tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603563667212410152024-03-26T23:37:18.132-07:00Gwen Gardner, AuthorGwen Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13132836346305559246noreply@blogger.comBlogger377125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260356366721241015.post-72299308515314068772024-03-05T23:30:00.000-08:002024-03-05T23:30:00.143-08:00IWSG: No Post Today<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaTqBxgOgXo-IAqOn0M3frGhrpCgFzylIQCylCHpkNNI_VObwuoY8HM-DHraZ8qQpLpXPC47lf2UkQsJAC3HwfVX-Efy9BWE4tI75tPBOiD4DuHkIG-9XW5Laqnyg2UR9RgKkLK7x8cvjOM66580vC2PFd86noMQEtXnCT8trusGOyZvXPftAMG4lKVs/s200/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaTqBxgOgXo-IAqOn0M3frGhrpCgFzylIQCylCHpkNNI_VObwuoY8HM-DHraZ8qQpLpXPC47lf2UkQsJAC3HwfVX-Efy9BWE4tI75tPBOiD4DuHkIG-9XW5Laqnyg2UR9RgKkLK7x8cvjOM66580vC2PFd86noMQEtXnCT8trusGOyZvXPftAMG4lKVs/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks for stopping by! I don't have a post for today so the comments have been disabled. </h2><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you'd like to join The Insecure Writer's Support Group, you can sign up <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html">HERE</a>. </h2><h2 style="text-align: left;">You can visit our host and co-hosts at the links attached: <a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a> (host), <span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://kristinaseyes.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Kristina Kelly,</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://miffieseideman.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Miffie Seideman,</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="http://jeanddavis.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Jean Davis,</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> and </span><a href="http://middlepassages-lcs.blogspot.com/" style="color: #057452; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Liza @ Middle Passages!</a></span></h2><h2 style="text-align: center;">See you next month!</h2><div><br /></div><br /><p></p>Gwen Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13132836346305559246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260356366721241015.post-63330769380591174962024-02-06T23:30:00.000-08:002024-03-26T13:27:08.750-07:00#IWSG : Are You Like Peppermint Patty? <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">It's Insecure Writer's Support Group Day! There is a lot to learn from this group and all writers are welcome. If you'd like to join us, <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>click on this LINK. </b></span></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span>Many thanks to our host,<b> <span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/">Alex Cavanaugh</a>,</span></b> and this month's co-hosts, </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://janetalcorn.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Janet Alcorn,</a> <a href="https://sewhitebooks.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">SE White</a></span><a href="https://sewhitebooks.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">,</a> <span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.victoriamarielees.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Victoria Marie Lees</a><a href="https://www.victoriamarielees.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">,</a></span></b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="text-align: center;">and </span><a href="http://cathrinaconstantine.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Cathrina Constantine</span></b></a>,</span><span> for making this event happen. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This month's optional question is: </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;">What turns you off when visiting an author's website/blog? Lack of information? A drone of negativity? Little mention of author's books? Constant mention of books?</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium; text-align: center;">Droning is a huge turn-off. That's when I skim. Ha! I think I just realized why the teacher on Charlie Brown only says "wah wah wah". </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://youtu.be/ss2hULhXf04?si=P4ZfKfZy_NPHgg-G">It looks like Peppermint Patty agrees...</a></span></span></p><p><br /></p><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://youtube.com/embed/ss2hULhXf04?si=P4ZfKfZy_NPHgg-G" style="background-image: url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ss2hULhXf04/hqdefault.jpg);" width="480"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>What is your biggest turn-off when you visit websites/blogs? </i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Gwen Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13132836346305559246noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260356366721241015.post-43167557287599585482024-01-02T23:30:00.000-08:002024-03-26T13:27:25.176-07:00IWSG: Do You BookBub? <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKojUhR2KZwpps4Hgjtw4tACE40gEfy-e-ooQMWn0KxHU4TgFm3cfuXPBkkP4L63hvqIiTLuDaEnl45Vr_z-52nPW4h5El26DBc2-XUlkLN62tUZ5mTsaTJ3O6ruzEzXsWhiKwfv1pPTGPyqXDrOgbwqZah-DkBuw8ohujwxo459UhO3E0akTFGG7u4mI/s200/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKojUhR2KZwpps4Hgjtw4tACE40gEfy-e-ooQMWn0KxHU4TgFm3cfuXPBkkP4L63hvqIiTLuDaEnl45Vr_z-52nPW4h5El26DBc2-XUlkLN62tUZ5mTsaTJ3O6ruzEzXsWhiKwfv1pPTGPyqXDrOgbwqZah-DkBuw8ohujwxo459UhO3E0akTFGG7u4mI/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">Buh-Bye 2023! *waves vigorously*</div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">Welcome 2024!</div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><i>First, the Happiest of New Years to you all! </i></b></span></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">Welcome Insecure Writer's Support Group members!</div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">It's the first post of the year. If you'd like to join us on the first Wednesday of every month, <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html">GO HERE</a>. </div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">Thank you to our host, <a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/"><b>Alex Cavanaugh</b></a>, and this month's co-hosts: <span style="background-color: white;"><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://joylenebutler.com/blog" style="color: #057452;" target="_blank">Joylene Nowell Butler,</a> <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/olgagodim.wordpress.com" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Olga Godim,</a> <a href="https://pensivepenspost.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Diedre Knight,</a></b><span style="text-align: center;"> and </span><a href="http://www.literaryrambles.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>Natalie Aguirre</b></a> for making this event happen. </span></div></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><p></p><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white;">January 3 optional question: Do you follow back your readers on BookBub or do you only follow back other authors?</b></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;">I didn't remember signing up at BookBub. Anyway, prompted by this month's question, I went to check it out. As it turns out, I have an account. So I updated my profile and books, etc. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;">But really, I'm not familiar with it at all. So I'm extremely interested in what you all do about followers/following, and why.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><i>Are you on BookBub? </i></b></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><i>Do you follow back readers, or just authors? Why? </i></b></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><i>Are there pros and cons?</i></b></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: yellow;"><b><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"></span> </p>Gwen Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13132836346305559246noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260356366721241015.post-44759482096025492452023-12-06T10:56:00.000-08:002023-12-06T10:56:00.140-08:00HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL! #IWSG<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdAvSBeo7glpcfDCHsGErYkd3SnfW_bV8IL-Es49VbgRWgW3kmhdp8HspxJ6A8NLoIFEYK0Znn0yAEDs471317ITzs65Z-iTfjfjjo96fdHUD-7WxSmG23QBiVKinKw9h0lD4AIl9nLMfSYu_e7m39G3pTt8Wkp2UDbFT3ieRC3SxybRWNuWoO9YCToM/s200/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdAvSBeo7glpcfDCHsGErYkd3SnfW_bV8IL-Es49VbgRWgW3kmhdp8HspxJ6A8NLoIFEYK0Znn0yAEDs471317ITzs65Z-iTfjfjjo96fdHUD-7WxSmG23QBiVKinKw9h0lD4AIl9nLMfSYu_e7m39G3pTt8Wkp2UDbFT3ieRC3SxybRWNuWoO9YCToM/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It's Insecure Writer's Support Group time again. And once again, I won't be participating this month. </span></h4><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Comments have been disabled. </b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>But if you'd like to join, please go <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html">HERE</a></b><a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html">. </a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><i>HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND MANY BLESSINGS TO ALL!</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><i>PLEASE BE SAFE.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><i>I WILL "SEE" YOU NEXT YEAR.</i></b></span></div><div><br /></div> <p></p>Gwen Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13132836346305559246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260356366721241015.post-10605646299739975082023-11-01T00:30:00.002-07:002023-11-01T08:52:42.215-07:00IWSG: Sick Day<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJsXxE8PY8tQvLequDfReKLoBL5ZodkCDoxu_jYc0uQTwT2WcfJ-B-HJQ_pCB2gZJml_yly_rf31MR7D2vkLot6rqZIa9CBi8ByD0YHhvZBYosyuuLPsybwjvk2RlB3l7E1f6RTCZyPXAMaxoki-44wLDa-8Aq0UG8q9v-U7wnzG9qh6Lemei7-YlRuQ/s200/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJsXxE8PY8tQvLequDfReKLoBL5ZodkCDoxu_jYc0uQTwT2WcfJ-B-HJQ_pCB2gZJml_yly_rf31MR7D2vkLot6rqZIa9CBi8ByD0YHhvZBYosyuuLPsybwjvk2RlB3l7E1f6RTCZyPXAMaxoki-44wLDa-8Aq0UG8q9v-U7wnzG9qh6Lemei7-YlRuQ/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It's Insecure Writer's Support Group Day! </span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Unfortunately, I'm taking a sick day.