IWSG November 2017

Time for the Insecure Writers Support Group, (IWSG) As we forage through toward the end of the year, 2017, I'd like to thank Alex J. Cavanaugh for starting this group which has grown by leaps and bounds. Way to go Alex. To read what other writers have said go here.

The question of the month relates to NaNoWriteMonth. I have never participated do to health issues. I simply can't promise to scribble something out everyday. Therefore, I will post about Halloween.

Why? You ask? Because I have some Australian friends who have told me they don't do Halloween. So this post is for you, my Aussie pals.

Today's Halloween with costumes and candy started sometime in the 1930's here in America. It used to be a night of tricks and often teenagers would take to the streets and vandalize property. In the city that included breaking windows in stores, which was very expensive. So business owners and politicians got together to discuss how they could change that and came up with a night where children dress up and go trick or treating around the neighborhood for candy. They proposed that young people would be so busy doing that, that they wouldn't demolish property. Of course, the businesses could make a profit selling costumes and candy as well. It took awhile to take off but once it did, children across America loved it.

When I was a child in the 1950's, we could accept homemade treats like popcorn balls and caramel apples. In the late 1960's there was a scare that some were putting LSD and razor blades in the candy and so now, the parents of children diligently checked the candy and throw away anything that isn't individually wrapped. The History Channel says that there never was LSD or razor blades in candy. It was "fake" news that scared a lot of people, my mom included.

So there you have it, costumes and candy instead of broken windows.

Do you celebrate Halloween?

Nancy

IWSG Oct. 2017

The 1^st Wednesday of October. I’m tempted to talk about time flying but that would be cliché. Instead, I’ll mention that Alex J. Cavanaugh start the group years ago and I’ve lost count on how many years exactly. I really appreciated that because at the time I was going through a hard time and I had read an un-sympatic blog degrading authors who had a little emotional sensitivity. I felt understood. So, thank you Alex.

To read other post go here.

We moved last month which means I’ve gotten almost nothing done. I did manage to finish a chapter in my new WIP to keep my critique partners busy but no editing in book 2. I’ll catch up by the end of Oct. and then off to my editor. Money is always an issue for me, so I have to juggle my writer life around my personal life.

The question of the month is: Have you ever slipped any of your personal information into your characters, either by accident or on purpose?

This is more complicated than it might seem. I can honestly say that none of my characters in any of my stories are real people. That is deliberate. However, I experience life and along with that, I’ve met a lot of people. In order to bring 3 dimensions to my characters, some of what I feel or have experienced is used. Imagine a person who is so isolated that they never come into contact with the world. Would their stories be interesting? Would you fall in love or on the flip side, hate one of their characters? I don’t think so.

Therefore, the answer to the question is, of course. But what I add is calculated and deliberate. None that sounds positively evil. I promise, it isn’t.

How about you? If you’re a writer do you write about real people? If you’re a reader, would you want to read a book with no emotion?

Nancy

Oct. is spook month. Return on Oct. 18, 2017 for my Dark and Scary story in the WEP bloghop. Here’s the link. You can read about it and sign up to write something. I’d love to see what you share.

IWSG Sept. 2017

Time again for another Insecure Writer’s Support Group post. Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. Time flies. IWSG is the brain child of Alex J. Cavanaugh who started this group of authors way back when in September. Over the years it has grown from a few people posting their insecurities or their encouragement. There’s a FaceBook page were authors can ask questions, a critique group and a whole lot more. So, if you’ve never heard of IWSG before, check it out. To read other post or learn more go here.

September 6 Question: Have you ever surprised yourself with your writing? For example, by trying a new genre you didn't think you'd be comfortable in??

A short answer from me. No. I write fantasy and at the moment I have more story ideas than I can handle. How about you? I know a lot of writers who dabble in more than one genre.

In other news. We are moving from a one-bedroom apartment into a two-bedroom apartment in the same apartment complex. It is two buildings over. Move in day is Sept. 26. That means there is another delay in up-dating my book cover, editing book two and formatting. Two reasons for that. Time and money. It will get done before the end of the year though.

