IWSG: Tasting Life

Howdy partners!  It's Wednesday and time for another month of IWSG.  Created by Alex J. Cavanaugh, IWSG wouldn't be so awesome without support from these folks this month: Tamara Narayan, Tonja Drecker, Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor, Lauren @ Pensuasion, Stephen Tremp, and Julie Flanders!

I hope everyone's summer was fantastic!  Mine started off great with kids in camp and then a vacation, but then we cam home to a flood in our house.  Ugh.  Long story short, apparently this is a common occurrence--to go on vacation and come back to a flood.  Who knew?  Anyway, I'm dealing with insurance claims and renovations and trying desperately not to lose my mind.  That said, I'd like to share a picture of my vacation and let you fine people guess where I went.

Take a guess?

IWSG:  Tasting Life

This summer I've tasted life and then some. My writing is going okay but like many things, could be better, home issues aside.  The good news is I'm dealing with everything as best a possible. I found this quote that resonated with me and helped combat all the insecurities I'm feeling about writing.  

 

 

Source

How many things have you written about that allow you to feel you've lived another life or several? Perhaps none, but I'll bet there have been many. Reading is one thing, but as you know writing is an entirely different thrill. Ever fought dragons, wielded a light saber, or cast a wicked curse? Ever get lost in a romance story, solve a murder mystery or possibly become embroiled in an epic family dispute? If so, then you've lived. There are times when this writing gig frustrates us whether its the writing, endless editing, querying or performing the other litany of "to-dos." I guess when it comes down to it, it's nice to have a sense that we've known our characters and our story's so intimately it's not only like we've lived multiple lives....we've created them. So when you're down like I've been recently, try to think of all the lives you've created, saved and lived. How's that for tasting life?   

 

Anyway, I'd love to hear about your summer. How's it going?

Mina Burrows

IWSG: Ever Feel Like This?

Hey there blog fiends! I know I missed IWSG on Wednesday, but I still decided to do mine this weekend.  I know it's been awhile, but I wanted to get a quick IWSG post in before Summer kicks in and school breaks.  IWSG was created by Alex J. Cavanaugh and this month's host are Murees Dupe, Alexia Chamberlynn, Chemist Ken, and Heather Gardner!

How are things with you guys?  Like most, my world has been crazy and I'm praying Summer will give me the break I desperately need.  What about you? I feel like I blinked and 2016 is half way over.  Am I right?

IWSG:  Ever Feel Like This?

Anyway, I saw this picture and this summed up how I've been feeling for the last few months with managing life and expectations.

Source

  

Who's with me in understanding Sasha's insane moment of resting with The Walking Dead?  For me this picture describes how numbing life can be with endless and mounting responsibilities.  It's not like I view it as bad, it's just life and its there and you deal with it.  It's like the dead featured here are my day-to-day demands and I'm managing to slay them all!  HAH!  And... it's also how I feel about my stories.  My writings are like these zombies here and they haunt me and torture me in ways that are indescribable,  And yet, they are my everything.  As challenging as the writing process can be, it is my foundation.  Ever feel that way?  Eh...maybe not.  Well, these thoughts may be a bit too much for an IWSG but it's how I've been lately.

What about you?  Tell me what's been going on.  I missed everyone.  Did you miss me too?  

Mina Burrows

IWSG: Writing & Reading

Today, I'm posting for The Insecure Writer's Support Group for February.  IWSG was created by Alex J. Cavanaugh and this month's host are Allison Gammons, Tamara Narayan, Eva E. Solar, Rachel Pattison, and Ann V. Friend!

Progress is slow right now.  I'm hoping things will move a bit faster, but it challenged with managing all aspects of my life.  Sometimes even keeping up with my blog is a challenge. Sigh.  I won't bemoan those everyday challenges, because they are what they are, and I'm working through that.  Anyway, I saw a quote recently from Stephen King that mentioned the importance of reading in order to be a good writer.  Sometimes that's difficult for writers since we usually have so much on our plates.  I do read often at night when I can't sleep, I'll read a chapter or two.  One of the last books I read was At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen and I really enjoyed it.  I'm not sure if I completely agree with Stephen King's comment entirely, but he does have a point.  How would be know what we like or don't like unless we read.  Right?  Anyway, I thought to ask my friends, do you agree with that statement or do you think it's a bit too harsh?  And if you don't mind, please share a book you read recently.