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I'll see you next month.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">COMMENTS DISABLED. </span></p>Gwen Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13132836346305559246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260356366721241015.post-17208545489263382942023-10-04T00:30:00.001-07:002024-03-26T13:28:04.251-07:00IWSG: The AI Debate<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXddaXFE0xbyvTBxFg8Qb7UCGNrcLgP9kIQcb_tErdujKAnuxG2zQELsE3qc1aBH8Cy0R4IIdJ7S385oD3t0RnRHQ53nYdvwTSBJunP8jUTyTxa200z-mMWynVNRS7tryLBfqWsb-08QW10l5Yt1L6sukYRIuXkhsWldyDXaWvtmcltHsP9K_hAdN-Tlg/s200/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXddaXFE0xbyvTBxFg8Qb7UCGNrcLgP9kIQcb_tErdujKAnuxG2zQELsE3qc1aBH8Cy0R4IIdJ7S385oD3t0RnRHQ53nYdvwTSBJunP8jUTyTxa200z-mMWynVNRS7tryLBfqWsb-08QW10l5Yt1L6sukYRIuXkhsWldyDXaWvtmcltHsP9K_hAdN-Tlg/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It's Insecure Writer's Support Group Day! If you'd like to join us on the first Wednesday of every month, Go <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html">Here</a> to sign up.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Thanks to our host, <a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/">Alex Cavanaugh</a>, and the many co-hosts who donate their time to put this event on every month. This month's co-hosts are </span><span style="background-color: #f4f2f8; color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.literaryrambles.com/" target="_blank">Natalie Aguirre,</a> <a href="http://kimlajevardi.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Kim Lajevardi,</a> <a href="https://fictioncanbefun.wordpress.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Debs Carey,</a> <a href="http://gwengardner.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Gwen Gardner (Me!),</a> <a href="https://twistingmyths.substack.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Patricia Josephine,</a></span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">and</span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.rebecca-douglass.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Rebecca Douglass!</a> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Please stop by and say hello!</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>This month's optional question is:</b> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The topic of AI writing has been heavily debated across the world. According to various sources, generative AI will assist writers, not replace them. What are your thoughts?</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i>For me</i></b>, the AI Debate is another of the many divisions the world is facing. So many different viewpoints and nobody is completely right or completely wrong. The only thing I will say is that I am in favor of regulation. Other than that, I keep my thoughts on the subject to myself, and don't debate the pros and cons. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And since I'm co-hosting this month, I'm off to visit my fellow insecure writers to see if I can impart some words of wisdom and support. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p>Gwen Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13132836346305559246noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260356366721241015.post-17268688228154121432023-09-06T00:30:00.084-07:002024-03-26T13:28:21.269-07:00IWSG: Happy 12th Anniversary<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0Q-29bvFfIt-SAbF6PiK0Jmoo5RzsfpmxZknPdFp3XVjwtf3OL2JqFpkw_aeBM4u1VFYAcUNFIMRCYqfu4Gq3kSbHkmrUzCRN1NsUxwwv-av3mctDAdqAdvmYbSjW-1j9pFVWmlAoDDrPhaH_NGCevAlT9Cx3M5ki4XHgOcE1wsnHLnR29cRFR-_Sbw/s170/InsecureWritersSupportGroup2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="145" data-original-width="170" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0Q-29bvFfIt-SAbF6PiK0Jmoo5RzsfpmxZknPdFp3XVjwtf3OL2JqFpkw_aeBM4u1VFYAcUNFIMRCYqfu4Gq3kSbHkmrUzCRN1NsUxwwv-av3mctDAdqAdvmYbSjW-1j9pFVWmlAoDDrPhaH_NGCevAlT9Cx3M5ki4XHgOcE1wsnHLnR29cRFR-_Sbw/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup2.jpg" width="170" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Happy 12th anniversary to the <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/">Insecure Writer's Support Group</a>. In honor of the day, I posted my vintage badge. If you'd like to join us the first Wednesday of every month, <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html">GO HERE. </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Thanks to our host, <a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/">Alex Cavanaugh</a>, and this month's co-hosts: </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"> </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://soniadogra.com/" style="color: #057452;" target="_blank">Sonia Dogra,</a> <a href="https://jlennidorner.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">J Lenni Dorner,</a> <a href="http://www.patgarciaandeverythingmustchange.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Pat Garcia,</a> <a href="http://thefauxfountainpen.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen,</a></b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"> and </span><a href="https://authormekajames.wordpress.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>Meka James!</b></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">This month's optional question is </span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><b>The IWSG celebrates 12 years today! When did you discover the IWSG, how do you connect, and how has it helped you?</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I had to look it up, but my first IWSG post was on February 2, 2012 from my Run Gwen, Run blog. That was my first blog where I stumbled across the writing community and I knew I'd hit pay dirt. I knew the Universe was looking out for me because I'd just started writing, and I really needed the connection. I still do! And through these writing blogs, I found my way to the Insecure Writer's Support Group!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">While looking through my old blog I noticed all kinds of blog awards. Back in the day, bloggers handed them out all over the place. The Liebtster Award, the Versatile Blogger Award, Sunshine Blog, Kreativ Blogger, One Lovely Blog Award, The Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award, The Roaring Lion Blog Award. I was always so thrilled when I got one, that I started a tab just for my awards. It really showed how supportive the writing community was. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Of course, it was a much larger community back then. I remember once that I had commented on Alex Cavanaugh's blog and accidentally subscribed to comments. OMG, I had hundreds of comments hitting my email account for days!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">We also had tons of blogfests back in those days, and they were all so much fun. You'd meet lots of writers, and some who became real friends. It's how I found Angela Brown, my first critique partner (we still text and had Zoom meetings every month during Covid). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I've met so many wonderful people through blogging and the Insecure Writer's Support Group!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i><b style="background-color: #6fa8dc;">What about you? </b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i><b style="background-color: #6fa8dc;">How long have you been blogging? </b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i><b style="background-color: #6fa8dc;">When did you join the IWSG? </b></i></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Gwen Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13132836346305559246noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260356366721241015.post-53290864211188621732023-08-02T00:30:00.005-07:002023-08-02T00:30:00.139-07:00IWSG: No Post Today<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_CYZeZWqFj0BhGu2JHVBnSnSPbu_ARix0RKbK3YRFS_q728D2JQNs67wT_I-BMe-joAeA0LDGptJK92_zqXX_fLPwatkLPpkPDfYYevgOCcRkGRoWRz-ZRXreLW4Jy4e4pTX377A333m_dWZ5T8BTedhuAo_vZj1Jto34x5NtR7Q33u-4E3tYQ3V0lw/s200/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_CYZeZWqFj0BhGu2JHVBnSnSPbu_ARix0RKbK3YRFS_q728D2JQNs67wT_I-BMe-joAeA0LDGptJK92_zqXX_fLPwatkLPpkPDfYYevgOCcRkGRoWRz-ZRXreLW4Jy4e4pTX377A333m_dWZ5T8BTedhuAo_vZj1Jto34x5NtR7Q33u-4E3tYQ3V0lw/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">NO POST TODAY!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But if you'd like to join the awesome peeps at the Insecure Writer's Support Group, <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html">GO HERE</a>. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">See you next month. </span></div><br /> <p></p>Gwen Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13132836346305559246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260356366721241015.post-33746530298525389602023-07-04T00:30:00.005-07:002023-09-05T10:30:04.101-07:00#IWSG: Not Dreaming It Up<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvmYvj5qJJYtBqS5horyVhJtBvvKcBlr7h06qLMh4LJ5wntoEAqC7FiwXzHl84IbC-AyJwS2jqCsIwIadAzwHU-3ThpEq6n0CtP_pgpeJ26YSV85vr_-PVdeUqCL4fA7L6YW8AkXGCIU10IP5p8uYOvpvqBaPkFK1AVH66R4-r3rW5kgwKRqhcnHiUNk/s200/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvmYvj5qJJYtBqS5horyVhJtBvvKcBlr7h06qLMh4LJ5wntoEAqC7FiwXzHl84IbC-AyJwS2jqCsIwIadAzwHU-3ThpEq6n0CtP_pgpeJ26YSV85vr_-PVdeUqCL4fA7L6YW8AkXGCIU10IP5p8uYOvpvqBaPkFK1AVH66R4-r3rW5kgwKRqhcnHiUNk/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Wow, we're halfway through the year already?! And it's the first Wednesday of the month which means it's time for an Insecure Writer's Support Group post. If you'd like to join the fun, you can sign up <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html">HERE</a>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Thanks to our host, <a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Alex Cavanaugh</span></b></a>, and this months co-hosts (including me!),<span style="color: white;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b style="background-color: #f4f2f8; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pjcolando.