I will also publish a short story for free in an effort to draw in more readers. Here is a short excerpt.

Title: The Prince and The Warrior

Water rushed between rocks, rippling and letting off a fine mist. The fresh scent of it mingled with rich soil and new spring leaves and grasses. Sunlight shone down through a cloudless sky. Arnoux squinted, gazing upward. A buzzing noise near his left ear caused him to raise his hand to swat the flies away. He let his hand drop. Swelling distorted his left temple and sticky blood clogged his fingers.

            He couldn’t remember the fall. Attempting to sit, he gasped, falling on river rocks again. He’d broken a rib. Maybe more than one. His breathing was labored and his mind a muddled mess. He clutched his left side and managed to sit. His success was greeted with yet another pain. This one in his left ankle, like a thousand knives pricking his skin, whose swelling tightened the leather of his boot unbearably. He should remove it, but his strength was gone.

            The river might help. He inched over the rocks toward the sandy shore and stuck his swollen left boot in the river. This would ruin the leather, but what choice did he have?

            His mare grazed on tender grass jutting through the river rocks. Arnoux wanted to call her to him but he couldn’t remember her name. Some flower or plant. He whistled instead and she raised her head, nickered, shook her mane and came. Arnoux remembered training her. Odd how one memory came while others remained as veiled as a fox creeping up on a rabbit. He clicked his tongue and the horse knelt beside him. He leaned on her and struggled to open the saddle bag. His breathing came in quick gasps and the heavy weight in his side nearly made him pass out.

            Once his breathing slowed, he undid the saddle bag and pulled out a spare shirt. Unlacing his leather jerkin, he struggled out of it, then out of the ripped and bloody shirt beneath. He pulled his hunting knife out of his right boot and cut the ruined shirt into bandages. His entire left side was covered with black and blue starbursts. Anchoring one end of the strips with a rock, he bandaged his ribs. He had to stop more than once to slow his breathing and shut out the pain. Once finished, he tied the ends. The support lessened his agony.

            Before redressing, he splashed water on his face and scrubbed the dried blood away.

            His mare had wandered off as he worked. He crawled to a large boulder and struggled to lift himself onto it. At his whistle, the mare returned. As she stood before him, Arnoux climbed into the saddle and lay across her back.

            “Go east. I think we go east.” The mare obeyed the gentle nudge of his knee and walked into the forest. 

So my blogging friends, what do you think? And, if you write, do you stay in one genre or have several?

Nancy

IWSG Aug. 2017 Pet Peeves and News

Time again for an IWSG post. What is that you say? Insecure Writers Support Group. Started by Alex J. Cavanuagh where we share encouraging news or our insecurities. Lord knows I have a lot of insecurities and sometimes I panic. To read what others have written go here.

IWSG Aug Question: What are your pet peeves when reading/writing/editing?

I spent years learning the craft of writing. Therefore, I don’t have much time for those who are lazy and never bothered to learn. You know immediately when you start to read a book if this is true. Backstory, POV shifts, sometimes in the middle of the sentence, information dump, etc. That being said, I’m willing to help others learn if they are willing to put in the effort.

In other news. If you know me, then you know money is tight. I have saved up enough now to buy ISBN’s, have the paper copy of my book cover done and start a web page by mid-August. In September, I’ll pay for formatting. This may take more than one month to reach all markets. Book 2 will be ready for my editor in September as well. I hope to release it come December. But, ultimately, that will depend on money for my editor and book cover.

This has been a long time coming with multiple delays. Family is first. Sometimes I just have to put food on the table.

How about you? Do you have a pet peeve when reading or editing books? Do you have some exciting news? Do share.

Nancy

I hope you will consider joining me in creating a wonderful story or sharing something that actually happened on Aug. 16, 2017 for the Write, Edit, Publish bloghop titled: Reunions. To sign up go here.

