IWSG, Nightmares and Backworlds

It's the first Wednesday of the month and that means it's Insecure Writer's Support Group day. If you want to join this awesome group, go HERE. Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for hosting this monthly event and a big shout out to all who help make this event happen every month.

Also, welcome to what has become my monthly blog post. Sad, but true, it seems. I don't want to post if I can't comment and return visits. And since I've had to prioritize, if it's a choice between working on my next novel and blogging, then the novel writing wins. I know you can all relate.

When I win the Time Lotto, I'll do more blogging.

So on to my insecurity. I'm actually feeling pretty good about what I'm doing. I've read several books on craft recently and have a couple of outlines started. I need to get more organized and combine what I've learned into something that works best for me. I've actually started writing, because whichever outline version I use, they start out the same. Beginning the writing process has eased my anxiety about not getting any writing done.  I feel good about it, so it's all good!

How's your writing life going?

 

Even though I'm not getting a lot done, I know some awesome writers who are!

Check these out:

 

Precipice

by M. Pax

 

 

In the far future, humanity settles the stars, bioengineering its descendants to survive in a harsh universe. This is the sixth book in the science fiction series, The Backworlds. A space opera adventure. 

The Backworlds hang by a Quantum string, a thread about to snap. Annihilation is coming if Craze can’t stop it.

The genocidal alien he had trapped breaks free, destroying a ship belonging to the Backworlds’ oldest enemy, the Fo’wo’s. The murderous alien wants to overtake the galaxy. The Fo’wo’s want another war.

The Backworlds’ best chance to survive is to overcome a century of hate and forge an alliance with the Fo’wo’s. Because of his history with the alien, Craze is recruited to represent his people. Now he’s the most hated man in the galaxy.

The looming war will be a holocaust unless Craze can stop it, knowing salvation comes at a price. 

 

Sounds awesome, right? Well, here's another interesting bit from the main character, Craze:

Question: What is the most expensive drink in the Backworlds?

Craze:  Hot chocolate. A tiny bar of chocolate can buy you a spaceship in the Backworlds. Not a top of the line deal, but a working spaceship all the same.

 

Buy links: Amazon / B&N / iBook / Googleplay / Smashwords / Kobo / Other

 

And,

 

Once Upon A Nightmare: A Collection

by Cherie Reich

 

 

A monster hunts us. After hibernating for a decade, it’s ravenous. We long to stop this nightmare, but the end of the road is far. There is no waking up once a legend sets its sights on you.

Disappearances every ten or so years make little impact on the small town of New Haven, Virginia. Hikers get lost. Hunters lose the trail. Even when a body is discovered, the inhabitants’ memories last about as long as the newspaper articles.

No one connects the cases. No one notices the disappearances go back beyond Civil War times. No one believes a legendary monster roams the forests in Southwestern Virginia.

I don’t either until the truck breaks down on an old mountain trail. Cell phones won’t work in this neck of the woods. It’s amazing how much a person can see by starlight alone. So what if we can’t feel our fingers or toes as we hike toward the main road. How many more miles left to go?

Crrraaack!

Hear that noise?

I'm shivering already!

 

Purchase Once upon a Nightmare: A Collection by Cherie Reich at Amazon.

 

 

 

How's your writing going?

 

Got any good book recommendations to share?

 



IWSG: Behind My Time

Well that was the fastest April in history! I took the month off from this blog, but participated in the 2015 A-Z Blogging Challenge with Untethered Realms. I think it's pretty darn cool that bloggers do this every year. It's a chance to touch base with old blogging friends and meet new ones. All in all, it's quite the success!

So, onto the business of May, and in particular the first Wednesday of the month when members of the Insecure Writer's Support Group post about writerly stuff. Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh and his minions for hosting this every month and making sure that hundreds of writers receive a supportive visit.

After publishing three books I wanted to up my game by learning more about pacing and writing a better book. I read Save the Cat by Blake Snyder and learned a lot. Even though it's for screenwriters, it's a great tool for any writer. Then I heard about Take Off Your Pants!: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker. Both are basically the same premise, but TOYP is specifically for writers. I'm learning a lot, even though most of what I've read I already knew, just never really applied it, at least not in an organized manner.

So, what's my problem? I've gotten no writing done this year. Just bits and pieces. I keep telling myself I'm investing in learning time to become a better writer. But I'm getting antsy because, well, I haven't written anything! I thought I'd get a book out this year, but now it's May and I'm thinking maybe not. Probably not! I feel like I'm behind in my time, as Scrooge accused Marley in A Christmas Carol. *big sigh*

Thanks for listening!

What's your writing insecurity this month?

Did you participate in the A-Z Challenge?

April Fun!

Happy A - Z Blog Challenge 2015!

 

 

I'm doing the A - Z with my buddies over at the Untethered Realms blog. We're doing graphics with lines from our books or WIPs. They're pretty darn good if I do say so myself!

 

Hope you can stop by!

 

*****

Happy Insecure Writer's Support Group Day!

Now to the Insecure Writer's Support Group post. If you want to sign up, go HERE. Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for hosting every month, and a special thanks to this month's minions,The awesome  Suzanne Furness, Tonja Drecker, Toi Thomas, Rachna Chhabria, Fundy Blue, and Donna Hole!
 

I'll keep it short in case you want to slip over to Untethered Realms. My only complaint is....wait for it (LOL)....TIME! No big surprise, right? Summer is my busy season at work (Why yes, it is summer in San Diego right now! Inland, where I live, we're already reaching 90 degree temps) which, when you're in the swimming pool business, means long hours and too tired to do anything in the evenings except sip on a glass of wine.

And because it's also April Fool's Day, I thought you might like a couple of jokes!

 

How many science fiction writers does it take to change a light bulb? Two, but it's actually the same person doing it. He went back in time and met himself in the doorway and then the first one sat on the other one's shoulder so that they were able to reach it. Then a major time paradox occurred and the entire room, light bulb, changer and all was blown out of existence.

And another oldie but goodie...

How many mystery writers does it take to change a light bulb? Two. One to screw the bulb almost all the way in, and one to give a surprising twist at the end.

 

*****

 

I guess I'm a Weekend Writing Warrior now.

 How about you?

Are you doing the A-Z?

 

P.S. this blog is on hiatus for the month of April!

But! I'll still be lurking...