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">PJ Colando,</a> <a href="http://kimlajevardi.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Kim Lajevardi,</a> <a href="http://gwengardner.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Gwen Gardner,</a> <a href="http://www.patgarciaandeverythingmustchange.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Pat Garcia,</a></b><span style="background-color: #f4f2f8; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> and </span><a href="http://www.literaryrambles.com/" style="background-color: #f4f2f8; color: #0b0bc3; font-size: large; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>Natalie Aguirre!</b></a> </span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">for supporting this month's event!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>The July 5th optional question is:</b> <i>99% of my ideas come from dreams. Where do yours predominantly come from? </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Soooo, I'm probably the odd man out, but here it goes...</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In the cozy mystery genre, punny titles are a must. I write in the paranormal sub-genre of cozy mysteries, so I have to narrow it down to include my ghostly element. I do love my ghosties! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Rather than coming up with the story, and then the title, which seems like the logical thing to do, I do the opposite. I spend a lot of time brainstorming paranormal punny titles, like, <i>A Scandal in Boohemia</i> (Sherlock Holmes fans will get it) and <i>Something Borrowed, Something Booed</i> (from the old wedding mantra, something borrowed, something blue). For this particular series, I use the word "boo" in the titles. From there, I develop my story idea (and often more than one). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">For some reason, titling in this way tends to spark my imagination for story ideas. So, 99% of my story ideas come from thinking up titles.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Weird, huh?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i><b>Where do your story ideas come from? </b></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Gwen Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13132836346305559246noreply@blogger.com58tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260356366721241015.post-59778029997165591092023-06-07T00:30:00.003-07:002023-06-07T00:30:00.148-07:00#IWSG What Would You Do?<p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2W74taNQrrBE7IHpEddMF39HS4BwSrqcm-6H5TxbYviVysnIjqyfiDZ50UzXc4jAbB-pBq8SnF8t-Cb4BOPOHf_-qMzZWuJD8Oe8ND-UKXEIOUseHqkyEGCBaVUceXgE7HMw9CEMK6MKNq2mNxcyXDokle8qjSaK9p-oa4oSSD8gcerkUWjTdOEO/s200/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2W74taNQrrBE7IHpEddMF39HS4BwSrqcm-6H5TxbYviVysnIjqyfiDZ50UzXc4jAbB-pBq8SnF8t-Cb4BOPOHf_-qMzZWuJD8Oe8ND-UKXEIOUseHqkyEGCBaVUceXgE7HMw9CEMK6MKNq2mNxcyXDokle8qjSaK9p-oa4oSSD8gcerkUWjTdOEO/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> It's Insecure Writer's support Group Day!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">If you'd like to join, go <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html">HERE</a>. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Thanks to our our founder and host, <a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/">Alex Cavanaugh</a>, and this month's co-<span style="background-color: white;">hosts, </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.patriciajosephine.com/blog" style="color: #057452;" target="_blank">Patrcia Josephine,</a> <a href="https://pensivepenspost.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Diedre Knight,</a> <a href="http://olgagodim.wordpress.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Olga Godim,</a> </b><a href="https://jlennidorner.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>J. Lenni Dorner</b>,</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> and </span><a href="http://cathrinaconstantine.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>Cathrina Constantine!</b></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">This month's optional question is: </span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><i><b>If you ever stop writing, what would you replace it with?</b></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I wouldn't have a problem keeping busy. As it is, I have lots of things I want to do that I put to the side so I can write. So in no order in particular:</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Travel more (yeah, I could do this now, but...)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Plan and take more hikes and day trips</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Make hiking sticks (I made 2 years ago, and am working on another one now)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Kayaking (I don't have one, but I want one...)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Archery (Don't have bows or arrows)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Knitting (learn how to. I have some needles and yarn and I'm sure YouTube could show me how!)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Baking (learn how to, LOL. I recently took up making sourdough bread)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Painting (Not a painter, but I love Impressionism--I think I could do it! YouTube has videos!)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Paint Rocks (again, not a painter but...)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Gardening (I wish my backyard wasn't so hilly!)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Learn graphic design</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Become a better photographer (I actually have dark room equipment)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Learn how to create mini films</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Pottery (I've had a potter's wheel forever, but don't use it. I took 2 semesters in college. I'm so glad I took these classes for credit only. LOL.). </span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Buy a telescope and stargaze</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Study the bible (I have a study bible but getting through the Old Testament is seriously testing me!)</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Having listed all these things, I'm really not very creatively talented, but I think I could be okay with a little practice. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">I have so many interests, and so little time!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i><b>What would you do if you quit writing?</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i><b>Do you make time for other creative endeavors? </b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i><b>What are your hobbies? </b></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p></p>Gwen Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13132836346305559246noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260356366721241015.post-62236960262393404102023-05-03T19:57:00.008-07:002023-05-03T20:06:04.025-07:00Oops! No IWSG Post<p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIffwL_JK9atX9KOFp-ERmtoQTdlJTcwRejgQEgBUSII-YG8EG4As35tammnlhQ4MY0Je1Uc1bumdS-Vuq_Gk2hd0Cj1dYdDnusmtv2pjWaWwZoSJl7dp1qBQM3lxnhD6nHK_zJ68SWYyWHzkmPeXyJg0xRTdpbmpK1Xv1IPS6x4pADK1iLXRjsKd8/s200/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIffwL_JK9atX9KOFp-ERmtoQTdlJTcwRejgQEgBUSII-YG8EG4As35tammnlhQ4MY0Je1Uc1bumdS-Vuq_Gk2hd0Cj1dYdDnusmtv2pjWaWwZoSJl7dp1qBQM3lxnhD6nHK_zJ68SWYyWHzkmPeXyJg0xRTdpbmpK1Xv1IPS6x4pADK1iLXRjsKd8/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Just spent the past week in San Diego and completely spaced my Insecure Writer’s Support Group post. </p><p>So I’ll catch you next month!</p><p>(Comments turned off.)</p>Gwen Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13132836346305559246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260356366721241015.post-90924804166539752592023-04-05T00:30:00.260-07:002024-03-26T13:28:53.799-07:00#IWSG: First Book Blues and Other POVs<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLqgsJotbUikOxVnVTPwSJW5lWn7MWfM_WjJp-sM1YM8r1gnK4yXc_f2bRbWq1VxZRiG6czTeqvq3G-DFwjAq6OA2KoSI10RNmPt3WBXcHBBd9XJyZW-M48PiiHJXFeBCLjUYxgRjtBWqjRUSIEi-k1l4saNXx9BmT9MbLdZQ0baPRMxLrn2B7US-/s200/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLqgsJotbUikOxVnVTPwSJW5lWn7MWfM_WjJp-sM1YM8r1gnK4yXc_f2bRbWq1VxZRiG6czTeqvq3G-DFwjAq6OA2KoSI10RNmPt3WBXcHBBd9XJyZW-M48PiiHJXFeBCLjUYxgRjtBWqjRUSIEi-k1l4saNXx9BmT9MbLdZQ0baPRMxLrn2B7US-/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>It's Insecure Writer's Support Group Day! </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>If you'd like to join us, <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html">CLICK HERE</a>. </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><i><b><span style="text-align: left;">First, please help our writing buddy, </span><a href="https://www.mpaxauthor.com/to-get-more-books-buy-or-donate-today-donate-support-writingcommunity-sciencefiction-scifi/" style="text-align: left;">Mary Pax</a><span style="text-align: left;">, fight cancer by buying a book or making a donation. Every bit helps. Thank you!</span></b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: center;">Thanks to our host, <a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/">Alex Cavanaugh</a>, and this month's awesome co-hosts, </span><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jemimapett.com/blog/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Jemima Pett,</a> <a href="https://nancygideon.