IWSG July 5, 2017

It’s the 1^st Wednesday in July. Half the year has gone by. No matter what you believe, this has been one of the most contentious years in recent memory. So, time for a breather and to visit a few of us bloggers as we share our insecurities, or encouragement. Yes, you have arrived at July’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group. Well, I’m one of them anyway.

If you don’t know, this group was started by Alex J. Cavanaugh and has been running for several years. So, take a look at my post and then visit a few others. To do so go here.

July 5 Question: What is one valuable lesson you've learned since you started writing?

Hmmm…as I sit here contemplating the question I start wondering about life lessons in general.

I don’t think I’ve learned any particular lessons since I began to write unless they are related to writing. Rather, the lessons I’ve learned throughout my life have made me a better writer. We will only talk about one here since I need to keep it within the length of a blog post.

I have always been a kind and generous person. People take advantage of people like me. I’ve also been bullied throughout my life. Even now at 65. So, I have studied the motivations of others simply so I could understand why people do what they do. That has translated into my ability to write believable characters and to ensure that no two characters are alike in my stories.

I once read a romance and fell in love with the writer’s talent. When I picked up her next book, it was like a carbon copy of the first in a different time and place. I never bought another book she wrote. So being able to write different characters with different motivations is a must. If you want the same characters than write a sequel with those characters in it. I write sequels, but the main characters are different.

How about you? What have you learned? O

r what do you love about your favorite book?

Nancy

IWSG June 2017; Did you ever quit? And, Micro-Robots

Insecure Writers Support Group is a huge blog hop started by Alex J. Cavanaugh and post on the 1^st Wednesday of every month. As the name implies, many of us our insecure. Feel free to join our little group…ah…or big group, and post your insecurities and or encouragement. Just click on this link to visit other blogs and or join. Well, I recommend you do both. And no, you don’t have to visit everyone. The recommendation is to visit 10.

I missed May because my husband had surgery that day. He’s doing great.

Question of the Month:

June 7 Question: Did you ever say “I quit”? If so, what happened to make you come back to writing?

Years ago, I joined an in-person critique group. We met once a week and read our work out loud at a book store and then braced for the critique. Growing up, I was switched from my left hand to my right which gave me a learning disability known as Dyslexia. It wasn’t as severe as those born with this condition, but it still played havoc with my ability to spell, read and learn English Grammar.

No doubt you can imagine what my chapter looked like when I went home. I re-wrote chapters so many times I lost track. So, it was tempting to quit. But…I had stories and I needed to write. So here I am, a published author.

On a different note, I watch Ancient Aliens and often come away with ideas to include in my stories. It’s great if you need a magical element and you want something different from the norm. This week’s show was all about what doctors and scientists are working on currently. Of course, in between showing us this and that, the guys claim aliens did the same thing in the past.

So, I thought I’d share a snippet with you, because that show this week gave me a ton of ideas, none of which will work for fantasy.

If your old enough or if you love old movies, you may remember the one called, ‘Voyager,’ where a team of scientist enter a ship which is shrunk and injected into the body of a man who was dying. Well…they can do that now minus the people. Micro-robots that will attack disease instead of the need for surgery.

Nancy

Did you quit and come back to writing? Do you like the idea of micro-robots infiltrating your body? Can you think of a story that suits this technology? Is it horror? Humor? SciFi or some other genre. Let me know in the comments. Thanks for coming by.

April 2017 IWSG

April has arrived and it's time for another IWSG post. The Insecure Writer's Support Group was started by Alex J. Cavanaugh. We post on the first Wednesday of the month. To read other post go here.

April 5 Question: Have you taken advantage of the annual A to Z Challenge in terms of marketing, networking, publicity for your book? What were the results?

I did participate in the A through Z Challenge the first year, but after that my health took a nose dive. I had to decide, continue to blog as I had been, or devote my time to writing and critiquing my work and the work of my critique partners. I chose to write. that being said, I can't offer advice for selling my books based on blogging. When I did blog, I didn't notice a lot of sales from my efforts.

How about you? Do you participate in the A - Z Challenge? Does blogging help you sell your books? 

