It’s time for another edition of The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, founded by Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh.
Sorry I missed last month. My mother-in-law passed and we were busy taking care of things and attending the memorial.
Today’s optional question: What would make you quit writing?
I’m going to let DLP author Damien Larkin answer that, as he has a book release today!
“Nothing. I can’t think of a single reason or scenario where I’d ever want to quit writing.
Writing can be a frustrating, exhausting and at times mind numbing process. I have moments where I’d rather stare out the window or bash my head off the laptop screen than write another word (although, I don’t think I’m the only one…)
Something about it always spurs me on, though. I love creating and crafting new worlds and characters. I enjoy a fresh new story pouring out of the depths of my psyche and slowly coming together into a coherent tale.
There’s times when I may feel like quitting, but I know I’ll never follow through. This is who I am now. If it takes me a year, ten years or a lifetime to get to where I want to be, I’ll keep pushing. What could make me quit writing? Absolutely nothing.”
Blood Red Sand
By Damien Larkin
Mars will run red with Nazi blood…
After World War Two, Sergeant McCabe knew the British army could send him anywhere. He never imagined facing down another Nazi threat on Mars.
In New Berlin colony, rivalry between Generalfeldmarschall Seidel’s Wehrmacht and Reichsführer Wagner’s SS threatens bloodshed. The Reichsführer will sacrifice everything to initiate the secretive Hollow Programme and realise his nightmarish future for humanity.
McCabe, Private Jenkins, and the Mars Expeditionary Force must overcome bullet, bomb, and bayonet to destroy the Third Reich. While Jenkins fights to stay alive, McCabe forms an uneasy alliance with MAJESTIC-12 operatives known as the Black Visors. Will this be the final battle of World War Two or the first confrontation in an interstellar war?
$17.95, 6x9 trade paperback, 252 pages
Science Fiction - Military/Alternative History/War & Military
Print ISBN 9781939844781 / EBook ISBN 9781939844798
$4.99 EBook available in all formats
Damien Larkin is an Irish science fiction author and co-founder of the British and Irish Writing Community. His debut novel Big Red was longlisted for the BSFA award for Best Novel. He currently lives in Dublin, Ireland.
Links: Amazon US / Amazon UK / iTunes / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Goodreads
What would make you quit writing?
Picking up Blood Red Sand?
Picking up Blood Red Sand?
Thank you posting this up, Diane!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss, Diane. Congrats to Damien on his book release! That's great that he doesn't think anything could stop him from writing and knows that he'd never give into the urge to quit writing.
ReplyDeleteBig congratulations to Damien!
ReplyDeleteThanks Natalie and Alex!
ReplyDeleteHeartfelt condolences.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Damien.
Go gently, Diane.
Cheers, thank you!
DeleteThank you, everyone. Been a rough time.
ReplyDeleteThoughts and prayers, Diane. All the best to you and your family.
DeleteSo sorry for your loss. Congrats to Damien.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Liz!
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteWhat can I say but Amen! I so agree with what Damien said.
All the best for his book launch.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
Thanks so much, Pat. Cheers!
DeleteWhat a hard question. You answered it well Damien! Your new release sounds fantastic.
ReplyDeleteThank you H.R. I did genuinely try to think of a reason, but nothing came to mind.I enjoy writing too much!
DeleteDiane, you have my condolences. Damien's story about writer's persistence was really inspiring and encouraging. The plot to his novel seems really neat!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Steven. I love WW2 films so wanted to write something similar... except on Mars!
DeleteHi Diane, I like Damien's answer a lot "Nothing. I can’t think of a single reason or scenario where I’d ever want to quit writing." It echoes my thinking.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great mindset to have, Rachna. Persistence always pays off!
DeleteDamien's right. I can't see a scenario where one can't write is they desire. I have a friend who's a quadriplegic and he writes in a dictaphone.
ReplyDeleteThanks Joylene. And well done to your friend. I wish him all the best with his writing!
DeleteCongrats to Damien. Sounds like a fascinating read. Let me know if I can help get the word out.