Hope a fantastic Wednesday!

Mina Burrows

IWSG: The Middle

March was here and then it left.  And now we're already at April.  Damn!  Anyway, before we get into the A-Z Challenge, I'm posting for the Insecure Writers Support Group.  I missed the last two months due to work mostly, but that's a lame excuse.  Sorry. :(

Before I begin, I wanted to give a shout out to our founder and Ninja Captain extraordinaire, Alex J. Cavanaugh AND...I can't forget this months co-hosts:  Suzanne Furness, Tonja Drecker, Toi Thomas, Rachna Chhabria, Fundy Blue and Donna Hole.

IWSG:  The Middle

I kind of feel like I'm in the middle of everything in my life.  Family, marriage, work/career and of course my writing.  For some people, being in the middle sucks.  For me, I guess it depends on what we're talking about.  I remember early in my career, I didn't like being in the middle. I worked tirelessly to get ahead and for the most part I did, but then later I realized it wasn't what I wanted.  That's life huh?  Well, now that I'm on a different chapter in my life, I find myself still working endlessly and finding some success, but in truth, I'm still in the middle.  Does being in the middle suck if your a writer?  I guess at times it can, but I'm just trying to enjoy the ride of life and that includes the writing part of it.

Anyway, I guess being in the middle can get old, but it won't be forever so whenever I'm down about not getting further along, I find inspiration literally everywhere.  The other day I was driving and Jimmy Eat World came on the radio and smiled because "Everything. Everything will be alright!"

So if you're worried about releasing your next book, if an agent will ever call you, if your sales will pick up or how many good reviews your book has, try not to let your great expectations get you down!  And remember...."It just takes some time..."

Here's the song below.  Hopefully, it will pick you up too!  Enjoy!

That's it for IWSG.  What about you?  What are your insecurities this month?

Stay tuned for A-Z!

Mina Burrows

IWSG: Lessons for the Bold

Insecure Writers Support Group is already upon us for the month of October.  Can't believe that it's almost time for Halloween!  Wow.  #Timeflies  Special thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh and this month's co-hosts, Kristin Smith, Elsie, Suzanne Furness, and Fundy Blue!

Today IWSG members are contributing to The IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond which an incredible undertaking to help writers learn from other aspiring and published authors. I thought long and hard about what I could contribute, and sadly I didn't come up with much. Still there are some important and elemental lessons all writers need to remember at every stage of their career.

Be Bold and Never Give Up!

On Writing:  Lessons for the Bold

Looking back on my experiences, I can undoubtedly tell aspiring authors what's worked and what hasn't worked for me, but the truth is every writer has difference experiences. What works for some, doesn't necessarily work for others. Luck also plays a big role in a writer's success. Alas, no one can predict that. No one can predict why an agent will respond to one query letter, and another one won't. Or how one book gets published, and another one is rejected. Or why one book sells more than another. Everything varies and in this still somewhat tumultuous publishing time, where publishers are fighting among themselves, the group that it affects the most are the writers.

The two things that I've learned that perhaps are the most valuable lessons are to be bold and to never (EVER) give up. Be bold in your writing. Be true to yourself. Be bold in your submitting and be bold when you publish. Do the work now and when it comes time remember..."Fortune Favors the Bold!"

Those are my words of advice and in fact, not being bold enough has been a debilitating insecurity I've dealt with for the last year. Now that I've expunged this cowardly demon inside me, I can move forward boldly with greatness. Right?  Damn straight!

What about you and your insecurities this month?  Have you been bold enough in your writing?  What about in life?  What type of advice did you give for the IWSG book?

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Mina Burrows
Bio:  aspiring author and lover of wicked literature
Blog:  minaburrows.blogspot.com
ISWG has my permission to rebublish this post.