Nancy

IWSG Wed. 2017 Reworking a story

Welcome to the first Wednesday of March, 2017. This post is an ongoing blog hop titled, The Insecure Writers Support Group, (IWSG), started by Alex J. Cavanugh. The goal is to share either your insecurities or to encourage others. Recently, a question of the month was added which you may answer or not. For this post, I've chosen to answer the question. To read what others have written or to sign up and post something go here.

March Question of the month:

Have you ever pulled out a really old story and reworked it? Did it work out?

Indeed, I did. My first serious story. I say that because I wrote stories all through my youth. I didn’t get serious about writing until about 35 years ago. I had something happen to me and I needed a creative outlet to heal. Writing was it.

When I eventually joined a writers group, I was told repeatedly to set my first story aside and start something new. I couldn’t. The characters lived in my heart. So, I plodded on, learning all the lessons that writing something good demands and re-writing that story. I even took notes on the sequel. Soon the idea expanded into four stories. Now, I have a fifth story idea and several short stories. I even wrote a flash fiction piece in that same world for a Halloween blog hop.

Did it work out? You tell me.

I self-published. Here’s the story, and the link plus a few of my recent reviews.

(I’m in the middle of re-formatting to expand my market and have a paper book available, all with a new book cover. So, this particular e-book will only be available for another week or two. Same book, new cover.)

Friendship price of 99 cents.

Amazon.com

Amazon.UK

Reviews are posted on Amazon.com

5 Stars

This book is the best book of the last decade! Very well written and the plot is nice. Thanks a lot!

5 Stars

Very well written book! I'm impressed. thanks a lot!

4 Stars

I AM HOOKED!!!!!!!!!!!!

There are 33 reviews in total. So, did I make the right decision to stick with this book? I can only tell you, I made the only decision I could.

How about you? Did you revise an old book or are you a reader who appreciates a well written book?

Nancy

The sequel is in the editing process. I hope to release it this Christmas. Title: The Rise of Lord Sinon

IWSG February 2017

The first Wednesday of February 2017 is also the first day of the month. Time for the monthly bloghop of Insecure Writer's. This group was the brain child of Alex J. Cavanaugh and now has quite the following. I am one writer in hundreds. To read other post go here.

Here's the question of the month:

How has being a writer changed your experience as a reader?

The answer is, a lot. When I read a book now I’m automatically aware of character perspective, back story, is there too much? Also, pacing, suspense, does the author invest in too many subplots, do the subplots work or detract. Grammar, spelling and much more. And if all that is on track do I fall in love with the characters? Is the story believable?

Trust me when I say, I hold myself to the same standard.

Other News:

I didn’t make it into the IWSG Anthology. I was bummed. It seems I can never break through that publishing standard. But I will simply take my story and self-publish it. I’m not sure I will try to get published by anyone else again.

I really don’t know what I’m doing wrong. My entire critique group and many friends love my writing. I mean, I have no sparkling characters, nor do I write in clichés. so it’s a mystery. I will press on.

How about you? Do you read books differently now? Are you published? Or do you self-publish as I do? 

Nancy

Insecure Writers Support Group 2017

It's 2017! I hope this is the year that brings your dreams to fruition.

It's also the 1st Wednesday of the New Year. January 2017 and time for us to share are insecurities or to give out encouragement. IWSG was started by Alex J. Cavanaugh and has grown into a wonderful writer community. To read other post go here.

January 4th Question: What writing rule do you wish you'd never heard?

I can honestly say not one. Every rule is in place to challenge us to become a better writer. They have certainly made me a better writer. They are all second nature to me now. Alarm bells go off in my head when I break one. But it is possible that I don't know all the rules. I'll be curious to read what others have written.

Today is also the announcement for the winners of the IWSG Fantasy Anthology. When I learn the out come I'll post an update in here since I entered.

If you haven't picked up a copy of my epic fantasy yet, here's your chance at the friendship price of just 99 cents. I'll be redoing the cover and adding a print copy soon and the price will increase to $2.99

Amazon.com  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0055OHYDM#

Thank you for coming by, Nancy

IWSG Reviews and Questions

It is the first Wednesday of December and the last Wednesday of 2016. Happy Holidays!

