Wednesday 3 December 2014

IWSG (DEC)

December dawns and for most of us that probably means frantic shopping, cooking, cleaning, decorating ... and the list goes on. I already feel like my on-line presence is dwindling as time becomes an even greater problem than normal. I had hoped to finish my current round of edits by Christmas but I suspect, in reality, this is unlikely to happen. Still, I guess it's not the end of the world if it creeps into the New Year and I am happy with the way it is progressing, which is the main thing. Any progress is good, right?


“A word after a word after a word is power.” 

Most days seem to be a fine balancing act between family, home life, friends, work and, oh yeah, that little thing called writing. It is just a fact of life that some days one has to take priority over the others, and family will always come first. My mainly secret life, the one spent with my characters and their trials and tribulations, is never far from my mind though.  It is most definitely 'the little thing' that helps keep me sane. It feeds me through times of trouble and gives me the opportunity to explore and grow. I can not ever imagine not doing it.


"I write to give myself strength. I write to be the characters that I am not. I write to explore all the things I'm afraid of. ” 

Sure, I've got loads of writerly insecurities. I think having a creative mind tends to fuel the insecurities sometimes. We are supposed to be good at making things up after all, but for the last IWSG of 2014 I wanted to finish as I started back in January when I said my key words for the year were going to be positivity and focus. There's been a few wobbles, but on the whole, I think I have striven to maintain that goal. I haven't quite got to the place I hoped to be by the end of the year but I am still confident that I will get there in the end. Here's hoping that 2015 will see me realising a few goals and fulfilling a few of my dreams.  


"This is how you do it: you sit down at the keyboard and you put one word after another until its done. It's that easy, and that hard.” 

And finally, to all my writing friends out there,I hope that the coming year will bring the following for us all.

“let me live, love, and say it well in good sentences” 




 Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for founding this amazing group

Thanks also to this months fabulous co-hosts; Heather Gardner, T. Drecker from Kidbits, Eva E. Solar at Lilicasplace, and Patsy Collins


Don't forget to download your FREE copy of IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond.



The Insecure Writer’s Support Group Guide to Publishing and Beyond

Tapping into the expertise of over a hundred talented authors from around the globe, The IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond contains something for every writer. Whether you are starting out and need tips on the craft of writing, looking for encouragement as an already established author, taking the plunge into self-publishing, or seeking innovative ways to market and promote your work, this guide is a useful tool. Compiled into three key areas of writing, publishing, and marketing, this valuable resource offers inspirational articles, helpful anecdotes, and excellent advice on dos and don't s that we all wish we knew when we first started out on this writing journey. 

ISBN 9781939844088
235 pages, FREE 
IWSG sites – website, Facebook, and Facebook Critique Circle
Find the book at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Smashwords,Goodreads.

56 comments:

  1. Oops, I forgot to mention the IWSG book. I'd better add that. Yes, this time of year is busy, busy, busy. Glad you kept your positive attitude and if the edits don't get done by the end of the year, you still have time next year! I love the quotes. I'm definitely going to steal them....

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    1. Glad you like them Cathrina, I love a good quote!

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  2. Family has to come first indeed, but those made up guys aren't far from ones mind at all

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    1. I find them stalking me most days, Pat! (My characters, not the family!)

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  3. Love all the quotes! Here's hoping 2015 is a successful year for you! :)

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  4. Suzanne, just hang on to your family and your writing, and you'll be all right.
    Thanks for spreading the word about the book!

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    1. Your most welcome Alex, only sorry I never got to add anything to the book this time.

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  5. I've been a lousy blogger lately. The holidays have only made that worse.

    I'm not doing as well as I'd like with the writing either. It's hard enough to make myself close the laptop and take time for life's responsibilities, but even tougher when I'm in a state of muse-on-fire. Ugh. If I could write solidly for a few days without stopping to cook or clean or work, I could probably get the darned book finished. >.<

    IWSG #151 until Alex culls the list again.

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    1. I love the sound of a writing retreat don't you Melissa! We could just pump out the words.

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  6. Creative minds and insecurity DO go hand in hand. I'm okay as long as I remember this.

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    1. I definitely think so! Thanks for the visit today :)

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  7. I'm always searching for those good sentences. When I find them in other's writing, I'm thrilled. When I can lay them out in my out, I'm ecstatic.

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    1. Here's to lots of lovely sentences in the coming year, Lee. Thanks for stopping by.

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  8. Gaiman has it right 'that easy and that hard' - I think it applies so more than just writing. Start next year in the fast lane, and you're more likely to stay in it :-)

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    1. I think you're right Annalisa, thanks for dropping by :)

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  9. Beautiful, Suzanne. You've got your priorities straight. It's all so difficult… but it really is crazy that when we just keep pushing, the miracles that can happen. <3

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    1. Thanks, Morgan. I think learning to juggle is part of modern life but we have to hold on to our dreams.

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  10. It's understandable if you're less active online because of your family. Just enjoy your the time you spend with them.