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Nancy Gideon,</a></b><span style="text-align: center;"> and </span><a href="http://www.literaryrambles.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>Natalie Aguirre!</b></a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: yellow; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">This month's optional question is: <i>Do you remember writing your first book? What were your thoughts about a career path on writing? Where are you now and how is it working out for you? If you're at the start of the journey, what are your goals?</i></span></span></span><br /> <p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Many of you long time bloggers have already heard this story, but I'll tell it again!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b><u>Do You Remember Writing Your First Book?</u></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I wrote my first book, Givin' Up the Ghost, in 2011. I wrote the first draft <i><b>in third person</b></i> POV. It was flat as stale soda, which is to be expected, really, because first drafts do tend to suck. But out of curiosity I decided to play with the point of view, so<i><b> I rewrote it in first person</b></i> POV. The first draft still sucked lemons, but it came alive in a way that the third person version had not. My MCs personality came into play and the interactions with the other characters clicked. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I'm often told that people love the characters in this series, but the whole body of work had other issues; structure problems to include dead ends and disappearing characters, too many characters, etc. This is where my inexperience really showed itself. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Long story, short, <i><b>I unpublished the series</b></i>. I hope to rewrite and republish these earlier books at some point in the future. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b><u>Where am I Now?</u></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Twelve years on, and I'm not much further in my writing journey, though I have a few things published: </span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">a novella, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Scandal-Boohemia-Indigo-Eady-Mystery-ebook/dp/B07RHQWV4R/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3A35XN7LF00E6&keywords=A+Scandal+in+Boohemia&qid=1680458394&sprefix=a+scandal+in+bohemia%2Caps%2C247&sr=8-1">A Scandal in Boohemia</a></span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">won first place in the 2018 Insecure Writer's Support Group anthology contest with my short story, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tick-Tock-Stitch-Gwen-Gardner-ebook/dp/B079J796TK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1KB4DBGIQMLJ1&keywords=Tick+Tock%3A+A+Stitch+in+Crime&qid=1680457279&sprefix=tick+tock+a+stitch+in+crime%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1">A Stitch in Crime</a> (Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">placed runner up with my <a href="https://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/downloads/printable/98-FE1-Fall20Contest-Gwen-Gardner.html">Elephant in the Tomb</a> flash short story (I got published and won an Amazon card!) </span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">various other stories in anthologies with other writers. </span></li></ul><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I count these all as wins in my own small way!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I participated in NaNoWriMo in November and finished two novellas to make up the 50K words. It's a great way of getting the words down. As they say, you can't edit a blank page. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">As of now, I'm working on several novella series' which I hope to complete this year and publish next year. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b><u>Thoughts on a Career Path in Writing</u></b></span></p><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Recently retired, I now have more time to write and focus on writing. Finally! While I have aspirations, first and foremost </span><i>I write for myself</i><span style="font-weight: normal;">. Because I'm compelled, it's my calling, even though/if/when I'm not making money. </span></span></h1><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i><b>Where are you at in your writing career? </b></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i><b>What are your writing successes (or horror stories, gasp!)</b></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i><b>What are your writing goals? </b></i></span></p>Gwen Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13132836346305559246noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260356366721241015.post-68971554701747935192023-02-28T23:30:00.002-08:002023-02-28T23:30:00.211-08:00IWSG: No Post Today<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtWdYVeUNRfX2ctmdR9nn-Qbh7ce3A9APlGXpdSjEKpusKIh6QQR_ZOc8teONkAXGGNH0ioFQtOJpjWYe_6XuRpFU30pxLFqeHH9_Pzx0qtrPPLa6NOKwWbBTJbBIuKu4tlaqFvZM0fbTIEpmBsXDiLwmQPWy7_0nZFZ3l5v5PxmnwRK1xaSO8Gvx/s200/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtWdYVeUNRfX2ctmdR9nn-Qbh7ce3A9APlGXpdSjEKpusKIh6QQR_ZOc8teONkAXGGNH0ioFQtOJpjWYe_6XuRpFU30pxLFqeHH9_Pzx0qtrPPLa6NOKwWbBTJbBIuKu4tlaqFvZM0fbTIEpmBsXDiLwmQPWy7_0nZFZ3l5v5PxmnwRK1xaSO8Gvx/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>NO POST TODAY</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>SO COMMENTS ARE DISABLED!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>***</b></span></div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">FOR THOSE NEW TO THIS BLOG...</span></b><p></p><p><b style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">It's Insecure Writer's Support Group Day. We meet the first Wednesday of every month. If you'd like to join, go <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html">HERE</a>. </span></b></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">Please visit our host, <a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/">Alex Cavanaugh</a> and this month's awesome co-hosts: </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pensivepenspost.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Diedre Knight,</a> <a href="http://www.bookwormforkids.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Tonya Drecker,</a> <a href="http://bish%20%20randomthoughts.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Bish Denham,</a> <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/olgagodim.wordpress.com" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Olga Godim,</a> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jqrose.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">JQ Rose!</a></span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">SEE YOU NEXT MONTH!</span></b></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Gwen Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13132836346305559246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260356366721241015.post-35848023513043104712023-01-31T23:30:00.005-08:002023-02-28T13:15:47.231-08:00#IWSG How Are You (Book) Covered?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloCTvgoUuNKMkXSYc6mTv6gCBFhjSUqbyKhGYmoHvtdJtj6R1N4jbAvyVZDuVkDhc6_XbTuvD0bUKL7vD9rnItaTNMifbthYyA5KgV8ltQusGTWG5alFELTGzjwFVE-ylw4voAsa3zum_m707Gf5413Aw0P0xkAD42vWpflnMhuufJ8xWmmBjvhvM/s200/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloCTvgoUuNKMkXSYc6mTv6gCBFhjSUqbyKhGYmoHvtdJtj6R1N4jbAvyVZDuVkDhc6_XbTuvD0bUKL7vD9rnItaTNMifbthYyA5KgV8ltQusGTWG5alFELTGzjwFVE-ylw4voAsa3zum_m707Gf5413Aw0P0xkAD42vWpflnMhuufJ8xWmmBjvhvM/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">It's Insecure Writer's Support Group day! If you'd like to join,<b> <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html">GO HERE</a>. </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">A million thanks to our host <a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/">Alex Cavanaugh</a>, and this month's co-hosts,<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://worddreams.wordpress.com/" style="color: #057452;" target="_blank">Jacqui Murray,</a> <a href="http://www.ronelthemythmaker.com/blog/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Ronel Janse van Vuuren,</a> </b><a href="http://www.patgarciaandeverythingmustchange.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>Pat Garcia</b>,</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">and</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> me, </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gwengardner.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Gwen Gardner!</a></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>This month's optional question is:</b> <i>If you are an indie author, do you make your own covers or purchase them? If you publish trad, how much input do you have about what goes on your cover? </i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I'm primarily an indie author, and there is no way that I make my own covers. I have no talent in that direction. I have a long time relationship with my illustrator, <a href="https://sjusjun.nl/category/illustraties/">Corona</a>, who has done all of my covers. She is extremely talented and open to my input. Plus she can make other marketing materials, such as post cards and bookmarks. She illustrated my blog and <a href="https://gwengardner.com/">website</a> headers as well. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b><i>Do you make your own covers? </i></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b><i>Or have input on your traditionally published covers?