Time to share your thoughts, insecurities, frustrations, etc., etc. In other words it is time for the Insecure Writers Support Group blog hop. Started by Alex J. Cavanaugh. This baby has grown into an impressive community of writers and authors. If you would like to read what others have said go here.

UpDate: The review that I discuss below has been changed to read: I have to say I was underwhelmed by these stories. 

I do not like research. Of course as with any good writer, I do research. So what is the IWSG question of the week? I have trouble finding it every time even though my lovely friends have told me where to go. Ugh! I will add it to the bottom of this post. When I find it.

Reviews.

The bane of all authors. Or so it would seem. A review can be thrilling and send you into orbit. It can be constructive and give you a glimpse into what works with your book and what doesn't. A review can be so discouraging that you want to give up altogether. Is it really worth the aggravation?

All published authors know the importance of reviews. We try to encourage our readers to leave one. A book I read recently advised to request a short blurb from readers. Review or blurb, both are necessary.

So how do you view your reviews?

I get excited when I see there is a new review. I've been fortunate in that most of my reviews are positive, even better than I had hoped. Let's face it. That book is our baby. It contains a big part of our life and shelters our hearts.

I have not received a review with any information as to how to improve except for one that wanted me to add little pictures before each chapter. This person downloaded my book for free. I really wanted to tell her, I don't have enough money for little pictures. But I didn't.

Do you comment on your reviews.
OK. Admit it. You wanted to slaughter that nasty reviewer with your exceptional writerly skills. Me too. But the advice is not to.

So let's talk about nasty reviews. Trolls! Beware. They hide in wait to attack you.

I have received two nasty reviews to date. My very first review was one of these and it sent me into a dark place. The reviewer, a man, criticized my use of a unicorn to bring the gift of language to my heroine in my epic fantasy, The Treasures of Carmelidrium. He said picking up on a language was easy. Not for me it isn't, nor for my heroine. He didn't like how I handled the confrontation between the villain and heroine. And there were several other choice things. I was devastated. It took me about a week and then I looked him up. He is self published and every review he had received to date was critical in the worse possible way. He simply gave me the same treatment. Therefore, I ignored him. Nothing he said was helpful.

The second nasty review I received was for my new release. Halloween Collection 2. This is a collection of flash fiction stories. Anyone who has written flash fiction knows these stories are short, short, short. She basically said that the stories were boring, that my writing ruined the greatness of the story, and advised that I take writing lessons and join a critique group. There was more but that is enough to send an inexperienced author into a pit of gloom. She gave me three stars. I made the mistake of going to her blog, reading her post and commenting. I thanked her for buying my book and told her I'd been writing for 30 years and was a member of a critique group with other published authors. The next day she had changed the 3 stars to 2 stars.

So...neither negative review was helpful. They both left me with the impression that the reviewer was a frustrated writer who was disappointed by their lack of success and channeled their disappointment by attacking other writers.

I have read and heard writers give this simple advice. Be kind to others. When you are kind and thoughtful, it will come back to you. Karma. I practice this. When I leave a review, I always talk about what I enjoyed in the writing. We authors struggle to bring the reader something they will enjoy. I'm not after the Pulitzer Prize, I just love writing.

Have you gotten a nasty review? Or one that thrilled you?

The question for December's post is: In terms of your writing career, where do you see yourself five years from now, and what’s your plan to get there?

I plan to finally break through the promotion barrier and be a best seller. I will achieve this by continuing to upload books and by following the advice from other authors and from books I've read.

Now! Just in case: Your thinking I might be a lousy writer and deserved that review. So here is another review for my epic fantasy.

The Treasures of Carmelidrium.
"This is the best book of the decade." Amazon reader.

To order from Amazon.com click here.

What is your favorite character? IWSG

Time again for an insecure post. Created by Alex J. Cavangaugh this baby has grown into something amazing. To read what others have written go here.


The question of the month is...

