Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2014! May you be blessed during the Holidays with love, warmth and happiness. Stay safe and I will see you in early 2014!

  (and I'm not sure why my picture doesn't want to rotate)

Insecure Writer's Support Group

Every first Wednesday of the month the Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG) post is meant to entourage, assist and inspires other bloggers, writers and authors. This is a safe place where we post our insecurities and share them with the world as well as offer assistance and encouragement to others.

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is also holding a contest! Visit today for details – lots of great giveaways.



As always, a big thank you to our host, Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Today's co-hosts are Julie Flanders, Heather Gardner, Kim Van Sickler, and Elsie is Writing. Please visit them today to thank them for their time and effort.

I can't believe this is the last post of the year for IWSG. It only fits that I summarize what I've learned this past year. It's been a tough one, but with my family's support and the encouragement of this group as well as the blogging community's, the journey has still been worthwhile. I'm only writing this because I feel comfortable saying it and please note, this is only my experience, so yours may vary.

• A little writing every day goes a long way. I've written over 400,000 words this year, (yes, I need to update my widget on the sidebar) but only because I developed a routine of writing first thing in the morning, every day.
• Each book I've published is better and sells better than the next one. So it goes without saying that 'practice makes perfect'. Now I'm still far away from perfect, in fact I don't think I'll ever get there, but we aren't born able to walk or talk either. It's practice and encouragement from others what helps us achieve that. The same goes for writing.
• Read, read and then read some more. If you're a serious writer, this should be part of your job. And if you are a writer/author, reading shouldn't feel like a job.
• As a writer and publisher, I found making close connections with those writing in your genre is crucial. Cross-promotion between authors is a must to succeed.
• Writer's Cafe at Kindleboards is a great source of information. Ensure you read the rules of the board before posting.
• Just because you write a great book, it doesn't mean it will sell well. A lot of luck and marketing comes into play. I don't believe those who say they just upload a book and it starts selling (unless they're established authors). I speak to this from my own experience so if this has happened to you, I'm assuming you're sleeping on a bed of horseshoes and eating four-leafed clovers for breakfast. The competition is huge and ruthless. There are a lot of savvy authors out there with marketing cruising in their veins.
• If you're in this career for the money, you have better luck winning the lottery. The ship for making a quick buck in publishing sailed over a year ago. Is it still possible to make a good living? Yes. Am I speaking from experience? No, LOL! Well, not yet.
• Your fans should be your best friends. If you get a personal email about how much they enjoyed your book, put that information in a nice spreadsheet. Reply, politely thanking them and ask whether they'd like an ARC of your next book. This will play a huge role on your release days when on day 1 or 2 you suddenly have 20 reviews. It works! (for the reviews) Plus there's nothing better than fan mail!

Ok, I think I've covered the most important points.
Can you identify with any of these points? What are your insecurities today? On another note, are you done your Christmas shopping?

Insecure Writer's Support Group

Every first Wednesday of the month the Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) post is meant to entourage, assist and inspires other bloggers, writers and authors. This is a safe place where we post our insecurities and share them with the world as well as offer assistance and encouragement to others.

Click on the link to find out more about  Insecure Writer’s Support Group. As always a big thank you to our host Captain Ninja Alex J. Cavanaugh and this month's co-hosts: CD Coffelt, Tina Downey, Isis Rushdan, and Michelle Wallace!

Yes, it's been exactly a month since I posted. I think that's the longest time ever between my posts and hence my insecurity this month.

Abandonment of the blogging community I've become so fond of.

I've been so busy the past few months I've neglected my blog, or should I say this blog. I've visited friends, read their posts and haven't commented for the sole reason that I didn't want them to feel obliged to come back to my empty web space.

But I've also done more than that. I finished writing one novel, formatted it, prepared it, sent it out to over 200 reviewers and written another novel (a sequel). And that's where my time has gone. Having such a tight schedule of releases and writing time definitely cuts into something, and unfortunately it had to be my blog.

The good news is that even though the first book is not due out until December my reviews are soaring. I'm getting emails from people saying they can't wait until the next book so I'm very excited. It's under a different pen name, which makes the management of two blogs, two different social networks, four email accounts, etc... much more difficult.

So this month, I'm sorry to my blog, my blogger friends and those who follow me for being so scarce. As soon as I'm done the other two novels I've already started I'm coming back here, and hopefully I can make up the lost time, and you will all still be here.

What are your insecurities this month?

Insecure Writer's Support Group: Baby steps...

Every first Wednesday of the month the Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) post is meant to entourage, assist and inspires other bloggers, writers and authors. This is a safe place where we post our insecurities and share them with the world as well as offer assistance and encouragement to others.