IWSG: Ask the Universe

It's September and already time for another month of Insecure Writers Support Group.  This wonderful support group is courtesy of Alex J. Cavanaugh and other fantastic authors, including Michelle Wallace, L. Diane Wolfe, Lynda R Young, Susan Gourley/Kelley, Joylene Nowell Butler, and J.L. Campbell.  I mention this crew because they are tireless supporters who give freely and should be thanked often.  If you haven't had a chance to review the IWSG website, please do.  Last month, there were some great posts that I found incredibly inspiring including Seeking Validation As A Writer & The Trend in Indie Publishing - It’s Taking Over the Industry.  Check them out if you can!

As for IWSG, my insecurities are the same.  I'm progressing with my WIPs at a snails pace and that alone fosters insecurity.  Since there's little I can do about that, I stay positive as possible and keep moving forward.  Anyway, I remember watching a portion of Jim Carrey's commencement speech last spring.  Like many people, his words moved me.  There are times when doubt overcomes my thought process or exhaustion settles inside my bones, that I recall his inspiring words.

I was wondering how many of my writer friends ask the universe for things like better health, happy family, more love or even a successful writing career? Have you....asked the universe?  What have you asked for?

Can you relate to Jim's message about following your dreams?  Do you have any insecurities you'd like to share with me today?

On another note, last month Nutschell interviewed me on her Wednesday Writer’s Workspace, stop by if your interested.  And this month, Captain Alex is interviewing me about the A-Z Challenge and my Classic Monster theme.  I'm super excited about that, so I'll be sure an blog when that post releases too.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Mina Burrows

ISWG: How's that novel coming along?

It's time for another round of Insecure Writers Support Group.  Thank you Alex J. Cavanaugh for creating this monthly support system and wonderful website.  The team always puts together great posts to help authors.  If you haven't had a chance to visit the website, click here for the link.

Today, I thought I'd mention a recent discussion I had with a friend of mine.  He's a former colleague that I meet occasionally for coffee.  Sometimes being a writer is such a lonely existence that I very rarely talk about my writing to friends and colleagues in my professional career.  Most of the time they just don't get it so I don't bother.  This particular friend is a writer and knows how difficult it can be, but then again novel writing is a whole other enchilada.  That said, he asked how my book was going.  I told him I was working on it, but when I saw this, it made me laugh because I can relate.

(Source)

Anyway, we continued to talk and he mentioned something even funnier.  He said he once had a friend that said...

"I've started nine novels, but I haven't finished one yet."  

He said he thought it was a great opening line to a novel.  I agreed.  We had a good laugh, but then I stopped, feeling the need to defend the unknown friend, and probably myself somewhere in there too.  Hey, we've all been there from time to time with novel writing.  I explained how hard it is to create a story with the plotting, characters, point of view, editing, beta reading, re-editing, rewriting etc...  Hell, that list can go on forever.  I then said how challenging it is to balance everything in life like your family, work, laundry and dare I say making dinner?  It's not easy.  But's if it's who you are and what you do, what other choice do you have?   I should have told him to have his friend reach out to ISWG.  I think maybe just a little support might help them.

Other than that, I have no complaints this month.  What about you?  Can you relate?  Did you like the opening line?  Do you have any insecurities you'd like to share with me today?  

Mina Burrows

IWSG: June is here!

Well, I missed the last two Insecure Writers Support Group because of A-Z but I'm going to do a quick one for today. Thank you Alex J. Cavanaugh for creating this monthly meme and also thanks to this month's co-hosts are C. Lee McKenzie, Tracy Jo, Melanie Schulz, and LG Keltner!

Well, I don't have much to relay this month.  I feel like my life is a series of days passing by and I can't seem to get enough accomplished.  Like most of us, work takes its toll and raising children does too.  On a great note, my nine year old son got straight A's for three quarters this year, which has me beaming with pride.  And my seven year old daughter is such a wonderful reader, I can't express how proud of her I am too.  That said, I do my best at balancing it all, but there are days when I'm completely exhausted.  I remember when I used to be able to write to the wee hours of the night.  Bah!  Not so much now. I'm lucky if I can keep my eye lids from closing at around 9:30 pm.  Eh, whatever.  I'm not complaining.  I love my life, I just wish I had more time. 