</i></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><p></p>Gwen Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13132836346305559246noreply@blogger.com68tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260356366721241015.post-17080546057056526242023-01-03T23:30:00.064-08:002023-01-29T12:09:30.016-08:00#IWSG: 2023 Word of the Year<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMIW4aO0IzR4k47v7I2_Eu9eLVeQOyhq8rl9sIdvzSSHSs2wDoREfwiCaxY0fXP2kna1vy5LEaStZ_P0e4156LteuaDQGUNXGmgRvfxg_tYPOArYj4RJa-xdYPFGtgtt2YDJUWB4uZGv6oOFxL6NcQWvRJ0qqflTN4tvXSiDW4yA6fy1Jl4V0KMZF/s200/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMIW4aO0IzR4k47v7I2_Eu9eLVeQOyhq8rl9sIdvzSSHSs2wDoREfwiCaxY0fXP2kna1vy5LEaStZ_P0e4156LteuaDQGUNXGmgRvfxg_tYPOArYj4RJa-xdYPFGtgtt2YDJUWB4uZGv6oOFxL6NcQWvRJ0qqflTN4tvXSiDW4yA6fy1Jl4V0KMZF/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">It's the first posting of the year for Insecure Writer's Support Group. It you'd like to join, go <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html">HERE. </a></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Thanks to our host, <a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/">Alex Cavanaugh</a>, and this month's co-hosts for keeping this event ongoing:<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://jemimapett.com/blog/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Jemima Pett,</a><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://fictioncanbefun.wordpress.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Debs Carey,</a><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><a href="http://kimlajevardi.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Kim Lajevardi,</a><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><a href="http://thefauxfountainpen.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sarah Foster,</a><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><a href="http://www.literaryrambles.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Natalie Aguirre,</a><span style="text-align: center;"> and </span><a href="http://journalingwoman.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">T. Powell Coltrin!</a></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: yellow; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>January 4 optional question -</b> <i>Do you have a word of the year? Is there one word that sums up what you need to work on or change in the coming year? For instance, in 2021 my word of the year was Finish. I was determined to finish my first draft by the end of the year. In 2022, my word of the year is Ease. I want to get my process, systems, finances, and routines where life flows with ease and less chaos. What is your word for 2023? Why?</i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I was texting with a friend on New Year's Day and she asked me about my "word" and shared that her word for 2023 is "release". I replied that that had been my word for the last fifteen years and that I was ready to let it go. *groans at my own joke*</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Anyhoo, upon further thought, I chose the word "patience". Until recently I would have said that I am a very patient person. And I am...or I <i>was</i>. But I've found that age-related issues have provided me with new ways to test my patience in a different way. So thank you for that, Universe! *shakes fist*</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I'm glad my friend prompted me to choose a word for 2023. I can use it as a way to be more mindful about being patient. </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><i><b>Did you choose a word this year?</b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i><b>If so, please share! </b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i><b>Happy New Year, everyone!</b></i></span></div> <p></p>Gwen Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13132836346305559246noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260356366721241015.post-24450461539160555452022-12-06T23:30:00.002-08:002023-01-03T15:11:56.932-08:00IWSG: God Bless Us, Everyone!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQBFMSahdSjOOZktcDSF0V6DKUY4Iju5F5sjOiHBMS4blr-CybNYABv7FbGXLCH5vIhXBTuNGkDhZYMtW9215Ykd-QOqtKqgd8ydz98niaWFFe5ezd-GyQs3fe72hY6kW6N794v5tDIdyKUZV-wBjU3jrSvZzAHlPyBgvV0E2Nm6RcE6sXs2Xz0vq/s200/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQBFMSahdSjOOZktcDSF0V6DKUY4Iju5F5sjOiHBMS4blr-CybNYABv7FbGXLCH5vIhXBTuNGkDhZYMtW9215Ykd-QOqtKqgd8ydz98niaWFFe5ezd-GyQs3fe72hY6kW6N794v5tDIdyKUZV-wBjU3jrSvZzAHlPyBgvV0E2Nm6RcE6sXs2Xz0vq/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">It's the first Wednesday of the month and it's time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group post! If you'd like to join, go<a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html"> HERE</a>. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Thanks to our host <a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/">Alex Cavanaugh</a>, and this month's co-hosts, <span style="background-color: #f4f2f8; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><a href="https://joylenebutler.com/blog" style="text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Joylene Nowell Butler,</a><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><a href="http://hogwartssabbatical.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Chemist Ken,</a><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><a href="http://www.literaryrambles.com/" style="text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Natalie Aguirre,</a><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://nancygideon.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Nancy Gideon,</a><span style="text-align: center;"> and </span><a href="http://cathrinaconstantine.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Cathrina Constantine!</a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">This month's optional question is: <span style="background-color: yellow; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">It's holiday time! Are the holidays a time to catch up or fall behind on writer goals?</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: yellow; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: yellow; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">I always feel like I'm behind on writer goals. I always want to do so much but life gets in the way. I retired last April, lived in our motorhome for five months while looking for an affordable forever home, found our forever home (yay!) in October and moved to Arizona. </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: yellow; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: yellow; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><b>It was a crazy time. </b></i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; text-align: center;">BUT! I did </span><a href="https://nanowrimo.org/dashboard" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; text-align: center;">NaNoWriMo</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> last month and wrote over 50K words! I wrote two novellas and added some words onto a book I started seven years ago. I call that a win!</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiw65Afby6TDkW8mEDlt2MJHCJXTL2dHPOpj8uMq1t4Iapflh9ZiMRtXrPK1fVKpO5EP_wFCBGenWTB7HWo40MlpX6-J4gqaevuQhym0P19sNSaKZ_g-yliOXiYw37o3HjCVO5u352suAyh0sRzcaXNNHFzk6JnUjEgolHyGbaUThcP_Nn28dCjVU/s555/Nano-22_Winner_Badge_1x.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="555" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiw65Afby6TDkW8mEDlt2MJHCJXTL2dHPOpj8uMq1t4Iapflh9ZiMRtXrPK1fVKpO5EP_wFCBGenWTB7HWo40MlpX6-J4gqaevuQhym0P19sNSaKZ_g-yliOXiYw37o3HjCVO5u352suAyh0sRzcaXNNHFzk6JnUjEgolHyGbaUThcP_Nn28dCjVU/s320/Nano-22_Winner_Badge_1x.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Of course, the downside is that I wrote it quickly and so most of it is not pretty! I have a lot of editing to do, but at least I have something to edit!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #0b5394; font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;"> I want to wish you all HAPPY HOLIDAYS! </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #0b5394; font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;">I'm grateful for you all, and your support.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #0b5394; font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;"><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b>Here's my favorite line from A Christmas Carol </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b>by Charles Dickens. </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"><b>Bob Cratchitt said of his son, Tiny Tim, at church on Christmas Eve:</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><blockquote><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"><b>Somehow he gets thoughtful, sitting by himself so much, and thinks the strangest things you ever heard. He told me, coming home, that he hoped the people saw him in the church, because he was a cripple, and it might be pleasant to them to remember upon Christmas day who made lame beggars walk, and blind men see.</b></span></span></blockquote></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #0b5394; font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;">Will you catch up on writing goals during the holidays, or fall behind? </b></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b>Do you keep to a writing schedule or does life get in the way?</b> </span></div></div><p><br /> </p>Gwen Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13132836346305559246noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260356366721241015.post-79694433081877257012022-11-02T00:30:00.016-07:002022-11-02T00:30:00.172-07:00#IWSG: #NaNoWriMo2022<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYeo-yCvWzt0ivgMrUkC6nR5xeW6kxY_urPx3ZMY6xdbb46OE8jRPuTU9WbZg62Ct9nAYTFp1kCrkRgTgzz52Pe5pqu-3v4RE3Cma5DTxtp6bkCpEXLxrnlrQCH8scfWETG93jLxLGBwhKAeU8_tdB778CDMg73dOnMHTO8IAZy6pvzTJIBC9uJNYO/s200/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYeo-yCvWzt0ivgMrUkC6nR5xeW6kxY_urPx3ZMY6xdbb46OE8jRPuTU9WbZg62Ct9nAYTFp1kCrkRgTgzz52Pe5pqu-3v4RE3Cma5DTxtp6bkCpEXLxrnlrQCH8scfWETG93jLxLGBwhKAeU8_tdB778CDMg73dOnMHTO8IAZy6pvzTJIBC9uJNYO/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It's Insecure Writer's Support Group Day!