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Hey Ya'll, its the first Wednesday of the month, and time Insecure Writers Support Group, hosted by Alex J Cavanaugh. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.The last couple months I've been taking the writing life easy; revising some relics, participating in my critique group, submitting a couple queries. And taking advantage of all the bad weather to read some books. I've got a couple reviews to post here (first one on Dec 8) so my thoughts of taking the month off-line are kinda sidetracked. I wouldn't want to miss hopping around the blogs and visiting friends for IWSG though.
My biggest challenge for Nov and Dec is providing any type of negative feedback in my writers group. I get pretty cynical this time of year, and really prefer to keep my comments as positive and encouraging as possible. Good thing my daughter keeps me supplied with lots of home made snicker doodles to sweeten my moodiness.
And looky here, the IWSG GUIDE TO PUBLISHING is now available. Visit the IWSG web site for
publishing links.
Please offer your thanks to this months co-hosts: Heather Gardner, T Drecker, Eva E Solar and Patsy Collins.
The snicker doodles sound lovely! so does your month.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Nila.
Doesn't sound like you're taking life easy to me, what with CP crits, writing, querying, and reviewing. Thank goodness for those Snickerdoodles!! :)
ReplyDeleteSo much for taking the month off! It will keep you involved and moving forward though.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever had a snickerdoodle. Do they have chocolate in them? If not, then I could eat one.
ReplyDeleteWhat are snicker doodles? I need to know now! It's good to take some time off, if you can, although you still sound pretty busy...
ReplyDeleteSounds to me like your writing/reading life is plenty full - it's good you find the pace easy.
ReplyDeleteOh, go ahead and be the Grinch of the crit group - it'll prepare them for the Goodreads nasties, hehe.
Snickerdoodles are totally delicious!
ReplyDeleteI think I may be taking it a bit too easy. I'm still reading Wind Through A Keyhole. haha
Take care,
Elsie
"Revising some relics" I just couldn't stop smiling as I am doing the same, revising an old MS (Not yet a relic, but will become one soon).
ReplyDeleteGood for you in dusting off the relics and tackling revisions. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteBest regards,
Donna
Award-winning Children’s Author
Ignite Curiosity in your child through reading!
Write What Inspires You Blog
It's a good time of year to hide away in fiction - reading or writing - isn't it?
ReplyDeleteKeeping feedback mostly encouraging is a good idea, but I think a hint or two on things which could be improved is also needed.
haha keep on chowing down on the snicker doodles and all will be happy go lucky
ReplyDeleteTaking it easy is the way to go, especially during this time of the year.
ReplyDeleteHomemade snicker doodles fresh from the oven with a cold glass of milk are the best! And nothing wrong with taking it easy. I'm on umemployment and getting a lot of stuff done I normally would not be able to do.
ReplyDeleteAren't daughters wonderful at helping us out? Yes! I've got my copy of "our" book and can't wait to get into it... Looking forward to your book reviews.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading a lot, too. The changing of the seasons is always hard on allergies and asthma, so I've been reading mostly.
ReplyDeleteSnickerdoodles. Mmmm. Haven't had those in a long time. Hope you don't feel too cynical, but it's easy to get that way. I sometimes get floored by the stress of it all. Holidays are a lot of work!
ReplyDelete"snicker doodles" Haha! I like that. I hope you have a good month, Donna!
ReplyDeleteHello Nila :)
ReplyDeleteLexa; lol, it sounds busier than it is.
Alex: Don't talk about "moving" in all this rain, hehehe.
Diane and Simon: they're more like a honey cake than a cookie, and no chocolate. Best eaten when still warm :)
Nicki: thanks, I'll tell them you said so :)
Elsie: I hope you are enjoying the book. I really loved it.
Rachna: they may be in danger of becoming fossils, lol.
Hi Donna!
Patsy: yep, and my CPs are such good writers there is little that needs improvement. I think they have to work harder on my submissions.
Pat: I agree :)
Chrys: yep
Steve: I was sorry to hear of your unemployment also, but glad that you are getting so much accomplished. Need to make use of the time.
Thanks Lisa
Michelle; my problem too, but the weather is a good excuse to be lazy.
Liz: I'm looking forward to Feb and tax return to relieve lots of stress :)
You too Gwen.
May your snicker doodles keep your cynicism to an minimum and may your comments be bright! How is that for holiday wishes? Hope you have a great rest of December!
ReplyDeleteSuch a tricky thing, isn't it? Keeping it positive and encouraging when you are feeling crabby... I had a rough November for personal reasons (an oddly high death count--none SUPER close, but close enough to sting and hurt). It made writing hard, but I can't imagine what it might have done to giving constructive criticism. Then again the two books I read I really liked, so maybe I was in an escapist frame of mind.
ReplyDeleteI get kind of bah humbug during the season too, but this year not so much. I will be spending Christmas in Key West, so looking forward to that.
ReplyDeleteSnickerdoodles, yummy. Wishing you a great positive holiday season.
Loni: that was perfect.
ReplyDeleteHart: at least you had an escape. I love it when the books are good enough to lighten my mood.
Juneta: oh wow, have lots of fun in Key West.
I always try to keep my comments positive as well--not a member of a critique group but just in general ;). Hope you have a great holiday!
ReplyDeleteNinja Girl
Sounds like you're groovin' along Donna. Nancy tells me you helped her find a critique group so that's good news. Hope all goes well as can be expected!
ReplyDeleteDenise:)
Hi Donna .. keeping cheerful sometimes can be a challenge - thank goodness for your daughter being on hand with snicker doodles ..
ReplyDeleteGlad things are ticking along .. and here's to a a great run up to Christmas - cheers Hilary
Snickerdoodles. Yum! One of my favorite cookies. Anything to sweeten life, right? :)
ReplyDeleteyou get cynical this time of the year? :)))
ReplyDeleteMmm, snickerdoodles. Cookies can always help improve a person's mood. :)
ReplyDeleteCookies always help my mood too! Good luck with your writers group. :)
ReplyDeletehey donna!!! so good that you can keep in the spirit of the season and not Grinch it up with the writers! it made me giggle a bit, I will admit. :)
ReplyDeleteMmm, snicker doodles. Kind of messy to make with the sugar and cinnamon, but I love eating them.
ReplyDeletePositive feedback is great, but I'm not sure anyone has ever learned anything from it. It's too bad we consider constructive feedback and negative feedback to be one at the same.
Donna, you need to learn some techniques for taking a break. You're not very good at it. :)
VR Barkowski
I haven't had snicker doodles in ages.
ReplyDeleteI love my writing group. It's okay to comment and slash through things. My best writing comes from tough feedback.
"Revising some relics"--I like that. :) I'm glad you're keeping active in the critique group and with the submitting! I have some books I'd like to read too...winter is so great to curl up with a good book. Enjoy those snickerdoodles!!!
ReplyDeleteI love snickerdoodles. And hey, there's nothing wrong with some negative feedback, as long as it's worded correctly. I'd rather have someone point out something I can work on than blindly kiss my behind week after week.
ReplyDelete