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Wednesday, May 5, 2021

@TheIWSG #IWSG #WriterSupportGroup #WritingCommunity #WritersLife




Join Alex J. Cavanaugh and a multitude of writer's in this monthly hop to help support one another!

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! 

The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG 



The May 5th question, if you'd like to answer it, is:  Has any of your readers ever responded to your writing in a way that you didn't expect? If so, did it surprise you? 

Over the years, I'd been pleasantly surprised whenever I received an unexpected email from a reader with glowing praise about my book. That means they sought me out to make my day much, much brighter. And weirdly, that praise has happened during my darkest moments. 

A reader/reviewer thought she'd proofread my book, which was odd. She sent me a couple of typos and, where and where not comma's and apostrophizes should be placed. Then she was kind enough to ask if I wanted her to review the book also, which I thought that was the plan all along...LOL.


Since last months post, my writing block hasn't gotten any better. So, I'm re-editing a book I published in 2015. Then sending it off to an editor. 

Don't Forget to Breathe, I think is a good read. It has received numerous awards. I'm not going into the dire specifics, but I know it will be better and polished when it's done and well worth those awards. 

I'm doing this revamping for my own peace of mind.   
 




Coming May 4th!
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!
 
Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database; articles; monthly blog posting; Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram groups; #IWSGPit, and a newsletter. https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/
 
Release date: May 4, 2021
Print ISBN 9781939844828 $14.95
EBook ISBN 9781939844835 $4.99
Science Fiction: Collections & Anthologies/Space Exploration/Genetic Engineering
http://dancinglemurpress.com
 
Artificial - Stephanie Espinoza Villamor https://stephanieespinoza.com/
Space Folds and Broomsticks - C.D. Gallant-King  http://www.cdgallantking.ca/
Rift – Kim Mannix  https://makesmesodigress.com/
The Utten Mission – Steph Wolmarans  https://www.teasighcreate.com/
Sentient – Tara Tyler  https://taratylertalks.blogspot.com/
One to Another – Deniz Bevan http://thegirdleofmelian.blogspot.com/
Resident Alien - Charles Kowalski  https://charleskowalski.com/
Nano Pursuit – Olga Godim  https://olgagodim.wordpress.com
Resurgence – Elizabeth Mueller  http://www.elizabethmueller.com/
Vera’s Last Voyage – Mark Alpert  http://www.markalpert.com/
 
LINKS:
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08S7LP369
Kobo - https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/dark-matter-artificial
Barnes & Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-matter-insecure-writers-support-group/1138581452?ean=2940164777661
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56632113-dark-matter









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46 comments:

  1. KalpanaMay 5, 2021 at 7:08 AM

    Looking forward to the anthology and to reading your book, if it's available on Kindle.
    Thanks for co-hosting this month and stay safe during this pandemic.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Natalie AguirreMay 5, 2021 at 7:13 AM

    Funny story about the person who wanted to tell you about typos. So glad you've found a way to be productive while you don't feel motivated to start a new project. Thanks for co-hosting.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Alex J. CavanaughMay 5, 2021 at 7:23 AM

    I've gotten an email about typos before.
    Thanks for mentioning the anthology and for co-hosting today!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Toi ThomasMay 5, 2021 at 7:57 AM

    Thanks for co-hosting this month. It's nice when a reader makes your day. I get the revamping for your own piece of mind. I can relate.

    ReplyDelete
  5. L. Diane WolfeMay 5, 2021 at 8:45 AM

    I revamped my earliest books and probably need to do it again. We just keep growing as writers.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nancy GideonMay 5, 2021 at 9:15 AM

    Thanks for co-hosing this month, Cathrina! Like you, I'm planning to reissue my backlist which I haven't eyeballed for a long time. Reading them as a reader had me taking some revision notes. When self-pubbing, it seems like there's always something that escapes even multiple eyes but the first reader always catches it and let's you know! Makes us remember we're only human.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Joylene Nowell ButlerMay 5, 2021 at 9:30 AM

    Thanks for co-hosting, Cathrina. As for your writer's block, check out all the videos on Youtube. There are tons! I found help from a video by Lee Child and another one from Stephen King.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Steph W.May 5, 2021 at 10:09 AM

    I also find revising is good for a block. I hope yours ends soon! Thanks for co-hosting.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Rachna ChhabriaMay 5, 2021 at 10:14 AM

    Reader love is the best kind, isn't it, especially during our dark and low moments.

    ReplyDelete
  10. cleemckenzieMay 5, 2021 at 10:21 AM

    Glowing praise is alway appreciated. Glad you're getting that for your books! Here's to a successful revision. And thanks for co-hosting today.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sarah TaylorMay 5, 2021 at 11:16 AM

    It's lovely when a reader takes the time to give you glowing praise. Funny how it can often happen when you need to hear it most. It's nice to 'meet' you Cathrina, I'm Sarah https://irevive.online/

    ReplyDelete
  12. Pat GarciaMay 5, 2021 at 11:36 AM

    Hi,
    I hope you conquer your writing block soon.
    Thank you so much for co-hosting.
    Shalom aleichem,
    Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

    ReplyDelete
  13. Tyrean MartinsonMay 5, 2021 at 12:50 PM

    Readers who give glowing praise are awesome!
    I hope you can break your writer's block soon.
    Hug your family, daydream, and enjoy the moment. The words will come. :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Cathrina ConstantineMay 5, 2021 at 1:14 PM

    I did appreciate it. I had more than one reviewer help me out...LOL

    ReplyDelete
  15. emaginetteMay 5, 2021 at 1:53 PM

    Nice that your readers reached out. Happy surprise.