What is your favorite aspect of being a writer?

Characters! 

I love my characters. I think most writers love their heroes but I love them all. From hero to minor character to villain. 

Of course it helps to know their backstory. I do even though most of that is never included in the story. I put my characters through the meat grinder. They are challenged, tested, abused until they cry out. Then they recover or overcome or both. And yes, sometimes they die. 

I have two favorite characters to date. Prince Healden and Missie from my first epic fantasy, The Treasures of Carmelidrium. Healden is pronounced Hel-din. Like Heather, you don't say heat-her. Healden is a real name. It is Teutonic and means 'protector.' If you've read the books you know he does exactly that. 

Missie is a nickname her father gave her. She is a modern American University student and gifted flutist. She is thrust through a portal into a medieval world where her music is the key to saving the world from the evil tyrant, Renwyck, Lord of the Symberveen.

Tall order. I have many favorite scenes but here's one that brings a smile to my lips. Missie's given name is Michelle. She's just found out that Healden is romantically interested in her. Frustrated by her circumstance she let's lose. 

Healden frowned and raised his hand, running his fingers through his thick hair. “I assure you, my Lady. My intentions are honorable.”

    “Honorable, what does that mean? I’ve known more than one charming, good looking guy. Besides, you’re a prince, and…I’m…a commoner.”

    “You are hardly common, my Lady.”

    She glared at him with emphasis. “To the point, your Highness, I will be no man’s mistress.” 

    To her aggravation, Healden’s mouth began to twitch at the corners. “I hope not.”

   “I am a commoner, Healden. Everyone knows royalty and commoners don’t mingle. A thousand years ago, nobility and royalty had arranged marriages for profit and land.”
    “A thousand years ago in your world. My Lady, much has happened, and I understand how difficult all this must be for you. Accept my apology and allow me to escort you to dinner.”  He held out his hand.

Ahhh...heart flutter.

Amazon link.

Who is your favorite character? Someone you created or someone from a favorite book?

Nancy

Tribute to Pappy and IWSG

Tribute to Pappy

Last Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, my step-father passed away. He was born Richard (Dick) Monroe on Oct. 4, 1921. He would have been 95. His health and my mother’s had been failing for a number of years but it still came as a shock.

He was Pappy to my children and the only grandfather they knew. I can still see him with his fingers folded together and making his classic comment, “Yeah,” with a little chuckle.

My mother and Dick went to High School together in Rochester, Minnesota. I remember mother showing me a picture of a class play she was in along with several other students and Dick. Since mother never mentioned Dick other than the one time, I had no idea he was special to her.

After many years here in Colorado, mother returned to Rochester to be close to her own mother during her failing years. One day I stopped by mom’s house to learn that her High School was holding their 50^th Class Reunion. Mother had never attended before but she went that year and met up with Dick.

Theirs’s was the classic love story. A best-selling book or tear jerking movie. Right after High School mom went into nursing school and Dick went into the Air Force. Pearl Harbor soon sent America into WWII. But even though mom and Dick were separated they still wrote each other.

After the war my mom met my father and married him a little too fast. They were happy at first but my dad was an alcoholic so mom always worked. Eventually they divorced when I was thirteen.

As it turned out, Dick had intended to ask my mom to marry him, but he waited too long. However, he did marry and have two children. His wife died of M.S. So, they met again and married thirty-six years ago this November. I have never seen my mother so happy.

Here’s to you pappy. You are loved and will be missed.

IWSG

As you probably know the Insecure Writer’s Support Group was started by Alex J. Cavanaugh to encourage writers of all ages. To read other post go here.

Today’s question: When do you know your story is ready?

This is a subjective question. When writing my epic fantasies, I create a one or two sentence outline. I know where the story is going. I bring up questions throughout and I’m careful to answer them.

However, my flash fiction stories are written by the seat of my pants. So for me, either the outline helps to complete a story or as in the second case, it feels right. My critique group will let me know if it’s not.

How about you?

Nancy

The spook is on!