Anyway, I saw this and it made me smile.  I hope it does the same for you.

Do you have any insecurities you'd like to share with me today?  

Mina Burrows

IWSG: A-Z Topics

I can't believe it's March and it's already the first week into the month. *Sigh* Insecure Writers Support Group created by Alex J. Cavanaugh is back and this month's wicked co-hosts are Tina Downey, Elsie, Elizabeth Seckman, and Julie Flanders!

Today, all I'd like to mention the upcoming A-Z blogging event which starts in April.  Are you ready?  Have you thought of a theme?  I've though of several but I'm still not sure.  Last month, I posted only once so the thought of committing to posting every day has me a little worried.  Last year, I did Chaucer.  *smacks head*  And no, I'm not doing Shakespeare this time.

Still, I have several ideas.  I decided to list them below and see what you all think.

*  Classic Monsters:   Hmmm, I'm not sure about 22 classic monsters.  I might be able to do it but...
*  Unforgettable lines in classic literature:  This would be fun but probably biased.
*  Author Spotlight:  I thought about doing a sign up for those who want me to feature their paranormal/sci-fi books.  I kinda do that already but a month of it would be cool.
*  Feature my book, Blessed Blood.  Yes, the bane of my existence is still ALIVE!  I'm very close again with this darn thing, I can almost taste it.  I could possibly feature snippets of my novel?  Hmmm.....

I'm not sure so I've decided to put it to a vote.  And every one counts!  Here's what we'll do.  You post your thoughts in a comment and at in a couple of weeks, I'll take a tally.  "What say you?"

Anyway, that's my insecurity this month.  What type of insecurities are you faced with this month?  

Mina B.

IWSG: Trusting Your Own Madness

We're back again this month with Insecure Writers Support Group created by  Alex J. Cavanaugh.  This month's ninja co-hosts are  co-hosts today are Sheena-kay Graham, Julie Musil,Jamie Ayres, and Mike Swift!

I'll keep this brief.  Sometimes when I'm writing, I feel like no one is ever going to get it.  I mean, I've written some pretty freaky shit in my adult, YA and children's books.  I guess my insecurities this month as I make another round of edits to my novel is that readers will never get it or me.  Or worse they'll just write me off as weird.  Which is somewhat true.  But--stay with me on this one--that's not the point!  Anyway, I found this quote from Clive Barker that somehow spoke to me this month. 

I guess that's the problem with some of my stuff.  I trust my madness but then I have doubts too.  
Does that make any sense?  

What type of insecurities are you faced with this month?  

Mina B.

IWSG: AAUGH!

Insecure Writers Support Group has returned for another year of insecurity.  A big thanks to the man who created this phenomenon,  Alex J. Cavanaugh.  This monthly meme is a great way to reflect on your writing insecurities every month so that you can toss them out and focus on the positive stuff.   If you aren't familiar with #IWSG and want to know more,  click here and check it out! 

Lately, I've been doing really great getting back into the swing of things.  I've been able to balance work and family nicely and do a fair amount of writing which has me extremely pleased.  Sometimes there are instances in my life where I recognize a parallel of what's happening in my writing career.  That happened to me recently and I thought I'd share it with you.

On Friday afternoons, I take my kids to the park where they meet up with their friends and play like their lives depended on it. My son has gotten into a routine where he and a handful of other boys play down and dirty football. It always starts out as touch, but then after a good hour it turns more aggressive. These 7,8, and 9-year olds are very serious about their football. It's pretty adorable to watch them call plays. One play I watched had me roaring. I watched my son who was holding the ball steady for the kicker--yeah, we all know the play and the way its supposed to go. But to my absolute shock and slight horror, I watched my son pull a Lucy. Yes, he did. And I never laughed so hard in my life--God love him.

