It’s time for another edition of The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, founded by Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh.
March 2 question - Have you ever been conflicted about writing a story or adding a scene to a story? How did you decide to write it or not?
Actually, I’ve a couple story ideas that have been with me for a long time. But I will never write them. When I first began this journey, my husband cautioned – don’t write anything you wouldn’t want our pastor to read. And I have stuck with that. (And proud to say, our former pastor Bill Wilson contributed to my Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! book.)
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I will be doing my full Publishing and Promoting seminars for Wilkes Community College on March 22.
They are virtual!
Anyone can register – you don’t have to live in NC. And they are FREE.
Go to this page and scroll down to the marketing section to register HERE.
Seminars - Publishing & Promoting 101 & 102
Are you filled with aspirations of being an author? Are you considering starting a publishing company? Dancing Lemur Press owner L. Diane Wolfe walks you through the steps of creating a marketable product, business setup, production, printing, and distribution, as well as manuscript querying. She shows you how to develop contacts, build an online presence, and generate publicity. You’ll learn how to use the Internet as a resource and platform and tap into the eBook and audio book revolution. The industry is changing fast and new information and websites appear daily. Those serious about book publishing and promotion are encouraged to attend these informative seminars. Handout and resources provided.
I’m also doing my Achieving Small Business Goals webinar for Roanoke-Chowan Community College on March 15 at 6:30 EST.
Again, free for anyone to register! They are geared towards businesses and business owners, but any individual looking to set and achieve goals will get a lot out of them.
Go to this page and scroll down to marketing – it’s the only seminar listed - HERE.
Is your business stagnating? Do you or your employees 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 business goals. Small business owners looking to energize their productivity are encouraged to attend this spirited seminar!
Have you been conflicted? Interested in learning more about publishing, promoting, or goal setting for free?
So true what your husband said:) I don't usually have any conflict in writing, but I always think, what would parents or principals say about content.
ReplyDeleteExactly.
DeleteI think your husband gave you great advice.
ReplyDeleteWe all have to write within our comfort levels :)
ReplyDeleteEven after my mother passed away in 1999, I couldn't write anything I thought would upset her. She was my greatest fan and the thought of disappointing her was and still is a huge factor.
ReplyDeleteWith several successful and award-winning books, I bet she'd be so proud.
DeleteI am often conflicted about whether a scene should be silly or serious. That is my main question when writing, and it's often a fine line.
ReplyDeleteThere are a couple of stories I have that I wonder whether or not I should write because I'm concerned it may upset certain people.
All writers are different. The important thing is that the words you write must fit the story and characters.
ReplyDeleteThose seminars sound excellent. How generous to offer your advice like that.
ReplyDeleteThe college pays me so free to other writers! I've always enjoyed speaking at conferences about that stuff, too.
DeleteI wouldn't write anything my pastor couldn't read.
ReplyDeleteCool about the seminars!
There are certain stories that I wouldn't want any of my friends to know I've written, so it's a definite "no" for them.
ReplyDeleteBTW, you mentioned something about a book recommendation on my blog. I'm interested.
Ken, I'll send you an email.
DeleteYou're a better person than I am. My solution to the, what would [insert respectable person here] think problem is to write under a pen name :-) Seriously, my rule is to not write anything I'd be ashamed to be associated with, so I do have standards. Yet I still cringe a little when people I know read my fiction, just because all my writing feels very personal, so it's like baring my soul to share it.
ReplyDeleteI felt that way about my five book series because it was almost like therapy writing it.
DeleteThat is good advice indeed. Although admittedly I might think it kind of humorous to get a pastor to read something I wouldn't want him to. But that's just how I roll lol
ReplyDeletePat, I can't see you rolling any other way.
DeleteHi Diane, your husband gave you very good advice :)
ReplyDeleteI agree. We shouldn't write anything we are not proud of. Of course, we all have a different spectrum of shame to pride. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
I often caution myself not to write anything that will embarrass me when I am 99...
ReplyDeleteI'm a speculative fiction writer, so most times, I don't touch on sensitive themes in my writing. But I'm also a journalist. And once, I was set to write an article, but after interviewing my heroine, I changed my mind. Her story was about her scary visit to Saudi Arabia, and I was afraid to write it and put my name under that horrific story. My editor agreed with me. We canned the story, even though I knew the lady was disappointed. She wanted her story told, and I had to apologize to her.
ReplyDeleteThat's a tough place to be in but you have to act in your best interests and stay safe.
