My Books

The Insecure Writer’s Group Wants to Speed Date Me

This is an Insecure Writer’s Support Group post. Let’s rock the neurotic writing world! Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG. The awesome co-hosts for the July 3 posting of the IWSG are Erika Beebe, Natalie Aguirre,Jennifer Lane, MJ Fifield, Lisa Buie-Collard, and Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor! July 3 question: What personal traits have you written into your character(s)? First of all, I like how the question assumes I’ve written personal traits into my characters. This is something I think we authors should…

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A Tool for Detecting Passive Voice: Author Toolbox

There are some generally accepted Golden Rules for authors (which, okay, change from century to century, genre to genre, and are not so much rules as guidelines?) One of them is DEATH to All Adverbs, which I am personally fighting against because I love me a good adverb. Another is Conflict is King. Too bad no one can really decide on the definitive definition of “conflict” for any given novel since it’s pretty much subjective and changes depending on what…

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The Insecure Writer’s Group has Got the Power

It’s the first Wednesday of the month, which means it’s time for our writing insecurities to pop their little heads out, just in time to get whacked back down into the depths of our subconscious by multiple author-hammers. GET BACK IN YOUR PLACE, INSECURITIES! Ahem. Anyway. The optional question for May 1: What was an early experience where you learned that language had power? The co-hosts for the month of May are Lee Lowery, Juneta Key, Yvonne Ventresca, and T. Powell Coltrin! Thanks to all…

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In Which the Author Continues Interviewing Herself About Her Books

Who was your inspiration for Colton Johnson in “Step Into Love?” My youngest sister was partly the inspiration for Colton. She deals with a lot of similar issues in her daily life, although she’s never been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This might be because she absolutely loathes going to the doctor’s office and getting her to tell a doctor how she’s actually feeling is like squeezing water out of a rock. His outlook on life is very similar to hers.…

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The IWSG Wants Your Perspective

Spring! It’s so close I can almost taste the green in the air. Sure, it’s 41 degrees Fahrenheit and raining right now. Still. Warmth and sunshine are just around the corner and I CANNOT WAIT. My pale mushroom self is ready to finally leave the house and feel the heat. The awesome co-hosts for the March 6 posting of the IWSG are Fundy Blue, Beverly Stowe McClure, Erika Beebe, and Lisa Buie-Collard! March 6 question – Whose perspective do you like to write from best,…

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Six First Aid Steps for Bad Feedback

It happened. The thing you’ve been dreading, avoiding, secretly praying will pass you by forever. Negative feedback. Maybe it’s kindhearted constructive criticism (OUCH) or maybe it’s a scathing one-star take down of your entire book (FUCKING OUCH OW PAIN). No  matter what form it takes this kind of feedback is hard on you. I know this, because I recently got my very own negative feedback. I enter every unfinished manuscript I write into RWA chapter contests for judging because apparently…

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The Basics of Romance, for Your Author Toolbox

*Sings* Do you want to write a romance? If you do, you’re in good company. Millions of books published every year. Thousands of authors. HUGE part of the market share. But, where to start? How is a romance different from any other fiction novel? What defines “romance”? At the basic level: A romance novel tells the story of the romantic relationship evolving between people. That’s all. That’s it. When you get right down to the nitty-gritty center of it, this…

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The Writer’s Tag: Look I’m Legit With Tags and Everything Now!

In which the author, who is not crazy, interviews herself and the voices in her head. Should be fun. The tag was created for authors by Lorraine Ambers and Ari Meghlen as a fun way to connect with other writers, and help us all get to know each other better. I’m participating in this tag thanks to the wonderful GJ Stephens, who is releasing his first novel on Friday! (30th November) He is one of the kindest people, with a genuine wish to reach out…

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IWSG Day: Life Among the Butterflies

Oh happy day! The day when you can set down that insecurity for a while and bask in the feeling of gently being propped up by your fellow authors. If you’re not part of this group, what are you waiting for? Any and all kinds of authors are welcome. The trolls are absent. The support is constant. Come and join us! Our wonderful co-hosts this month are Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor, Anne V. Friend, JQ Rose, and Elizabeth Seckman. Stop over at their…

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Traditionally, We Self-Publish

This is an Insecure Writer’s Support Group post. The IWSG is all about support, encouragement and connection with other writers as we dodge the rejection bullets together. If you’re thinking this sounds like a band of brothers you would like to join, come on over and sign up for the group here. Don’t forget to hop around to the hosts for this month. Soak in their wisdom, and say thank you for hosting to Toi Thomas, T. Powell Coltrin, M.J. Fifield, and Tara Tyler. The…

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