As always a big thank you to our host Captain Ninja Alex J. Cavanaugh and this month's co-hosts: Julie Luek, Rachna Chabria, Beverly Fox, and Ilima Todd.

For a full list or participants click here and hop on over to offer your own words of encouragement and/or assistance.

It's difficult to believe there are less than three months left until Christmas. October truly feels like crunch time to get the last edits in, formatting, review copies etc... to get everything ready for December.

Have you seen the Christmas trees in stores yet? Halloween isn't here and the reds and greens are already flashing! 

As much stress as I place on myself there's one strategy I follow to tackle my writing and publishing that never fails.

One step at a time.

I've been following this motto for the past year. It doesn't mean I won't be stressed out, but it does help to put some things in perspective. I can't do it all at once. Writing a little every day, keeping the big picture in mind and taking baby steps to cover miles is the way to go. It's the only thing that will keep me focused and determined.

What baby steps are you taking? What are your insecurities this month? Can you tell Christmas is around the corner?

Taking the world by storm...

Today I'm honored to host the one person who helps us all. Blogger extraordinaire, bestselling author, a ninja with an army of clones, and a virtual friend Alex J Cavanaugh. 

Tomorrow Alex is releasing the third book in his Storm series CassaStorm (more details below). Stop by his blog today to congratulate him.

Since I'm always fascinated with what drives an author to write in a particular genre, I wondered what genre Alex would write in if he couldn't write science fiction or space and this is what he answered:

I would definitely write fantasy. I enjoy reading it as much as science fiction and I’ve been fascinated with it since the first Shannara trilogy by Terry Brooks. It does involve a lot of world building, so not sure I’d be any good at it…

Now here's more from Alex:

CassaStorm

By Alex J Cavanaugh

From the Amazon Best Selling Series!

A storm gathers across the galaxy…

Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. As a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet, Byron’s ideal life is threatened and he’s caught between the Tgrens and the Cassans.

After enemy ships attack the desert planet, Byron discovers another battle within his own family. The declaration of war between all ten races triggers nightmares in his son, threatening to destroy the boy’s mind.

Meanwhile the ancient alien ship is transmitting a code that might signal the end of all life in the galaxy. And the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago could return. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…

“CassaStorM is a touching and mesmerizing space opera full of action and emotion with strong characters and a cosmic mystery.” – Edi’s Book Lighhouse 

“With a talent for worldbuilding and a compelling cast of characters, Alex J. Cavanaugh combines high powered space battles and the challenges of family dynamics to provide readers a space opera with heart.”
- Elizabeth S. Craig, author of the Southern Quilting and Myrtle Clover mysteries

“I thought the revelation was going to be one thing and I was completely wrong … CassaStorm pushes the limits…”
- Tyson Mauermann, Speculative Reviews

$16.95 USA, 6x9 Trade paperback, 268 pages, Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.

Science fiction/adventure and science fiction/space opera

Print ISBN 9781939844002 eBook ISBN 9781939844019

$4.99 EBook available in all formats

Find CassaStorm:

Barnes and Noble

Amazon Paperback

Amazon Kindle

Goodreads

Book trailer:

 

Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The author of the Amazon bestsellers, CassaStar and CassaFire, he lives in the Carolinas with his wife.

Website: http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh  

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4287922.Alex_J_Cavanaugh

Happy Birthday to IWSG!

I cannot believe it's been two years since the Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) started. I'm very thankful to have been part of this wonderful experience every first Wednesday of the month.

A BIG shot out to our host every month Captain Ninja Alex J. Cavanaugh who is more like a Big Brother that sees it all and is always everywhere helping out fellow authors, writers, bloggers, reviewers etc.


The cohosts today are Chemist Ken, SL Hennessy, Michelle Wallace, and Joylene Nowell Butler. Please be sure to thank them for their time and effort to make all IWSG members feel welcome. 

For a full list of participants click here and hop on over to offer your own words of encouragement and/or assistance.

Purpose: To share and encourage. 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!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. 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 writers. 

Today, instead of writing about my fears and insecurities, I'd like to list a few that are common among this group. Why? Because by looking at the perils others face, we know we're not alone.  Perhaps reading what others are going through you can find a solution not only for them, but also for yourself.

1. I'm afraid others will hate my writing
2. What if I get a bad review
3. There's not enough time in the day to do it all
4. What if I'm not successful (definition of success varies for everyone)
5. Feeling intimidated
6. I don't have any more strength and I'm feeling low
7. Am I wasting my time?
8. My Muse decided to go on a vacation
9. My characters are talking to me, am I going crazy?
10. What do I do if an agent calls?
11. I got another rejection letter.
12. Do I self-publish or look for an agent?
13. It's taking forever to format, edit, design a cover.
14. All this marketing is nuts. I'd rather write.
15. I can't meet my deadline
16. I got a bad review (yes, it's almost identical to #2)

This list can go on and on. The point I'm trying to make is that we all have hurdles to climb over (which sometimes may seem like mountains). The great thing about the blogging community of writers, reviewers, readers and bloggers is the support you can find in groups such as the IWSG. You're not alone and neither am I because of you all :)

Can you identify with any of the above? What's your insecurity this month? Did you hear IWSG is getting its own website which will provide even more support? Excited?