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For reasons that I will explain shortly, I've turned off "comments" for today's post. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to join this monthly event go <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html">HERE.</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;">Thanks to <a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/">Alex Cavanaugh</a> for hosting this monthly event. And, thanks to the awesome co-hosts for the November 2 posting of the IWSG: </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pensivepenspost.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Diedre Knight,</a> <a href="http://douglasthomasgreening.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Douglas Thomas Greening,</a> </b><a href="http://nickwilford.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>Nick Wilford</b>,</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"> and </span><a href="http://dianeburton.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>Diane Burton</b>!</a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">November's optional question is:</span></div><span style="background-color: #f4f2f8; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">November is National Novel Writing Month. Have you ever participated? If not, why not?</span></b> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I've never had the time until now. Working full time with over time and attempting to do NaNoWriMo was too much to consider.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But now that I'm retired...I'm doing NaNoWriMo for the first time! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I did BuNoWriMo once years ago when I wrote my first novel. It was kind of a disaster. Hopefully I'm more prepared this time around. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMBaGehzZQ1RIfKlGUpfZnNGHIH2uCbBCc_wQYk2YNH6L1YT85X3Ta00VRMPJqfca-lPfRPIjjkr6lPsTVUV3V1dDhKs00_3SOrVkMRDvPhMwy8ZhldLJ3oj9o2555GdFxw59YA9JwYrob5ElVEJ9walnK8Dw-Uqdc3whF_MhQZ3h5AaXBJvY62DR6" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="1110" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMBaGehzZQ1RIfKlGUpfZnNGHIH2uCbBCc_wQYk2YNH6L1YT85X3Ta00VRMPJqfca-lPfRPIjjkr6lPsTVUV3V1dDhKs00_3SOrVkMRDvPhMwy8ZhldLJ3oj9o2555GdFxw59YA9JwYrob5ElVEJ9walnK8Dw-Uqdc3whF_MhQZ3h5AaXBJvY62DR6" title="Image Courtesy of NaNoWriMo" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://nanowrimo.org/">Image Courtesy of NaNoWriMo</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: white;"><b>Wish Me Luck!</b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: white;"><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: white;"><b>Comments disabled so that I can participate in NaNoWriMo 2022!</b></i></span></div></div><br /><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Gwen Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13132836346305559246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260356366721241015.post-56800994629446703902022-10-05T00:30:00.002-07:002022-10-05T00:30:00.185-07:00IWSG: No Post: I’m On the Move<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJD8Wh_6Nu85_br708YUcrfdXICNQufmzOFDsSyaaeXN9DY7bOVj5LTO55-p_8dKpzXjw9FRlMGAdLPJKbA7YJnHH9BLz4Dk6tfJzaTJvndjLgN-1kzWlV-7yex4C4ol_UbI95pjmcxiG7pptq2I-x8Z_uYcFY3MkQ7haY1Q3vn_GnA42f_6hNzDr/s200/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJD8Wh_6Nu85_br708YUcrfdXICNQufmzOFDsSyaaeXN9DY7bOVj5LTO55-p_8dKpzXjw9FRlMGAdLPJKbA7YJnHH9BLz4Dk6tfJzaTJvndjLgN-1kzWlV-7yex4C4ol_UbI95pjmcxiG7pptq2I-x8Z_uYcFY3MkQ7haY1Q3vn_GnA42f_6hNzDr/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Sorry, no post today. I’m in the middle of moving house. </p><p>I will see you next month!</p>Gwen Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13132836346305559246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260356366721241015.post-87497600536784227352022-09-07T00:30:00.068-07:002022-09-07T00:30:00.172-07:00#IWSG #NoSuspense #NoThriller #CozyGirl<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnIvbIhhCpDqTnqKvnsOmtOhe7Z4AWgegrY84NuDDYkV8nhVD1al-3oYXru2btQ5pHbp5plUZHuFYn75pLZyOfj_lo8UU0gHO66gez0jQ8mMqC7kOrnpr4tpCOg703yHh291IDwMHqY5Oj9ziP8FQSURAsyw7w54UekCB4bHuY6YU1nnev-VagSar/s200/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnIvbIhhCpDqTnqKvnsOmtOhe7Z4AWgegrY84NuDDYkV8nhVD1al-3oYXru2btQ5pHbp5plUZHuFYn75pLZyOfj_lo8UU0gHO66gez0jQ8mMqC7kOrnpr4tpCOg703yHh291IDwMHqY5Oj9ziP8FQSURAsyw7w54UekCB4bHuY6YU1nnev-VagSar/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">It's Insecure <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/">Writer's Support Group Day!</a> If you'd like to join this monthly event, go <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html">HERE</a> to sign up. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Many thanks to our host <a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/">Alex Cavanaugh</a>, and this month's co- hosts, for their time and efforts to make sure every one is included and receives a visit with kind words and encouragement: </span><b style="background-color: #f4f2f8; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="http://kimlajevardi.com/" style="color: #057452;" target="_blank">Kim Lajevardi,</a> <a href="http://cathrinaconstantine.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Cathrina Constantine,</a> <a href="http://www.literaryrambles.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Natalie Aguirre,</a> </b><a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/olgagodim.wordpress.com" style="background-color: #f4f2f8; color: #0b0bc3; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>Olga Godim,</b></a><b style="background-color: #f4f2f8; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.writer-in-transit.co.za/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Michelle Wallace,</a> </b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #f4f2f8; font-size: large; text-align: center;">and </span><a href="http://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: #f4f2f8; color: #0b0bc3; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>Louise - Fundy Blue</b>!</a> </div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>This month's optional question is</b>: <i>What genre would be the worst one for you to tackle and why? </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Suspense/Thriller would be the hardest for me. I find it hard enough to put my characters in danger as it is, and any gore or murder happens "off stage" in my books. I write "gentle" murders. Nothing like real life at all, LOL. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">My biggest problem is that I'm a fixer. You got a problem? Let me help you fix it. I want people to be well and safe and not sad or stressed. Even in books I can't bring myself to make things too hard, and when I do put the pressure on, I fix it as well. Haha! Crazy, isn't it? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i><b>What genre would be the worst for you?</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><i>(P.S. If you visited me last month and I didn't return the visit, I apologize. I'm a bit scattered right now. I had Covid, and then Covid Rebound so was basically sick for a month--so annoying!). </i></span></div><p></p>Gwen Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13132836346305559246noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260356366721241015.post-80858376374190995542022-08-03T00:30:00.121-07:002022-08-03T00:30:00.185-07:00#IWSG and Giving Readers What They Want<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoX6NjTRepc6iX8LNWMPU8y51ctXYlE4vM7w0EfrJ0ZsGiMzS_ZyNWo5EHUVnUMIx-jdsLRnqnx2lsT9TDrxgPGVnC5972T9cRGoVLvdzo7-fWlkjNn2io-2TBydg_Sf1X3mE7gDlEOuY4sUHbHfYRbhbYY64-OX2-DVJePDRvk19ZMr5qpu8cWtxM/s200/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoX6NjTRepc6iX8LNWMPU8y51ctXYlE4vM7w0EfrJ0ZsGiMzS_ZyNWo5EHUVnUMIx-jdsLRnqnx2lsT9TDrxgPGVnC5972T9cRGoVLvdzo7-fWlkjNn2io-2TBydg_Sf1X3mE7gDlEOuY4sUHbHfYRbhbYY64-OX2-DVJePDRvk19ZMr5qpu8cWtxM/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's Insecure Writer's Support Group day! If you'd like to join, <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html">GO HERE. </a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="text-align: center;">The awesome co-hosts for the August 3 posting of the IWSG are </span><a href="http://taratylertalks.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: #f4f2f8; color: #057452; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Tara Tyler,</a><span style="background-color: #f4f2f8; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="http://www.lisabuiecollard.com/" style="background-color: #f4f2f8; color: #0b0bc3; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Lisa Buie Collard,</a><span style="background-color: #f4f2f8; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://www.lonitownsend.com/" style="background-color: #f4f2f8; color: #0b0bc3; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Loni Townsend,</a><span style="background-color: #f4f2f8; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> and </span><a href="http://leelowery.com/" style="background-color: #f4f2f8; color: #0b0bc3; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Lee Lowery!</a> Also, many thanks to our host, <a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/">Alex Cavanaugh</a>. </span></span><p></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span style="background-color: white;">The optional question for August 3: <span style="font-size: medium;"><b>When you set out to write a story, do you try to be more original or do you try to give readers what they want? </b></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">Hmmm, I don't do either. Generally I get an idea about a story and then I go with it because it's what I want to write. I don't think about if it's original or not, or whether it's what the readers want. