Fall in love with the unexpected

Book Tropes: You Should See The Way They Look at You

2023-06-21
SE White
Blogging, Recommendations, Romance Tropes, Top 10 Lists

Otherwise known as: the fresh scent of pine. Ahhh, this is such a fun niche trope. It generally happens in a ‘hero falls first’ situation, and let’s all admit together that we love us a pining hero. But there is the delicious potential for this uncertainty when any character falls first and is now vulnerable, unsure their love is requited. The best part about all of this troubled water our main character has to paddle through? There’s a happy ending…

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Book Tropes: The Grovel in The Novel

2020-10-14
SE White
Book Reviews, Recommendations, Romance Tropes, Top 10 Lists

Sometimes I’m in the mood for a super specific, really niche trope. It’s like a food craving, where only that certain brand from that one store will do. In this case it’s a good old grovel. Not the little token apology with immediate making-out, ohhh no. I want the real down-and-dirty, sincere, I-fucked-up, oh-my-god-I-was-so-dumb, dawning realization. It doesn’t particularly matter to me which character (hero or heroine or all three heroes in a reverse harem) is doing the groveling. There…

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The Insecure Writer’s Support Group and The Spooky Ghost

2026-10-07
SE White
Insecure Writer's Support Group Post, My Books, Writing Process

It’s almost spooky time, and also the time for yet another installment of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. We meet monthly on the first Wednesdays to offer each other support, help, guidance, and release our insecurities into the digital ether for the others in the group to systematically shoot down until we can feel better. If this sounds like an activity you want to get in on and you haven’t already, join in here. As always we have members of…

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The IWSG Wants to Know if You Have Regrets

2026-08-05
SE White
Goals and Hopes, Insecure Writer's Support Group Post, My Books, Writing Process

It’s August 5th and that means IWSG day! So happy insecurity bashing day to you all, and if you’d like to give the group a follow yourself you can find them here. Our lovely co-hosts for this month are Shannon Lawrence, Diedre Knight, Liza, and Pat Garcia!  And the (optional) question to spark the conversations this month: As a writer/author what is something you regret? Or something that you wish you’d done differently in your writing process? Chaos. This question is…

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S.E.’s Favorite Mentor Characters in Literature

2026-07-15
SE White
Blogging, Silliness, Top 10 Lists

Today’s favorites list (which literally no one asked for) is all about those wise, solemn characters who give guidance to the other characters in some of my favorite books. Because I am me, they deliver this instruction with a healthy helping of sarcasm and sass. It’s just not quality counsel without that sassy component. Today’s favorite: Teacher/Mentor Characters Dimitri Belikov–Vampire Academy, Richelle Mead Let’s go ahead and lead off with my (definitely inappropriate) love of May/December romances. Dimitri is EXACTLY what…

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Pleading for Some Change in the Book Industry, an IWSG Post

2026-07-01
SE White
Blogging, Insecure Writer's Support Group Post, Silliness, Top 10 Lists

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a place where writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. It’s a safe haven for you on your author journey and available at this website where you can also find resources, articles, and various other help. The awesome co-hosts for the July 1, 2026 posting of the IWSG are Rebecca Douglass, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Cathrina Constantine, and Jacqui Murray!Don’t forget to go say hello as you’re hopping…

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The Insecure Writer’s Support Group Has an Idea

2026-06-03
SE White
Blogging, Insecure Writer's Support Group Post, My Books, Plotters vs. Pantsers, Romance Tropes, Writing Process

It is that time of the month again! Come join us insecure writers as we forge a path towards our dreams. The main point of the group is to connect, reassure, and support your author journey, no matter what it looks like. We meet on the first Wednesday of every month. Come on in! The co-hosts we should offer our thanks to for June are Victoria Marie Lees, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, and C. Lee McKenzie! Go check in on…

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Book Tropes: Why Choose? Both is Good

2026-05-20
SE White
Blogging, Book Reviews, Recommendations, Romance Tropes, Top 10 Lists

Have you heard that old joke: Honey, the secret to happiness is to find you a man who’s good around the house. Find a man who takes you out on dates and has a good time. Find a man who’s good in bed. Find a man who shares your values in life. And most importantly of all, don’t let them find out about each other! It’s a joke, of course, but there is a sub-genre of romance that exists on…

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The Insecure Writer’s Support Group Gets Warm and Fuzzy

2026-05-06
SE White
Blogging, Critique, Insecure Writer's Support Group Post, My Books, Romance Writers of America

It’s the first Wednesday in May, so it must be IWSG day! It’s the day to post your thoughts, talk about your doubts and brag about the fears you have conquered on your own blog or site. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit around the group and connect with your fellow writers. We’re all insecure down here! #ImSorryIMadeAStephenKingPun #CouldntHelpIt #ConstantReadersGonnaConstant The co-hosts keeping us all on track this month are Jenni Enzor, Jemima Pett, Jamie of…

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The Insecure Writer’s Support Group Has Tunes

2026-04-01
SE White
Blogging, Silliness, Top 10 Lists

It’s April 1st and this is not a trick, it’s IWSG Day. I’m assuming the timing only comes around once every few years, so enjoy the irony while you can, bookworms! To sign up for the group yourself, go here. You can also find us out and about on the interwebs by looking for @TheIWSG and #IWSG. We owe our thank you comments this month to Melissa Maygrove, Cathrina Constantine, Kate Larkinsdale, and Rebecca Douglass! Thanks for co-hosting! And the question…

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The IWSG and 15 Sparkly Fun Fail Safe Ways to Get People to Buy Your Book, Guaranteed*

2026-03-04
SE White
Recommendations, Silliness, Top 10 Lists, Writing Process

*By “Guaranteed” I mean “I have no idea, take these suggestions at your own risk, this list is just for fun, please don’t sue me when it isn’t fail safe and doesn’t work”* The Insecure Writer’s Support Group meets monthly, online, so you can air out and dismiss your anxieties in the comfort of the group setting where we are always on your side. If you’d like to join, go here. Our generous co-hosts this month are PJ Colando, Ronel Janse…

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