@TheIWSG #IWSG #writingcommunity #WritersSupportGroup #writerslife #writer

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG.

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. Remember, the question is optional!!

Alex's awesome co-hosts are Shannon Lawrence, Diedre Knight, Liza, and Pat Garcia

August 5 question - As a writer/author what is something you regret? Or something that you wish you'd done differently in your writing process? 

My biggest regret is waiting (a long time) to begin my writing career. 

I had written stories as a young adult, and then pushed it all aside to raise a family. Now, I realize I could of/ should've incorporated both into my life. I know age should not be a factor as a writer, although, I feel the weight of it.

From the Internet:

Lorna Page: The oldest debut novelist on record! Page's first novel, A Dangerous Weakness, was published when she was ninety-three years old.

Jim Downing published his book, The Other Side of Infamy, at the age of 102.

Bertha Wood had her memoir, Fresh Air and Fun: The Story of a Blackpool Holiday Camp, published on her 100th birthday on June 20, 2005

Do you have any regrets or wish you'd done something differently?

@TheIWSG #IWSG #writingcommunity #WriterSupportGroup

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG.

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. Remember, the question is optional!!

Alex's awesome co-hosts are Rebecca Douglass, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Cathrina Constantine, and Jacqui Murray

July 1 question - Is there anything you'd like to see changed, added, and/or rearranged about the book publishing industry? 

I believe book publishing, especially for indie authors, has been escalating. It is somewhat easy to self-publish if a writer so desires. The drawback, for me, is the marketing aspect. 

Although, even a traditional published author or being published with a small press a writer must/or should self-promote themselves. 

In this day and age, it's beneficial to become a social media guru, which I am not. Yet, media sites do help to get you and your books noticed.  

#TheIWSG #IWSG #writingcommunity #writerslife #InsecureWritersSupportGroup

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG.

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. Remember, the question is optional!!

Alex's awesome co-hosts are Victoria Marie Lees, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, and C. Lee McKenzie

June 3 question - Do most of your story ideas come from one place (the news, dreams, etc.) or do they hit from all over the place?

That's an easy one. My stories come from all over the place. I don't outline. I'm a total pantser. Only at the end of my murder mystery stories have I ever, somewhat, make a plan. I make a soft outline, mostly in my head, which again is all over the place. LOL!!

#TheBigEditChallenge #TheNovelry #EditYourNovel #IWSG @TheIWSG

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG.

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. Remember, the question is optional!!

Alex's awesome co-hosts are Jenni Enzor, Jemima Pett, Jamie of Uniquely Maladjusted but Fun, and Kim Lajevardi!

What was the most inspiring feedback you received from readers, including agents, editors, and beta readers?

It's always inspiring for a writer to read uplifting reviews. Lots of long hours and hard work goes into those words, and when a reader, agent, and/or editor gives my story a compliment, it makes me smile. 

Are you writing a novel? From June 1, you can take part in The Big Edit Challenge and work with The Novelry’s team of Big 5 editors to elevate your manuscript to publishing standards. Learn more ➡ information is available at www.thenovelry.com/courses/the-big-edit.

 The Novelry launches The Big Edit Challenge

 

Starting June 1, 2026, The Novelry—the international online fiction writing school—is hosting a nine-week editing program that will guide writers through the editing process to confidently take their next steps towards a finished manuscript.

The Big Edit Challenge will be delivered by The Novelry’s in-house editorial team, who have all worked for the Big Five publishing houses. The program includes interactive workshops, expert-led study groups, pitching panels, live guest events, and a warm, vibrant community space for support and accountability. Writers will learn how to better edit their own work and experience how editors and writers work together to elevate a novel to publishing standards.

The Big Edit Challenge has been designed to complement The Novelry’s editing course, The Big Edit. The challenge is available to all writers who subscribe to one of The Novelry’s courses, and will be most useful for writers with a complete draft ready to edit.

The editorial team at The Novelry includes 15 book editors, who—between them—have worked with bestselling authors across every fiction genre at all major publishing houses, including Penguin Random House, Macmillan, HarperCollins, Hachette, and Simon & Schuster.

Tash Barsby, Editorial Director at The Novelry, says: “My hope is that The Big Edit Challenge will inspire writers to relish the editorial process—both in terms of building confidence in their own editorial instincts, but also embracing the value of working with an experienced editor and understanding how to interpret feedback in a way that stays true to their vision for their story.

For information contact:

Margaret Ousby, PR Manager, margaret@thenovelry.com, +44 (0)7855 272159

 

About Reedsy Learning

Reedsy Learning is our go-to hub for educational resources tailored to writers. From premium writing courses and weekly masterclasses to conferences with industry leaders, we help writers at every stage develop their craft, understand the publishing process, and achieve their goals.

Explore our events and courses: https://reedsy.com/learning 

@TheIWSG #IWSG #writingcommunity #WritersSupportGroup #writerslife

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG.

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. Remember, the question is optional!!

Alex's awesome co-hosts are Melissa Maygrove, Cathrina Constantine, Kate Larkinsdale, and Rebecca Douglass! 

April 1 question - If you have a playlist (or could put one together) that either gets you in the groove to write or fits with one of your books, what is it? What type of music or what songs? 

I love music, however, I can't write and listen to music at the same time. The songs that I love tends to bring back memories and takes me on some wild rides.