IWSG February 2022

9:55 AM Elizabeth Seckman 40 Comments


Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay 

Is there someone who supported or influenced you that perhaps isn't around anymore? 
Yes, yes, and yes. So many writers/bloggers come and go. As a matter of fact, the advice that rings in my head and keeps me in the business is from a writer/blogger buddy who has stopped blogging. Years ago, Brinda Berry told me to remember writing is a marathon, not a sprint. 

She's still writing, but no longer blogging...you can find her here.  

Anyone you miss?
There are so many I miss. I cannot even begin to list them all. The loss that stings the most, of course, is Jo Wake who passed away. Jo was more than a blogger friend. She was family and her presence in my personal and professional life is felt daily. There's a magic to blogging that unifies and solidifies friendships like no other social media platform (IMHO). 


Thanks to this month's awesome co-hosts for the February 2 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Jacqui Murray, Sandra Cox, and Lee Lowery!


Did you know the IWSG has a Facebook page also? We do! IWSG Facebook member, Mike Mulhern published his first book after retirement and wanted to let everyone to know, it's never too late to make your book dream come true. 

A message from Mike...

Available Now!
SUCCESS AT LONG LAST – Like all journalists addicted to seeing their byline in print in newspapers and magazines, I had planned to go to the next level by authoring volumes of books – and lots of them! This is where I found the transition difficult to make. Major publishing houses were disappearing and book agents returned my submissions sight unseen, saying, “We have too many clients to serve already and are not taking on any more.” My only option was to self-publish with a company that also offered a promotional package, and their services weren’t cheap. Even the inexpensive ones wanted at least seven grand! Then three years ago, my mother died at the age of 97 and left me enough where the self-publishing option entered the realm of affordability. I finished up the book-in-progress that was closest to completion and selected the publisher that was the best fit. Even THAT was not easy. I submitted a 500-page nostalgic childhood memoir about growing up in the ‘50s. The rep with that company (Best Seller Publishing) said, “People don’t read books that long anymore. But your chapters on race are dynamite and quite readable! Besides, it’s a real hot topic right now!” Last week, my first hot-off-the-press volume arrived in the mail – “The Repentant Racist” (available from Amazon.com), only 135 pages and readable in three hours. But it’s got that all-important ISBN number, so it counts! I am disappointed with the whole process, but happy I finally arrived in the Published Author’s Circle. I hope to see all you fellow aspirants there as well! – Mike Mulhern.



40 comments:

  1. Congratulations to Mike!
    Really miss Grandma Dragon.

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  2. Grats to Mike!

    And I remember hearing about Jo's loss. It's amazing the friends we make through blogging. I thank the internet that making online friendships possible, because a lot of my close friends I've never met in the flesh.

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    1. You[re so right about that. Some of my very best friends are people I have never met in real life.

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  3. I didn't know Jo but I hear so many wonderful things about her. I remember visiting Brinda's blog though. What a great question.

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    1. There are so many I miss! I was afraid to start listing people and leave some out.

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  4. I'm grateful I got to meet Jo and Matt when they visited NC about 10 years ago. They were bowling, of course!

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    1. I should go bowling and have Chinese food in her honor. :)

      How lucky that you got to meet her. I was going to visit her and Covid hit.

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  5. I love Brinda Berry's quote. That's a lovely way to put it. Blogging has certainly brought so many wonderful friends I would have never known. I'm sorry to hear about Jo.

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  6. Loved that quote from Brenda that writing is a marathon and not a sprint. A long time commitment, helped by many different people along the way. We can remember the generosity of those who are now gone, and in their honor, help those newer writers.

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    1. Writing in the blogging world is definitely a team effort, fortunately!

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  7. Congrats to Mike!
    This is such a wonderful community. I'm so sorry to hear about Jo.

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    1. This is a very wonderful community. I'm blessed to be part of it!

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  8. I wonder why it is that people don't read long books anymore. I recently reread several book by an author I love, who wrote her first books in the 90's, and kept writing until she died about six years ago. All her books were 4-500 pages or more and page turners. Now they would be considered way too long. Even now though, those books held my attention.

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    1. I do wish people read more. I have to admit, I read less now that I write too. But I love to read, so I should just make time and get back to reading.

      There are so many books I loved that don't seem to fit the mold. I used to love Danielle Steele. I reread Palomino and I'm not sure it would have made the cut as a romance. But it's a wonderful book.

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  9. Some of the people I miss most inspire me the most in my writing, so in a way my writing keeps us connected:)

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  10. What great advice from Brinda. It would also be nice if we would just relax, and enjoy the journey.

    Sorry for the loss of your friend. Those holes in our hearts are never filled, just covered over.

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    1. Most days I'm relaxed. Probably too relaxed. I should try to tap into my worker-bee side and get more done.

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  11. Congrats to Mike. Blogging has brought me many friends, but Jo was so special. I definitely feel like I'm in a marathon.

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    1. She truly was. Some days, I may be in a walk-a-thon.

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  12. There are a few bloggers I miss too. Some just moved on.

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    1. So many have moved on. I see them sometimes on Facebook, but Facebook gets so crowded, I miss a lot there.

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  13. Definitely a marathon. Glad you're in the race with me!

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  14. It is a hard thing to adjust to, but one I realize happens a lot as I get older.

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  15. Congratulations to Mike! I miss Jo every time we use our air frier, every time we post on Discord, every time I miss a birthday. I miss her wit and dry humour. I miss her smile.

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    1. And the Instapot. I can't use the Instapot without thinking of Jo. She was a very special lady.

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  16. Bravo, Mike! I love the cover and title. All the luck with this release.

    Elizabeth, it is so tough when those who have supported us in this writing journey are gone. I miss my mother, my head cheerleader. Yes--writing is a marathon, not a short race. More power to you, my dear, for continuing in this marathon. All best!

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    1. I miss my mother too. She was the very best beta reader/cheerleader/emotional support ever.

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  17. Definitely a marathon and not a sprint indeed.

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  18. I didn't know Jo well, but I know she meant a lot to many and I'm sorry you've lost her.
    By the way I'm in the middle of a great read and loving it. Wink. Wink.

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    1. Our writer friends become our family.

      I'm eager to hear about this new read. LOL

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  19. Sorry for your loss in Jo, Elizabeth. I didn't know she was so much more than another blogger to you. Sadness.

    Congratulations to Mike on such a relevant publication!

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  20. Thank you for sharing Mike's story. Sorry for your loss, Mike and Elizabeth.

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