voice and the "was were" problem. I'm sure I have it. The new anthology looks good. I'll get a copy!
ReplyDeleteWhat throws you out of a story is excellent advice to writers. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat forces me out of story is when the author's presence is louder than the characters.
Congratulations to the Anthology winners. yay!
♥.•*¨Elizabeth Mueller¨*•.♥
I agree on the telling issue-- sometimes I'll see an author go to such extremes to avoid that, they end up distorting the story! It's all balance ;). Congrats on the anthology and the people in it!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the anthology winners.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to you and the authors on the release of the new anthology.
ReplyDeletePassive voice and telling definitely need to be on the watch list.
Here's hoping 2021 is wondrous. Kitties okay?
Congratulations to all the winners of the anthology!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the anthology winners.
ReplyDeleteI write a lot in first person, so passive voice/internal monologue is a hard balance to get right. I revise a lot!
So excited for the anthology winners! When will it be on pre-order? I'll definitely be picking up a copy.
ReplyDeleteWhen if first person I tend to slip passive in there sometimes, but that just is the way I may roll lol whoops
ReplyDeleteOo. Looks like there's some interesting stories in this one. Congrats to the contributing authors.
ReplyDeleteI'm tardy in making return visits for IWSG because I was helping my mom move last week.
The things that throw you out of a story are the things I struggle with, which is why I seek critiques and beta readers before seeking an editor. I'm so excited about this next anthology. Can't wait.
ReplyDeleteI think the biggest thing that makes me stop reading is when the book is boring. I'll set it down and forget to come back to it, and after a while, decide it wasn't worth the time.
ReplyDeleteThe other big one is superficiality. I used to love "silly" books like the Shopaholic series, but now they drive me CRAZY. There's more to life than what brand of shoes you're wearing.