I’ve been working on several projects this month. They range from writing short stories for anthologies to continuing to edit the sci-fi novel to writing articles for pay on Upwork. I’ve finished editing the Sisters in Crime story for the anthology “Rock & Roll & Ruin” and included a new plot twist on the advice…
It’s time for another Insecure Writer’s Support Group post! This month’s question is: How do you define success as a writer? Is it holding your book in your hand? Having a short story published? Making a certain amount of income from your writing? I define success as following through on your dreams and finishing your…
I “attended” the virtual part of the League of Utah Writers’ Quills Conference recently. Next year, I hope to be able to attend in person! I really enjoyed the sessions, the scavenger hunt, and The App Game (I won a free query critique). Here’s some great advice on being a good guest host. This was…
I have gotten into an anthology. This is one of my crime/mystery tales of the velyr, and will be in the Sisters of Crime Triangle Chapter’s anthology entitled “Rock & Roll & Ruin.” It features Tel and Tano solving a mystery from the 1930s, using an old letter they found inside of a musical instrument.…
I am “attending” the Quills Conference by the League of Utah Writers. It’s a hybrid event with virtual sessions along with live stuff. I couldn’t get away from work for a long weekend and didn’t really have the spare cash to afford the travel and hotel so I’m virtually present at least. I didn’t have…
I decided to try Martha Wells’ fantasy series about the Raksura and am enjoying them. The premise is that there is a race of shape-shifters … they seem to be sort of a cross between dragons and winged humans, though the cover picture doesn’t really match what the book seems to “show” they look like.…
It’s First Wednesday so it’s time for another Insecure Writer’s Support Group blog. It’s so easy to self-reject, to feel insecure. That seems to be the default setting for any creative person. You compare yourself to those who are “making it” in the public eye and come up short. Your work sucks. Your talent is…
I’ve started a new series: the Wayfarers series by Becky Chambers. This is her debut novel and I enjoyed it a good bit. A motley crew made up of several different species runs the warp hole tunneling ship Wayfarer. When they take on a new crew member, she learns the true meaning of family as…
I’ve started a new sci-fi series recently: the Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells. Despite the name, they’re not horror but humorous adventure, very similar to what I like to think my books are like. The protagonist in the series is an organic/robotic construct designed as a security unit. However, it has hacked its governor module…
It’s time for yet another Insecure Writer’s Support Group Post! We’re talking about some ways to combat insecurity today. Insecurity can become a hurricane-force cycle of depression and negativity. There are ways to break this cycle, though. You can even start thinking of yourself as a successful writer. Some of these techniques are borrowed from…