My Halloween Collection 1 is available for a low friendship price of 99 cents. This is a collection of 7 stories. The cover is wrong, it say’s five but it is seven flash fiction stories.

Amazon link.

Soon my Halloween Collection 2 will be available.

IWSG Sept., 2016 Characters

It's the 1st Wednesday in September. Summers almost over in the Northern Hemisphere. For are Southern friends they will soon welcome spring. Changes are coming and it's time for the IWSG blog. Created by Alex J. Cavanuagh who realized that many of us are insecure and created a forum so we could share. Thank you Alex.

If you'd like to see what others have to say about their insecurities go here.

Today I've decided to post about characters. Who better to have insecurities than our characters. What kind and how those nasty insecurities affect them is up to you.

Let's say you are developing a character. It doesn't matter if it's a hero or villain. Why? Because each must be motivated by something as well as challenged.

One character has always had it easy. S/he has been loved and encouraged they're entire life.

The other character has struggled through school and has been told they're worthless.

Which one is the most compelling?

While all of us wish our lives had been the first, I think most of us can honestly say life hasn't always been wonderful.

If it is a hero that you're writing about how does s/he overcome the obstacles that are put in front of them? If a villain, how does his/her past affect their mindset. How does the past make them choose what they do.

I love a story that makes me sympathize with the villain while hating his/her actions.

The choice is yours. "Be a brilliant and prolific writer."  I love this quote but I'm having trouble finding the author. If you know please let me know in the comments.

Name a favorite character, what story or author and why.

Be inspired.
Nancy

Insecure Writer's Support Group

The first Wednesday in July means it's time for another Insecure Writer's post. Brain child of Alex J. Cavanguah. To read what others have to say go here.

So...what are you insecure about?...or what are you encouraged about?

Well...it seems to me that both emotions ebb and flow like the tide. Today I'm going to share my greatest insecurity. It's a whopper, no cheese added.

Yes...here it is. My big ugly problem. I have a lot of great reviews. Even so, I don't believe anything I do is good enough. The euphoria of a good review will last a few hours. Once it lasted all day. It evaporates like dew on a sunny morning. Why?

I am a survivor of abuse. From my father who belittled me. From my mother who gave me mixed signals, saying I was mentally challenged, (I had a learning disability,) to saying I was brilliant with my artistic abilities and then saying I'd never make money at anything I mentioned as an interest. Confusing. I was a brilliant loser who would never amount to anything unless I became a nurse like her. I had no interest in nursing and still don't.

In my early twenties I joined a Christian free group. I was the happiest I'd ever been and then...the elder decided I would like a certain brother who I knew didn't like me. This brother did everything in his power to ignore me and even lied about me to others making me into his scapegoat. The same elder said we couldn't see each other and told all the brothers I wanted to marry them. Ridiculous. Remember my father. I was afraid of men. It took everything inside of me to open up to that brother. Once I was off limits he decided he wanted me after all and started staring at me in every meeting until I developed panic attacks. Over a year. I was excommunicated and moved away. But the fear has never left.

That should do it right? No...I got married. My father-in-law died three years into our marriage and my mother-in-law had terminal cancer. When that happened my husband suddenly remembered his abusive childhood and just like that, he became an abuser. Life was hell. I tried to find a job that paid well enough so I could take the kids and leave. I begged my mother to help me and her response was, "I'll take the kids." No way was I going to abandon my children. The church I was in wouldn't help. My friends wouldn't help. I got to a point where I couldn't cry anymore. My world was darkness.

So, how did I survive? I started writing. All the fears, all the horrors, all my insecurities became fodder for my characters. And...in that process I started to heal. My mother took up writing also when she retired, so I finally had something she approved of. Remember that learning disability? I was switched from my left hand to my right and flunked English grammar. I joined a writers group and learned grammar and how to write. I never had the money to leave my husband and he made sure I never had enough money to go back to school. He has changed though. He found Jesus and has mellowed. There is no more abuse.

