IWSG February 2020

6:00 AM Elizabeth Seckman 57 Comments


The awesome co-hosts for the The awesome co-hosts for the February 5 posting of the IWSG are Lee Lowery, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Jennifer Hawes, Cathrina Constantine, and Tyrean Martinson!

About those insecurities...


Today, we are talking out the greatest insecurity of them all. Okay, maybe not the greatest. There is
always bathing suit season and karaoke night to cause some sweat-provoking anxiety.
These are anxieties for another day, Today is IWSG day and that means we are talking writerly things and the worst of all writer insecurities.

Deep breath.

Sometimes, when in the midst of working hard and ignoring the real-life around me to finish/edit/market a book, I can't help but ask myself if it's worth it. The dusty tables, the unwalked dog...for a book that isn't even going to make me nearly enough even buy a beachfront trailer.

Then one negative thought leads to another and I have to ask myself, what if I suck and people are too nice to tell me or because they know I'd cry and that would make them feel like thoughtless cows.

Isn't that the worst? Or is it just me?

Speaking of nice people saying nice things...
Visit Yolanda Renee's blog for a review of Hoosier Dad and an interview. 


Now, onto The Question:
Has a single photo or work of art ever inspired a story? What was it and did you finish it?

A work of art as inspiration...hmm. No. I can't think of any. Unless you count humans- God's works of art. They do inspire me. I'll look at a stranger and wonder...what is his/her life like? Instead of asking them, I'll make up my own real-life characters with backstories, plots, and motives. It's like profiling, only without the stop-and-frisk. 


Coming Soon from IWSG Members!

Yolanda Renee has a new book. Another Detective Quaid Mystery. Gritty, compelling, and sure to keep you turning pages. Check out the other Detective Quaid Mysteries, they have new covers!


Jennifer Worrell's short story, "Good Riddance" will be published in Beneath Strange Stars, a sci-fi, fantasy, speculative fiction anthology of short stories and poems. All proceeds from this book go to the Association for Science Education.


There is also the latest IWSG Anthology coming!



Need a shout-outs here and in the IWSG newsletter? 
Email me @ elizabethseckman(at)ymail(dot)com and put IWSG in the subject line.


57 comments:

  1. People are indeed works of art.
    Cows are thoughtless? Yeah, probably not a lot of brain power there, so, thoughtless!

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    1. I once saw a guy shoot a cow, she ran, he offered her a more grain and she came back. Not a real wise creature.

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    2. Wow, Elizabeth. That cow had no instinct for self-preservations.

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    3. None what-so-ever. Made me lose the guilt over eating cheeseburgers.

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  2. Aw, I understand about wondering why I'm doing this. No money, but fun (most of the time). And just think, if you hadn't started writing, you would have never met all of us wonderful writers at IWSG! That is priceless!
    https://www.jqrose.com/2020/02/iwsg-blog-hop-what-inspired-me-to-write.html

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    1. Excellent point. Some of my very best friends are writers I've never even met in real life, yet.

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  3. I like the idea of considering people to be works of art. I also people watch and wonder what their lives and back stories are.

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  4. Such a great answer to the question!

    How about singing karaoke while wearing a bathing suit?! No one wants to see me do that. Especially me. :)

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  5. It's definitely not just you, I feel the same way almost daily it seems. But I still always come back around to thinking it's worth it - at least for five minutes or so.
    People as works of art is such a great answer. So true!

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    1. (I have to remind myself every once and while to appreciate the process. It's the writing, not the rewards we love most.

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  6. Hi,
    I do that too. I sit in a cafe or in my car sometimes when I see an interesting person sitting outside in a cafe and begin plotting his or her life. It's good knowing that I am not alone.
    Wishing you a great February.
    All the best.
    Shalom aleichem,
    Pat G

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  7. It sounds as if we are having the same thoughts. I received my quarterly royalty check from my publisher this month, I laughed. Far from a beachfront property for me, more like lunch at Burger King. All that time, work, long hours which seems fruitless. Is it really worth it, we keep asking ourselves. I guess it's the writer in us that urges us on, and time will tell what we accomplish.

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    1. When my check comes in, I always tell my family dinner is on me- as long as everyone orders from the dollar menu. :D

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  8. I'm a people-watcher as well and it's even more fun to eavesdrop on their conversations. It's all grist for the writing mill.

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  9. Oh that plague of terror you describe, I know it well. Lucky for you, I'm not just being nice when I say I enjoy your writing and think it's great. :)

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  10. We all have those moments of doubt. I've stopped looking at writing/publishing as a way to make money, although I wish it would bring me money. Now, I look at it as being rich in another sense...with my creativity and imagination. And we pass that richness on to others who read our stories. Reaching a goal (finishing a book, publishing a book) is worth more than money, I believe.