Later I had to explain that he couldn't do that.  I explained that it was okay to be afraid but to pull away like that wasn't good.  "You have to stay tough to support your team," I said, hiding a smile.  He's getting the hang of it, and I'm supporting him along the way.  This brings me back to that parallel in my writing I mentioned.  There are two actually.  In one scenario, I am Charlie Brown, focused on my sole goal of connecting with the ball i.e. my novel and actually launching the darn thing.  Lucy represents my hurdles and the fact that they feel endless when it comes to finalizing things.  The other scenario is--I am both Charlie and Lucy and it's me that keeps screwing things up.  Yeah, it's probably the second one.  *Sigh*  

Can you relate? I find that writing these ridiculous thoughts down does help.  Thank you IWSG for all the love and support.  I saw this image and thought of you.  In case you haven't guessed, I'm good ol' Chuck and ISWG is the ultimate BFF, Snoopy.  

What type of insecurities are you faced with this month?  

Mina B.

IWSG: Don't Ever Give Up!

It's time for Insecure Writers Support Group.  This monthly meme is brought to us by  Alex J. Cavanaugh and now has a new home.  If you haven't visited their new website, click here and check it out! 

I'll keep my post short. Like most writers, I've had way too much going on.  To give you an example, it's 11:30 at night here and right now I'm trying to write a compelling post.  *Smacks forehead*  That's just the way it goes, huh?  
Anyway, my insecurities this month--which seem to be a common theme for the year--are surrounding my novel and some setbacks I have had.  This is not necessarily a bad thing but it has caused some insecurity for me. That said, I haven't dwelt on that insecurity for too long.  In truth, finding time is my biggest challenge with my writing these days.  Do hurdles like this make a writer want to give up?  It used to, but I realized a long time ago that this whole writing process is a journey so I'm doing my best to enjoy the ride.

And no I haven't given up either.  To show you I haven't I thought I'd share this writers creed with you:

Have you seen this before?  It's perfect for the publishing industry, huh?  Can you guess which one's publishing and which one's me?  Can you relate?  What type of insecurities are you faced with this month?  

Mina B.

Insecure Writers Support Group: Why not?

It's October and time for another Insecure Writers Support Group.   This monthly meme is brought to us by non other than  Alex J. Cavanaugh.  Thank you Alex for giving us an outlet to release our demons.  This month Alex has enlisted these fine folks, Julie Luek, Rachna Chabria, Beverly Fox, and Ilima Todd!   Thanks guys!  Don't forget to visit our awesome IWSG helpers.  Oh, and use the hashtag, #IWSG.

Like most aspiring writers, I tend to get an exorbitant amount of unsolicited advice from publishing firms, agents, writer acquaintances,  blogs and so forth.  For the first few stories I wrote, many harangued me with sometimes subtle but mostly damaging statements like “You can’t do this,” or “You can’t do that.” 

As I embarked on my writing adventure, I took copious notes on what was expected.  And so what happened after that?  Well, this list grew and grew to the point of nausea.  Don’t get me wrong there was a ton of excellent advice I found along the way.  Honestly though, there was also a ton that I found crippling.  Soon after, I grew more and more insecure.  To give you an example, here are a few lists of "You can'ts" that I heard when writing my YA novel.   

1. You can’t self-publish.  
2. You can’t be that graphic in a YA novel. 
3. You can’t have prologues in novels.
4. You can’t write about religion like that. 
5. You can’t write about personal stuff. 
6. You can’t have character be evil and then good.
7. You can’t make a plot rule and then break it.
8. Oh, and my favorite...You can’t write about vampires.

Well, as you can see the list goes on and on.  I felt like not matter where I turned, I was incapable of making these rule-makers happy.  After a couple of years, I realized that the growing expectation from others wasn't worth all the hype I’d given it.  In fact, it wasn't worth much at all.  The truth is when you constantly have people tell you, “You can’t do this or that,” it stifles the creativity. 