Still...scars remain and I suspect my friends get tired of telling me they love my books. So here to you all. I appreciate everyone who tries to encourage me and who buys my book to read it. Soon I'll have a new book cover and also print copies. For now my epic fantasy is an e-book on Amazon and so are the other books in the side bar. I'd really appreciate it if anyone who hasn't read them yet and left a review would do so. The sequel is with my editor and a short story is in the submission process. My motto: Never give up, never surrender.

Cheers,
Nancy

Amazon link

Insecure Writer's Support Group, April's here.

Time once more for The Insecure Writer's Support Group started a while back by the Ninja himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh. In other words, it's the first Wednesday of April, 2016.

Many of you are doing the A - Z challenge. My health simply won't allow me to do a lot of blogging and also write. So I have chosen to write.

My report this post is on advertising. My epic fantasy has been out for several years and I haven't had the money to really start advertising until now. So here is my report.

I placed my ad through Amazon. I don't have my book available anywhere else. (That will change soon.) So it made sense to run an ad through Amazon.

This is how it works. You must select $100.00 for total amount you're willing to pay over the course of time in which your ad runs. Next you select how much you will pay Amazon per click on your ad. I choose .34 cents. Upload the agreement and in 48 hours Amazon will start to show your book on e-readers whose owners have purchased through Amazon. In my case, I choose for fantasy readers to see my ad. When the customer clicks on your ad, you are charged the amount you have agreed to. For me, that is .34 cents until I reach the minimum amount I agreed to of $100.00.

At this writing, 10:30 P.M. on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 there have been 138 clicks for the total amount owed of $47.19. Of those 138 clicks 7 have sold in a month's time. One of the seven I purchased as a gift. In February, without advertising I sold 4 books. My book is for sale at .99 cents. That means I make .33 cents per book sold.

It doesn't take a mathematician to understand that the only winner in this ad campaign is Amazon. I probably won't advertise through them again.

So what is my next move?

I am in the process of doing a new book cover. I have the sequel almost ready and project either a late July or August release date. I also have a short story in the same world that should be ready to release in June. After doing extensive research on book covers, I've determined that people on covers sell best. So I've found a book cover artist who is reasonable to do my covers and set a theme.

My original formater removed all my italicized sentences because she couldn't figure out how to keep them. I am going to go through the first book and set everything up, stick on my new cover and publish, then I'll follow that with the other two books.

Once that is done I'll be putting up a new collection of flash fiction stories for Halloween and also Valentine's Day next year.

When I am ready to advertise again it will be through another online advertising machine. I'll let you know how that goes.

And that's my news. To read other insecure post go here.

To order my book, go here

Thank you, Nancy

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Insecure Writer's Support Group March 2016

Time once more for the most popular blog-hop on the planet. Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh who began this fabulous ride. What do I speak of? Why, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. Once a month, on the first Wednesday, those of us who submit a post share our insecurities as writers or try to inspire others. To read other insecure post go here.

For me on this first day in March 2016 and also first Wednesday, I am sharing the news that I have an ad on Amazon for my epic fantasy, The Treasures of Carmelidrium. My book has been out for a while, but illness and lack of money have prevented me from advertising it. I’m giving it a push and soon I’ll have the sequel up, The Rise of Lord Sinon. In addition I’m adding to my anthology submission, which didn’t make it, and turning it into a short story. Twyla’s Tapestry.

I plan on putting up some flash fiction as well for Halloween and next year for Valentine’s Day. All in all, I’m busy and over joyed that my health has improved to allow it.

I used to blog a lot more, but I had to put that aside to complete my writing goals. Never fear, I have more stories to come.

How about you? Are you capturing your inner story? Or perhaps you’re a reader? What are you reading?

Here’s the last two reviews for The Treasures of Carmelidrium posted in Feb. 2016 Available on Amazon as an e-book for 99 cents. 

Both 5 star reviws.

February 23, 2016

Very well written book! I'm impressed. thanks a lot!

5 stars

5.0 out of 5 starsWOW
 February 15, 2016

This book is the best book of the last decade! Very well written and the plot is nice. 
Thanks a lot!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0055OHYDM#