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    1. Good point, Chrys. I am never bored or lonely. I always have my stories to keep me busty and preoccupied. Not to mention all of the writer friends I've made over the years.

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  11. Congrats on all the new books to be released. Yeah those doubts do creep in, so you are not alone. I agree with Chrys reading a goal sometimes holds a big reward by itself. You did it. You don't suck, and ain't just being nice. Happy IWSG!

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    1. Juneta, you're always the sweetest! I suppose it is quite an accomplishment to reach the goal of publishing. Sometimes we forget how hard it is to hit that finish line.

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  12. I'm prepping a new book for release, and I feel your pain. But it's a good pain, and you'll work through it. People are works of art, more variety than a museum can hold. :)

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    1. If I completely understood how much work went into the publishing stuff, maybe I'd have chosen to be an architect and built sky scrapers for fun. LOL

      Best of luck on your new book!

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  13. I have those doubts too and haven't even gotten to publishing. I'm debating if I just want writing as a hobby because I don't want to be so busy with everything else I do.

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    1. I've kind of moved into the hobby-writer mode. I enjoyed writing more when I didn't put so much pressure on it. It is a lot of work, though you run that amazing blog, so you will probably take to the business side of writing like a duck to water.

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  14. People are, indeed, the ultimate in inspiration. I love sitting by myself in coffee shops, eavesdropping, and making notes about bits of conversation, clothing, mannerisms, etc. All in the name of research. And lattes. :-D

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    1. A delicious way to do the research. I suspected you were a genius.

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  15. Scoot over. We need lots more room for all of us self-doubters to join you on that insecurity bench. The worst is when someone tells you they're reading your book and "love it" so far... and then... nothing. So what's that mean? Did they end up hating it? Why? They aren't saying anything because they don't want to hurt your feelings, and they aren't writing a review for the same reason? Should we bring it up or let it go?

    As for the money, I make next to nothing, and definitely spend more on buying books than I do selling them. So is it worth it? Some days yes, and some days no. For you? Keep answering in the affirmative, kiddo, because you are REALLY GOOD writer. (And don't ya forget it!)

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    1. I'm starting to imagine my grandma up in Heaven telling me to stop fishing for compliments, but I am enjoying it. I would add you to my favorite people list, but you're already in the top ten.

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  16. What? You are making fun of cows? Oh the shame lol better to be a cow than a cow pattie though. People sure can bring forth a story indeed.

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    1. I do make fun of cows. Relentlessly. A cow tried to kill me as a kid and I've held a grudge ever since. LOL

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  17. It's important to always ask oneself if what you're doing is worthwhile. It would be weird not to. Plus, it gets you to focus on what really matters:)

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    1. And some days the priorities get shifted as needed.

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  18. Thank you! love the shout-out. You are too cool!
    I'm the same in the insecurity department, so your post really helps. Thank you!
    For me taking a year away didn't help, even though I came out of it with a book. Still, that's the life of a writer so I'm going with it.

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    1. I have a theory...real writers who stop writing go crazy. So, add maintaining sanity to the benefits side of writing.

      It does make me feel better when talented people also feel insecure.

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  19. I'm so glad I'm not a writer. The more I read about all your insecurities the more glad I become. Of course I could be a J.K. Rawling if I started, but I will never know.

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    1. No doubt about it. You seem to master whatever you try!

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  20. People are the most amazing works of art. I wonder if there are writers who don't have huge insecurity issues... and if there are, are they really writers? (my deep thoughts lately)

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    1. I have met one or two who didn't appear to be crippled by insecurity. Come to think of it, they were naturally confident.

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  21. Some new books coming! Congrats to Yolanda and Jennifer for sure. The anthology should be a hit.

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  22. Congratultions to all the authors with their latest releases, and upcoming releases.

    I'm right there with you about bathing suite season😉😋

    When nobody reads my book, or buys it, I always worry about if writing is really for me. Perhaps I am a terrible writer. But I remember that I write because I enjoy it. And try hard not to always think of the lack of sales.

    Wishing you the best

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    1. It seems to be pretty unanimous- we are all feeling pretty much the same insecurities.

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  23. you are on top of things! congrats on the upcoming release! and the terrific review of Hoosier Dad! so much great stuff happening for you—and i agree about feeling guilty for the mess, especially now that i have to work outside the house, bleh. but we get it done, it’s definitely worth it!

    and thanks for always being a great friend and supporter, too!

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    1. I'm always struggling to get it all done. I feel like if I'm doing well with one thing, I am failing at the other things. So frustrating.

      Same thanks to you for all of your support and for being a writer bestie.

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  24. Lots of good read coming our way, particularly About Us.

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  25. You're not alone in those thoughts. I've wondered the same thing too often. I think you're a fantastic writer! :)

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    1. Thank you- I feel the same about your stories. I always enjoy reading them. Hugs.

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