Soon I realized my best course was to ask the inevitable…Why not?  Now that I understand much more about myself, using this tactic has helped me stave off the naysayers and focus on what’s most important….the story.  

If you want to write about a purple elephant who possess magical farts, then by all means write about it.  As the owner of any story, what’s most important is you have total control from the beginning to end so make it a great one.  Write a story that way you want to and don't listen to every little bit of crap out there.  

Have you ever been plagued by this type of insecurity?  Did you fall in line or did you eventually break from the crowd?

Mina B.

Insecure Writers Support Group: Faith

Insecure Writers Support Group is on for September! Special thanks to Alex for doing this monthly meme.   I don't know how he does it.  Oh, wait.  He does have some help this month: Chemist Ken, SL Hennessy, Michelle Wallace, and Joylene Nowell Butler!  Thanks guys!  Don't forget to visit our awesome IWSG helpers.  Oh, and use the hashtag, #IWSG.


I made a ton of progress last month finalizing my book, Blessed Blood, for publication.  I don't have a date yet but soon.  Every time I feel I get closer to finalizing this project another set back happens in life.  

What's frustrating for me is these life mishaps throw off any momentum I've gained.  Its not like I have to start over from scratch, but it's irritating just the same.  Sometimes when this happens, I start feeling extremely insecure about my book.  Or frankly any other project I'm working on.  The good news is now I have an automatic retort when such pessimism attacks me.  What's that?  Well, whenever doubt hits me hard, I tend to yell back these words:

"Have some fu**ing faith, would ya?"

Believe it or not it works!  I think that's my positive takeaway this month.  Apparently, now I can argue with myself at will whenever I have doubt.  I'm slowly learning how to deal with these pestering insecurities.  Isn't that a good thing?

How are you learning to deal with your insecurities this month?   Any tricks you want to share that don't include talking to yourself?

IWSG: Can you feel it?

Insecure Writers Support Group for August is here. Special thanks to Alex for creating and hosting this monthly meme.  I also want to thank Alex's co-hosts M. Pax, Karen Walker, and Melissa Maygrove.

Last month was a challenging one.  I'd like to have the month over to do a redo, please.  Can I borrow someone's time machine?  That would be great.  In short, my kids got lice of all things and gave it to me.  In the summer, no less!  Wahoo!  #goodtimes.  That left me mostly worrying about nit-combing, cleaning, washing multiple times until my hands were raw and my brain was addled.  By the end of week one, I felt like a Chimpanzee mother, fine-tooth-combing her young for bugs, much like the picture here.  You can't imagine what one goes through when lice happens.  If you want to read an informative and quite hilarious post about Lice, Lice, Lice, yeah (80's song reference) ...check out Elise Fallson's post.  With back to school on the horizon, you'll may want may find this post an invaluable resource.  I did. :)

  
So, you may be asking what does this have to with IWSG?  Well, nothing can derogate your writing mojo and security like a good case head lice.  *scratches head*  

Head lice aside, I finally got rid of those pesky bugs and just in time for our family vacation.  Yes, we writers have to have those every now and then.  We ended up heading to Orlando, which is a few hours away from me and took the kids to Universal.  One of the best parts of the trip was the Harry Potter experience.  In a word: awesome!  Hanging with the fam gave me fantastic memories and a great perspective that helped tamper down my insecurities for July.  As I was leaving HP land, I took a picture of this poster that Universal sported to cover up their construction mess.  When I read it, I spoke to me.  

Can you feel it too?

Be honest...did your head itch while reading this post?

Mina B.

ISWG: Express Yourself

I'm back on track with Insecure Writers Support Group.  I missed last month due to work and family conflicts.  Special thanks to Alex for creating and hosting this monthly meme. I also want to thank Alex's co-hosts this month:  Nancy Thompson, Mark Koopmans and Heather Gardner - 

I won't bemoan the To Do list for my book for my IWSG post.  I'm getting there so I'm thankful for that.  For IWSG I decided to post something I saw on College Humor that had me rolling.  I thought I'd share with you to maybe lighten your day or mood.

