IWSG: July

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Insecure Writers Support Group

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!
Co-Hosts: Tamara Narayan, Pat Hatt, Patricia Lynne, Juneta Key, Doreen McGettigan








July Question: What is one valuable lesson you've learned since you started writing?

Surprise! I can't come up with a short answer. ;-)

Limiting the answer to one valuable lesson is hard, because there is so much I'm learned through writing. To make a value judgement though, I'll say the most valuable one is to trust my voice--in all aspects. When I write, I know my values and life experience comes into play. Trusting myself to express that is key to being able to tell a story that holds interest. Creating characters who are individuals requires that I trust my creations to hold together. All of that depends on my trust of my voice--the one that underlies all I do. Learning this lesson has made writing more fluid, rewarding, and exciting. All in all, that's a victory over self doubt, don't you think?

And remember--errors are just opportunities to improve. 

Next Post: Why The Book Pusher's July Mini Book Reviews!

What Did You Say?!?

This is post 99. I still need five more followers to hit the magic number of 200. When I get them, I'll post the Celebration Blogfest with four prizes to be shared among three winners. ; )

~~OUCH! OH! S*!# D#*%
What do you say when you hit your finger with a hammer? Does it matter? New research says that cursing actually helps reduce the pain. Don't believe me? Try this ARTICLE for the latest news on pain and cursing. Will that give you permission to say a few four-letter words the next time you hurt yourself? What about your characters?

~~I've been thinking about this as I write lately. The main character in FRIENDLY FIRE is a church-going, widowed, retired teacher. In rough draft scenes Laura Grace  has said shit and damn, but I find that in editing, she finds some other way to express her pain. On the other hand, my murdering sex abuser, Craig Ellis, is more likely to find more cuss words to say in the rewrites. It's all about the character's voice and how they relate to the world.

~~For what it's worth, I've never had a character to say the F-word. Especially not Laura Grace. I think Cherry Hill would explode if she did. ; )

Keep watching the Shade for the upcoming Celebration Blogfest.