DeleteYay on the seminars! My son used to teach at Roanoke Chowan and my former boss is a past president there.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness - small world!
DeleteI've never been one to write graphic violence, sex or crude language, but Alex made that same observation some months ago about not writing anything he'd be embarrassed to share with his pastor. I took that to heart then. He has no idea what a good influence he's been for me. 😆
ReplyDeleteLOL!
DeleteOh yes, I've been conflicted. I push myself to decide if it needs to be added to advance my theme/s and/or if it's just something I want to get out of my system. If the latter, I don't include it.
ReplyDeleteChoosing someone as the reader you wouldn't want to offed is a great idea. I chose my mom. And now I'm on the hunt for another person as my buoy--the marker I won't go beyond.
ReplyDeleteSuch a though-provoking question, Diane. For me the boundaries are "Is it truthful?" and "Is it integral to the story?" If a character in a story would swear or an individual in my memoir did swear, I would likely include it. If I wrote about violence, assault, or other difficult issues, I would look at if they were necessary and not gratuitous. I also consider the audience. I write differently for children than for adults. I always feel like I'm stripping myself naked in my writing. Thanks for offering the seminars. I'll be back to write down the information! It's generous of you to think of us.
ReplyDeleteHope you can listen in on a couple!
DeleteThose look like interesting seminars.
ReplyDeleteI don't know, though. If it's something you don't want someone to read, you could always write it under a pen name ;)
When we keep learning and striving, we inevitably do better. And life becomes even more fulfilling too.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I hope your class goes great.
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a great day! My latest blog post has my theme for the April #AtoZChallenge (I'm writing speculative fiction and looking for prompts).
At Operation Awesome we have the #PassOrPages query contest going on (friends or enemies to lovers Romance).
Looks like I'll be very busy the next few weeks!
March quote: "Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do." - Mark Twain
I'm doing the #AtoZChallenge - writing a speculative fiction short story.
DeleteOn the main A to Z site today for "B" I shared a list of books. Check it out!
At Operation Awesome we're doing the A to Z Challenge and running a survey to pick the next Pass or Pages query contest genre.
Good luck on your presentations/seminars!
ReplyDeleteI had that rule with my mum. And then the second story I ever had published was quite risque, to say the least, and I was only 20 at the time. Mum read it, said it was good, and then wrapped it in clingfilm... To this day, I'm not sure why, but I love the memory.
ReplyDeleteLOL!
DeleteHi Diane - wise thoughts from your husband ... we need to think (take time) sometimes before we hit publish. Those seminars sound interesting - I hope you get lots of attendees ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteLots of stuff coming up!
ReplyDeleteI'm with C.D., my conflicts are more in the nature of the tone of the scene rather than if I should have it or not. I know what I like and don't like and stick to that. :)
Good advice from your husband. I don't venture into politics (though I've been tempted) in my novel writing or on my blog.
ReplyDeleteSo many people interpreted this month's question to mean edgy content. I interpreted it a whole different way.
ReplyDeleteI was a member of ACFW when I first started out, but I left because I didn't want to write for the CBA. Too many restrictions on content. Real people are sinful and messy and flawed. I wanted to be able to write them authentically. I also don't enjoy books that are preachy, so, even though I sometimes include mentions of religion and allusions to scripture, I don't write CF.
I signed up for the publishing class. Will it be available for replay afterwards? thanks Diane!
ReplyDeleteGwen, I'm not sure! There is a handout, too. Thanks!
DeleteYour seminars sound great! Good advice from your hubby!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with the seminars!
ReplyDeleteYour husband's advice is pretty much why I might hold back on certain ideas I have. And there's my kids and grandkids and others to consider. I'm not much of a user of profanity either in writing or my daily life.
ReplyDeleteThe seminars sound excellent. I'm going to check them out.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Part of me holds back, but the writer in me wants broken people. So, I do struggle with that a bit. But I think the lord calls us all in different directions and one person's path won't be the same as another's.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to write to satisfy other people. It's worked for you which is good, but I am true to myself. Best of luck with the seminars!
ReplyDeleteSometimes a story must be told! They don't need to be rated R, though!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing all those fabulous workshop opprotunities, Diane! I hope I can attend them! I'm an avid notetaker and will most likely go mad trying to jot it all down. Handouts rock!
Those seminars look really cool, Diane.
ReplyDeleteI think that the most authentic writing is produced when you remain true to yourself.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Hope your seminars goe well.
ReplyDelete