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  11. What a lovely post! I love the quotes you've got in there! I'm starting to think that having no time is the norm at this time of year - even if I do get a minute to write/blog, I find that I don't actually want to write because it's cold and dark outside and I just want to relax instead! Hope you have a great start to your 2015 :)!

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    1. I wish you all the best for 2015 too, Rachel.

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  12. During this time of the year, any progress is a miracle! Family certainly comes first. I hope we both can find the time to write and do our writing duties after the new year.

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    1. I hope so, Chrys I wish you all the very best with your writing for the coming year.

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  13. Glad you liked the quotes, Karen. I wish you all the best for 2015 too.

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  14. Thanks for this post. We should all explore the things we're afraid of! Thanks for keeping things positive. You accomplished your goal for 2014!

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    1. I do believe positivity is infectious. Thanks for the visit, Emily.

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  15. An excellent post Suzanne, I forgot the date but will write mine later on.

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    1. You too have a lot on at the moment, Yvonne. I will catch up with your post soon.

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  16. I'm afraid to go back and see what my Jan 2014 writing resolutions were. I KNOW I'll be disappointed. But at least I kept writing, and that's all that matters. so as long as you feel you're getting there, you're golden. Good luck.

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    1. Definitely, Ken. Keep writing and moving forward however hard that can be at times. Good luck to you in 2015.

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  17. This is a fantastic post Suzanne! It seems like you've accomplished a lot this year with your writing and that's amazing. Family always comes first and treasure these holiday moments. I love the Joss Whedon quote; it so describes me. Thanks so much for participating! Eva, IWSG Co-host

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    1. Hi Eva, glad you enjoyed the post and the quotes and thank you for being a brilliant co-host this month.

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  18. I always enjoy reading what you have to say. It's always straight forward and with feeling. Have a great week, Suzanne!

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    1. That is most kind of you, Dixie. Have a great weekend.

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  19. I find myself writing very few words this time of year but doing a lot of thinking about what I will be working on in the new year. I guess that will have to be enough because, as you said, family comes first.

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    1. Thinking about our writing and the characters is never wasted, it helps us get to know them better so we can tell their stories. Thanks for visiting, Elizabeth.

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  20. I agree, any progress is a good thing, especially around this time of the year. Thanks for sharing those quotes!

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    1. I love a few well chosen quotes! Thanks for stopping by, Sarah.

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  21. Time with family is precious and it most always be priority one so you're right there. Keep creating and keep on with the positivism. Yes, sometimes it falters, that's just natural, but if it is mostly there, you'll get to achieve your goals. Dragon Hugs!

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    1. Dragon hugs always most welcome, Al. Thank you :)

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  22. I enjoyed the quotes. Great post. Wishing you a Happy Holiday Season.
    Juneta at Writer's Gambit

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    1. Hi Juneta, all the best for the holidays to you too.

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  23. I hope you reach all your goals, Suzanne :).
    Ninja Girl

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  24. It really does help to know that everyone else is struggling to keep all the balls in the air and the plates spinning at this time of year. Another lovely, considered post - and with bonus Neil Gaiman wisdom!

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  25. Hi Suzanne .. I love the quotes and I see I fall into excellent company from other commenters. Congratulations on all you do - writing and creating is energy, but so cathartic when it comes together.

    This time of year is family, friends and attempting to relax and enjoy the seasonal surroundings .. happy times for those build up days - Hilary

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    1. Thank you, Hilary. So looking forward to having both the girls home for Christmas.

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  26. Oh, I love that quote by Gaiman and the one by Joss. The Gaiman one really speaks to me right now. And hopefully this holiday season will bring nothing but awesome to help usher in the new year.

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    1. I find quotes quite inspiring and uplifting. Glad my choices helped you today.

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  27. Thank you, Suzanne, rather daunting to begin again, after Google took over Picasa and removed all my photographs, but trying to rebuild. It happened to many others, too.

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  28. Hey Suzanne. Thanks for this post. Enjoyed the writerly quotes. We all have to be realistic with the upcoming holiday season. There's never enough time to write as we'd like, but I think it's better to relax and enjoy the family and friends knowing the New Year will soon be upon us with its many challenges. :)

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  29. December is always incredibly busy, for sure. And I agree, any progress is good progress! Best of luck with your edits! :)

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  30. love the quotes and the inspiration! balance = happiness (and being satisfied with what we can get done!)

    happy holidays!

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  31. Hi Suzanne,

    Some marvellous quotes and some excellent reflections by your good self.

    I'm sure you're very proud of just how much you have accomplished, despite any insecurities.

    Wishing you a most peaceful rest of December.

    Gary

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  32. I so agree with you about how hard it is to find time to fit everything in. I'd hoped to have my book published by the end of the year, but it looks like it will be February. That's okay, though. I've been working for years toward this goal. A couple more months won't hurt. Best of luck with your writing goals! And thanks for the quotes. I enjoyed them!

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