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">Which brings up something interesting. I recently took a free seminar in which the instructor basically said not to write what you want, but what the readers expect. Deliver the book that you promised and the books will sell themselves. No ads or social media required. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">I know, I know, hard to believe. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">But I get what she was saying. Design the book to sell itself. Readers are looking for certain things within the genre and we need to give it to them. The genre/subgenre tropes, the title, the description, delivery of the promised hook, the plot points, the stakes. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">Deliver to the reader what they want, and via word of mouth, the books will sell themselves. Huh. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">Easier said than done, to be sure. But thinking on it, this could be why my books don't sell. They are not designed properly, because I don't hit all the expected marks. I mean, I read Save the Cat so this shouldn't be a revelation to me, but it kind of is. Because I'm still writing what I want, rather than treating writing books like a business out to make money. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">Don't get me wrong, we should all write what we want. But I think I can do both if I put my mind to it.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><b>Do you pay particular attention to the tropes/plot points, etc., so that they fall where they should?</b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><b>Or do you just write and let things fall where they may?</b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><b>What are your thoughts on books selling themselves?</b></i></span></span></div>Gwen Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13132836346305559246noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260356366721241015.post-87398618059303786072022-07-06T00:30:00.012-07:002022-07-06T00:30:00.179-07:00IWSG: My Favorite World<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDXEKeOIQxqR7O_8LPBDyzIW0fqvZ08NeGs_yctQQ4pUyJ0JjN5F-MTGD1YheOor0mb0hPLEqU9rkYtK421nZa-Cpexp6PCVumRtB1e360vWRRqF7JggBt3xv0_FLvW_FxBmk4ofqEzBNhjl674H3SuyTmsAwFV0ouzJzkGuSEVsFm3qgnk3I9OwJ/s200/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDXEKeOIQxqR7O_8LPBDyzIW0fqvZ08NeGs_yctQQ4pUyJ0JjN5F-MTGD1YheOor0mb0hPLEqU9rkYtK421nZa-Cpexp6PCVumRtB1e360vWRRqF7JggBt3xv0_FLvW_FxBmk4ofqEzBNhjl674H3SuyTmsAwFV0ouzJzkGuSEVsFm3qgnk3I9OwJ/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's Insecure Writer's Support Group day! If you'd like to join, <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html">GO HERE. </a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="text-align: center;">The awesome co-hosts for the July 6 posting of the IWSG are </span><a href="https://jlennidorner.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">J Lenni Dorner,</a><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://janetalcorn.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Janet Alcorn,</a><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><a href="http://www.pjcolando.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">PJ Colando,</a><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://jennienzor.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Jenni Enzor,</a><span style="text-align: center;"> and </span><a href="http://dianeburton.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Diane Burton!</a> Also, many thanks to our host, <a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/">Alex Cavanaugh</a>. </span></span><p></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span style="background-color: white;">The optional question for July 6: </span></span><b style="background-color: yellow; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">If you could live in any book world, which one would you choose?</span></b></span></div><div><b style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: yellow; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">This is an easy one for me--Harry Potter World!</span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: yellow; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: yellow; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">The Harry Potter World is complete escapism for me. Sure, they have their warring with the dark lord, but it comes with options on how to fight him. It's good vs evil and there's some pretty clear lines--unlike the muggle world (real world). Everyone can fight against evil and it's pretty empowering. Even us non-magical folks can live vicariously through the witches and wizards of Harry Potter's world. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: yellow; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: yellow; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Had this world been around when I was a kid, I would have had everything involving Harry Potter--a cloak, a time turner, a wand--wait, I do have a wand...even made it myself. Polished aspen. I'm still trying to figure out how to imbue it with magic though...if only I could contact Ollivander, the famous wand maker...or figure out how to get to Diagon Alley. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: yellow; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dymym_kMbaicJKsthAOCkJHl3Wdd6c31SNFcWiNIWezw5sA1jMMlAORziJF1TpmNV-eUtXICPChQ1lpECTYMw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzE6TCurDsvz4a2xnoHhGqU5oNR3aIjN5RfLJ5PaJlSJ6UO7lDf8v9rGxufimbJwKLnOsjh4NJ-m29s5ugWCg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This is how I'd spend my days. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b><i>What book world would you live in </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b><i>given the chance? </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b><i>And what makes you want to live there? <br /></i></b></span></div><br />Gwen Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13132836346305559246noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260356366721241015.post-60811144890319965772022-06-01T05:50:00.011-07:002022-06-01T05:55:26.136-07:00#IWSG No Post Today<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqAu9orjOECuuPdo8RPTDfJ92mw6eL4aLsda7x0ZA4hjTyl_EYdI4tUg1Q8WkWEMQJY1IylMbgcAh9YY_kumPz9PaFmXdaAmYsU8Ebnz9E2GdzLldcvfgnJfPd6fSK33rG0NFJus2S33btXfaVPv03trbfUpufd3xoWl1I8Sj0Jtzo8r1uvt73ccc/s200/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqAu9orjOECuuPdo8RPTDfJ92mw6eL4aLsda7x0ZA4hjTyl_EYdI4tUg1Q8WkWEMQJY1IylMbgcAh9YY_kumPz9PaFmXdaAmYsU8Ebnz9E2GdzLldcvfgnJfPd6fSK33rG0NFJus2S33btXfaVPv03trbfUpufd3xoWl1I8Sj0Jtzo8r1uvt73ccc/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /> Sorry, no post today. I'm not quite settled into my "new" place yet. More about that another time ;)<p></p><p>If you'd like to join the Insecure Writer's Support Group, go <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html">HERE. </a></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><i>HAVE A BLESSED DAY!</i></b></span></p>Gwen Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13132836346305559246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260356366721241015.post-70410718412231880852022-05-04T00:30:00.004-07:002022-05-04T00:30:00.168-07:00Moving: No #IWSG Post Today<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcXRtbvh3oT7Ta81omfjjJzbd5TCMW2-0rO0Id1B1x_u6Y2HMjTOwk0H-KvKwZbOlTghYQzgsIf2bfcCose7vgk7olODn_XfbbKkfa_aX7Qrm67sF-BQHYtbmgUsqUh9pOVyuiwjUzOfIwr26UTwZRfwWy7YLItmfudENr9MslioSjJgGqRGW-R_n/s200/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcXRtbvh3oT7Ta81omfjjJzbd5TCMW2-0rO0Id1B1x_u6Y2HMjTOwk0H-KvKwZbOlTghYQzgsIf2bfcCose7vgk7olODn_XfbbKkfa_aX7Qrm67sF-BQHYtbmgUsqUh9pOVyuiwjUzOfIwr26UTwZRfwWy7YLItmfudENr9MslioSjJgGqRGW-R_n/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>I’m on the move so can’t participate this month!</p><p> If you’d like to join the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, please sign up <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html">HERE</a>. </p><p><br /></p><p>See you next month! </p>Gwen Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13132836346305559246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260356366721241015.post-58258210481560625232022-04-13T00:30:00.073-07:002022-04-13T00:30:00.189-07:00Guest Post by Alex Cavanaugh: Switching the Main Character<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhj4_UuqjW4GUhMOFUlJOKFuUAENgRl65SvacQQUNC7gJFHpUOJURErz5g-daueaQzPClqb0C3aEWJyMIlJRTpBHUbcg_7bubQ3kZBbFkhQVXhUGubm2wztSoNRzICBqLbPQ-FrOA5_E2TQuDe3CXAcpqMY6Nv1eZZZo-_i7_K5ZLJBTzmi9uctReXa=s800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="800" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhj4_UuqjW4GUhMOFUlJOKFuUAENgRl65SvacQQUNC7gJFHpUOJURErz5g-daueaQzPClqb0C3aEWJyMIlJRTpBHUbcg_7bubQ3kZBbFkhQVXhUGubm2wztSoNRzICBqLbPQ-FrOA5_E2TQuDe3CXAcpqMY6Nv1eZZZo-_i7_K5ZLJBTzmi9uctReXa=w200-h198" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Today I'd like to welcome <a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/">Alex "the Ninja Captain" Cavanaugh</a> to my blog to talk about his new release, CassaStar, and why he switched to a new main character. And now I'm getting ideas...but I digress. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Please read on!</div><p></p><p class="gmail-msonormal" style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Switching to a New Main Character</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gmail-msonormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gmail-msonormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Cassa series follows Byron from hot-shot gifted
pilot to retired war hero to commander of a base. He’s a character who has been
with me since I was a young teen. So why would I switch from Byron to his son
Bassan for the fourth book?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gmail-msonormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gmail-msonormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Each book has jumped ahead many years. By the
time the third one begins, Byron is approximately sixty-two. While Cassans live
