IWSG: What's the Rush?

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is where writers of all levels, beginning or advanced, share their insecurities and receive advice and encouragement.

We post on the first Wednesday of every month.

Want to lend support? Or sign up? Go HERE.

 

Guess who's taking their turn co-hosting?

 

ME!

 

Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for hosting this event every month.
 

Thanks to my fellow co-hosts this month:

 

Sarah Foster

Donna Hole

M. Pax

 

My Insecurity:

 

Writers really put a lot of pressure on themselves. Not just the traditionally published, either. Every self-publisher I know is just as serious about their calling as any other writer. Our deadlines are self-imposed, but every bit as real. I usually set some hefty goals. In fact, I did set some hefty goals. But in learning about who my new characters are and discovering more about the world in which they live, I decided I need more time. The rush and pressure to publish isn't doing me any good. It's definitely not making my writing better. Instead of publishing a three-novella series, I might just publish one or two of the novellas. The important thing is that I'm enjoying the process without all the pressure.

 

Sound like a good plan?

 

HOW IS YOUR WRITING GOING?

 

(If you get a chance, check out my post at Untethered Realms.  It's about how I discovered a solution to a writing problem. Not an insecurity, really, but about how I was able to begin moving forward again.)

 

 

A Dose of Cuteness

A very happy Monday to you all!

I missed posting last week. You know, for a writer, sometimes I have very little to say. Lots of stuff swirls around in my brain, of course, but you can't really say some of that madness out loud, LOL. I guess I'm in a bit of a slump. Everything's been said before. I have nothing new to bring to the table.

Blah, blah, blah.

 

So how about a dose of cuteness instead?

 

 

Koko is a very good swimmer.

Or as my daughter says, "Fat Floats"

 

 

Tuffy prefers the snow.

 

 

 

They both enjoy squirrel watching.

 

And to show I'm not biased, there's always this...

 

 

...which we found on our property in 2011. 

 

Koko and Tuffy found this precious little thing. Then they just sat down next to him, being good as gold. Didn't even think about trying to chase him. (Unlike the squirrels!)

 

 

What's new with you?

 

P.S., I'm at Untethered Realms tomorrow.

Designing Series' Covers

Designing covers is always exciting. Periodic glimpses into the progress really feeds the cover lust. The waiting on the final product is agonizing. But when it's done, it's pure love. It's one of my favorite parts of publishing.

 

Angela Brown gets a second go round on her Shadow Jumper series.

Here's what she has to say...

Check it out!

As you may recall, I mentioned I was interesed in doing some book cover changes in one of my last posts. Now, here's the deal, I LOVE my current book covers Heather McCorkle did for me for Neverlove and They All Fall Down of the Shadow Jumpers trilogy.

 

 

 

Yet, as lovely as they are, they do not let readers know these titles are part of a series or trilogy, so a change was in order. But in what way could I honor the symbolism and beauty in both covers? After I reviewed what the series was about as a whole, then did a deep dive into ThinkStock photos for some inspiration, I stumbled upon something that lit a fire under me. I turned to Heather McCorkle to bring these new covers to life as she was the designer of the originals. Here are the new covers to Neverlove and They All Fall Down of the Shadow Jumpers trilogy...

Duty or love...there can be only one.

A love worth fighting for...

To ensure book 3 is in aligntment, Heather and I have gathered a great photo that I hope rounds the book covers out nicely.

As I mentioned in my post about this coming change, change can be scary. As much as I am excited, I'm a tad afraid the covers may not be received well, despite my personal opinion that they honor the original covers justly through their fiery symbolism.

So here I am opening this up to you, my blog buddies, readers, friends and all :-)