ReplyDeleteYou hit the nail on the head about writing: mind numbing:) Thank goodness for those moments of breakthroughs:)
Thank you, Sandra! I agree - those 'lightbulb' moments are amazing!
DeleteGood answer, Damien - I completely agree.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the book!
Thank you, Jemi!
DeleteIf you enjoy writing can you really quit? I don’t think so. You may have phases, where you don’t write much; but eventually you will find your way back to the blank page.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm talking about writing for the sheer pleasure of writing, and possibly publishing something along the way.
Then there's writing to pay the bills - that's a different story.
Agreed, Michelle. We all have moments where we're super-productive and then maybe not so much. It's perfectly natural and part of the process.
DeleteCongratulations, Damien. I'm looking forward to reading your book! I completely agree with you about writing.
ReplyDeleteCheers Fundy, I hope you enjoy it!
DeleteSorry for your loss, Diane.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Damien, on your book release.
Thank you, Olga!
DeleteI can't quit, either. It gets me through my day. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
I'm the exact same. I can't imagine not writing or at least doing something writing related throughout the day!
DeleteI was so sorry to hear about your mother-in-law, Diane. I hope you and your husband are feeling comforted by those around you.
ReplyDeleteThe premise of Blood Red Sand is interesting. Best of luck, Damien!
Thank you, Melissa!
DeleteSo sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteNazi's on Mars, now there's a scary thought but if we send all those here on earth, they'd have their first big city!
Congratulations, Damien!
Definitely a scary thought, Yolanda. I came up with it while researching conspiracy theories for Big Red. Yep, some people think there's Nazi colonies on Mars...
DeleteMy condolences on the loss of your mother-in-law.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to Damien!
Thank you, Carrie-Anne!
DeleteYeah... what he said!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your new release!!
hehe...
DeleteThanks Carol!
DeleteGood luck with the new book. It sounds thrill charged, indeed.
ReplyDeleteThank you! An author colleague of mine described it as 'turbo charged' which I think pretty much sums it up!
DeleteCongrats, Damien!
ReplyDelete♥.•*¨Elizabeth Mueller¨*•.♥
Thank you, Elizabeth!
DeleteSure have to keep on keeping on indeed
ReplyDeleteExactly Pat. Gotta keep pushing until you get to where you want to be!
DeleteCongratulations, Damien!
ReplyDeleteKeep on Keeping On!
Thanks Tyrean. I'll never stop never stopping!
DeleteI can relate to Damien's passion for writing. Congrats on the book release!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lynda!
DeleteCongrats, Damien! Great answer. Quitting is not an option.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Nick!
DeleteWriting and writers are a unique breed - what other job would have us coming back for more despite the ability to destroy us from within and stick us back together?
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Damien on his new release.
Exactly, Annalisa. It can be frustrating and punishing but we keep coming back for more!
DeleteAs Damien says, what would make me stop? Nothing. There's a drive, a need, a passion...and nothing ever feels quite as good.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear, Liza. Tap into that drive!
ReplyDeleteGrats on the book release, Damien!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Loni!
DeleteSo sorry for your loss!
ReplyDeleteI love Damien's answer to the question and congrats on the new book!
Glad you liked the answer KJ. Cheers!
DeleteSorry about your mother-in-law. I hope Covid didn't add to much difficulty to the proceedings.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new book!
Cheers Ken!
DeleteCongratulations, Damien! And I agree with never quitting. My writing might be like a rollercoaster, but it never ends.
ReplyDeleteI might stop writing for a while, but I'd never quit.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
I’m sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteInteresting premise. Good luck Damien.
ReplyDeleteHey L Diane. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Take care.
I'm so sorry about your mother-in-law, Diane. I hope you're doing okay.
ReplyDeleteA traumatic brain injury would probably make me quit writing.
Sorry to hear of your mother-in-law's passing, but glad you were able to attend the memorial.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog.
Thanks for sharing Damien Larkin's words and his new book.
Hi Diane and Damien ... great sounding book - congratulations on its release. Can you imagine what would happen here if we all gave up writing ... ??!! Take care and all the best - Hilary
ReplyDelete