8 New Punctuation Marks We Desperately Need
                         

 

Although they all are pretty darn funny, my favorite is the Mockwotation Marks.  Do you have a favorite?

Mina B.

ISWG: You Can Do It!

Insecure Writers Support Group is back and it feels like its been forever.  Am I right?  First, I'd like to thank Alex for creating and hosting this monthly meme. I also want to thank Alex's co-hosts this month, Lynda Young, Mark Koopmans, and Rachna Chhabria!

Okay, today I thought I'd post something inspirational that I found the other day.  Today's authors have an insane amount to manage daily whether traditionally or self-publishing their novels.  Sometimes, it seems like too much.  The second I saw this image it immediately transformed my thinking.  How about you?

One person can do so much!  Don't ever doubt it.  :)

Mina B.

ISWG & A-Z: C for Characters & The Clerk

As a part of Insecure Writers Support Group and A-Z  I'm doing a double post.  Man, its day three and I'm exhausted.  Before I start I wanted to thank Alex for being the superhero ninja that he is.  I also want to thank Annalisa Crawford, Elsie, and Julie Luek. Thanks guys!

For the past few months I've been fretting over my characters.  Of the feedback I've received, one suggestion was to tweak a few things about my main MC and another supporting character in order to make the story better.  Hey, I'm all for that, right?  Who wouldn't?  So now that I'm in edit-mode, I find myself troubled, wondering how much I should change.  What makes a good character a great one?  Is it plotting, dialogue or hell even better writing that will do the trick?  I recently read a book blogger rant about urban fantasy authors and the annoying trends they read in books.  I wish I could find the link of the post since it was a good one.  I remember reading it and asking myself..."Did I do that when I wrote my novels?"  I can't remember verbatim what those traps were, but the point is, readers matter.  So now that I'm making those last final edits to go from good to great, I find myself wondering what a reader would expect.  This is also frustrating because it feels like a death trap too.   Any suggestions?  Do I sound like lunatic?

A-Z:  C is for The Clerk

The Sir Cleric of Oxenford was a hard-working, somewhat religious man, obsessed with learning and his books.  He never spoke that much but when he did his words were wise.  His told a tale about the marquis (Walter) and a poverty girl, (Griselda) he chose to take as his bride.  Now after some time, Walter  became jealous and insecure (he would have been a perfect candidate for IWSG) about his wife.  He wanted to test her loyalty her steadfastness so he would constantly test this humble women I suspect hoping to see if she'd break.  I didn't quite understand the lengths that the marquis took to test her such as taking their children, hiding them and letting her think they were dead.  Despite her husbands wicked plans, Griselda remains vigilant and always accepting graciously her husbands decisions.  Yeah, I wanted to slap her more than a few times.  Still the story was incredibly engaging and had the makings of a modern day melodrama.

What about you?  If you think about marriage vows and the honor and obey part...how far could someone like the marquis push you?  

Have a great Wednesday.

Mina B.

ISWG: Your Mind Does Matter

Insecure Writers Support Group is finally here.  I feel like a need it too. *sigh*  Before I get started with my latest insecurities, I have to thank Alex for creating and hosting this monthly meme. I also want to thank Alex's co-hosts, Misha Gericke and Joylene Nowell Butler!  Be sure and visit these folks because they rock too.


Today I'm a bit frustrated.  Lately I've had so many other life challenges that I'm finding it hard to stay motivated.  It feels like one step forward two steps back right now.  Additionally, I'm noticing negative thoughts are resurfacing which only make things worse.  My hope is to release these demons with this post and hopefully get back on track.  It doesn't help that everyone in my house is sick with the flu, but that's another story.

I found these images which I thought were appropriate for this post.  I think this may be my current problem.  I don't think very highly of myself most of the time.  I'm forever thinking I'm too @#$^& or not enough @#&%^!  I wish I'd get over myself by now.  I mean really...aren't we (meaning me, myself and I) on the same team?

Whew!  I feel better now.  Thanks ISWG!  What are your insecurities this month?   

Mina B.