    Anna from elements of emaginette

    ReplyDelete
  16. Lynn La VitaMay 5, 2021 at 2:02 PM

    I wish folks would be more forthcoming when they have a secondary objective.
    I'm hoping when you complete "Remember to Breath" re-edit your writer's block melted. Thank you for co-hosting this month.
    Lynn La Vita @ http://la-vita.us/write/

    ReplyDelete
  17. talkladyMay 5, 2021 at 2:51 PM

    May your writers block melt, my exuberant co-host. I've been alternately thrilled/shocked/blindsided by readers comments... which reinforces the need for this group, I guess.

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  18. Loni TownsendMay 5, 2021 at 2:56 PM

    Yay for getting good notes! I hope you get past your writer's block. That's always rough.

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  19. Jacqui Murray--Writer-TeacherMay 5, 2021 at 4:12 PM

    I think readers think they're helping, telling us about typos. I guess I'd be afraid to ask for the review at that point, thinking she might include her 'helpful' comment about typos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cathrina ConstantineMay 5, 2021 at 7:18 PM

      This woman actually gave me a 5 star fantastic review! I was very surprised!

      Delete
  20. AnonymousMay 5, 2021 at 5:30 PM

    Definitely looking forward to the anthology!

    I always think of writer's block as kind of a season, where the mind lays fallow for a bit, waiting for the seeds of creativity to be sown. I hope yours is a short season.

    ReplyDelete
  21. S.E. White BooksMay 5, 2021 at 5:31 PM

    Sounds like a pretty good solution to writer's block, if you ask me! I'll wish you good luck as you edit the older work. Thanks so much for co-hosting this month.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Adrienne ReiterMay 5, 2021 at 7:39 PM

    I had a reader proofread a short for misplaced modifiers once. I found it odd, but helpful. Ha. Happy IWSG Day. Thank you for co-hosting!

    ReplyDelete
  23. S.A. LarsenッMay 5, 2021 at 8:04 PM

    So happy the anthology is finally out! Yay for all involved. Don't you just love it when you received something positive about your writing on days when you need it the most? Very, very cool... Thank you for co-hosting!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Carrie-AnneMay 5, 2021 at 9:59 PM

    That sounds like a really weird comment! A lot of books, even the most carefully edited and proofread, have the odd typo or such slip through the cracks. These things do happen. I'm reminded of the Full House Reviewed blog, where someone working with the blogger always included a full list of corrections in a comment. Like, if that matters to you so much, why wouldn't you send a draft to your apparent partner before the post goes live?

    ReplyDelete
  25. Olga GodimMay 5, 2021 at 10:11 PM

    Good reviews are wonderful. Keep going, and soon enough, your writing block should give way.

    ReplyDelete
  26. J Lenni DornerMay 5, 2021 at 10:20 PM

    Ah, the edit and review trade off. The thing Amazon basically outlawed. And yet, who knows your book better than a fellow writer, especially one who writes in the same genre? That's how books got word-of-mouth mentions probably since the printing press was used for fiction.

    J Lenni Dorner (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Co-host of the #AtoZchallenge, OperationAwesome6 Debut Author Interviewer, Reference& Speculative Fiction Author

    ReplyDelete
  27. LizaMay 6, 2021 at 6:56 AM

    When I struggle to write, I sit down at the computer and just type anything. "The sky is blue today. My head aches. The quick brown fox forgot to jump over the lazy dog. The car that just drove up the street was really loud." Just stream of consciousness with no editing or correcting. Another thing is I do is take a picture and then come home and write about the image.It sort of primes the pumps. Good luck and thank you for hosting IWSG.

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  28. diedre KnightMay 6, 2021 at 3:34 PM

    I bet the fog will clear once you've finished revisions ;-)
    Happy writing - and thanks for co-hosting!

    ReplyDelete
  29. LiesbetMay 6, 2021 at 6:01 PM

    When the writing muse is absent, diving into an editing project is a good alternative! It all contributes to the greater good of publishing our books.

    Believe it or not, but I can’t help myself to spot and note typos in every book I read. And I find many. Even in bestsellers. Sometimes, especially if the author is someone I know, I send them my list to help improve the copy. :-)

    Thank you for co-hosting this month!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Samantha BryantMay 6, 2021 at 9:38 PM

    I had to laugh at the review/proofread confusion. I think I've had that same conversation. @samanthabwriter from
    Balancing Act

    ReplyDelete
  31. Debra Renée ByrdMay 12, 2021 at 11:15 AM

    Oh, helpful readers lol. But I love that you've gotten e-mail praise. That's great! Thanks for co-hosting!

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