I love my neighbourhood...

I live in one of the best neighbourhoods around. Surrounded by nature trails and lots of green space in the back we often have coyotes howling in the distance and deer coming up to our fence. Turtles, bunnies, snakes, blue heron and a few species of eagles and owls surround us every day. But the nature is not the only attribute that makes this neighbourhood awesome. It's our neighbours.

Above is the picture of our closest neighbors. It's not the best quality, but I'm in there too:) This week I submitted an article to our local paper about a BBQ we had a week ago.   Here is and I hope you enjoy:

We know each other by first names and close each other’s garage doors at night. I can borrow a cup of sugar or teaspoon of baking powder when I run out. If an alarm goes off at someone’s house and the police arrive, the word spreads quicker than fire. Speaking of fire, when a bunch of kids set off fireworks in the back setting our green space ablaze, I knew within seconds, even though I wasn’t home. How? Through one of our BBM Groups.

The dads play soccer and softball during the year. They have their ‘Porter’ team t-shirts and commit to winning every week, even if sometimes it’s not so easy. The moms get together for drinks, dinner and chit-chat at a local restaurant. We gossip through blackberry messages about the Bachelor, latest coupons and sales offers, and warn one another when someone’s door-knocking.

That’s what living on Porter Crescent in Hespeler is like. That friendly old style neighborhood where everyone knows one another by their and their kids first names. On August 17th we celebrated our second annual Porter barbeque. The day began with a round of golf played by the Porter dads at seven in the morning. In the afternoon, we had a daddy race where the dads displayed their cavemen running abilities. Over seventy of our closest neighbours, including kids, attended. From burgers and hot dogs, to salads and cakes, everyone chipped in to make a delicious supper. Highlight of the night: roasted chicken in a home-made rotisserie, right on the driveway. Two bouncy castles, basketball nets and fooling around with their neighbouring friends kept the kids occupied. The spectacular afternoon was followed by a fireworks show and finger-licking marshmallows by the fire pit.

 
           One of our biggest fears is someone leaving the neighbourhood. Due to work and life, one family is actually moving out at the end of August. We’re sad to see a household leave our Porter family, because that’s what it truly feels like: a family. But we’ll welcome our new neighbours with open arms, because that’s what families do. And that’s what makes Porterville so special.


What do you like about your neighbourhood? Want to be my neighbour :) ?

Insecure Writer's Support Group

Today is the first Wednesday of the month and so it's time for another IWSG (Insecure Writer's Support Group) post.  Thank you to our host Captain Ninja Alex J. Cavanaugh.

For a full list of participants click here and hop on over to offer your own words of encouragement and/or assistance.




Also please be sure to visit today's co-hosts:
M. Pax, Karen Walker, and Melissa Maygrove.
 
Purpose: To share and encourage. 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!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. 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 writers.

Last month I decided it was time to finish a WIP I'd had in my drawer and haven't touched since December 2012. Since it was 3/4 done I didn't think it would take me too long. After all, the story was there and I just had to 'clean it up' and 'tie it together'.

Well, what a difference eight months can make! I dove into the WIP (of course there are details of the story you always forget) and started editing from the beginning let me tell you how bad it was:

IT WAS BAD. 

What was I thinking? Has my writing changed this much in just eight months? Yes, it has. Since the beginning of this year I've been able to write almost 250K new words I can safely say I've read more than I have any year.

What's the point I'm trying to make? For new writers out there (not to say I'm Stephen King LOL!) it's true what they say: Practice makes perfect and the only way to improve the craft is to keep writing and reading. Mid-next year I'm going to hit that magic 1 million words mark. Experienced writers say once you've written those first 1-million words you most likely know your voice and your writing style.

So don't give up and keep the fingers exercised ;)

What does that mean for my WIP? It's still 3/4 done but it's in much better shape.

What are your insecurities today? Have you seen improvement in your writing? Change in style and voice?

Back from Pinery Provincial Park and in full force writing mode. We had lots of fun and I wanted to share some photos with you guys :) I know they're not the greatest photos, but hubby forgot our camera and I had to use the phone. Hey, at least we didn't forget the tent.

Kids trying out their aunt's and uncle's kayak's










The family in the lake while I'm reading on my kindle.



A bike stop at the river, "Look! It's a turtle!"