to a hundred and twenty, Byron is at this point middle-aged. Another jump
forward would’ve put him near senior citizen. I didn’t want to write Cassa: The
Geriatric Years.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gmail-msonormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gmail-msonormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Enter Byron’s son, Bassan. He’s introduced in
CassaStorm and the ten year-old rather stole the show. Jumping ahead a few
years with Bassan made more sense. He’s a grown young man still finding his way
in the world, which provided the perfect scenario for an interesting story
line.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gmail-msonormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gmail-msonormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Bryon is still present, but he now takes a back
seat as CassaDark follows Bassan across the galaxy. Normally I tell a tale
through two points of view (and for CassaStorm, three) but this time I revealed
everything through Bassan’s eyes only. That created a new challenge, but it
also kept it simple in terms of voice and staying in character.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gmail-msonormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gmail-msonormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Will readers embrace this switch? I hope that
those who grew attached with Bassan in the third book will continue to follow
him into the fourth one. And for those picking up CassaDark on its own (since
it follows a new character, it stands on its own better than any of the others)
they will never know the difference!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gmail-msonormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gmail-msonormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gmail-msonormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Alex J. Cavanaugh works in web design and
graphics, and he plays guitar in a Christian band. A fan of all things science
fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online
he is known as Ninja Captain Alex and he’s the founder of the Insecure Writer’s
Support Group. <br />
<a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.com"><span style="color: #0563c1;">http://alexjcavanaugh.com</span></a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gmail-msonormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gmail-msonormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gmail-msonormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gmail-msonormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gmail-msonormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">CassaDark<br />
By Alex J. Cavanaugh </span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCVtWmAkwcQOBGhK5BWJ6GzXY4TCovMwsDfu1J51WvzKIUWHF2jBluzb3b1i6DRhxGjoy3F62fZGoOosIGE0iLrKRRdEJFpor1hHPeTNyWftUOOTG1rcNkUBeBN20PvaoBBg1-wE0el_5xHhkxNiRctPQBUPUDyEMm6vjKGJ2RZGrivLJByozT-wqE=s1089" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1089" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCVtWmAkwcQOBGhK5BWJ6GzXY4TCovMwsDfu1J51WvzKIUWHF2jBluzb3b1i6DRhxGjoy3F62fZGoOosIGE0iLrKRRdEJFpor1hHPeTNyWftUOOTG1rcNkUBeBN20PvaoBBg1-wE0el_5xHhkxNiRctPQBUPUDyEMm6vjKGJ2RZGrivLJByozT-wqE=s320" width="212" /></a></b></div><b>
<br />
</b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">His
world is unraveling…<br />
<br />
Bassan’s father is stepping down from command. His best friend almost dies when
Bassan freezes. Now, he’s being sent across the galaxy to speak at an important
conference. Despite saving the eleven races years ago, he’s paralyzed by fear
and doubt. Could things get any worse?<br />
<br />
Once there, new acquaintance Zendar convinces Bassan to visit his planet for a
humanitarian mission. Bassan’s special connection to ancient technology is the
key to saving Zendar’s people. One problem though—it’s a prisoner planet.<br />
<br />
On Ugar, he discovers things aren’t so straightforward. As each secret reveals
itself, the situation grows more desperate. If he can’t find the right answers,
he might die along with Zendar’s people. Can Bassan summon the courage to be a
hero again?<br />
<br />
Trade paperback, 226 pages, Dancing Lemur Press, LLC<br />
Science fiction - Adventure (FIC028010) / Space Opera (FIC028030) / Space
Exploration (FIC028130)<br />
<a name="_Hlk58485074">Print ISBN 9781939844842 $16.95 / eBook ISBN
9781939844859</a> $4.99<br />
<br />
Links:<br />
iTunes – <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id1574189874"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id1574189874</span></a><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"><br />
</span></u>Amazon – <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0982FL3SH"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0982FL3SH</span></a><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"><br />
</span></u>Barnes & Noble – <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940164947033"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940164947033</span></a><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"><br />
</span></u>Kobo – <a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=9781939844859"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=9781939844859</span></a>
<br />
Scribed – <a href="https://www.scribd.com/search?query=9781939844859&language=0"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.scribd.com/search?query=9781939844859&language=0</span></a>
<br />
<span style="background: white; color: black;">Goodreads - </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58461762-cassadark"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58461762-cassadark</span></a>
<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>Gwen Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13132836346305559246noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260356366721241015.post-80615531886743316702022-04-06T00:30:00.002-07:002023-01-03T15:22:12.545-08:00#IWSG No #Audiobooks Here, But One Day...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4sccxB2FE6_ggJSHrkUuHldj6pVH6nlkPAgCwImEXOvM_JGb6gGqQiTSkN3Ry4soz2U5D53-0EZp_fAPuA7lXU-59KbUm0CbZlbUV2cQ9Z34LLDfq86nPOZnTuWuq3QKcoDSsOyr2HPoxs3TMVvc_cQ4WQotlRrHSEMr55Ck5_ZLj2g6DoeLwABr/s200/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4sccxB2FE6_ggJSHrkUuHldj6pVH6nlkPAgCwImEXOvM_JGb6gGqQiTSkN3Ry4soz2U5D53-0EZp_fAPuA7lXU-59KbUm0CbZlbUV2cQ9Z34LLDfq86nPOZnTuWuq3QKcoDSsOyr2HPoxs3TMVvc_cQ4WQotlRrHSEMr55Ck5_ZLj2g6DoeLwABr/s1600/Insecure%20Writers%20Support%20Group%20Badge.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><b>Hello! It's Insecure Writer's Support Group Day. We "meet" on the first Wednesday of every month to support and encourage each other and to touch base on what everyone has going on. If you'd like to join, <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html">GO HERE</a>. </b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Thanks to our host, <a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/">Alex Cavanaugh</a> for hosting every month, and to this month's co-hosting volunteers: </b></span></span><b style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a _blank="" href="http://joylenebutler.com/blog%E2%80%9D%20target=" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;">Joylene Nowell Butler,</a> <a href="http://jemimapett.com/blog/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Jemima Pett,</a> <a href="https://www.patriciajosephine.com/blog" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Patricia Josephine,</a> <a href="http://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Louise - Fundy Blue,</a> </b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large; text-align: center;">and</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> </span><b style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="http://kimlajevardi.com/" style="color: #0b0bc3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Kim Lajevardi!</a></b></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><b>This month's optional question is: Have any of your books been made into audio books? If so, what is the main challenge in producing an audiobook?</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" /></span><span style="font-size: medium;">I'd love to have my books on audio one day, but keeping up with this fast-paced industry is leaving me in the dust. Retirement is looming at the end of the tunnel (April 29th!) and I have a lot going on to prepare for it, including a temporary move. But once I'm settled into my "forever" home I will have a very busy "retirement" catching up on writing and publishing. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Also, our ninja captain Alex Cavanaugh, is going to be a guest on my blog next Wednesday April 13th to talk about his new release. Please come back next week to find out why he switched to a new main character. </span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJABAkhCLE23yISW4tciImOGknBubBSy0pP2ldBAyx67hCuCNKb4E7AZeRCJvzLmmgsDM-AKsNcwR_SFIGh3NzSc8Met7_BNW91IkyBiMU8Opd4shZ_N3O0vmW2MkNDqzDgec_BHWbSTEJ_k3H32oPcrYRST3Odji-IjbLyI0FBQomOnymrGxdW5N_/s800/Alex%20J%20Cavanaugh%20Mini%20Alex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="800" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJABAkhCLE23yISW4tciImOGknBubBSy0pP2ldBAyx67hCuCNKb4E7AZeRCJvzLmmgsDM-AKsNcwR_SFIGh3NzSc8Met7_BNW91IkyBiMU8Opd4shZ_N3O0vmW2MkNDqzDgec_BHWbSTEJ_k3H32oPcrYRST3Odji-IjbLyI0FBQomOnymrGxdW5N_/w200-h198/Alex%20J%20Cavanaugh%20Mini%20Alex.jpg" width="200" /></a><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><i><b>Have you published an audiobook?</b></i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><i>Do you recommend it?</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><i><b>Got any advice?</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><i><b>Biggest challenges? </b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Best place to start? </b></i></div></div><p><br /></p>Gwen Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13132836346305559246noreply@blogger.com25