IWSG: Writing Craft Books

Logo for the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Picture of a lighthouse with text reading "THE INSECURE WRITER'S 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!

The awesome co-hosts for the August 4 posting of the IWSG are PK Hrezo, Cathrina Constantine, PJ Colando, Kim Lajevardi, and Sandra Cox!

And now, for something completely different…

A little good news.

I had a story accepted for publication in Tales to Terrify. Is everybody jumping up and down and screaming with me, yet? If not… it’s a Hugo-Nominated publication. And they’re a podcast, so they’ll wind up producing it in an audio format, with an amazing narrator.  I don’t have a date for it, yet, but I’ll keep you informed. (Loudly, repeatedly, and with much tooting of my own horn.)

August 4 question – What is your favorite writing craft book? Think of a book that every time your read it you learn something or you are inspired to write or try the new technique. And why?

I’m not sure if it’s really a “book”… it might be a workshop or a community… but in light of the pandemic… and everything else… and all the other things I don’t want to talk about, I’m going to recommend 21 Ways To Get Yourself Writing When Your Life Has Just Exploded from Holly Lisle. It focuses on rebuilding momentum, after something bad has happened. So, uhm… 2020. (Yes, that’s an affiliate link. Yes, I get paid if you buy something. No, it doesn’t cost you any more. Now, go buy something.)

But that wasn’t really the question. There are so many craft books that I’ve read over the years! Writing the Breakout Novel sticks with me. (Although I’m still looking to write my break-in novel.)

So, where am I, this month?

Hmmm. I’m starting to regain some of my own momentum. And the way that I’m doing it is by recording separate word counts for morning, lunch, and evening. So… no hedging, no betting on that time I think I’m going to get later… if I’m going to get my morning word count in, I’d better write something right now.

The gold star chart is trailing off into oblivion.

And I have a new journal setup coming, soon, so I can make a clean break from the last year or so, as soon as it gets here. I’m tired of looking at the stuff I’ve been dragging around behind me. I’m tired of being reminded. And to be fair, I think that I have some upgrades that I want to try.

24 Comments

  1. Loni Townsend

    Reply

    Woot woot! Grats! That’s awesome! I love listening to things too, so I’ll have to definitely tune in when they turn it audio. Congrats!

    • Reply

      Thank you! I’d be thrilled to have you tune in. I’ll post the date as soon as I have it.

  2. Reply

    How awesome! That’s exciting and I can’t wait to hear your story in Tales to Terrify! Congratulations 🙂

    • Reply

      Thank you so much! I’ll post the date as soon as they send it to me. Be sure you let me know what you think.

  3. Ronel Janse van Vuuren

    Reply

    Congrats! Sounds like an amazing opportunity.
    Sometimes it’s good to just move on and not look back — hope your new journal helps with tha 🙂

    Ronel visiting for IWSG day Being Busy vs Being Productive

  4. Reply

    Congratulations! That’s so awesome!
    Thanks for the recommendations.
    I too have some upgrades i want to try. Hope your upgrades go well.

  5. Diane Burton

    Reply

    Did you hear me shouting for you? Jumping up & down? Yes, that was me. Congrats!

    Thanks for recommending that book. I need it! Going to check it out right now.

  6. Reply

    Woo hoo! Congrats on the acceptance! And audio too—excellent! I have a story coming out on a podcast too, and I can hardly wait.

  7. Reply

    Congrats on the acceptance. Fantastic news.

    Also glad to hear you’re being productive in general. Sounds like you’ve got a system that is paying dividends.

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